Chris Pratt Says Harrison Ford Scared Him Off From Playing Indiana Jones

Chris Pratt has revealed that he will never play Indiana Jones after Harrison Ford scared him off for good.

Rumours of Chris Pratt being a candidate to play Indiana Jones in a reboot of the popular franchise have been circling the internet since reports first broke in January 2021.

But it's bad news for anyone who was hoping to see Pratt wielding the iconic bullwhip, as the actor has confirmed he will not play Indiana Jones because Harrison Ford has scared him away from the role.

Pratt put all rumours to bed during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast as he explained that Ford has scared him enough that he never wants a shot at the title role.

He said: "All I know is I once saw a quote from Harrison Ford and I don't even know if it was really him but it was enough to scare me, that was like, "When I die, Indiana Jones dies." And I'm like, am I gonna get haunted by the ghost of Harrison Ford one day when he dies if I play…?"

The quote from Ford comes from a 2019 interview on the Today show where he said: "Don't you get it? I'm Indiana Jones. When I'm gone, he's gone. It's easy."

It's no surprise Pratt would pass up on the chance to play Indiana Jones after that intimidating take from Ford.

Ford, now 80, has reprised the role of Indiana Jones once again, for an untitled fifth instalment that will be directed by James Mangold.

Steven Spielberg was initially slated to direct the new movie, but he has since decided to serve as a producer, making this the first film in the franchise that he will not direct.

Filming for the latest instalment began in June 2022, after being delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Various film locations across England and Scotland have been used, as well as some filming taking place Sicily.

The principal photography for the movie wrapped up in February, with the latest film set to premier in cinemas on 30 June 2023.

Starring alongside Ford are a number of new cast members, including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Kretschmann, Boyd Holbrook, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Toby Jones and Antonio Banderas. 

Although Pratt will not be appearing in the movie as Indiana Jones or taking on a new role, the actor is still on top of his game as he has topped the box office twice this summer, with his lead role in Jurassic World Dominion and a supporting role in Thor: Love and Thunder.

Pratt is also set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Star Lord in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which is set for release on 5 May 2023.