Harrison Ford Still Jack Ryan?

Posted by Robert Fure (robert@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 26, 2008

Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan

Perhaps trying to prove that he’s still young at heart, Harrison Ford is in consideration for reprising his role as Jack Ryan, the Tom Clancy penned hero of such previous flicks as Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. The current rumor circulating is that series producer Mace Neufeld is championing Harrison Ford to return to the role, while the distributor and studio behind it, Paramount, wants a younger actor.

With Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull greedily gobbling up cash left and right ($150+million 4 day release), the odds of Harrison stepping back into Ryan’s sensible suit have probably gone up considerably.

Now, you may have noticed some negative feedback heading towards Indy despite how much money it made and more than a few people have mentioned Harrison’s age, but here is the thing about Jack Ryan – he’s not a whip cracking cliff diving action hero. He’s a more sensible, less active type of hero, more in tune with the spy game than the global adventuring game. In fact, the character of Jack Ryan was initially a World War II veteran, meaning he’d actually be older than Harrison (age 65) at this point. So I’m perfectly ok with Harrison as Jack Ryan, as long as the story reflects his age. I can buy an older gentlemen sneaking around, infiltrating offices, shooting people and throwing the occasional right cross. This is the kind of role that Ford can still own and dominate, so I’m all for it.

Source: CinemaBlend

Sound Off: Would you like to see Harrison Ford return or should he pass the torch to a younger Jack Ryan?


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  • Ash
    I'm pretty sure it was Jack Ryan's father that was the WWII vet. Although Ford seemed to dotter less in the Crystal Skull (noticeably less of that open jawed, confusd/aghast expression he has brought to his recent roles), he just wasn't that good in the Clancy films. Whatever happened to the exceptionally mediocre Affleck? Enough reboots already, I'm getting franchise fatigue already, and the film has yet to be made.
  • Bill Brasky
    Which book are they pondering? If it's Post-Patriot Games ... he would be not that far off from the actual age of the character. The later books (Debt of Honor, Bear and the Dragon, Executive Orders) are more political thrillers than action thrillers.
  • stevenkar
    Doesn't Jack Ryan become the President of the US in one of Clancy's books?
  • Bill Brasky
    Executive Orders
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