Film has ‘huge influence’ on life, culture
Ford finds inspiration in return to Blade Runner role
LOS ANGELES — Harrison Ford’s movie past has rejuvenated his 21st-century presence.
The 75-year-old returned to reprise his Han Solo portrayal in the blockbuster hit Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He agreed to play Indiana Jones in another upcoming adventure and he’s back as Rick Deckard in the highly anticipated Blade Runner 2049.
It’s been 35 years since Ford’s Deckard wowed sci-fi fans in Ridley Scott’s iconic film loosely based on Philip. K. Dick’s celebrated novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
In the latest film, directed by Quebec filmmaker Denis Ville- neuve, Ford is a supporting player to Ryan Gosling ,who plays K, the LAPD blade runner assigned to find Deckard 30 years after he disappeared. K’s boss (Robin Wright) believes Deckard might be connected to a bio-replicant event that could threaten mankind.
While Villenueve’s movie has its own resonance, there are enough physical and philosophical references to link the new production to Scott’s Blade Runner.
“It did bring back memories of the first film,” says Ford. “It was raining, like, all the time. I was tired. I was happy at the result, and it was remarkable experience working with Ridley then. But it was a long time ago in a world far, far away.”
Still, Ford felt better about being part of the sequel because he knew Scott would be an adviser to Villeneuve as executive producer. Not only that the latest script was co-written by Hampton Fancher, who had also co-written the first one.
And before the cast and crew arrived in Hungary to begin the complex and gruelling shoot, Villeneuve assured Ford his input would be key. “To my great relief, and right from the start, Harrison showed me he wanted to be part of the process,” the director says.
Yet the sequel may not resolve the mystery left unanswered at the conclusion the original film: Is Deckard a replicant? And, the actor who plays him continues to be evasive. Anyway, he was motivated to follow up on the narrative for other reasons.
“This presented different opportunities to give the audience a better understanding of (Deckard),” Ford says. “And I was anxious to work with the people involved — with Ryan (Gosling), Denis (Villeneuve).”
To capture the dystopian noir vision Scott established in the first film, Villeneuve turned to Roger Deakins, who was his director of photography on Sicario. Vancouver native and production designer Dennis Gassner also assisted in presenting the distinct look. Montreal’s Renée April, who had worked with Villeneuve on Arrival and Sicario, designed the costumes.
“A picture is worth a thousand words,” Ford says, “and when you get on a set where there’s been a lot of thought put into the visual aspects, you feel the support from it and you know what you don’t have to do.”
That didn’t mean the cast relaxed with their emoting. In fact, Gosling was impressed by Ford’s dedication. “He’s always right there for you in a scene,” he says.
Notes Ford: “You have to be there, of course, for the other characters, and to service the story. But so much is done in a visual way to encourage your confidence.”
Like fans of the original Blade Runner, Ford appreciates the movie’s impact — although there are eight different edits of it. For the record, Ford’s favourite is “Ridley’s final cut — I was much happier with that version” than the first one with the voice-over.
“I’ve thought about (Blade Runner) frequently because I’ve been reminded how many filmmakers took inspiration from it,” Ford says. “It’s had a huge influence on our culture and my life.”