In light of Harrison Ford allegedly joining the MCU

How Will Smith’s Role in ‘Gemini Man’ Was Originally Slated for Harrison Ford, MCU’s Latest Rumored Recruit

If someone were to count all the iconic roles portrayed by the great Harrison
Ford, they would most likely fall short of fingers. In fact, since his first
appearance in the 1977 Star Wars, he likely became one of the most sought-after
leading men in the industry. In fact, science fiction and fantasy became his top
genres despite his versatility. So much so that he was once also up for a role
in a sci-fi film that ultimately went to Will Smith.



The 2019 Gemini Man almost had Ford as the protagonist. This seems hardly a
surprise given the veteran actor’s portfolio of work and the recent rumor of him
joining the MCU. Nevertheless, let us find out what went down and how Will Smith
[https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/will-smith/] finally snagged the role.

ALSO READ: Was Henry Cavill’s Superman Really Going to Be a Villain in Suicide
Squad? Was Will Smith in It?
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-was-henry-cavill-superman-really-going-to-be-a-villain-in-suicide-squad-was-will-smith-in-it/]


WHY WAS HARRISON FORD CONSIDERED FOR WILL SMITH’S PART IN GEMINI MAN?

From the unforgettable Han Solo (Star Wars) to the exemplary archeologist
Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford has several massive films in his arsenal, including
but not limited to Blade Runner, Air Force One, and Patriot Games. While the
Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee ultimately made the Will Smith starrer Gemini Man
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-us-viewers-are-snubbed-as-will-smiths-gemini-man-trends-on-netflix/],
that wasn’t the initial plan for the film.



At first, the Top Gun director Tony Scott had taken up the project and the
protagonist and the clone were to star two different actors. While Mel Gibson
and Nicolas Cage were also fine choices for the role, Harrison Ford and Chris
O’Donnell were the top contenders. As a matter of fact, the idea of a man
battling his clone was doing the rounds since 1997. In the 90s, star power was
enough to get the audience to watch a film. Given that Ford was at the peak of
his career at the time, the casting was an absolute no-brainer.

ALSO READ: Is Will Smith’s Career Over? The ‘Enemy of the State’ Actor Sends Out
a Promising Message About His Future
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-is-will-smith-career-over-the-enemy-of-the-state-actor-sends-out-a-promising-message-about-his-future/]

However, with the film changing hands and a delay of more than a decade, it was
Will Smith that led the show. The Fresh Prince
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-when-it-pours-it-rains-will-smith-once-revealed-how-he-lost-everything-before-fresh-prince-of-bel-air/]
played both the protagonist and his doppelgänger, which meant double the
stardom. Sadly, the rules of the game had changed completely. The 2010s saw the
trends shift from star power in favor of intellectual property. No wonder Gemini
Man, which was riddled with the 90s hangover, tanked at the box office.


IS FORD REALLY JOINING THE MCU?

If the rumors are to be believed, Harrison Ford is, in fact, up for a major role
in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After the tragic loss of the actor William
Hurt, reports suggested that the Indiana Jones actor will take his place. Ever
since The Incredible Hulk, Hurt embodied the character of General Thaddeus
“Thunderbolt” Ross and was last seen in the 2021 Marvel film Black Widow.



According to the comics and the films, General Ross is a U.S military officer.
He led the gamma bomb project responsible for Bruce Banner turning into the
angry green monster. General Ross is also Banner’s father-in-law, who ultimately
turns into the Red Hulk. Ford is reported to appear in the Thunderbolts film and
Captain America: New World Order. 

ALSO READ: Is Will Smith Joining the MCU After the Disaster That Was DC’s
Suicide Squad?
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-is-will-smith-joining-the-mcu-after-the-disaster-that-was-dcs-suicide-squad/]

How do you think Gemini Man would fare with Harrison Ford instead of Will Smith?
Also, are you excited for Ford to play the Red Hulk? Tell us your thoughts in
the comments.

 

 

 

Natasha Vijan

Comment

How Will Smith’s Role in ‘Gemini Man’ Was Originally Slated for Harrison Ford, MCU’s Latest Rumored Recruit - Netflix Junkie

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Natasha is a writer at Netflix Junkie. Despite completing her Masters in Architecture from Hochschule Anhalt in Germany, she decided to follow her passion for storytelling.

Apart from working as an architect in the past, Natasha currently also ghostwrites for various travel and lifestyle blogs like italyfoodies.com, mypureplants.com and more. Moreover, she has also been involved as a screenplay analyst with Outstanding Screenplays London.

An avid cinephile, Natasha especially enjoys quirky dark comedies and gangster films. She can talk about films by Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie for days and even aspires to make her own film someday. When not at work, she can be found at at outdoor music concert or a stand-up gig. Additionally, she’s a feminist, LGBTQIA ally and a strong mental health advocate.

https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-how-will-smiths-role-in-gemini-man-was-originally-slated-for-harrison-ford-mcus-latest-rumored-recruit

How Will Smith’s Role in ‘Gemini Man’ Was Originally Slated for Harrison Ford, MCU’s Latest Rumored Recruit - netflix-junkie

