Ford Pressured Co-Star Into Risky Stunts Despite Safety Fears
A Hollywood veteran's insistence on authenticity led to uncomfortable moments on set when he convinced a reluctant co-star to perform dangerous action sequences against their better judgment.
While he may not reach Tom Cruise's legendary stunt levels, Harrison Ford has consistently shown that getting older doesn't mean slowing down when it comes to performing his own action sequences. Most studios would rely heavily on stunt doubles when casting an 80-something actor in a major action film, but Ford insisted on handling much of the physical work himself in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, with his character's aging body mirroring the actor's own physical challenges.
The commitment came at a cost - Ford sustained injuries that halted filming for several weeks. Unfortunately, the dedication didn't pay off commercially, as the fifth Indiana Jones movie bombed at theaters, giving the beloved character a disappointing farewell rather than the triumphant send-off Ford had envisioned.
A Career Built on Authenticity
This hands-on approach has defined Ford's entire career. From his iconic role as Han Solo in Star Wars to his turns as Jack Ryan in two Tom Clancy adaptations, plus memorable performances in The Fugitive, Blade Runner, The Devil's Own, and even lesser-known projects like Firewall and The Call of the Wild, Ford has consistently chosen realism over safety. He believes audiences can tell the difference when the actual actor is performing the action rather than a double.
However, not every performer shares this philosophy, which created problems for Isaiah Washington during their collaboration. Washington found himself in an uncomfortable position when Ford's commitment to authenticity became a source of pressure.
Peer Pressure on Set
The 2003 action-comedy Hollywood Homicide isn't considered one of Ford's finest moments, and the veteran actor knew the production was troubled from day one due to an incomplete script. Despite recognizing the project's flaws, Ford refused to mail in his performance and began pushing Washington to match his commitment to doing their own stunts.
Washington wasn't eager to put himself in harm's way, but found it nearly impossible to refuse when one of Hollywood's biggest names was applying pressure. 'He forced me to do a lot of my own stunts because he did them,' Washington explained. 'We were in the scenes together. I didn't have a choice. I told Harrison: I really don't think we should be doing this. This is dangerous. We could die. He said to me, I'll see you on the other side.'
The Aftermath
Although Ford was likely joking around, his casual attitude didn't make the situation any less stressful for Washington. The co-star would have preferred letting professional stunt performers handle the film's more hazardous sequences, but felt cornered by Ford's expectations and star power.
In the end, the risk wasn't worth the reward. Hollywood Homicide performed poorly with critics and audiences alike, and today it's mainly remembered for the reported tension between Ford and Josh Hartnett rather than any memorable action scenes. Fortunately, both Ford and Washington escaped without serious injuries, which is more than can be said for some of Ford's other film projects where his insistence on realism has led to genuine accidents.