The surprising story of how Harrison Ford became Han Solo after Al Pacino turned it down reflects a pivotal decision in Hollywood history. Al Pacino, acclaimed for his Oscar-winning performances, revealed that he walked away from the role of Han Solo in Star Wars, a choice that helped shape both his own legacy and the career of Harrison Ford.
Why Al Pacino Passed on Star Wars
While promoting his latest film, The Ritual, with Dan Stevens, Al Pacino lightheartedly discussed his decision to pass on the iconic Star Wars role, reflecting on the humor and regret tied to that moment. Pacino quipped to Entertainment Weekly,
“I said, ‘I think I’m in the mood to make Harrison Ford a career,’”
—Al Pacino, Actor
Looking back, Pacino explained his connection to Hollywood’s so-called “Movie Brats”—a group of innovative directors, including George Lucas, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, and Brian De Palma. These directors powered the New Hollywood era of the late 1960s through the early 1980s, changing the face of American cinema. Pacino visited the Sentinel Building in San Francisco, which Francis Ford Coppola purchased as the headquarters for American Zoetrope, before starring in The Godfather. Pacino recounted,
“Zoetrope started in San Francisco with Spielberg and De Palma and Francis Coppola, and Scorsese,”
—Al Pacino, Actor
“They were in the late-’60s making this. They were real idealists coming into the ’70s with great films all over the globe. So it was a wonderful place that I actually saw, I went to the building and everything before I did Godfather with them,”
—Al Pacino, Actor
Reading the Star Wars Script—and Walking Away
Pacino revealed that even though he was offered considerable money for the role, he simply could not relate to the Star Wars script or its universe. At that time, he was also tied up with a Broadway play, making it even harder to connect with the material. He described reading the script for the first time, saying,
“So I loved their work, but I was doing a show on Broadway at the time, and they handed me this script, and I thought, I don’t understand,”
—Al Pacino, Actor
“[I thought], I must be out of space myself,”
—Al Pacino, Actor
He sought advice from his friend and mentor, Charlie Loughton, but even the seasoned advisor could not decipher the script’s appeal. Pacino elaborated,
“But I looked at this thing and I sent it to Charlie Loughton, my friend and mentor, actually. I said, ‘What do you make of this?’ He was pretty wise and he said, ‘I don’t get it, Al. I dunno. I don’t get it.’ I said, ‘Well, I don’t either; what are we going to do? They offered me a fortune, but I don’t know. No, I can’t play something if I don’t speak the language.’”
—Al Pacino, Actor
How Harrison Ford Seized the Opportunity
The decision sent a ripple through Hollywood casting, leaving the path open for Harrison Ford to land the role that would launch him into superstardom. Ford was not the only actor considered for Han Solo; other well-known competitors included Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, and Burt Reynolds. Stallone and Russell both auditioned and were passed over for the part, while Reynolds, like Pacino, declined the opportunity.
Burt Reynolds later admitted,
“I didn’t want to play that kind of role at the time,”
—Burt Reynolds, Actor
“Now I regret it. I wish I would have done it.”
—Burt Reynolds, Actor
Each of these now-famous actors watched Ford become synonymous with Han Solo after Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope premiered in 1977. Ford’s performance propelled him into the status of one of Hollywood’s leading men, cementing his position in film history.
The Impact of a Missed Role and What Followed
For Al Pacino, bypassing the role of Han Solo did not halt his legendary journey. He continued starring in classics like Norman Jewison’s And Justice for All, William Friedkin’s Cruising, and Brian De Palma’s Scarface. The landscape of Hollywood could have shifted dramatically had Pacino taken the role, but his choice ultimately allowed Harrison Ford to embody Han Solo—a decision that reverberates through cinema today.
The story of how Harrison Ford became Han Solo after Al Pacino turned it down is a compelling testament to the unpredictable nature of casting decisions in Hollywood, highlighting the interplay between creative intuition, opportunity, and luck. As Ford’s career soared and Pacino continued to leave his mark on film, both actors showcased how the right role at the right time can change the course of movie history.
