Harrison vs. Tom [Archive]

Indys_favorite

03-05-2003, 09:19 PM

Alright, this has probably already been thrown around and discussed NUMEROUS times, but I am new here..and I want to know what everyone thinks.
As I am sure we all know Tom Sellect was originally cast to play Indiana Jones. Make a long story short- CBS forbid it...so we got BLESSED with Harrison. Personally, like I have said in a previous thread- I wouldn't be AS big of an Indiana fan if it wasn't for the way Ford portrayed Jones. So the question is...Would you or wouldn't you be as big of a fan without Harrison? And why? What is better about Ford? Or what would have been better about Sellect?
I think it would have been lacking if we wouldn't of had that half smile that Harrison has. It’s an Indy....trademark.

(personal opinion- Harrison makes Indy)

Raffey

03-05-2003, 09:28 PM

In my opinion, Tom Selleck is just a horrible actor. I hated Magnum PI and most of his roles he plays them the exact same way.

His best movie was Three Men and a Baby but he had to share screen credit with two other major male stars.

High Road to China was okay but didn't really have any *umph*.

I don't think I'd be much of an Indy fan if Tom played him.

swords

03-05-2003, 09:36 PM

An now impossible, possibility.:D

Seriously though, he has that certain hero quality for the role. Quigly Down Under, and that 1983 film which was similiar to Raiders(forget the name, and darn it I never watched it) the role would have fit him like a glove. Circumstances,(Magnum P.I), or maybe destiny, forbid him the role.

But it wouldn't have made a difference to me, it's the idea of Indiana Jones Im fascinated with, not the actor who plays him(though Ford is fun to watch as Indy). And Sellect would have brought the same thing, it's just that Ford got the role.

swords

03-05-2003, 09:38 PM

Yes! The movie I meant was High Road to China...

Finn

03-06-2003, 12:43 AM

http://www.theraider.net/theraven/showthread.php?threadid=723 ;)
Read more here.

fatima

03-06-2003, 05:26 AM

I think we are BLESSED FOR HAVING HARRISON FORD as Indy!!!
No, I definelty don't think I'd be fan of Indy with Tom!
Harrison gives soul to that character...like I doubt where fiction is and where reality is, Indiana J. for me is a live character and Ford portraits it perfectly as none else would do...it's not possible for me to love Indiana J. trilogy more than I do, so Ford always!!!
That smile, that looks with his face expressions, his methods, his courage is so visible...to sum his essence makes Indy really believable.

Broomhandle Davis

03-06-2003, 07:41 AM

I think everyone likes Tom Selleck.

He is a good-looking, happy, easy-going guy who can't disguise that he is a good-looking, happy, easy-going guy. That may well be his downfall. "High Road to China" could have been so much better, but they simply did not know how to "layer on" the dramatic tension. When Lucas-Spielberg put Jones in a tight spot there are a dozen things going on all at once and they are all scary. Budget film makers don't do that. High Road to China tried to buy the audience with neat scenary and a thin plotline. Jack whatsis as a sidekick was lame.

It is hard to say. I think Selleck could have done better, but ultimately he may be too good-looking and larger than life to be "everyman" and he'd have to learn to grimace and act perturbed the way Ford has.

Canyon

03-06-2003, 11:03 AM

I certainly don't think that Tom Selleck would have been good as Harrison Ford was. I think you can create a fantastic character, but if you don't have a charasmatic actor to play that person, then I don't think it works that well.

I have written something on this subject here:http://www.theindyexperience.com/popularity.shtml
(I'm not showing off, honest!)

Leia Organa Solo

03-06-2003, 01:41 PM

I think you all know my answer...

but just in case you don't, I think Indy just wouldn't have been the same with Tom Selleck instead of Harrison Ford. I believe that there would be alot less Indy fans.

Canyon

03-07-2003, 12:04 AM

Originally posted by Leia Organa Solo
I think you all know my answer...

but just in case you don't, I think Indy just wouldn't have been the same with Tom Selleck instead of Harrison Ford. I believe that there would be alot less Indy fans.

