Martin Scorsese Almost Directed 1 Underrated Harrison Ford Movie That Star Wars Actor Despises Still Today
Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner has earned its place among the most revered science fiction films in cinematic history. However, Martin Scorsese’s involvement in the vision for Blade Runner could’ve steered the iconic sci-fi film into a wholly distinct artistic direction. While Ridley Scott’s 1982 adaptation remains the most recognized rendition of Philip K. Dick’s novel, Scorsese’s initial impact on the project adds an intriguing layer to its creation.
Nonetheless, the journey to bring Blade Runner to life was laden with its own set of unforeseen twists and turns. Amidst its production, Indiana Jones star Harrison Ford harbored reservations toward the film. His experience working alongside Ridley Scott on Blade Runner wasn’t entirely positive, and consequently, his fondness for the project was limited.
The Untold Tale of Martin Scorsese’s Blade Runner
Martin Scorsese, a titan in the world of filmmaking, boasts a career that spans over half a century and is punctuated by a multitude of iconic films. Yet, within this illustrious repertoire, there exists one significant absence—an untold chapter involving Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, a project that could have borne the unmistakable Scorsese touch.
Years before Ridley Scott adapts Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Martin Scorsese held a profound fascination with the novel. He recognized its potential as a compelling cinematic narrative. This captivation led Scorsese to embark on a creative journey alongside screenwriter Jay Cocks, envisioning their interpretation of Dick’s profound literary work. Their aspirations to bring this visionary tale to life culminated in discussions about their distinctive spin on the revered book.
Despite their impassioned efforts, the duo never advanced to the crucial stage of securing the rights to adapt the novel. Scorsese’s unreleased Blade Runner script is rumored to have diverged significantly from Ridley Scott’s eventual vision. Scorsese’s pivot away from Blade Runner opened doors to his iconic contributions to the crime genre, etching his name into the annals of cinematic history through different, yet equally impactful movies.
Harrison Ford’s Turbulent Journey in Blade Runner
The release of Blade Runner in 1982 brought about intriguing situations, particularly regarding Harrison Ford’s ambivalence toward the film post-release. Despite portraying Rick Deckard, lauded as one of his career bests, Ford initially held a negative perspective.
His disdain stemmed from various sources, notably the original theatrical cut and his on-set experiences. Displeased with the imposed voiceovers, Ford believed the film functioned effectively without them, expressing disappointment in Deckard’s portrayal as well. Ford told Vice,
“When we started shooting, it had been tacitly agreed that the version of the film that we had agreed upon was the version without voiceover narration. It was a f*cking nightmare. I thought that the film had worked without the narration. But now I was stuck re-creating that narration. And I was obliged to do the voiceovers for people that did not represent the director’s interests.”
Enduring fifty consecutive nights of filming in the rain further soured Ford’s experience, deeming Blade Runner a nightmarish production. He didn’t shy away from voicing his discontent, creating friction with director Ridley Scott. Rifts emerged between Ford and director Ridley Scott, escalating over disagreements about Deckard’s nature—human or synthetic.
Their clash about the character’s essence became a significant point of contention, intensifying their strained relationship. While Ford’s discomfort lingered, Scott also had grievances toward the actor. Their differing visions clashed, leaving behind a turbulent working dynamic.
Blade Runner is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
