The Graduate
Who Else Was Considered?: Warren Beatty, Robert Duvall, Charles Grodin, George Hamilton, Steve McQueen, Jack Nicholson, Michael Parks, Robert Redford, Robert Wagner, Burt Ward
Who Got the Part?: Dustin Hoffman
How Would He Have Done?: Although a suave movie star there is a definite vulnerability to him. However just like how Redford was turned down because they wanted a "loser actor" Ford which is not his persona. Would have been great for his career as he did not get a big break until six years after this (did not get a big break as a leading man until a decade after this). This is also an American classic that was extremely popular and influential and propelled Dustin Hoffman into stardom, this could have led Ford to a very different career.
Alien
Who Else Was Considered?: Nobody Else I Can Find
Who Got the Part?: Tom Skerritt
How Would He Have Done?: Ford is clearly great in sci-fi and having this masterpiece on his filmography would have been cool. Ford did great work a few years later with Ridley Scott in Blade Runner. But the movie did not hinge on the character of Captain Dallas, it was Ellen Ripley's story. It ended up working without Ford although he may have helped the box-office a bit (even though he was not a huge star in 1979).
Terms of Endearment
Who Else Was Considered?: Paul Newman, Burt Reynolds
Who Got the Part?: Jack Nicholson
How Would He Have Done?: This is the type of movie I wish that Ford would do more of. He has very good comedic sensibilities and his likability would work great in that setting. Apparantly the role was offered to Ford after it was written for Reynolds but Ford was uncomfortable with the age difference (MacLaine is 8 years older than him, so I am not sure how true that is). This role earned Jack his second Oscar and started a working relationship with writer director James L. Brooks who cast him in three more films (As Good as it Gets earning Jack his third Oscar). There is so much of Jack in this role and he has great chemistry with MacLaine but it would have been interesting to see Ford as the astronaut neighbor and the movie's success could have offered the actor different career opportunities.
Untouchables
Who Else Was Considered?: Mel Gibson, Don Johnson, Mickey Rourke
Who Got the Part?: Kevin Costner
How Would He Have Done?: This is the type of role that Ford can play in his sleep. He would have most likely done a better job than Costner (who was fine in the role), but there is not a whole lot he could bring to this character. It was fine for Ford to skip this one, but his chemistry with Connery would have been a lot of fun to see.
Big
Who Else Was Considered?: Warren Beatty, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Dennis Quaid, Robin Williams
Who Got the Part?: Tom Hanks
How Would He Have Done?: Hard to say. He definitely has skills that would work for this character but it would have undoubtedly been a different movie (especially since he was considered when Spielberg was attached). So much of this movie works because of Hanks' innocence, sincerity and humor. Ford is likable and good with subtle sarcasm, but bigger jokes are not so much in his wheelhouse. Ford is also built like an action star while the awkwardness in Hanks' appearance added to the character's childishness.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Who Else Was Considered?: Ed Harris, Dustin Hoffman, Eddie Murphy, Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, Sylvester Stallone
Who Got the Part?: Bob Hoskins
How Would He Have Done?: I imagine very well. He fits very naturally in fantasy atmospheres where he can play an excellent straight man. However Hoskins really made this character so iconic. Hoskins can play a grumpy tough guy but also plays washed up, the fit Ford would have been different. Hoskins also gets broad and goofy while staying consistent with his straight man character, which may not have been as natural for Ford.
Hunt for Red October
Who Else Was Considered?: Kevin Costner
Who Got the Part?: Alec Baldwin
How Would He Have Done?: Ford chose to do Presumed Innocent instead, which was a big success but has not held up as well as this movie still has a large fan base. After Baldwin did not return for the sequels Ford took over the role of Jack Ryan in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, which both did well. Missing out on this role did not hurt Ford too much and he would have done well as he was well received in the role twice (although many prefer Baldwin). And once again it would have been great to see Ford and Connery working together again.
Ghost
Who Else Was Considered?: Kevin Bacon, Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Paul Hogan, Bruce Willis
Who Got the Part?: Patrick Swayze
How Would He Have Done?: Swayze did well in the role, which was one of his most famous parts but Ford would have been just as good. He can play romantic pretty well and has a certain reflectiveness that would have benefited the part.
Misery
Who Else Was Considered?: Warren Beatty, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Mel Gibson, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Robert Redford
Who Got the Part?: James Caan
How Would He Have Done?: Although Kathy Bates is most commonly remembered for the part Caan does give a terrific performance that is really underrated. The audience is too used to Ford getting out of situations and he is too much of an action star. The movie really works because you do not know if he will be able to survive.
JFK
Who Else Was Considered?: Alec Baldwin, Tom Bergenger, Marlon Brando, Willem Dafoe, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Mel Gibson, Gene Hackman, Michael Keaton, John Malkovich, Jack Nicholson, Nick Nolte, Dennis Quaid, Robert Redford, Robin Williams, James Woods
Who Got the Part?: Kevin Costner
How Would He Have Done?: Costner and Ford's careers have overlapped quite a bit. Although Costner tends to be much more polarizing as many do not consider him to be a good actor, but this role is one that people do not seem to mind him in although he is not the main thing people remember about it. Although this part is very much in Ford's wheelhouse and would have given him another Oscar nominated film to star in.
