Harrison Ford Almost Wasn't In "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"

By far, the most exciting thing about the new "Star Wars" is the fact that the original cast is back together. But getting everyone to commit proved tricky for director J.J. Abrams.
Subscribe To "The Late Show" Channel HERE: bit.ly/ColbertY...
For more content from "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert", click HERE: bit.ly/1AKISnR
Watch full episodes of "The Late Show" HERE: bit.ly/1Puei40
Download the Colbert App HERE: apple.co/1Qqgwk4
Like "The Late Show" on Facebook HERE: on. 1df139Y
Follow "The Late Show" on Twitter HERE: bit.ly/1dMzZzG
Follow "The Late Show" on Google+ HERE: bit.ly/1JlGgzw
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT. Only on CBS.
Get the CBS app for iPhone & iPad! Click HERE: bit.ly/12rLxge
Get new episodes of shows you love across devices the next day, stream live TV, and watch full seasons of CBS fan favorites anytime, anywhere with CBS All Access. Try it free! bit.ly/1OQA29B

[@StarCrusher.]

"I don't want to see the appartment" what an awesome comeback

[@MrScarecrow24]

That's awesome that Harrison Ford agreed to do this. Shows a good sense of humor. :D

[@patrickconners]

I agree! but when I first watched his Jimmy kimmel segment where he asks the audience not to ask Star Wars questions I thought he was genuinely aggravated and pissed off it was brilliant lol

[@grimsamedi4014]

+Patrick C lol yeah I love that act he puts on of "what the fuck am I doing here?" he just does it so well

[@migoabuel27]

+Marcus Bond Something happens in the movie which is a MAJOR SPOILER which I won't tell. That could have been why he accepted the role.

[@mege3332]

+MigoTheGamer we've all seen it champ --he dies

[@donDDda]

+TheBambinoitaliano Hurr durr let me just read comments before i'm watching one of the biggest movies of the year.

[@fidorover]

And to convince Carrie Fisher to return, J.J. had Stephen show up in a gold bikini. It... was not pretty.

[@melissakaye1294]

+fidorover LOL

[@Rodman200818]

+fidorover *it was the most beautiful sight I ever laid eyes on. ;)

[@Grayfox82]

+fidorover Yeah, I dont want to see the apartment either. :D

[@stonewars3224]

Well... she probably wouldn't have looked very pretty either...

[@Kleavers]

This is genuinely a fun creative way to promote an overpromoted movie.

[@555Gear]

+Kleavers 100%

[@thegamingkitchen8429]

+Kleavers See ya in theaters on the 18th lol

[@Kleavers]

The Gaming Kitchen Been playing here since the 16th, and I'll see it on the 17th :P

[@thegamingkitchen8429]

+Kleavers my ninja ;) lol

[@Kevin-bt4wb]

+Kleavers - You can't promote this movie enough. I've been waiting for this movie since 1983. I've been having nightmares that they made 3 other movies without Han, Luke and Leia for almost 20 years now.

[@Mercurial_Phantom]

I wanted Mark Hamill to show up and be like: "I'm here to audition for Han Solo"

[@sarahkinsey5434]

Obi-Wan Kenobi that would have been GOLD

[@marcducati]

@@sarahkinsey5434 Or Garry Fischer

[@korrblank1361]

Freddie Mercury I think there’s a daily show rerun from 2006 featuring Harrison Ford decking steven Colbert.

[@derekanderson9549]

Freddie I thought you would have been too busy to take note of the 70's scifi classic.

[@davidallen346]

George Lucas please come back

[@mariokarter13]

It was hard to tell whether he was acting or legitimately pissed.

[@AchikoArjevanidze]

+mariokarter13 That's how you define a great actor :3

[@darthgaul1]

+mariokarter13 He's Just perpetually pissed off all the time. When you see him not pissed is when he's acting.

[@LulzRoyce]

+mariokarter13 That's good acting then man. Zero sarcasm. Otherwise this would be yet another boring and stupid skit to promote a movie.

[@Kleavers]

+Darthgaul He's like the Hulk :D

[@darthgaul1]

+Kleavers LOL Exactly! :D

[@WALTERRIFIC]

This must have been a dream come true for Stephen, acting alongside his hero Harrison Ford for a Star Wars bit.

[@timothycreed3452]

+WALTERRIFIC LOVE your channel, dude. Awesome seeing you here. Bummed I didn't win the helmet.

[@jothamsmith2658]

Technically he played Han 4 times... But one of those is forbidden...

[@MrOliver1310]

What was the other one

[@left8277]

+Oliver Izzet I have a hunch (I don't know) that it was in the never-talked-about Star Wars Christmas Special. I haven't seen it, but I have heard of it. It seems to be very, very, very bad.

