Tom Selleck did a lot of reflecting before the release of his book, You Never Know: A Memoir.
Frankly, before entering the industry, Selleck struggled to find a permanent foothold in Hollywood, recording six pilots before finally landing a massive hit: Magnum PI.
When Selleck’s good fortune struck, it seemed to multiply tenfold. After filming Magnum, famous director Steven Spielberg personally invited Selleck to play the leading role in the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Harrison Ford rates ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ after Tom Selleck turns down ‘Mangum Pi’: Co-stars
Tom Selleck has revealed that Raiders of the Lost Ark director Steven Spielberg originally offered him the eponymous character, played by Harrison Ford. (Getty Images)
“Steven [Spielberg] Said: “This is the script.” Go read it. Tell me if you like it. Because we want you to be in Raiders of the Lost Ark,” he shared on “CBS Sunday Morning.” “So I read page 8 in Steven’s office and I was like ‘Oh—-, this is really cool.'”
Ultimately, Selleck was forced to turn down the role. In his book, he describes this period as a “disappointing World Series.” In hindsight, Selleck ended up doing a pretty good job. “You can allow yourself to be the victim, or you can just smile and say, ‘This is so ironic.'”
“I have a great job coming up. ‘Raiders’ or not, this is my dream job,” he added. Selleck played private detective Thomas Magnum on “Magnum PI” for eight seasons.
Tom Selleck was offered the role of Raiders of the Lost Ark after signing on to star in Magnum PI. (CBS via Getty Images)
Like what you’re reading?Click here for more entertainment news
In April, Karen Allen, who plays Ford’s love interest in “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” told Fox Digital News that she knew Selleck was originally connected to the project. “Tom had done a pilot for Magnum P.I. before he was asked to play Indiana Jones,” she explains. “When you make a pilot, you sign a contract and if it gets picked up, you’re committed. So, they picked up the pilot. They picked up his option, and he couldn’t play Indiana Jones anymore.
Harrison Ford and Karen Allen starred in the first Raiders of the Lost Ark movie, released in 1981. (Getty Images)
In the summer of 2023, while promoting Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Tragedy of Destiny , the fifth installment in the series, Ford described how he landed the eponymous role.
“How did I get this job? Tom Selleck got the job, but he also had an obligation to produce a TV series, and he couldn’t get out of that contract,” he shared with Deadline. “I was second choice and I’m very grateful to Tom,” he said. “Thank you, Tom, man. If you’re listening, thank you again.”
Harrison Ford is best known for playing Indiana Jones in all six films of the franchise. (CBS via Getty Images)
Click here to subscribe to the Entertainment Newsletter
Ford said his “Star Wars” collaborators, george lucas, called him and insisted that Ford read the script he had sent home. Lucas is responsible for creating the “Star Wars” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” film series.
“‘I want you to read it right now,'” Ford remembers Lucas telling him on the phone. “I want you to read it within an hour.”
Harrison Ford said it took him about an hour to read the first script for Raiders of the Lost Ark. (CBS via Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
“I sat down and read the book for an hour, and then he said, ‘I want you to go to Steven Spielberg’s house and talk to him,'” the actor detailed of Lucas’ request. “I went to Steven Spielberg’s house – I’d never met Steven Spielberg before – and I think within an hour or so I had the job.”
Spielberg and Ford would work together on the first four films in the series.
