For over half a century, Harrison Ford dominated Hollywood while continuing to stay relevant in today’s era. The star who attained cult status with his marquee titular role in the iconic Indiana Jones franchise and as Hans Solo in the Star Wars series has also regaled audiences with his presence in action thrillers like The Fugitive, Air Force One, and Six Days Seven Nights.
Despite being part of many successful films over the years, Harrison Ford has also refused roles in projects that have gone on to gain recognition many years after its release. The Witness star who was asked to appear in a cameo for Dave Chappelle’s film, turned down the offer.
Harrison Ford Rejected Dave Chappelle’s Half Baked
In 1998, actor Dave Chappelle wrote and starred in the stoner comedy Half Baked which also had Snoop Dog in a cameo appearance. The film which followed the story of 3 drug addicts and their chaotic run-in with the police force, received negative reviews upon its release with critics and audiences dismissing it completely. The film had an approval rate of only 28% on Rotton Tomatoes. Over the years, it gained recognition and popularity after its release on DVD and finally ended up being one of Hollywood’s cult movies.
Along with Snoop Dog’s cameo, Dave Chappelle had reportedly approached Harrison Ford to play a small role in the film. Ford though, declined the offer. While the reasons for his refusal are still not known, the general consensus today is that the film would have been elevated greatly with the veteran star’s presence.
Why Did Harrison Ford Miss Out On The Graduate?
While Harrison Ford was offered only a cameo in Half Baked, the actor missed out on the golden opportunity to star in one of Hollywood’s greatest classics. The Indiana Jones star was reportedly the original choice to play the protagonist in director Mike Nichols’ The Graduate, a role that ultimately went to Dustin Hoffman.
Ford, who was just beginning his journey in Hollywood at the time, was only 25 years old. This led the director to feel that he may still be too young and inexperienced to do the heavy lifting for the role. The Graduate ultimately went on to earn multiple nominations at the Academy Awards including a Best Actor nomination for Dustin Hoffman. Mike Nichols went on to win the coveted golden statue for Best Director. While this film seemed like a costly miss for Harrison Ford, the Air Force One star made up for it a few years later with his presence in one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises, Star Wars.
Source: Movie Web
