Few actors have fronted quite as many blockbusters as Harrison Ford. His love affair with big-budget cinema all started in the late 1970s when he landed the literal role of a lifetime courtesy of George Lucas. He made his first appearance as snarky smuggler Han Solo in Star Wars in 1977 and his last in The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.

Somewhere in between, Star Wars became one of the most well-loved sci-fi franchises of all time. Each new entry into the world of Jedis and Jar Jar Binks guaranteed box office success, as well as a healthy paycheque for Ford, who made himself indispensable to the series. It’s a feat he has achieved with not just one blockbuster franchise but several. 

Not long after Star Wars took off, Ford linked up with Steven Spielberg to swap lightsabers for bullwhips. He made his first appearance as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, and he still hasn’t quite been able to cut ties with the character. Just last year, he starred in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which took home well over $300million at the box office. 

Then there are the neon lights and cult success of Blade Runner, which has been a far less consistent presence on our cinema screens but is no less important. Ford’s quest to collect all the blockbusters he can shows no signs of slowing down, as he’s set to make his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe next year, taking on a role in a new Captain America sequel.

Ford’s filmography is completely stacked with high-budget, high-profit films, but there is one that the actor opted to turn down back in the 1980s. After the first trilogy of Star Wars films concluded with Return of the Jedi in 1983, Ford’s name was on every casting director’s list. In the years that followed, he took on more Indiana Jones and a couple of dramatic thrillers, but he turned down Brian De Palma’s offer to star in The Untouchables.

The film found its setting in the Prohibition era, retelling the story of Eliot Ness and Al Capone. It was the former that Ford was considered for, and it’s a role that he likely would have excelled in. He wasn’t the only actor who was considered for the role, however. Several other huge names were offered the part and elected to turn it down, including Jeff Bridges and Willam Hurt.

In the end, the role went to Kevin Costner, who would star alongside Robert De Niro and Sean Conney. The latter even took home an Academy Award for his performance. The film also performed well at the box office, taking home just $100m. However, this could be considered a modest sum compared to much of Ford’s filmography. 

Perhaps Ford already had too much on his plate, or he wasn’t interested in the crime story that would come to be helmed by Costner, or he simply didn’t need the money after his success as Han Solo, but his catalogue is no less impressive as a result. With starring roles in so many renowned box office hits and blockbuster franchises, few others have honed a career that has garnered so much profit and praise.