Cape Fear
Who Else Was Considered?: Robert Redford
Who Got the Part?: Nick Nolte
How Would He Have Done?: This is one that Ford actually auditioned for and wanted. Would have been interesting to see Ford work with Scorsese and against the likes of Robert De Niro and Jessica Lange. This is a very good thriller that Ford would have been a natural in. Seeing him play a morally ambiguous character would have been a big change. Although De Niro was the one who received more attention for the film Nolte does do an incredible job, the movie probably worked better with him in it.
Jurassic Park
Who Else Was Considered?: Richard Drefyuss, William Hurt, Kurt Russell
Who Got the Part?: Sam Neill
How Would He Have Done?: Spielberg wanted to work with Harrison again in this and this would have been another one of the biggest blockbusters of all time to sell the actor. Neill has a certain charm to go along with the gruffness and plays it fairly fatherly which is not necessarily Ford's persona. It would have been awesome to see him running from dinosaurs, but he did not need this franchise and the first movie worked fine without him.
Schindler's List
Who Else Was Considered?: Alan Thicke
Who Got the Part?: Liam Neeson
How Would He Have Done?: Ford turned down this part because he did not want his stardom to detract from the message. That was a really admirable choice on his part, although it would have led the actor to some Oscar potential it would have been unnecessarily distracting. Also while a great actor, the movie required someone's of Neeson's calibre.
Saving Private Ryan
Who Else Was Considered?: Nobody Else That I Can Find
Who Got the Part?: Tom Hanks
How Would He Have Done?: Spielberg has looked to work with Ford again several times and Ford should have taken him up on it at least once. This is around the point when Ford's career was beginning to wane. This would have been a different type of starring role and would have led him to the awards attention that always seems to elude him. He would have been fine in the part.
Perfect Storm
Who Else Was Considered?: Nicolas Cage, Mel Gibson
Who Got the Part?: George Clooney
How Would He Have Done?: Alright. This movie helped Clooney become a star and it was a huge hit at the time. Not one that would have made or broken Ford's career but it did better than other movies he was in during that period.
Vanilla Sky
Who Else Was Considered?: Alec Baldwin, Michael Keaton
Who Got the Part?: Kurt Russell
How Would He Have Done?: Ford should have started doing supporting roles sooner, although it would have been odd to see him playing second fiddle to Tom Cruise his presence may have helped the movies box-office. The role would certainly help change the audience's perception of him.
Traffic
Who Else Was Considered?: Kevin Costner, Richard Gere, Al Pacino
Who Got the Part?: Michael Douglas
How Would He Have Done?: Ford was cast but then dropped out. This was a huge critical success and was up for several Oscars. It is still regarded as one of Sodebergh's best movies. The type of prestige project that could have helped Ford out and one a part he definitely could have portrayed.
Patriot
Who Else Was Considered?: Nobody Else That I Can Find
Who Got the Part?: Mel Gibson
How Would He Have Done?: Ford turned it down because he did not care for the script. Which was a good choice on his part, although a big hit at the time it has not held up the best. If he didn't like the script he probably wouldn't have givent he best performance anyways.
Insomnia
Who Else Was Considered?: Nobody Else That I Can Find
Who Got the Part?: Al Pacino
How Would He Have Done?: This was really the last great movie that Al Pacino starred in. Would have been a great role for Ford, especially at that age. Playing a legendary, aging agent would have been a good transition for him. And acting against an evil Robin Williams would have been awesome. The role would have also included some moral ambiguity Ford never gets to play. Kind of wished he had taken it, even though Pacino was great in it.
Kinsey
Who Else Was Considered?: Jeff Bridges, Michael Douglas, Ralph Fiennes, Tom Hanks, Kevin Spacey
Who Got the Part?: Liam Neeson
How Would He Have Done?: Ford would have been good in the part. This is another Oscar nominated role he turned down in a period of his career where he should have been seeking roles like this.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Who Else Was Considered?: Benicio Del Toro, Hugh Grant
Who Got the Part?: Val Kilmer
How Would He Have Done?: Warner Bros. offered to increase the film's budget if Ford was cast. He would have been a lot of fun in this cult classic. Working with Shane Black and Robert Downey Jr. would have been really cool to see. Although this is the Val Kilmer role that many swear by and consider to be his best work.
History of Violence
Who Else Was Considered?: Nobody Else That I Can Find
Who Got the Part?: Viggo Mortensen
How Would He Have Done?: He would have been different than Viggo, but I think he would have worked out great. His more famous action persona could have made this sort of an Unforgiven type of movie for him. He can play the relatable every man and his transition to violence would have been really cool to see. This was also Viggo's start of working with Cronenberg who cast him in his Oscar nominated performance in Eastern Promises.
Syriana
Who Else Was Considered?: Nobody Else That I Can Find
Who Got the Part?: George Clooney
How Would He Have Done?: Ford says that this was one of the roles he regretted turning down. Again this was a prestige project he should have looked into. Doubtful that he would have gone through a physical transformation like Clooney and Clooney's well known politics probably benefited the movie. But still better than whatever Ford did in 2005.
