Blade Runner’s Regret: Harrison Ford Reveals Why He Hates His Iconic Role

Harrison Ford, the man who became an indelible part of Hollywood’s golden era through roles in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, has built a reputation as one of the most revered actors of his generation. But even legends have their regrets, and Ford has been notably candid about one film in particular that he wishes he could forget—Blade Runner.

Released in 1982, Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner quickly became a cornerstone of science fiction cinema. Based on Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the film’s dystopian vision of the future, blending philosophical themes of humanity, identity, and technology, became iconic. Ford took on the role of Rick Deckard, a Blade Runner tasked with “retiring” rogue androids, or replicants, in a neon-lit Los Angeles. Alongside him was Rutger Hauer’s standout performance as the complex and tragic replicant Roy Batty, while Vangelis’ haunting score encapsulated the film’s brooding atmosphere.

Despite Blade Runner‘s monumental status as one of the greatest films ever made, Ford has never been particularly fond of his involvement in the project—particularly the voiceover narration, which he was contractually obligated to record. In fact, Ford has often admitted that watching the film only deepened his regret. During an appearance at the 2023 Academy Awards, while presenting the Best Editing category, Ford opened up about his discontent in a lighthearted but revealing way.

“I wish I could forget that movie,” Ford said, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper with notes he had written after viewing an early cut of the film. “Opening too choppy. Why is this voiceover track so terrible? He sounds drugged. Were they all on drugs? Deckard at the piano is interminable. The flashback dialogue is confusing. Is he listening to a tape? Why do we need the third cut to the eggs? The synagogue music is awful on the street. We’ve got to use Vangelis. Up to Zora’s death, the movie is deadly dull. This movie gets worse every screening.”

Ford’s frustration with Blade Runner’s early versions is clear in his critique of the voiceover. Forced to record narration he found awkward and uninspired, Ford later admitted that it felt jarring and out of place, as though the film was attempting to over-explain its intricate story. Ridley Scott himself was unhappy with the voiceover and, in 2007, removed it from the Director’s Cut—an edition that would come to be regarded as the definitive version of the film.

It wasn’t just the voiceover that bothered Ford, however. The pacing and editing of the film also left him dissatisfied. He described the opening as “choppy” and noted that several of the flashbacks and dialogue moments were confusing. Yet, despite his frustration, Ford expressed understanding of the challenges that come with editing a film. “The possibilities may seem endless, but the editor will work tirelessly, often in isolation, to make thousands of choices,” Ford said. “It’s an extremely difficult process, not for the impatient, not for the faint of heart.”

Despite the rough patches, Blade Runner would go on to become a cinematic touchstone, influencing generations of filmmakers and shaping the cyberpunk genre. Ford’s portrayal of Deckard, a character caught in a web of moral ambiguity and grappling with questions about his own humanity, added a profound depth to the film and to his own career. It showcased a side of Ford that went beyond action hero roles, and cemented his legacy as a versatile actor capable of tackling complex and thought-provoking material.

In fact, Ridley Scott once referred to Ford as the “biggest pain in the ass” he had ever worked with. However, Scott also acknowledged that their relationship evolved over time. “He’ll forgive me because now I get on with him,” Scott explained. “Now he’s become charming. But he knows a lot, that’s the problem. When we worked together, it was my first film up, and I was the new kid on the block. But we made a good movie.”

Indeed, despite the rocky start, Blade Runner remains an essential part of Ford’s legacy. It transformed him from a charismatic action hero into a respected actor, capable of navigating the complexities of more nuanced roles. While Ford may have his regrets about the film—especially its rougher elements—the truth is that it remains a vital piece of cinematic history, one that continues to resonate with audiences decades after its release.

In the end, perhaps Ford’s own regret about the film is exactly what has ensured its lasting impact. Though he may wish he could forget Blade Runner, it is one film that will never be forgotten by film lovers, and it is one that Ford, for all his misgivings, is forever connected to.