[@arconin]

+Ioan Higgins It is. If you want to see a funny video about it JonTron here on youtube did a series called StarCade that just finished and the last episode was about it.

[@88feji]

+Ioan Higgins I have seen snippets of the Star Wars C******** Special (you're not suppose to utter the whole title anywhere, its sacrilegious) .. .. but there's a really great cartoon segment in it inspired by the GREAT artist called Moebius ... so no matter what its still much better than the prequels ..

[@GavinJ37]

+Jotham Smith He was probably the only good thin in the star wars christmas special. The rest of it....blahhhhhhhhhhh

[@rebeccabeard4759]

Lets face it, Stephen is really rocking them leggings!

[@IUNFE]

+Rebecca Beard HAN SOLO DIES BY HIS SON KYLO REN.

[@harryplaysdrums]

+IUNFE Why would you do this.

[@matoro2917]

Harry Surman he doesnt , but if he does come back and prove me wrong.

[@harryplaysdrums]

I saw the film midnight on Wednesday.

[@matoro2917]

***** *Force, dumbass spamer.

[@jonahk.977]

BIG SPOILER: DARTH VADER IS LUKES FATHER

[@emilys.5448]

HAHAHAHHAAHHAHA

[@thatoneguy609]

+Jonah K. MOVIE RUINEDD

[@greedoshoots7284]

WHAT?!?!

[@rachel89075]

Jonah K. OH MY GOSH NO WAY 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱

[@gioia7421]

OMG NO WAY 🙀

[@NinthCinemaDown]

I lost it when he started shaking his finger and impersonating Ford to his face

[@jv-lk7bc]

(through gritted teeth) "I don't do that"

[@kira0080]

pew pew pew pew pew.

[@afonsolucas2219]

Pewdiepie?

[@rachel89075]

Afonso Lucas haha yes

[@2ndRatePetronius]

"Are you having a good time???" Grumpy Ford is the best Ford.

[@coolguy5772]

"I don't want to see the appartment." Hahahahha

[@starr0401]

This is so much better than those Harrison Ford interviews on other shows.

[@Grayfox82]

"Its Han Solo. I work alone. I don't need you!" Ford. Anybody else got goosebumps???

[@nitpicker9406]

It's too bad he won't live, but then again, who does?

[@peterjoseph1867]

Blade runner?

[@jv-lk7bc]

if you need to ask ...

[@alidedereal]

Its she wont live not he wont live

[@impossibrugirl2640]

Harrison Ford is a fucking legend. Love him!

[@iimaadkent]

We all know how J.J convinced Harrison to come back as Solo ;) (Spoilers)

[@Foodude]

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS Because Chewy dies ;)

[@byteresistor]

+Ryan O'Connell It wasn't JJ. Harrison was cast before JJ was brought in.

[@iimaadkent]

^^

[@Eleglas]

+Ryan O'Connell I mean it's not surprising. Ford has wanted to do that for decades. TBH I think he really despises the character and even doing the original movies.

[@jv-lk7bc]

What would Harrison Ford even care about another shit ton of money? He's got like 12... well more than you can imagine

[@reidsmith43]

Harrison Ford is my number one all-time favorite actor

[@rickycollins7723]

+Killer Jie same.

[@user-gx7ze7wo2i]

he's not a very nice man tho

[@Ay3shizzle]

@@user-gx7ze7wo2i from what I hear he just doesn’t like the media attention but respects his fans

[@xxzhang]

"ARE YOU HAVING A GOOD TIME??"

[@raxelleon8189]

"Is he the one that did the ewoks?" "I hate those things." I don't blame you one bit Harrison.

[@stiimuli]

Way back after the original trilogy and either 2 or 3 Indiana Jones movies, Harrison was asked if he'd play Han Solo again and he said no because the character was too one dimensional. The interviewer then asked if he'd play Indiana again and he said "In a New York Minute." I'm surprised they talked him into it.

[@special_shred]

anyone would do it again for the amount of money Disney can throw at them lol

[@thelankytank]

also that was a long time ago. at this point it's like a do it for old times sake thing

[@Exigentable]

+stiimuli part time

[@wolgercon]

+stiimuli It's probably because Han got his ROTJ wish.

[@Bootyhunter70]

+stiimuli Well know you know what $35 mill will buy.

[@RedCygnes14]

5:34 "I don't do that" *Minutes later* 6:25 "You're bringing in a younger Han Solo, a SLIGHTLY younger" 7:19 "It's Han Solo. I work alone" He doesn't point once, but twice xD

[@andrewwgold]

"The carpet matches the curtains" "I dont want to see the apartment" LOL

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

Man I'd love to see Harrison do a great adult comedy. he does anger perfectly.