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If someone were to count all the iconic roles portrayed by the great Harrison Ford, they would most likely fall short of fingers. In fact, since his first appearance in the 1977 Star Wars, he likely became one of the most sought-after leading men in the industry. In fact, science fiction and fantasy became his top genres despite his versatility. So much so that he was once also up for a role in a sci-fi film that ultimately went to Will Smith.
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Harrison Ford Breaks Down His Career, from &#039;Star Wars&#039; to &#039;Indiana Jones&#039; | Vanity Fair" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XNN1Hbg9oNU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
The 2019 Gemini Man almost had Ford as the protagonist. This seems hardly a surprise given the veteran actor&#8217;s portfolio of work and the recent rumor of him joining the MCU. Nevertheless, let us find out what went down and how <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/will-smith/">Will Smith</a> finally snagged the role.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-was-henry-cavill-superman-really-going-to-be-a-villain-in-suicide-squad-was-will-smith-in-it/" rel="bookmark">Was Henry Cavill’s Superman Really Going to Be a Villain in Suicide Squad? Was Will Smith in It?</a>
<h2>Why was Harrison Ford considered for Will Smith&#8217;s part in Gemini Man?</h2>
From the unforgettable Han Solo (Star Wars) to the exemplary archeologist Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford has several massive films in his arsenal, including but not limited to Blade Runner, Air Force One, and Patriot Games. While the Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee ultimately made the Will Smith starrer <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-us-viewers-are-snubbed-as-will-smiths-gemini-man-trends-on-netflix/">Gemini Man</a>, that wasn&#8217;t the initial plan for the film.
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Gemini Man (2019) - Official Trailer - Paramount Pictures" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AbyJignbSj0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
At first, the Top Gun director Tony Scott had taken up the project and the protagonist and the clone were to star two different actors. While Mel Gibson and Nicolas Cage were also fine choices for the role, Harrison Ford and Chris O&#8217;Donnell were the top contenders. As a matter of fact, the idea of a man battling his clone was doing the rounds since 1997. In the 90s, star power was enough to get the audience to watch a film. Given that Ford was at the peak of his career at the time, the casting was an absolute no-brainer.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-is-will-smith-career-over-the-enemy-of-the-state-actor-sends-out-a-promising-message-about-his-future/" rel="bookmark">Is Will Smith’s Career Over? The ‘Enemy of the State’ Actor Sends Out a Promising Message About His Future</a>
However, with the film changing hands and a delay of more than a decade, it was Will Smith that led the show. <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-when-it-pours-it-rains-will-smith-once-revealed-how-he-lost-everything-before-fresh-prince-of-bel-air/">The Fresh Prince</a> played both the protagonist and his doppelgänger, which meant double the stardom. Sadly, the rules of the game had changed completely. The 2010s saw the trends shift from star power in favor of intellectual property. No wonder Gemini Man, which was riddled with the 90s hangover, tanked at the box office.
<h2>Is Ford really joining the MCU?</h2>
If the rumors are to be believed, Harrison Ford is, in fact, up for a major role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After the tragic loss of the actor William Hurt, reports suggested that the Indiana Jones actor will take his place. Ever since The Incredible Hulk, Hurt embodied the character of General Thaddeus &#8220;Thunderbolt&#8221; Ross and was last seen in the 2021 Marvel film Black Widow.
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Harrison Ford To Play Marvel’s Thunderbolt Ross Says Report" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U0VS3dN6Ywo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
According to the comics and the films, General Ross is a U.S military officer. He led the gamma bomb project responsible for Bruce Banner turning into the angry green monster. General Ross is also Banner&#8217;s father-in-law, who ultimately turns into the Red Hulk. Ford is reported to appear in the Thunderbolts film and Captain America: New World Order. 
ALSO READ: <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-is-will-smith-joining-the-mcu-after-the-disaster-that-was-dcs-suicide-squad/" rel="bookmark">Is Will Smith Joining the MCU After the Disaster That Was DC’s Suicide Squad?</a>
How do you think Gemini Man would fare with Harrison Ford instead of Will Smith? Also, are you excited for Ford to play the Red Hulk? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
&nbsp;
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&nbsp;

Is Will Smith’s Career Over? The ‘Enemy of the State’ Actor Sends Out a
Promising Message About His Future

Is Will Smith Joining the MCU After the Disaster That Was DC’s Suicide Squad?

Was Henry Cavill’s Superman Really Going to Be a Villain in Suicide Squad? Was
Will Smith in It?

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In light of Harrison Ford allegedly joining the MCU, did you know he was once up for Will Smith's role in Gemini Man?

Natasha is a writer at Netflix Junkie. Despite completing her Masters in Architecture from Hochschule Anhalt in Germany, she decided to follow her passion for storytelling. Apart from working as an architect in the past, Natasha currently also ghostwrites for various travel and lifestyle blogs like italyfoodies.com, mypureplants.com and more. Moreover, she has also been involved as a screenplay analyst with Outstanding Screenplays London. An avid cinephile, Natasha especially enjoys quirky dark comedies and gangster films. She can talk about films by Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie for days and even aspires to make her own film someday. When not at work, she can be found at at outdoor music concert or a stand-up gig. Additionally, she’s a feminist, LGBTQIA ally and a strong mental health advocate.

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In light of Harrison Ford allegedly joining the MCU, did you know he was once up for Will Smith&#039;s role in Gemini Man?

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How Will Smith’s Role in ‘Gemini Man’ Was Originally Slated for Harrison Ford, MCU’s Latest Rumored Recruit

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