I'd also have to go with this as well.

fatima

03-07-2003, 05:59 AM

Canyon, I've print what you post there at theindyexperience and it's so well said.....really! thanks for share that with us!

Canyon

03-07-2003, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by fatima
Canyon, I've print what you post there at theindyexperience and it's so well said.....really! thanks for share that with us!

Fatima, thanks. (I wasn't being showoffy, I just thought that you guys might be interested....) :D

Indys_favorite

03-07-2003, 01:45 PM

Shoot..I dont call it showing off- I call it sharing! I read it as well. Rock on

Canyon

03-08-2003, 03:26 AM

Gee, thanks Indy'sFavourite, that's very kind.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Indygirl21

03-08-2003, 05:21 PM

I have three things to say:
1) If Tom Selleck played Indy, the movies NEVER EVER EVER!!! would have been nearly as popular as he is. Harrison Ford is the epitome of Indiana Jones. It's like he was born to play the part.
2) If Tom Selleck played Indy, I would have never fallen in love with I.J. His looks couldn't reach Harrison's with a thirty foot pole! ugh, and that mustache...yuck
3) THANK YOU SO MUCH CANYON FOR THAT ESSAY!!! Oh my God i love it. You have such a way with words. Yet again, you hit the nail on the head!! I printed it out.

monkey

03-08-2003, 06:25 PM

I find it interesting that there is often an undercurrent of hostility whenever subjects like this are discussed.

Why hate Tom Selleck just because he could have possibly gotten the role of IJ in ROTLA?

Why hate James Bond movies just because someone dares to compare them to IJ movies?

I don't know, anyway....

Broom characterizes Selleck quite well in his post. I agree.

I liked Magnum PI. Tom Selleck is a good actor. It is interesting to think of what would have been had he played IJ.

I liked High Road to China.

But one very important point is this: Would he have shaved his trademark mustache for the IJ role?

Canyon

03-09-2003, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by Indygirl21
I have three things to say:
1) If Tom Selleck played Indy, the movies NEVER EVER EVER!!! would have been nearly as popular as he is. Harrison Ford is the epitome of Indiana Jones. It's like he was born to play the part.
2) If Tom Selleck played Indy, I would have never fallen in love with I.J. His looks couldn't reach Harrison's with a thirty foot pole! ugh, and that mustache...yuck
3) THANK YOU SO MUCH CANYON FOR THAT ESSAY!!! Oh my God i love it. You have such a way with words. Yet again, you hit the nail on the head!! I printed it out.

Indygirl21, Thank you for your kind remarks. The article seems to have gone down quite well, which I am very pleased about. :D

p.s. Did you know that Kiara has started up her own drooling Indy messageboard (mentioned in her signature). I will be joining very soon and still thinking of starting up a Yahoo group so hope to see you there!)

fatima

03-09-2003, 12:29 PM

fatima

03-09-2003, 12:30 PM

;) you can count on me Canyon as a member there too!! :p

Canyon

03-09-2003, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by fatima
;) you can count on me Canyon as a member there too!! :p

Cool! I should be starting that VERY soon! :D

indyfreak

03-17-2003, 09:43 AM

Yeah, I was trying my absolute hardest to envision Indy with that god-awful mustache... but I when I got close, I started laughing so hard that I completely destroyed my concentration. In other, more simplistic words: No, I do not think Tom Selleck would have done as good a job. Not by any stretch of the, er, imagination. :D (Forget about stretching, I think I sprained mine with the moustache bit. LOL)

EDIT: Oh, and I'm not bashing Tom's acting ability. I quite enjoyed his Magnum series! And I will have to rent that certain "Raider-esque" movie everyone keeps yabbering about ;)

[Edited by indyfreak on 03-17-2003 at 09:47 am]

Canyon

03-17-2003, 02:49 PM

Check these pictures out!

http://mrboy.com/spielberg/images2/NONAME11.jpghttp://mrboy.com/spielberg/images2/NONAME12.jpg

I'm just having so much trouble imagining Selleck as Indy...

