Harrison Ford Plays Ordinary People In Extraordinary Circumstances, Not Heroes

Harrison Ford is best known for taking on larger-than-life roles in cinema's most successful franchises like "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones." As the daring archeologist prepares for his great return in "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," the esteemed actor fondly looks back on his most memorable roles. Although, he doesn't view these characters as heroes and instead sees them as normal citizens who rise to the occasion in the face of danger.

Indiana Jones often finds himself thrust into wild events throughout his archeological adventures that force him to step up as a grounded leader. With Entertainment Weekly, Ford reveals his approach to Indy that allows him to remain relatable to the audience, "I don't use the word hero at all, because I think it starts us off in the wrong direction," he revealed. "For years and years and years, I've been saying I want to play an ordinary person [in] extraordinary circumstances, who happens to behave well for the benefit of others." This admirable trait frequently saves his companions from harm like Ke Huy Quan's unforgettable role as Short Round in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom."

Director James Mangold, first to take up the mantle since legendary director Steven Speilberg, told EW, "For Harrison, it's much more like working with a leading man who thinks of himself as a character actor. What I mean by that is, he wants to get under his character's skin and expose as many of his frailties or liabilities or neuroses as much as his capabilities."

As far as heroes go, Indiana Jones is no stranger to taking a punch. However, what makes the leading character so inspiring is the undying determination that always leads him to get back up again. This allows Harrison Ford to embrace and exhibit the human qualities of the role that audiences cheer for and cling to.  

In his first time directing the iconic figure, James Mangold keeps the spirit of the series alive by leaning into Ford's unique methods. With Entertainment Weekly, he shared, "He's not interested in just creating a kind of hero," Mangold continued. "He's interested in creating a person filled with foibles and tics who just happens to be handsome and dashing and a world globetrotter."

This element becomes even more important in "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" as the character and actor enter their golden years. Jones' enduring fallibility is a hallmark of the spectacular adventurer and makes audiences effortlessly root for the lead, even if Ford doesn't see him as a hero.