“Tom Selleck Reflects on Missing Out on the Indiana Jones Role with No Regrets”

Tom Selleck is as synonymous with Magnum, P.I. as Harrison Ford is with Indiana Jones. But imagine a world where Selleck had taken on both iconic roles.

Selleck was indeed offered the chance to play the adventurous archaeologist. However, he had to turn it down due to his commitment to CBS’ “Magnum, P.I.,” which premiered in 1980. The first Indiana Jones film, “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” came out in 1981, directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas. According to Selleck, Spielberg and Lucas were eager to have him in the role.

“I was offered the role and was very interested, but I had already done a pilot for ‘Magnum,’” Selleck revealed during an appearance on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna on May 8, promoting his memoir, “You Never Know.” “Spielberg and Lucas were very keen on having me, and they even suggested that we could work it out so I could do both. But CBS was adamant about not letting me out of the contract.”

Despite missing out on what became a legendary film series, Selleck harbors no regrets about his decision. “Ultimately, CBS’s decision wasn’t a hardship. Signing on for ‘Magnum’ turned out to be one of the best things that happened to me,” he shared. “It wasn’t a consolation prize; it was a fantastic opportunity. I’m grateful that Spielberg and Lucas wanted me for the role. That’s a nice thing to have in my back pocket.”

Harrison Ford has confirmed the story about Selleck’s missed opportunity. At the Taormina Film Festival last year, while promoting “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” Ford acknowledged, “Tom was unable to get out of his contract. I became the second choice, and I’m very grateful for Tom.”