The fedora. The whip. The charm. The intelligence. The fear of snakes. Chances are, when you see these things, you think ofIndiana Jones. The archeologist made his debut in 1981’sRaiders of the Lost Ark, directed by Steven Spielberg, and has continued on adventures to this day. Harrison Ford’s performance as the character has become iconic, and one of his best-known. It’s hard to imagine the character any other way, yet Ford actually wasn’t the first choice for the role. Spielberg liked Ford early on, but collaborator George Lucas – who wrote the story for the movie – was hesitant on Ford. Lucas didn’t want to become known for working with one actor, as he had worked with Ford inStar WarsandAmerican Graffiti. A variety of other actors were considered, with one coming very close to the part. Let’s explore some of the actors who almost played Indiana Jones.
Related:Indiana Jones: The Best Action Scenes, Ranked
8Tim Matheson
Lucas had originally planned to cast a lesser-known actor, andTim Mathesonwas one of those considered. Prior to the 1980s, he had several appearances on various shows and TV movies, and did lead voice work in animated shows likeJonny QuestandSpace Ghost.He also appeared in movies likeYours, Mine, and OursandNational Lampoon’s Animal House. Though he didn’t get the role of Indiana Jones, he would continue acting and even directing some TV episodes, and has since appeared in series likeHart of DixieandVirgin River.
7Nick Nolte
Nick Noltehad done modeling work prior to the ‘80s, which would have made him a good fit for the charming aspects of the character. He did a variety of TV work in the ‘70s, and was known for movies likeThe DeepandNorth Dallas Forty.The Deepwas an adventure movie, which gave him some of the experience needed for Indiana. Nolte turned down the role, andhas since starred in thrillerslikeCape FearandAngel Has Fallen.
6Peter Coyote
Peter Coyotewas known mostly for his comedy in the ‘70s, and again reflected Lucas’s desire to cast an unexpected actor. Prior to being considered for the role, he performed with improv and mime groups in San Francisco, as well as several stage performances. After not receiving the part, he would go on to appear in Spielberg’sE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, as well asPatch AdamsandErin Brockovich. He has also worked prolifically as a narrator for various series and documentaries.
5Bill Murray
One of the odder selections isBill Murray. At the time, Murray was known forSaturday Night Liveand the movieCaddyshack. He certainly had the comedy aspects down, but hadn’t really shown how he would do in more serious, action-heavy moments at that time. He would go on to star inGhostbusters, which successfully mixed comedy and sci-fi. He has also shown his more serious side in movies likeLost in Translation, and is set to make hisMCU debut inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaas Krylar, per Nerdist.
Related:Bill Murray’s Best Non-Comedic Roles, Ranked
4Chevy Chase
Another comedian andSaturday Night Livecast member considered for the part isChevy Chase. Chase had comedy experience, particularly physical comedy, in bits of President Gerald Ford falling down. That, along with his Weekend Update news anchor persona, could have worked for some parts of Indiana. Yet as a whole, he doesn’t capture the charm and spirit of Ford, and seems like an odd choice. Chase would end up starring in several National Lampoon films and showing his comedy inCommunityuntil his firing.
3Steve Martin
The last of the comedians considered for the part isSteve Martin. At the time, he was known for his comedy, withThe Jerk, appearances hostingSaturday Night Live, and various stand-up specials. Like Chase and Murray, it’s difficult to imagine Martin in the lead role. He certainly would have succeeded in the character’s comedic elements and charm, but might not have fit the more heroic aspects.Martin would go on to star in movieslikePlanes, Trains, and AutomobilesandFather of the Bride, in a career that continues today withOnly Murders in the Building.
2Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholsonis a great actorwho had achieved wide recognitionat the start of the 1980s. He won an Oscar forOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nestin 1976, and earned praise for his performance inThe Shining. His role inOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nestshowed his potential in a rebellious role, while his performance inChinatownshowed that he could succeed in the mysterious. It was likely for these roles that he was considered for the part, and while he’s a great actor, he too is difficult to imagine in the role. He turned down the part, and would have many more strong movie roles before his retirement in 2010.
1Tom Selleck
Completing the list is someone who came the closest to the role:Tom Selleck. Selleck was actually Lucas’s first choice, and got far in the process; he was evenofficially given the role, per ScreenRant. However, he was under contract to filmMagnum P.I., and CBS would not allow him time away from the show to film the movie. The show would even parody this, with Selleck in Indy’s costume for an episode. He would go on to appear in more movies and shows, likeBlue Bloods. With how close he came to the part, it’s interesting to imagine what the franchise might have looked like.
