10 Potential Castings We're SO Glad Didn't Happen
9. Kurt Russell As Han Solo (Star Wars)
Another character who eventually became legendary in Harrison Ford’s hands, Han Solo was almost given to Kurt Russell instead. The ‘80s action star certainly ticks a lot of the boxes, but he just doesn’t seem like he fits the whole picture of Han as well as Ford does.
Russell often comes across like a movie star very acutely aware that he’s a movie star. Arnold Schwarzenegger is like this too, and Dwayne Johnson is probably the modern day equivalent. There’s nothing wrong with this popcorn approach; in fact it’s part of what makes Escape From LA (or Terminator or Jumanji) so enjoyable.
Actors like Russell always look like they’re having a blast, and they pass that enjoyment onto the audience. It works perfectly in movies which don’t take themselves too seriously, and in fairness Russell does tone it down well in The Hateful Eight.
Still, for all Star Wars is a sci fi blockbuster rather than an art house flick, Ford’s grit brings the character of Han Solo to life. He doesn’t see himself as an action hero, even if he quite typically is, and that’s precisely why Ford’s take is so necessary.