Ask Harrison Ford anything

Famously gruff star answers YOUR questions

Harrison Ford is currently barnstorming America, screening his new movie, "Firewall" - it opens today - and taking questions from the audience afterward. This is significant because the taciturn Ford, 63, doesn't particularly like talking about himself. A conversation with him will net you straight, minimal answers, absolutely zero anecdotes and an audible sigh of relief when the clock says the interview is over.

But on the heels of "K-19: The Widowmaker" and "Hollywood Homicide," Ford needs a hit, so he's swallowing hard and doing what he has to do. He's a pro's pro. And since you probably can't attend one of Ford's special "Firewall" screenings, we thought we'd bring the question-and-answer session to you.

Here, Ford answers the questions you e-mailed us beforehand, talking about age, Indiana Jones and taking the edge off of action stunts.

Q: Many people consider you their greatest hero, but who exactly is your hero?
-- Sofia Canbolat, Rotterdam, Netherlands

A: I don't have heroes. I don't register the concept. There are people who are genuine heroes in life, who distinguish themselves with valor and selfless behavior. Certainly they're to be celebrated and recognized and valued. I'm not one of those people.

Q: What's the best way to recover after a day spent doing action stunts?
-- Sherry Brown, Los Angeles

A: A little scotch doesn't hurt at the end of the day.

Q: So many actors go on to direct movies. Why haven't you?
-- Sunny Jackson, San Diego

A: I've never wanted to direct. It's a different job, and I enjoy the job I have. Directing takes a lot of time, it's really hard, and it doesn't pay particularly well. Bob Hoskins once said that directing was like being pecked to death by penguins. All day long, people are coming up to you with questions. I'll pass.

Q: Have you seen any of the movies up for Oscar consideration?
-- James Black, Van Nuys

A: I liked "Good Night, and Good Luck" very, very much. It was moral. It's about the difficult judgments that people make. That's what I appreciated about it.

Q: Have you been offered a part lately that you couldn't play because of your age?
-- Toni Carson, Melbourne, Australia

A: Couldn't? No. Wouldn't - yes. I haven't made a decision yet because of age. One thing I don't want to do is suffer inappropriate casting and the castigation that would ensue from it, even though I have lived for five years with a woman who is now 41 (actress Calista Flockhart).

Q: How come you do all these "family under attack" movies? You're a really good actor who could do much more challenging work. But more importantly, they're bad for people to watch, just like it's bad for TV news to pretend that carjackings happen on every corner. I'm not saying you need to do feel-good crap, but there's a solid middle ground of movies that don't make people afraid of nonexistent threats.
-- John Rabe, Los Angeles

A: I can't help this person with their expectations. A movie like "Firewall" is an interesting opportunity to participate in something that's outside your own experience and which is high in drama. I mean, it would seem that the person who asked this question, were they living in Shakespeare's time, might object to the poisoning and the suicide and corruption that was being exposed. (Stuff) happens. And we have to deal with it.

If these movies do not receive an audience, they won't be made. So there's something primal and useful in having an emotional involvement in a situation like this. It's not just entertainment. It's an exercise in morality. That interests me.

Q: What did you think of "Star Wars: Episode III - The Revenge of the Sith"?
-- Chris Verity, Manchester, England

A: I think it was a very different movie than the ones we made 20 years previously. Our movies were like 1950s serials. Technology changed; the audience changed. And George (Lucas) appropriately understood what an audience today would find interesting and attractive and would draw them into the story.

Q: With so much factual information about global warming now, do you think environmental issues will finally become a bigger factor in the next presidential election?
-- Debbie Lupuliak, Calgary, Alberta

A: Yes, I do. I think the political will to confront the degradation of the environment has been lacking until now. But fortunately, the current administration has given us such an opportunity to see the paucity of their involvement in the environment as a reason to nominate change. How much more clear could it be?

Q: Do you have a favorite movie?
-- Greg Maragos, Bakersfield

A: I'm not so much a film buff. There are many films that people normally talk about as great moments in film that I haven't seen. One that I have seen and think is a very important piece of work is "To Kill a Mockingbird." The Gregory Peck character is about as admirable a character as you could ever find.

Q: If the fourth "Indiana Jones" movie comes to pass, will you once again do as many stunts as you're capable of? Or do you think that much of the traditional stunt work will be replaced by CGI?
-- Katie Kelly, Hollywood

A: I still hold to the same theory, that it's important to see the character's face in the midst of the physical action rather than the back of a stuntman's head. CGI doesn't help with hand-to-hand combat in any way, shape or form. The audience will only identify with a character who they can see.

Q: Aren't you too old to make another "Indiana Jones" movie?
-- Philip Donaldson, Manchester, England

A: Do I look too old? I do the action as much as possible. I know how to do it. I've done it for 30 years. If you come and see "Firewall," then I think you can answer your own doubts. I don't have any. Additionally, I think the age of the character will make (Indiana Jones) more interesting. Toughness need not be confined to youth.

Q: You used to make about a movie a year, and that relatively slow pace has slowed down even further in recent years. Do you anticipate picking up the pace in the latter half of this decade?
-- Kelly Kinley, Pasadena

A: (Chuckles) It took some time between my last film and this one because we suffered the loss of a director and had to regroup. That said, for the first time in my career, I am really working on developing projects. So, yes, there's a fair chance that the pace may be picked up in the next couple of years. But not too much. About a movie a year still seems right.

Q: Are you still close to Carrie Fisher from "Star Wars"? I think she'd be an excellent addition to the "Indiana Jones" series. Indy needs a girl who isn't all weak and whiny.
-- Jilliann Zavala, Pinole, Calif.

A: I don't think the others have been weak and whiny. I take exception to the characterization. We've had all sorts of women in the movies. Carrie? We don't see each other frequently, but we're still friends.

Q: Is there any talk of a sequel to "Air Force One"? We need to see your smart, sexy, ass-kicking president again.
-- Debbie Lupuliak, Calgary, Alberta

A: No.

Q: Do you have a list of things to do before you're 65?
-- Debbie Lupuliak, Calgary, Alberta

A: No.

Q: What is your acting technique?
-- Rajan Laad, Mumbai, India

A: I don't have one. I know that what serves me as an actor is to really pursue character and story - identify in each scene the range of possibilities. And I ask, "What specific thing will best tell the story? And how can I express that?" That's about it.

Q: It's well known that you were ill-treated by classmates. Would you say that the bullying affected what you chose to do?
-- Lizzy O'Leary, England

A: Hmmm ... maybe. Maybe. It was a relatively small period of my life. It was part of my experience, but I don't think it shaped my personality or the choices I made.

Q: I am about to graduate from film school and have already dealt with a number of celebrities. I find that on the whole, the stars tend to find the crew of films a necessary evil. What type of relationship do you try to set with the crew?
-- Kole Montross, Santa Barbara

A: I don't know what kind of experience this person has had. But professional actors are largely not that way. They understand that everyone has a job to do, and ALL of those jobs are important. If a job isn't done - and that includes me - the overall suffers. I've often said that the second-most-important person on the film set is the dolly grip, that person who can anticipate when I'm going to step out, who has a connection for my energy and feeling, and is subtle and correct in his moves. And I feel the same way about the rest of the crew.

Q: What's the most important lesson you've learned after more than 30 years in the movie business?
-- Sofia Conbolat, Rotterdam, Netherlands

A: Don't give up. Don't give up on anything.

- By Glenn Whipp, Film Writer