Ridley Scott has opened up about how he convinced financiers to cast Harrison Ford in the lead role of “Blade Runner”. At the time, Ford was already a household name after playing Han Solo in “Star Wars” and had been chosen by Steven Spielberg for “Raiders of the Lost Ark”.
In an interview with GQ magazine, Scott revealed that his financiers were initially unsure about casting Ford, saying “Who the fuck is Harrison Ford?” Scott reassured them, stating “You’re going to find out”. The film’s dramatic scope and complex world-building appealed to Scott, who collaborated with writer Hampton Fancher to create a unique story.
Despite its initial mixed reception from critics, including Pauline Kael’s scathing review in The New Yorker, which called the film “has nothing to give the audience”, Scott remains proud of his work. He credits Ford as a leading man and praises the film’s complexities, saying it was too much for some viewers to handle at first.
Scott’s candid comments provide insight into the making of this sci-fi classic, which has since become a cult favorite.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/harrison-ford-got-cast-blade-230508483.html