Barryson Ford

03-17-2003, 03:59 PM

I think if Selleck had played Indy,he would have played it more for laughs.
It would have been more tongue in cheek...

indyfreak

03-18-2003, 09:56 AM

HAH! nice pics, Canyon!! :p

fatima

03-18-2003, 01:41 PM

~:rolleyes: I think if Tom had accepted the role Indy would look like more a macho latino than any other thing....bah!though yeah it could be very funny!!!

westford

03-18-2003, 05:46 PM

I guess we'll never know how Indy would have turned out with Tom instead of Harrison, but maybe in another dimension things worked out differently... ;)

Magnum PI is on Channel 5 in the UK every weekday morning I think - I tried to watch one episode, but got put off by Tom's shorts! :eek:

IndysGal

03-19-2003, 06:18 PM

Canyon, that article you wrote was very well said. I loved it. Nice work! I believe that Harrison Ford made Indiana Jones believable, and fantastic at the same time! I don't think Tom Selleck would have captured the charisma, pain, or intensity that Harrison gave. His face and his gestures were original and just plain awesome! I couldn't imagine anyone else in the role of Indy; Harrison is the only one! Tom Selleck has done good acting in other action films ... but no one beats HF! I am so glad he was picked and became the hero I'll love forever!! :)

PS- Great pics! Confirms my ..uh, view on who should've played Indiana. Go Harry!

[Edited by IndysGal on 03-19-2003 at 06:21 pm]

Canyon

03-20-2003, 12:09 PM

Hey, IndysGal! Thank you very much for your kind comments. I'm really pleased that you enjoyed my article!

I could not agree with you more about the way in which Harrison played Indy. Everything he said and did in the trilogy was perfect. Even the parts when he didn't say anything were great, as he has the most expressive eyes ever!!! (very nice too:D)

Attila the Professor

03-20-2003, 12:35 PM

Ah, forget it

[Edited by Attila the Professor on 03-20-2003 at 04:43 pm]

Indy 4

03-25-2003, 08:35 AM

Although I do like Tom Selleck, I think Spielberg and Lucas made a wise decision with sticking with Ford. The Indy character seems to fit Ford more than it could have with Selleck. Selleck is a good actor, but not really one made for the big screen. He is better off in t.v. shows and made for t.v. movies. But Ford was the perfect choice to play Indiana Jones.

indyfreak

03-26-2003, 10:56 AM

I can see why they originally went for Tom Selleck though (and you probably already know). It was the wisest thing to do in their position, as they had already used HF recently as an action-type hero. They wanted someone that the movie-going public wouldn't readily associate with another existing character. That was their (quite reasonable) logic. But luckily for us, when Tom was out, we got our God-send: Harrison - adventure personified.

fatima

03-26-2003, 02:48 PM

VERY WELL SAID indyfreak!!! :)

indyfreak

03-26-2003, 06:11 PM

gee, thanks! (I try to make sense :p)

Canyon

05-31-2003, 08:56 AM

Hey, I found some more pictures! It's really strange seeing another film star dressed as Indy.

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jones-jr/images_casting/v_magnum_01.jpghttp://perso.wanadoo.fr/jones-jr/images_casting/v_magnum_02.jpg

<small>(The scary thing is, I think these pics are taken from High Road to China...)</small>

swords

05-31-2003, 10:36 AM

Hey! Is that Danny devito in the second picture?

Canyon

06-01-2003, 12:55 PM

I'm not sure. I got the photos from this website but, unfortunately, I can't read French!

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jones-jr/rotla_casting.html

indyfreak

06-01-2003, 07:37 PM

whoa! That site's pretty interesting even if you don't know french. I'm thinking it may have been Danny in the second picture, (though I can't see it...). Anyway, they were thinking of casting him as Sallah at one point. And if I interpreted this right - SS was looking at Nick Nolte but he refused to wear a fedora...

I think Google has a translating engine, so if anyone would like to look at Canyon's link in English, you can try that. (I would but don't have time) :P