Star Wars: The Force Awakens..Han Solo (Harrison Ford)

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW – Harrison Ford on Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Disney disclosure


It’s been 32 years since Harrison Ford graced the big screen as Han Solo. Next week, he will once again be back in character as Star Wars: The Force Awakens in theaters everywhere on December 18th. What will it be like for Mr. Ford to walk back into this legacy 32 years later? Fortunately for you (and me), we asked him this very question in an interview recently.

Star Wars - Harrison Ford as Han Solo

Harrison Ford

His initial response was exactly this: “It was familiar. Same thing only different.” Harrison Ford realized right away that it was an “attractive prospect.” After all, it’s STAR WARS! That, in and of itself, is a huge deal. Plus, he acknowledges that the movie deals with the reality of the passage of time and the question of what happened while he (Han Solo) was off stage for 30 years. But don’t think he told us any particulars about his character or the movie. The entire cast was very tight-lipped on any film details!

Harrison Ford - The Force Awakens
Photo Credit: ©MomStart.com

Just one of the many great quotes Harrison Ford gave us this weekend included this response on the question of legacy:

“I’m very grateful for the fact that these were Family Films that been passed on as though there were some nugget of useful information, or at least entertainment in them, and recognizing their value to the audience gives them significance to me.”

In fact, he went on to state that “if it were not for the fact that these films have been passed on parents to their children at, uh, at an appropriate juncture in their lives — that Generations have thus been introduced to me — I probably would have a much different career.” Additionally, when asked if it was hard getting back into the mindset, Mr. Ford added, “I have walked more than a mile in those shoes and it was a familiar path. I was happy to be back.” And we’re glad to have you back, Mr. Ford!

Harrison Ford interview - Han Solo
Photo Credit: ©MomStart.com

Not only is Harrison Ford back, but he mentioned that some of the older members of the film’s crew had worked on the earlier films. Not to mention, there were sons and daughters of the people who worked on the original film who are now still in the same craft business as their parents and and now back to work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Star Wars The Force Awakens - Harrison Ford - Han Solo
Photo Credit: David James ©2015 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Right Reserved.

Working on the movie was a collaborative process, according to Mr. Ford, in terms of the script. He has played Han Solo for such a large number of years, it seems natural that he would be best suited for helping to direct his story. As he conclusively described it, the movie “was a collaborative process and collaboration is not one person’s unilateral decision. It’s a matter of agreement.” This final agreement is what we will ultimately see as part of the finished process on the big screen starting next week!

As we head into the final countdown until the movie premieres, you have to wonder how Harrison Ford feels about being part of this legacy… and what he believes is so appealing to fans of the saga.

The breadth of the imagination that’s involved in these films — the strength and worthiness of the Mythology that underpins them and the questions that it generates in our minds about our own responsibilities and behaviors — all of that plus the whiz and bang and flash and music and good stuff.

I don’t know that I can pinpoint the ONE reason that I have always been a Star Wars fan… but Mr. Ford gave a pretty compelling reason above. Especially the “whiz and bang and flash and music and good stuff” part. That truly seems to be it.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens..Han Solo (Harrison Ford)
Photo Credit: Film Frame ©2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Right Reserved.

Finally, my favorite answer to a pretty deep question, when asked his take away to what he wants the new Generation to take away from Star Wars, his response was simply: “Their choice.” Perfection! I cannot wait to see the movie and see how it all comes together!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens poster

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters everywhere on Friday, December 18th. May the Force Be With You!

Read what other cast and crew members had to say as well:


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