[@fafafagat]

ah yes, Gary fisher. classic actor.

[@Grayfox82]

"I don't do that!" - Ford. LMAO. Just Godlike!!!

[@rahjeel]

trolled Harrison Ford to get him on board. 😂

[@NEOpantos]

00:05:05 "What Are You Doing?" Harrison makes everyday lines EPIC 8-)

[@waldoman7]

It's strange how Han has so much more energy than Harrison. Harrison just seems really really old, but when he acts POOF there's Han Solo, older but still bad ass.

[@simplygrand]

Gary Fisher XD

[@Sean-gi5vs]

simplygrand probably a reference to Carrie Fisher's dog

[@mk17173n]

I like how the people are not moving in the background.

[@mancerrss]

"It's HAN DUO, Han and his brother Fran and we're twins. And one of them remember to moisturize" LOL DIED ON THAT PART

[@Pecisk]

Ok, this was actually very good :D

[@Mandraquex3000]

Colbert, that was hilarious!... You need to do more segments like this and less of the "TRUMP BAD! GRRR!" segments.

[@MegaChickpeas]

Harrison Ford going "Are you having a good time?!" to JJ Abrams just blew my laughter brakes off completely! And that scandalous look he gave when Stephen couldn't handle the whip properly...priceless!

[@SIMKINETICS]

I saw 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' yesterday with my 40-year-old son. We both agreed it was great! Even the aged characters were plausible, and the whole aura & theme were consistent with the originals nearly 40 years ago. Harrison totally re-captured his smart-ass Han Solo without missing a beat; remarkable for a Seventy-Something! This movie will win some Oscars!

[@Affenhirte]

"The space thing?" so killing :D

[@trexation]

5:26 "Are you having a good time ... ?!", killed me. God, I love Harrison.

[@jonastutkus7017]

Its official. Late Show with Stepehn Colbert is the the best show there is. Period. True hero

[@sarahkinsey5434]

Jonas Tutkus I think Craig Ferguson and Graham Norton have competition!

[@cosaosa2855]

What a difference 7 years can make, his Late Show is now in the gutter.

[@Algernonab]

Harrison Ford has the best "What the hell is going on" face.

[@polytickscomicsofficial6442]

Thank you, Stephen, for single-handedly bringing back Harrison Ford for "The Force Awakens!" lol!

[@fluffyking94]

3:27 "I don't go back" someone forgot about the Crystal skull...

[@Memento_Mori]

I love how Harrison almost breaks after Stephen mentions how he wags his finger a little when he points. You see his eyes light up for a split second.

[@derrickstorm6976]

"oh great.. you're directing..."

[@Lokim23]

both-ans not booth-ans Shame on you colbert :(

[@Unqualifiedmedicalperson]

J.J. should do some acting.

[@theyruinedyoutubeagain]

This is so damn well done. Stephen's quick glance at the camera, Harrison's smile when he didn't realise the camera's on him. I absolutely love it

[@endlessfreedomful]

"I love you." "I know." "I'll do it." "I know."

[@FoardenotFord]

"I don't DO that!" "Yes you do" Lmfao

[@thechickenwizard8172]

I love how to Harrison, Star Wars is just the "space thing"

[@WarlordRising]

If anyone spoils anything about this film in the comment section BEFORE CHRISTMAS, about to go dark side on yo ass.

[@lesslycepeda9693]

+WarlordRising IT'S TOO LATE FOR ME

[@calebbradford7906]

WarlordRising Han Solo dies

[@3rd-Wave_Rebel]

i like how the green screen of the two people in the background hardly move a thing! lol! btw i love the antics coming from harrisson! great stuff there!

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

I didn't even notice them after a while. That is when cgi is done right.

[@AT-yg4nk]

Harrison Ford is the angriest happiest man alive.

[@Vinstinctify1]

If only colbert's show wasn't mostly about politics (that just aint my thing) this would probably be my fav late night show these days

[@MuhammadEgypt]

Ford would be great at comedy.

[@MarktheNerd85]

Wow no Harrison then no mark hamil.. He admit he return only coz Harrison ford returned

[@True-trini]

J.J. could give up directing and go into acting. He ain't half bad.

[@jv-lk7bc]

I wish he would. ...and then give up acting for professional snowmobiling... in eastern Ukraine.

[@vampjoseph1198]

You mean back into acting.

[@WriterusAeternus]

That part where JJ helps Stephen take out the gun from the holster had me lmao!

[@KING-gl7gc]

+1 if a person that deserves to die spoiled this movie for you :-)

[@MsLm97]

so THAT'S how it all happened :D

[@scottrider8445]

Never realized how much of a cool guy JJ is.

