Spielberg Says Harrison Ford Declined Jurassic Park Role

Director Steven Spielberg has confirmed that Harrison Ford turned down the lead role of paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in the 1993 blockbuster "Jurassic Park." Spielberg made the revelation while promoting his new science fiction film, "Disclosure Day."

Spielberg said he offered the part to Ford, with whom he had collaborated on the Indiana Jones films, but the actor declined. "Yes, he did," Spielberg said when asked about the long-standing rumor during an interview on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast. "He may not remember that, but I sure do." The director admitted the rejection stung at the time, saying, "I wasn't cross, I was crushed."

Following Ford's decision, Sam Neill became available for the role. Spielberg noted that the casting ultimately worked out perfectly, stating, "Then Sam Neill became available, and he's Alan Grant. It now belongs to him." Neill's portrayal of the character became iconic, and he reprised the role in "Jurassic Park III" and again in 2022's "Jurassic World: Dominion."

The interview also touched on another missed collaboration in Spielberg's career. The director revealed he twice pitched himself to direct a James Bond film to longtime producer Albert...