MovieChat Forums > Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Discussion > If not Harrison Ford (or Tom Selleck), w...

If not Harrison Ford (or Tom Selleck), who would you have picked to play Indy?


I did not realize the amount of actors whose names were being mentioned in regards to being cast as Indy. I feel like pretty much every admirer of this film knows that Tom Selleck was originally going to be Indy before Ford was chosen.
If you were tasked with casting an actor to play Indy, who would you have narrowed it down to/chosen?
(during the early 80s, not modern day)

For me, my definite choice would have been Sam Elliott. I did not know until very recently that his name was brought up as a choice to play Indy. Much like Ford, Sam Elliott is the type of actor who has a genuine element old school of grit/gumption in addition to being well-spoken and deeply articulate. A perfect balance and combination of brains and balls: the professor side mixed with the undaunted adventurer side.

Thoughts?

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Oh, that would've been perfect. I'd say equally as perfect as Harry. 👍👍

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how about James Brolin? (aka Christian Bale of the 70s)

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You mean James Brolin from Amityville Horror? I really can't see him in the role at all. But then again the only movie I've seen him in was Amityville Horror.

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I dunno, Ford was such a perfect cast, its hard to compete. One of the best casting decisions of the 20th century.

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👍👍👍👍👍

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he wasn't even close to their first choice

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Lots of great casting choices have been lucky accidents (like the cast of The Wild Bunch).

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Burt Reynolds,James Brolin,Sam Neil,Michael Douglas,Jeff Bridges

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I always wanted to watch Harrison Ford as Alan Grant ..

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I hope someone deepfakes Jurassic Park with Ford as Grant.

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he turned it down, because he thought it sounded ridiculous

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Jeff would've been fantastic!!

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I think Lewis Van Bergen might have pulled it off

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Mel Gibson is great in everything he does, imo, too young maybe...

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Mel would've been absolutely fabulous!!!!

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Dennis Quaid.

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Randy Quaid.

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marc singer

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