Harrison Ford on ‘1923’ and His Love of Westerns for the “Old-Fashioned Movie-Making” With No CGI

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In the second installment of Taylor Sheridan’s series, “1923“, Harrison Ford revisits a beloved genre – the western.

Harrison Ford, famed Indiana Jones actor, has a rich background in that field. His resume boasts roles like 2011’s “Cowboys & Aliens”, 1979’s “The Frisco Kid” and 1968’s “Journey to Shiloh”. Additionally, he stars as patriarch Jacob Dutton in the first season of a series set within the Yellowstone universe. This series delves into the lives of an earlier generation of the Dutton family, depicting their struggles against the backdrop of Western expansion, Prohibition, and the Great Depression.

At the Los Angeles premiere on Wednesday, I shared my admiration for westerns with The Hollywood Reporter. I’m drawn to their raw, tangible approach to storytelling – it feels authentic and real. They offer an immersive experience that places me in natural settings, which I find captivating. In essence, these movies hark back to a bygone era of filmmaking, with minimal or no CGI, allowing the locations themselves to shine. It’s a return to traditional, timeless storytelling, and I feel privileged to be part of such genuine material.

As a devoted fan myself, I can’t help but share that when it comes to watching our show, I’m not critically analyzing my own performance. Instead, I find immense joy in witnessing the fantastic work of my fellow cast members like Helen Mirren, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Aminah Nieves, and Michelle Randolph. Each of them brings such depth and talent to their roles that it’s a delight to watch them shine.

In season one, the romantic tale involving Spencer Dutton, portrayed by Sklenar, and Alexandra, played by Schlaepfer, captured the hearts of many viewers. This love story remains central in season two, as they’re apart and working hard to find each other again, set against the backdrop of Montana.

When we shot it, we were immersed in Africa, almost isolated from the world,” Schlaepfer explained about the audience’s response to their romantic plot. “We aimed to do justice to the Dutton family, and I’m incredibly thankful that people find something meaningful in our love story – be it a longing or a reminiscence. The responses have been touching, with many sharing their own love stories, making it quite heartwarming.

In addition, the actors discussed their methods for handling the graphic content seen throughout the series, which mirrors the harsh realities and turmoil typical of that period.

With more time spent on this role, I’m not overly invested. I avoid going too extreme; I understand my character so deeply it feels natural. After enough practice, it can impact your physiology, but the lines between reality and acting are kept distinct for me. At the end of the day, it’s all make-believe, so remembering to enjoy the process is essential.

As a gamer jumping back into a favorite role after a long break, I can say the magic of being on set in Montana is unparalleled. Once I donned the costume and stepped onto the set, everything felt so familiar, like slipping back into an old pair of shoes. Admittedly, with a two-year gap between filming seasons, I was a bit apprehensive about revisiting my character. But it turned out to be a surprising, seamless return – it felt like we never left the show at all.

The second season of 1923 premieres Sunday on Paramount+.

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2025-02-20 21:25