Steven Spielberg Offered the Role of Dr. Alan Grant in JURASSIC PARK to Harrison Ford First

When you think of Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg, you most likely think of the Indiana Jones film franchise, as they are some of the most famous films in both these men’s repertoires. They are the only movies they made together, aside from E.T., in which Ford had a cameo as Elliot’s principal, that was unfortunately cut from the film. But we almost had another franchise team-up with the pair.

Back in 2011, Ford and Spielberg sat down to talk with The Los Angeles Times (via The Mary Sue; Cheatsheet) to talk about the future of the Indiana Jones franchise, and Ford said:

“It’s an absolute delight to revisit [Indy], and a chance to work with Steven again, who only hires me for Indiana Jones.”

Spielberg then chimed in:

“I gotta correct this. Do you know who I offered Jurassic Park to? This guy. Alan Grant I first offered to this guy.”

Ford laughed, then responded, “That was a lot like going to Mars,” he joked, implying that it may have been too weird for him to take on another action franchise with Spielberg at the helm.

The role of Dr. Alan Grant was then given to Sam Neill, who did a fantastic job in the role. But it’s funny to think of how easily Ford would have slipped into that part, though. Archaeologist to paleontologist isn’t a huge leap, and it would have been fun to see him in the role. But it worked out differently, and the rest is history.