Star Wars: The Force Awakens? spot focuses on Adam Driver?s Kylo Ren. HARRISON Ford isn’t as emotionally attached to intergalactic freedom fighter Han Solo as the rest of the known universe.In fact, the 73-year-old actor tried to persuade franchise creator George Lucas to kill off the roguish space captain in the third film in the Star Wars franchise, Return of the Jedi.“I didn’t dislike him at all but I could imagine a greater utility for him,’’ says Ford.“That he might sacrifice himself for the nobility of it — and lend a little gravitas in the process.”Thankfully, Lucas overruled his ruthlessly professional leading man.Which is why, 38 years later, Ford is reprising the role in The Force Awakens, J.J. Abrams’ hotly anticipated reboot of the game-changing space opera, which is expected to gross more than $US1.6 billion worldwide.“Getting older lends a different kind of gravitas, I guess,” the actor says ruminatively.Notoriously private, Ford has a long-established reputation of being difficult and taciturn in interviews.
MOVIES: What to see in 2016 YOUR VOTE COUNTS: The best and worst movies"Star Wars" fans can have the force with them long after they leave the theater. Airbnb vacation destinations, makeup, and even birth control are among the movie-inspired products timed to the release of "The Force Awakens." Perhaps he has mellowed with age. In Sydney to attend a fan event at the Opera House, the actor proved to be a thoughtful, charming and unexpectedly dry-witted interview subject, although his humour doesn’t always translate to the printed page.Slow and deliberate in conversation, the actor chooses hiswords with as much care as a joiner might select then discard a series of wooden offcuts in search of the right grain.And something in Ford’s demeanour actually suggests an old-school, tradesman-like view of the world — he did earn a living as a carpenter before Star Wars kicked his career into hyperdrive.It was an appreciation of a different kind of craftsmanship that persuaded Ford to sign up for a fourth tour as Han Solo, some three decades after he last piloted the Millennium Falcon.Hollywood becomes the centre of everything "Star Wars'' as celebrities walk the red carpet for the world premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens.''
The actor says he hadn’t even thought about a sequel until Lucas called him up, a few years back, to ask if he might be interested.“I said: might it be good?“He said: we’ll let you know when we have a script.”When the blueprint for the seventh film in the game-changing franchise landed on Ford’s doorstep, it met with the actor’s approval.“And then JJ became involved and he had his own way with the script and the script became even better. But that’s often the process. One hopes that that’s going to be the process. It’s not that it took an unnatural turn.”Ford — who famously told Lucas “you can type this shit but you can’t say it. Move your mouth when you type” — is obviously keen to head off any suggestion that he doubts Lucas’ screenwriting skills.But when asked about Abrams’ contribution to the project, he observed wryly:”I don’t remember any unspeakable dialogue in this case.”Despite the very real potential that his performance might fail to live up to fans’ heightened expectations, Ford says he didn’t entertain any doubts about reprising the role.“
For me, it’s not a risk. It’s a pay cheque. It’s a pleasure to be involved.“The script had some interesting concepts and ideas to which the character is critical. The relationships are interesting and well-drawn.“The director is one I admire and have known for a very long time. It was altogether very easy to say yes.“This is the work I do. And I love the work.”Aviation is Ford’s other great passion.And when the experienced pilot, who cheated death earlier this year when he crash-landed his vintage, single engine plane on a golf course in California, talks about flying, it soon becomes apparent that there’s something of a common thread.“It’s the freedom of flight. It’s the responsibility of conducting a flight in a safe manner. And it’s the discipline and structure of that,’’ he says.“Every flight, you come back and you run it through your head. There is always something you feel you could have done just a little different, just a little better.”Earlier this month, Ford, told a UK journalist that he was so keen to get back into the cockpit after his accident, he flew while his leg was still in a cast.“
You discover a different dimension when you are in the air. And I love the machinery.”The Force Awakens is just one of three sequels on Ford’s production slate.Canadian filmmaker Denis Velleneuve (Sicario) has signed up to direct Bladerunner 2, co-starring Ryan Gosling. A fifth Indiana Jones films is also in the works.Why revisit all three of his most iconic roles at such a relatively late point in his career?“It’s my last chance. I am going to go away,” says the actor, who is not entirely joking.How will Ford know when it’s time to hand over the whip?“You think we are milking a dry cow?” he asks, without flinching.“I think we will get another bucket or two out of (Indiana Jones) because it’s a good story.“The armature of it and the character are interesting.“If you tried to make it and pretend you were 43 years old again, it would be an embarrassment.“But if you craft a story that allows you to see another side of Indy’s nature, if you calculate the story to express something about him being of a different mindset and age, it could be interesting.“
We have yet to lock in on an idea but if there is a script that is good, I am game.”First, however, Ford is to shoot the new Blade Runner movie, of which he is quietly confident.“I have a director that I think is good for the project and the opportunity to work with what I think is one of the best young actors (of his generation.) I think we have the chance to make a good movie.”Looking back to the role that somewhat belatedly launched his career (Ford was 35), the actor says he had no sense at the time that he was signing up for anything particularly groundbreaking.“They lock people up in institutions for that kind of wild-ass imagination,’’ he jokes.“No, it was a job. It was $1000 a week for 10 weeks. And it was a bigger part than I had had before with a director I had worked with once before.“It was hard to imagine what it all might look like, might feel like, when you read it on the page.“But American Graffiti had been unpredictably successful. And there was something about George.
I mean, I really had an interest in George’s mind and how he got there.”STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS OPENS TODAYGiven the secrecy of The Force Awakens — including who makes it out alive — precious little is known about the other two movies in the new Star Wars trilogy. Rian Johnson (Looper) will direct Eight, due for release in 2017, and Oscar Isaac, Mark Hamill and Gwendolyne Christie are confirmed to return, other than that, it’s anyone’s guess. Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow is also locked in to direct Nine.Directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Felicity Jones and Aussie Ben Mendelsohn, Rogue One will be set between episodes Three and Four and tells the story of how the plans for the Death Star were stolen. Due for release December 16, 2016.Also set between episodes Three and Four, Lego Movie directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller will direct this Solo project due for release on May 25, 2018. The lead role has become one of the most coveted in Hollywood, with actors including Ansel Elgort, Miles Teller, Logan Lerman and Aaron Taylor-Johnson said to be in the running.