Harrison Ford Admits Turning Down Syriana Was a Mistake—But George Clooney’s Ordeal Might Have Been a Blessing in Disguise

Harrison Ford’s career is a catalogue of cinematic icons—Han Solo, Indiana Jones, Rick Deckard—roles that have defined generations of moviegoers. Yet even Hollywood legends have moments they wish they could rewrite. For Ford, one of those moments was saying “no” to a part that went on to earn George Clooney an Academy Award.

Speaking to The Irish Examiner, Ford revealed that he was originally offered Clooney’s role in Syriana, Stephen Gaghan’s 2005 geopolitical thriller based loosely on former CIA officer Robert Baer’s memoir See No Evil. At the time, Ford wasn’t convinced by the script. “I didn’t feel strongly enough about the truth of the material, and I think I made a mistake,” he admitted.

A Change in Perspective
After seeing the finished film, Ford’s opinion shifted. “I think the film underwent some changes, and I think a lot of it is very truthful. The things that I thought weren’t were obviated after I left the table.”

Released to critical acclaim, Syriana boasted an ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Jeffrey Wright, and William Hurt. Clooney’s performance earned him both a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

A Role That Nearly Cost Clooney Everything
While Clooney’s award-winning turn solidified his dramatic credentials, it came at a steep price. Filming in Morocco, he suffered a severe head injury during a stunt, tearing part of his spinal cord and causing spinal fluid to leak.

In harrowing interviews with The Hollywood Reporter and Rolling Stone, Clooney described excruciating pain and a period of deep despair. “I thought I was going to die,” he recalled. “Talk to any doctor about a CSF—cerebral/spinal fluid leak—and they’ll tell you it’s way up there on the pain scale.”

Clooney underwent a nine-hour surgery involving 15 blood injections into his spinal cord. For weeks afterward, he battled debilitating headaches and moments where he questioned whether he could go on living.

Regret—and Relief
For Ford, missing out on Syriana meant watching another actor deliver a career-highlight performance. But knowing the physical toll the role took on Clooney adds a complicated layer to that regret. While Ford still believes he “made a mistake” in passing, he also avoided an ordeal that could have changed his life in ways far beyond the box office.

In the end, the part went to Clooney, whose performance—and resilience—remain a defining chapter in his career. As for Ford, his confession is a reminder that even Hollywood’s most seasoned stars can second-guess themselves—and that sometimes, a missed opportunity might be a hidden blessing.

If you want, I can also create a feature profile version that intertwines Ford’s regret with Clooney’s near-tragic injury, framing the story as a meditation on the risks and rewards of Hollywood’s biggest roles.