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As Marvel has trucked into its fifth phase of films and TV shows, fans and actors alike have expressed growing pains with the comic book cinematic universe. While much of folks’ ire with the MCU’s oversaturation in pop culture centers on the waning quality in its post-Avengers: Endgame storytelling, another point of frustration is with how the MCU’s casting announcements—once a cause for internet frenzy—have felt like jury duty for well-established and up-and-coming actors alike. In a shocking turn of events, Harrison Ford, Hollywood’s grumpiest lovable actor, has come forward to dispel the stigma surrounding actors in Marvel films.
In a recent interview with GQ, Ford reminisced over his legendary career starring in pop culture touchstones like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Blade Runner. The 82-year-old actor also reflected on his debut in the MCU as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (aka Red Hulk) in the upcoming Marvel film Captain America: Brave New World. When asked about his patently dismissive non-answers at press events—something GQ notes would be unorthodox for any other Marvel actor—was indicative of something more profound, Ford responded in kind, saying that it wasn’t that deep.
“I mean, this is the Marvel universe and I’m just there on a weekend pass. I’m a sailor new to this town. Show me the way to go home,” Ford told GQ.
Ford expanded on his comment, addressing the notion of actors steering clear of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as their next artistic venture because they think it will debase their talents. This ongoing discourse has been stoked by comments from directors like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, who’ve wrestled with whether the MCU is cinema or just a blockbuster rollercoaster solely meant to generate money rather than (as Coppola put it) “illuminate contemporary life.”
“I understand the appeal of other kinds of films besides the kind we made in the ’80s and ’90s. I don’t have anything general to say about it. It’s the condition our condition is in, and things change and morph and go on,” Ford said. “We’re silly if we sit around regretting the change and don’t participate. I’m participating in a new part of the business that, for me at least, I think is really producing some good experiences for an audience. I enjoy that.”
Although Ford is known for being a curmudgeon whenever fans and the press ask him for his take on theories about Star Wars and Indiana Jones, his big tent answer here does get at the reason why actors like himself perform in the first place: to create new, thrilling experiences for moviegoers. As far as Ford’s involvement in projects like the MCU goes, he says it all boils down to good old-fashioned writing.
“It’s the quality of writing. It doesn’t matter what the genre is. It doesn’t matter whether it’s on television or in movies. It’s the writing, it’s the story, it’s the character, it’s the emotional experience for an audience or for myself. It’s people that I have some feeling that I want to work with, or it’s a quality opportunity,” Ford said, adding, “I suppose I should be sitting on my ass, but I actually love working.”
Ford’s measured defense for his involvement in the MCU isn’t to say his resume will only be filled with larger-than-life comic book epics. In fact, at New York Comic Con 2024, it was announced that Ford is gearing up for the third season of the Apple+ comedy show Shrinking alongside co-star Jason Segel.
For folks solely interested in witnessing Ford making mean faces as Red Hulk, they can look forward to Captain America: Brave New World when it releases in theaters February 14.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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