YOU (South Africa)

Spotlight on actor Harrison Ford

The iconic star answers The Call of the Wild

- SOURCES: THEHOLLYWO­ODREPORTER.COM, TELEGRAPH. CO.UK, CBSNEWS.COM, VARIETY.COM, INDEPENDEN­T.CO.UK

COMPILED BY MAXINE PETERS

A DOG’S LIFE Adapted from the classic 1903 novel The Call of the Wild by Jack London, the movie tells the tale of Buck, a loyal dog whose pampered life is turned upside down when he’s dognapped from California and taken to Alaska during the Yukon Gold Rush of the 1890s to be part of a sled team.

Starring opposite the computer-generated dog, Harrison plays John Thornton, a kind, rugged prospector who loves the outdoors. He swoops in to save Buck from being mistreated and the pair set off on the adventure of a lifetime in the Alaskan wilderness. “While the book doesn’t have very much history for John , we were able to weave in a human story that parallels Buck’s story,” Harrison says. “Thornton gets the courage from Buck to face parts of his life that he didn’t have the courage to face prior to this

relationsh­ip.”

TIRED OF FAME After more than 40 years of fame and having starred in two of Hollywood’s most iconic movie franchises –

Indiana Jones and Star Wars – the 77-year-old says he’s over being in the spotlight and the hype that comes with showbiz. “Look, I’ve enjoyed every job I’ve ever had, because I love the work, but I don’t have to be a leading man anymore,” he says. His other interests include advocating for climate change and sustainabi­lity and he’s vice-chairman of American NPO Conservati­on Internatio­nal.

HAPPY WIFE, PRIVATE LIFE The Oscar-nominated actor has been in a relationsh­ip with Calista Flockhart (55) for more than 18 years. The pair, who wed in 2010, have a son, Liam (19), adopted by Calista in 2001.

Of their 22-year age gap, the Golden Globe-winning actress said in an interview, “It doesn’t faze me. Sometimes I even say, ‘ Wow, I keep forgetting he’s 22 years older than me.’ It doesn’t factor into our relationsh­ip at all.”

Harrison opened up about falling for her in a 2003 interview, saying, “I’m in love. Romantic love is one of the most exciting and fulfilling kinds of love and I think there’s a potential for it at any stage of your life.”

 ??  ?? The Call of the Wild is in SA cinemas now.
The Call of the Wild is in SA cinemas now.
 ??  ?? Harrison Ford as John Thornton and his co-star, CGI dog Buck, in The Call of the Wild. RIGHT: At the film’s world premiere.
Harrison Ford as John Thornton and his co-star, CGI dog Buck, in The Call of the Wild. RIGHT: At the film’s world premiere.
 ??  ?? LEFT: With actress wife Calista Flockhart at a Golden Globes afterparty.
LEFT: With actress wife Calista Flockhart at a Golden Globes afterparty.

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