Harrison Ford On Han Solo, His Ender’s Game’s Role, And The Orson Scott Card Controversy
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Harrison Ford and Comic-Con are not the old friends that some might suspect. In fact, when he appeared yesterday in San Diego, ostensibly to answer questions about Ender’s Game — which predictably turned into a bunch of Star Wars and Indiana Jones questions — it was only his second appearance. (First was Cowboys and Aliens. ’nuff said.) During the talk, Ford said that Han Solo wouldn’t have been a good fit for Colonel Graff’s army, and shared what brought him to the role in the first place.
One Brazilian man shared his dreams of becoming Indiana Jones since he was a kid, then asked Ford what he thought about Solo joining Graff. “You know, you and I have a lot in common,” Ford
joked. “I used to dream about being Indiana Jones when I was younger. Not so much anymore. I don’t think Han Solo would be good as a soldier in anybody’s army. I think he’s what we call now an independent contractor.” I think the world of Star Wars and Léon: The Professional should come together, where Solo somehow saves Natalie Portman’s Padmé Amidala from her dysfunctional family. Might have a few time travel issues, but otherwise, it’s gold!
As far as his interest in the role of Graff, Ford thankfully corrects anyone unfamiliar with the book who has been misguided by the film’s promotion.
He’s not Ender’s mentor — he’s Ender’s manipuator. I was drawn to the complexity of the moral issues here — the complex moral issues involved in the military. This book that was written 28 years ago imagined a world which has become an everyday reality. The ability to wage war, removed from the battlefield, is one of the realities of our life now with drone warfare.
See, this isn’t just a movie about flashy CGI. “But the issues of the manipulation of young people for their value as soldiers because of their special skills, motor-skill capacities [and] conceptual freedom — it’s something that’s really complex and interesting to me,” he continued. I don’t recall him having that kind of explanation for Crystal Skull. It also gives me a little faith that the novel’s themes may actually show up somewhere in between all the effects shots.
And just in case anyone wondered how Ford felt about the whole “Orson Scott Card thinks homosexuality is a deficiency” argument, he doesn’t really care. When asked about the controversy, Ford said:
I think none of Mr. Card’s concerns regarding the issues of gay marriage are part of the thematics of this film. He has written something that I think is of value to us all concerning moral responsibility…I am aware of his statements admitted that the question of gay marriage is a battle that he lost and he admits that he lost it. I think we all know that we all won. That humanity has won. And I think that’s the end of the story.
Ender’s Game is out in theaters on November 1, 2013. Check out the latest footage below.