[@Yoda3625]

How Harrison Ford didn't totally pull an Indy vs sword guy and shoot him is beyond me lol

[@denizozdemir7793]

God, i love Harrison Ford 😂😂😂😂😂

[@mnirwin5112]

That was STEPHEN COLBERT in the Han Solo getup??? ROFL

[@lucyfoster4082]

Saw the original trilogy when I was a kid; don't remember that much about it to be honest but the only things that always stuck with me were the wit and sarcasm of Ford and Fisher.

[@BlakieTT]

OH SHIT! HAN AND FRAN! They want to PUMP, YOU UP! :D

[@StarWarsFanatic]

The best I have seen Harrison ford act toward Star Wars!

[@primitifsound]

always love Stephen's amazing type of humor

[@piratecheese13]

steven would make a great space dandy

[@maxwelledison1126]

Wow, J.J. Abrams is actually pretty funny. I would love to see him acting in one of his next movies as comic relief, maybe bringing that Woody Allen vibe. Very good stuff.

[@Jolene8]

I love Harrison Ford! Forever!!!!

[@Serai3]

Ah Stephen, always looking out for his fellow fans. Such a mensch!

[@infamousfanclub]

so brilliant

[@AdamHitmanHoff]

It's a tragedy that Han, Luke & Leia didn't get to have at least 1 more scene together!

[@TransparentLabyrinth]

Wow. J. J. is not a bad actor.

[@brackobalm6457]

"I don't wanna see the apartment' and "I DON"T DO THAT!" Made me lose my shit lmao

[@gumersindocebollero3261]

Damn I miss those times when Stephen talked about several different topics

[@nachtmahrfrank9602]

Haha. Thank you Stephen!

[@brackobalm6457]

Oh my gosh this is literally the funniest thing I've seen in WEEKS. I swear harrison ford has one of the best 'pissed off' faces ever.

[@GBobob]

“Say hello to Garry Fisher” was genius

[@immrsam]

i was cringing at first, but by the end i was dying!

[@pugfugly1989]

Three times, Harrison. No ones ever going to let you forget the Star Wars Christmas Special.

[@NewSchumalice]

That's four then! And now five with The Force Awakens 😉

[@vendarsr]

Wow that was more entertaining than the actual movie

[@joshuawillis602]

Nice joke but it's not true

[@cognitogrrl]

Wow! I missed this particular show, but what a GREAT skit !! Stephen did a good job with that characterization, and Harrison was just adorably cranky LOL Now I wonder, was that really J.J. Abrams? LOL

[@gauharkhan3607]

Revenge of Harrison ford Return of han solo The solo awakens Harrison ford strikes back

[@purplemonkey7451]

OMG I love Harrison Ford so much more every time I see him in interviews and stuff. Anybody who doesn't get his sense of humor is just brain dead or living under a rock or something.

[@SchalaKid]

The fact that The Late Show folks were able to convince Ford and Abrams to do this skit is amazing. ha! This is hilarious.

[@matthewmspace]

Han Solo is one of the best working actors ever. I love how he's been coy about all of the Star Wars stuff.

[@violal1460]

"The carpet matches the curtain." 😂😂😂

[@deutscheshaus3732]

Mispronounced Bothans. That's racist

[@LorinTone]

Bravo. One of the most entertaining sketches I've seen in years.

[@angelgf423]

THAT WAS FUCKIN' HILARIOUS!!! Well played!

[@jaytorr6701]

This is better than 95% of SNL skits

[@memoryhero]

_I don't want to see the apartment._ Legitimate spit shit all over the keyboard.

[@EcoMouseChannel]

Harrison can name his price and get it. He's cocky because of it. I know he hates the character, but Han Solo is the best Stuck-Up, Half Witted, Scruffy Looking Nerf Herder this side of the galaxy! Long live Han! Shoot first and get captured later!

[@andersonking8493]

too bad he dies is episode 7

[@EcoMouseChannel]

That was the only way he was going to agree to being reprised as Han... "Please kill me off, and I'll do it!" Then he almost died for real on set, when the Millenium Falcon door smashed him.

[@TheBikerScout]

+trippplefive don't worry, they promised to make a Han Solo spin off. (younger and different actor of course) we'll get to finally see the Kessel Run done in 12 parsecs!

[@gazorpazordfieldii3084]

+TheBikerScout But the stories say it was 14 parsecs. :/

[@TheBikerScout]

+Gazorpazordfield II (Gazorpazorpfield) No one has been able to beat his time since.

[@brigidann23]

One of the Best Clips Ever surely...

[@gethinap]

Well, they've just found their man for the young Han Solo movie. :)

[@grimsamedi4014]

Lol I love this cenile act Harrison puts on it kills me