Harrison Ford openly rejected his role in the 1979 romantic drama Hanover Street, expressing strong dislike for the film and the experience surrounding it. Ford, known primarily for his iconic role as Han Solo, revealed this disdain during reflections on his early career choices after Star Wars, clarifying his motivations and regrets related to the movie.
Ford’s Career Choices Following Star Wars
After gaining fame as Han Solo, Harrison Ford sought to expand his acting range but faced limited opportunities initially. Before his breakthrough with the Lucasfilm franchise, his options were scarce, leading him to accept roles like in Force 10 from Navarone, which he later called “a piece of total dogshit.” Ford was determined not to be typecast as merely the “Star Wars guy” and wanted to demonstrate his capabilities in varied roles.
One of his notable decisions was to star in Hanover Street, a romantic drama directed and written by Peter Hyams. The story revolved around an American pilot stationed in London during World War II who begins a secret affair with a married woman and later undertakes a dangerous mission over Nazi-occupied France alongside her husband.
Motivations Behind Joining Hanover Street
Ford disclosed that a major reason for signing on to Hanover Street was his desire to portray a romantic character, as he had never shared an onscreen kiss before. He said,
“I don’t even like to think about Hanover Street,”
highlighting his discomfort with the experience.
“The director and I did not get along. I’ve never seen the film. My motivation for doing Hanover Street was because I had never kissed a female human being on the screen before. The characters I played were totally sexless, and here was a movie that was being touted as a romance,”
Ford explained.
Additionally, the film’s timing right after the success of Star Wars allowed for a higher salary, which factored into his decision. Ford admitted,
“That was a clear, obvious reason for doing it,”
but also acknowledged there were
“a lot of other reasons, which may or may not have been the right ones for doing it.”
Regrets and Disapproval of the Film
Ford expressed considerable dissatisfaction with the filming process and how the movie turned out. He reflected,
“I hated making that film from start to finish,”
criticizing the production and promotional efforts. He added,
“They wanted me to promote it, but they wouldn’t show it to me, and I’d never pay to see it. It was a terrible experience.”
Despite these negative sentiments, Hanover Street went largely unnoticed at the box office and faded quickly from public view. Ford was quick to distance himself from the project whenever it was mentioned, highlighting his frustration with the film’s outcome and association.
The Impact on Ford’s Career and Legacy
Harrison Ford’s rejection of Hanover Street underscores his struggle to balance commercial success with personal artistic satisfaction early in his career. This experience reinforced his desire to carefully select projects aligning with his vision, eventually leading to roles that solidified his status as a leading actor.
Moreover, Ford’s candid reflections reveal the challenges actors face when typecasting threatens their range, as well as the pressures to accept questionable projects for career advancement. His blunt dismissal of Hanover Street remains a rare moment of outright disowning a film in a career otherwise marked by professionalism and selective praise.
