In an interview with Variety that covers the span of his career, from his debut in Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round to his current, Emmy nominated role as Paul on Apple TV show Shrinking, Harrison Ford looks back at an iconic career (not that he’d ever consider what he does as a working actor ‘iconic’). Here, he looks back at a couple of key moments from his days in the galaxy far, far away (and he even mentions the Holiday Special).
V: You improvised Han Solo’s famous response, “I know,” after Leia tells him she loves him in “The Empire Strikes Back.” What’s the story behind the line?
HF: I was supposed to say, “I love you too,” and I thought that was a little un-Han Solo-ish. I thought it was a little banal. So I said no, and [director] Irvin Kershner agreed with me. George, when he saw it, was not so sure, and made me sit next to him at the screening of the film the first time we ran it for an audience. They laughed, but it was a good laugh, so we kept it in. Thank you, George.
V: When did you know that Han Solo would be a character that would become something special? Was it once you got to the second film or the third film?
HF: I didn’t really know whether there was going to be another film when we started, and because I didn’t know whether there would be another film — and because I only had the script from the first one to consider — I didn’t sign the sequel deal, which turned out to be to all of our advantage.
V: You, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill had a singular experience because of those films. What comes to mind when you think of them?
HF: I had a special relationship with both of them. Carrie had a very inspired wit and very special manner. She’s also very smart, very funny. Both of them were dear friends — are dear friends.
