At his age now, you wouldn’t think of Harrison Ford as someone who is keen on joining another major franchise. This is someone who has been the star of multiple massive franchises. Yet, he’s the newest member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the upcoming film, “Captain America: Brave New World.” So, why has Ford joined the MCU when so many of his peers are scoffing at the idea? He believes that times have changed, and Ford wants to star in films that people actually enjoy.
Speaking to GQ, Harrison Ford talked about his new role in the upcoming “Captain America: Brave New World,” where he takes over as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. And guess what? He’s not ashamed of doing that type of film either. This comes after we’ve seen so many A-list actors talk shit about the idea of joining a mega franchise like the MCU. But Ford thinks it’s “silly” to avoid the MCU if you want to make films that connect with audiences.
“I mean, this is the Marvel universe and I’m just there on a weekend pass. I’m a sailor new to this town,” said Ford. “I understand the appeal of other kinds of films besides the kind we made in the ’80s and ’90s. I don’t have anything general to say about it. It’s the condition our condition is in, and things change and morph and go on. We’re silly if we sit around regretting the change and don’t participate. I’m participating in a new part of the business that, for me at least, I think is really producing some good experiences for an audience. I enjoy that.”
As mentioned, we’ve seen a number of actors say they would never do a superhero film. Perhaps most notably is Glen Powell, who is no stranger to genre films and franchises, but has no interest in Marvel. We even have filmmakers like Sean Baker, who talk about bygone eras where adult dramas could lead the box office.
For Ford, it sounds as if he’s just playing with the cards that are dealt. Superhero films (and Marvel, specifically) are still really popular. And if you want to star in films that really connect with audiences, you can’t go wrong with an MCU film.
Harrison Ford is set to play a big role in “Captain America: Brave New World,” which arrives in theaters on February 14, 2025.