Robert Aldrich replaced Dick Richards during pre-production on The Frisco Kid, and the director never entirely escaped the feeling that the production had lost its preferred western icon. Producer Mace Neufeld later said that whenever Aldrich looked at Harrison Ford, he seemed to see John Wayne instead. Ford was aware of the comparison and later recalled that Aldrich appeared to be thinking about how unhappy he was not to have Wayne in the role. The tension did not turn into a public Hollywood war—Ford was reportedly funny and easygoing around the cast—but it created an awkward undercurrent during the 1978 shoot, with the younger actor effectively performing beneath the shadow of a star who had been considered for the part. Ford nevertheless praised his experience with Gene Wilder, while Aldrich praised Wilder as one of the best actors he had ever directed.
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AI concept artworkArchive Record · 1970s
The Director Who Wanted John Wayne Clashed with His Replacement, Harrison Ford
Robert Aldrich and Harrison Ford / 1970s
Robert Aldrich replaced Dick Richards during pre-production on The Frisco Kid, and the director never entirely escaped the feeling that the production had lost its preferred western icon. Producer Mace Neufeld later said that whenever Aldrich looked at Harrison Ford, he seemed to see John Wayne instead. Ford was aware of the comparison and later recalled that Aldrich appeared to be thinking about how unhappy he was not to have Wayne in the role. The tension did not turn into a public Hollywood war—Ford was reportedly funny and easygoing around the cast—but it created an awkward undercurrent during the 1978 shoot, with the younger actor effectively performing beneath the shadow of a star who had been considered for the part. Ford nevertheless praised his experience with Gene Wilder, while Aldrich praised Wilder as one of the best actors he had ever directed.
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