Wiseguy: Harrison Ford

The action icon on schooling cover-boy costars, turning 60, and the motto he stole from Shrek

Q: Is there a territorial pissing thing that happens between you and these young punks like Josh Hartnett or Paul Bettany that you’re teamed up with these days?
A: Absolutely, but it’s mostly a mockery of it. There’s a bit of butt sniffing and crotch scratching, sure. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Q: Did turning 60 freak you out?
A: Not particularly. It wasn’t much of a surprise after spending a year being 59. I’ll never be the kind of guy who slips off to an island. I need the discipline of work.

Q: Work that pays very well. Has money ever led you to do something you shouldn’t have?
A: Essentially, did I ever make a bad movie for money, knowing it was bad?

Q: I’m not sure I was asking that, but I should. Have you ever made a bad movie for money?
A: The gall of you, sir! How dare you ask such a question! But, yes, I have. A long time ago. I haven’t had to in a while. Happily.

Q: You relax with carpentry and by flying old planes. How are you handling a digital world?
A: I’m convinced if we were still writing in notebooks, we’d be far more connected to our culture, our friends, and our family than we are with instant e-mail access.

Q: Isn’t it nice to be able to talk to your girlfriend at any time? No one is ever out of reach.
A: People should be out of reach. People don’t need you as much as they think they do. I get by on less communication than most people are comfortable with.

Q: I’ve noticed that. Did you ever want to change that aspect of your personality?
A: Well, I’m reminded of Shrek’s line: Honey, I was an ogre when you met me.

Q: I’m guessing your girlfriend complains that you don’t express your emotions.
A: I have no trouble expressing my emotions. Getting me to stop expressing myself is the issue. I just tend to be a bit parsimonious and acerbic.

Q: It has been a while since the SATs. Remind me what parsimonious means.
A: I don’t want to spend the rest of my life defending my definition of parsimonious. You will just have to go home and look it up.

Q: Does it ever worry you that people might think you’re an asshole?
A: No. I am sure they are right.

Q: Are you quick to pass judgment on those deserving of it?
A: There is so much useless confrontation – not that I have any problem confronting people. I just want it to be in service of something I want. What’s important is what you make. But I also want to have a good time doing it.

Q: If you can’t have fun making movies, you really are an asshole.
A: That’s the fucking truth.

- By Oliver Jones