Al Pacino has starred in some of the most iconic movies and has been known in the Hollywood industry as one of the biggest actors. He is not the only one though, alongside him, another actor has climbed the ranks of the Film industry rapidly; Harrison Ford. Out of the many roles he has done, Han Solo sits in a special place for the fans.
Star Wars became a franchise that completely changed the world of science fiction almost overnight and George Lucas had the biggest part in that. Casting characters such as Luke and Leia Skywalker as well as Han Solo and Yoda became an integral part of the movie because of the impact it would have on everyone’s careers. However, Pacino did not see it that way.
Al Pacino Thought He Gave Harrison Ford A Career
Al Pacino was first to be offered the role of Han Solo before Harrison Ford was even in the picture. George Lucas was after the actor to take on the role but he ultimately declined the offer. He had been getting back-to-back movies and Star Wars just wasn’t in the picture at that time. However, that paved the path for Ford.
“So I gave Harrison Ford his career! He owes me so big! I’m gonna have him pay me back. I’m gonna have him build my house.”
Before Star Wars: A New Hope, no one knew who Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, or Carrie Fisher were. Their careers did a 180 once they took on their most iconic roles. Al Pacino credited himself as the reason why Ford even has a career as grand-scaled. He mocked his previous career, which was as a carpenter; stating that he should build Pacino’s house because of how much his sacrifice benefitted Ford’s career. He even stated that the actor owes him for the way he basically handed him a career.
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Al Pacino Never Understood Star Wars
Al Pacino is not someone who has often been seen doing something that is too vividly classified as fiction. In terms of fantasy, science fiction, superhero movies, and whatnot, the actor prefers to do roles that are more near the idea of reality than outside of it. So when he was first offered Star Wars: A New Hope, confusion completely consumed him. Outside of the character of Han Solo, there was much he couldn’t understand in the script.
“I didn’t get it. I didn’t know why I’d do it.”
The actor could not fathom the peculiar names, the franchise-like storytelling, and even more, the entire concept the movie was trying to give birth to. From the costumes to the characters, it all went over his head and he knew that rejecting the script would be the best option for him.
Source: LA Weekly
