Harrison Ford’s Relentless Stunt Demands Left Co-Star Shaken
Harrison Ford’s passion for performing his own stunts pushed Isaiah Washington into dangerous territory on set. Washington admits Ford’s determination made it nearly impossible to refuse, even when the risks felt too high.
Harrison Ford has built a reputation for throwing himself into action scenes, regardless of his age. While he may not match Tom Cruise ’s daredevil streak, Ford’s commitment to authenticity has seen him take on physically demanding roles well into his eighties. When he returned for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Ford insisted on handling as many stunts as possible, mirroring the aging hero he portrayed. This dedication came at a cost—he suffered injuries that halted filming for weeks. Despite his efforts, the movie ’s lackluster box office performance meant the legendary franchise ended on a quiet note, not the triumphant sendoff Ford had hoped for.
Ford’s Hands-On Approach to Action
Throughout his career, Ford has preferred to keep things real. Whether playing Han Solo, Jack Ryan, or starring in The Fugitive and Blade Runner, he’s always chosen to do the heavy lifting himself. Even in less memorable films like Firewall or The Call of the Wild, Ford’s hands-on style has been a constant. This approach, however, hasn’t always been easy for his co-stars—especially Isaiah Washington, who found himself pressured into following Ford’s lead.
Peer Pressure on the Set of Hollywood Homicide
Hollywood Homicide, released in 2003, was never destined to be a classic. Ford himself sensed trouble from the start, as production began without a finished script. Still, he refused to coast through the project. Instead, he pushed his co-star, Isaiah Washington, to join him in performing their own stunts. Washington was far from eager to put himself in harm’s way, but standing up to a Hollywood icon is no easy task.
“He forced me to do a lot of my own stunts because he did them,”
Washington shared.
“We were in the scenes together. I didn’t have a choice. I told Harrison: ‘I really don’t think we should be doing this. This is dangerous. We could die.’ He said to me, ‘I’ll see you on the other side.’”
Reluctance and Risk Behind the Scenes
Even though Ford’s comment was meant as a joke, it didn’t make things easier for Washington. He would have preferred to let the professionals handle the more hazardous moments, but Ford’s influence left him little room to back out. In the end, the film failed to make a lasting impression—most remember it for the tension between Ford and Josh Hartnett rather than any standout action. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt during filming, which isn’t always the case when Ford is leading the charge.