Thunderbolts and Captain America: New World Order star Harrison Ford opens up on why he decided to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the surprise of many.
In a sitdown with The Hollywood Reporter, the 80-year-old revealed what drove him to journey within the MCU, succeeding the late William Hurt as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross. Ford noted that the fun Marvel actors have enjoyed starring in MCU films and wants to experience it himself, citing his desire for a fresh challenge. "I don't know. I can't explain myself to myself, I just work here. (Laughs.) I thought, "Everybody else seems to be having a great time." I watch all these terrific actors having a good time [in Marvel movies]. I like doing something different to what I've ever done and pleasing people with it. So I'll try a piece of that," he said.
Harrison Ford Joins the MCU
Ford previously spoke about his decision to play "Thunderbolt" Ross last December, saying he wanted to do things he hadn't before, though he wouldn't confirm if he would also play Ross' Red Hulk alter-ego. Marvel Studios confirmed Ford's addition to the MCU last October in a move that raised a few eyebrows as fans and critics questioned replacing Hurt. Starting with 2008's The Incredible Hulk, William Hurt played Ross for several Marvel movies, including multiple installments of the Avengers franchise, Captain America: Civil War and Black Widow, before he died from prostate cancer last March, aged 71.
Ford's MCU debut will be in the next Captain America sequel, New World Order, alongside Anthony Mackie, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Shira Haas. The award-winning actor follows up that feature with his role in the Jake Schreier-helmed movie, Thunderbolts alongside Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh and Olga Kurylenko. Thunderbolts is a sequel to Black Widow and New World Order.
In the meantime, Ford is promoting Dial of Destiny, the fifth film in the storied Indiana Jones franchise. Set in 1969, the action-adventure project sees Indiana living in the Space Race era, prompted to go on a journey with his goddaughter Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) as the U.S government controversially works with former Nazis to beat the Soviet Union in the competition to make it to space. Also featuring Antonio Banderas and Mads Mikkelsen, Dial of Destiny will also see a de-aged version of Ford thanks to Lucasfilm's usage of old footage from previous Indiana Jones movies, manipulating the actor's features using AI. Despite his age, Ford has insisted he has no intention of hanging up the Indiana Jones hat.
Meanwhile, Ford also stars as prominent ranch owner Jacob Dutton in the Yellowstone prequel 1923, which recently landed a second season on Paramount+. Furthermore, he features as Dr. Rhodes on the Apple+ comedy-drama series Shrinking alongside How I Met Your Mother's Jason Segel and The Daily Show's Jessica Williams.
Watch Ford make his maiden MCU appearance as "Thunderbolt" Ross when New World Order opens in theaters on May 3, 2024, while Thunderbolts premieres on Jul. 26, 2024.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter