Harrison Ford’s role in theExpendablesfranchise may just seem like a cool chance to team up with the rest of the action hero elite, but a story dating back almost half a decade actually strengthens a pre-existing attachment toSylvester Stallone. WhileThe Expendables 3- the installment in which theStar Warsactor appeared - doesn’t quite make the list ofHarrison Ford’s greatest action movies, it’s still a thrilling adventure with a star-studded cast. Despite the presence of many other big stars in the production,Ford’s collaboration with Stallone stands out for one awesome reason.
As one of the fewactors who have appeared in all fourExpendablesmovies, Stallone is a core franchise member. While the actor is stepping aside for the upcoming installment, he’s still been as influential on the film series as he has been outside of it. While notall theExpendablesmovieshave been successful at the box office, there are two more on the way - so there is still demand to see the genre’s legends in action. AlthoughFord appears to be done with the franchiseas well, his temporary presence solidifies Stallone’s briefStar Warsconnection.
Sylvester Stallone Auditioned For Han Solo In Star Wars
The iconic Star Wars smuggler could have been very different
While Harrison Ford has been known for playing many huge characters throughout his career, he’s perhaps still most associated with hisStar Warspersona, Han Solo. Interestingly, Sylvester Stallone also auditioned for the same part in the 1977 franchise starter,Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope(then simply known asStar Wars).Stallone spoke of his audition in an interview with the host ofThe Tonight ShowStarring Jimmy Fallon. By the actor’s own admission, it didn’t go well.
“I was reading for Han Solo, but I got maybe - well, I got nowhere, actually. I was there to read for it, and they go, ‘Yeah, you’re really…Yeah, you’re um….’ I said, ‘Let me just make it easy for you. I would look like crap in spandex, leotards, and a ray gun. I get it. Guys from space don’t have this kind of face.'”
Harrison Ford was perfect for the role of Han Solo, so it’s tricky to imagine anyone else in the role. It doesn’t sound as though Stallone ever really had much of a chance of snagging the part, but the very fact he auditioned means the possibility technically existed. With Ford being cast in 2014’sThe Expendables 3decades later, it feels almost as though things have come full circle. In short, both men have a direct line to one of the other’s massive franchises - even ifFord’sExpendablesconnection is a little stronger than Stallone’s toStar Wars.
Ford’s Max Drummer Was (Obviously) A Pilot In Expendables 3
Drummer shared a skill set with Han Solo
Although Harrison Ford’s Max Drummer is a CIA operative by the time of the events inThe Expendables 3, the character’s Air Force background all but confirms that Drummer was once a full-time pilot. While it’s possible this could be an innocuous writing choice, it’s tough to ignore the fact it strengthens the parallel between Max Drummer and Han Solo. Sure,The Expendablesfranchise is vastly different fromStar Wars, but Han Solo playing a pilot in both stories feels like an intentional nod.
Solo is hailed as one of the bestStar Warspilots, soThe Expendables3’s writers may have been implying a similar skill level for Drummer by casting Harrison Ford.
Solo is hailed as one of thebestStar Warspilots, soThe Expendables3’s writers may have been implying a similar skill level for Drummer by casting Harrison Ford. However,both Ford characters’ flying talents could arguably stem from the actor himself, who holds a pilot’s license and has done so since 1996. According toSky Aviation Holdings, Ford’s love affair with flying began in the 1960s. Since becoming qualified, Ford has become, “Known for his humanitarian efforts, using his skills as a pilot to help with disaster relief. " So, Ford is a hero in the real world too.
Why Harrison Ford Didn’t Return As Max Drummer For Expendables 4
Drummer’s story didn’t need continuing
Ford isn’t the onlyExpendablesactor who left the franchise, as others have exited for a variety of reasons. In fact,Ford’s role was developed to replace Bruce Willis' Mr. Church characterafter the actor turned down the chance to return. AfterThe Expendables3, it appears as though Church’s arc, which sort of transitioned into Drummer’s arc, has run its course. As such, Ford wasn’t required to come back for the fourth movie in the franchise.
Harrison Ford’s Movie Debut Was This 58-Year-Old Crime Thriller With One Of The Greatest Western Stars Of All Time
Ford’s acting career has become one of the most successful of all time, but there was a period when he was very far from the biggest name in the cast.
Drummer wasn’t the only character not to return forThe Expandables 4. Stars who had been part of the series from the beginning, like Jet Li, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Terry Crews, all stopped reporting for duty in the third sequel. While Stallone did appear inThe Expendables 4, his exit ahead of the upcoming sequel suggests his time is up with the franchise as well. So, just asHarrison FordbeatSylvester Stalloneto the role of Han Solo all those years ago, the former also beat the latter in the race to leave theExpendablescast.
The Expendables 3
Cast
In The Expendables 3, Sylvester Stallone’s Barney Ross once again assembles his team of mercenaries to fight their co-founder, Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson). This time, Jason Statham’s Lee Christmas, Dolph Lundgren’s Gunner Jensen, and Terry Crews' Hale Caesar recruit new members such as Doctor Death (Wesley Snipes), Galgo (Antonio Banderas), Luna (Ronda Rousey), Yin Yang (Jet Li), and two old friends, Drummer (Harrison Ford) and Bonaparte (Kelsey Grammer).
