One of the biggest film franchises could have been very different, thanks to TV detective Magnum PI. Harrison Ford made his debut as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, in 1981, and has never looked back, leading the way in a further four films . However, it turns out that Tom Selleck was originally set to take on the role of the iconic adventurer before turning the job down.
Opening up about his career in an extract from his memoir, You Never Know, the actor – who has since starred in Friends, Blue Bloods and Three Men and a Baby – revealed that he chose to lead the way on Magnum PI instead. In the book, published in May, the 79-year-old explained that he read for Indiana in front of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, but didn’t feel hugely nervous at the time – he was more worried about whether the pilot for his series would work out. ‘I got there, and Steven was quick to greet me, gave me the pages for the test, told me not to worry and to take all the time I needed,’ he penned, via People Magazine .
‘There was wardrobe waiting for me. The hat and leather jacket helped me understand the period.’ Unsurprisingly, Tom impressed the pair and nailed the audition, with the Hollywood legends handing him the role soon after.
‘I think it was Steven who told me. George had always been kinda quiet. Always thinking, taking things in.
But I think I detected at least the hint of a smile on his face,’ he continued. ‘Look, I don’t have a clue how I responded..