| May 17 |  |
Editor says, what if Tom Selleck was chosen for the part of Indiana Jones? muses Zach Timmons. Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s).
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In 1980, on this day Tom Selleck is announced as the titular star of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark after months of negotiations.
Tom Selleck plays Indiana JonesSelleck had been originally chosen for the role, but was forced to decline due to scheduling conflicts with the filming of Magnum P.I. However, a writer's strike delays production of the show by over six months, giving Selleck an opportunity to do Raiders; after obtaining Universal's permission, he speaks to director Steven Spielberg and wins the role of the intrepid archaeologist.
The movie is a box-office smash, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all time and launching Selleck's career as a major Hollywood star, and is followed by three sequels: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (1989), and Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine (1999), as well as the TV series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.
Entry posted by
Zach Timmons
© Zach Timmons, 2008-Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Alt Indiana Jones Source: Wikipedia Labels: Harrison Ford, Tom Selleck, Star Treck, Indiana Jones, Hollywood.
~ Unlikely, as Kate Mulgrew preplaced Genevieve Bujold after shooting started.
Comment from Ahmad Desai on Facebook: All wannabe explorers would be wearing that tash instead of the hat
Comment from Wendy Trevino on Facebook: I love those already. If Tom Selleck were in them I'd be watching them every other day! lol
~ I think he could have brought the role off well. ISTR he did a similar role in _High Road to China_.
~ I think he could have done it well, too--but it might have been a different Indy we'd have seen, and not just in looks. Actors bring their own personalities to every role, and whatever else he is, Sellect is no Ford. Whether it would have been better or worse, more successful or not, who knows?
It would certainly have changed the career trajectories of botyh Tom Selleck and Harrison Ford, though. One opportunity tends to lead to others. Who knows, Ford might have ended up making a long-term TV career.
Comment from Brian Wall on Facebook: If I remember correctly, he was offered the part, but turned it down.
© Today in Alternate History, 2013-. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
