Charles Floyd Johnson, executive producer of NCIS, divulges who prominent, A-list actor was initially considered for the role of Leroy Gibbs before Mark Harmon.
Charles Floyd Johnson, the executive producer of NCIS, has revealed which A-list actor was initially considered for the character of Leroy Gibbs in the show before Mark Harmon was chosen. Since Gibbs appeared in the crime drama through season 19, Harmon’s interpretation of the character has established himself as a franchise mainstay. Harmon is best known for playing Gibbs throughout the history of the franchise due to the length of time he has spent in the part.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Johnson explained the role of Gibbs in NCIS was originally considered for Harrison Ford. The executive producer explained how Ford was a name often thrown around, but they ultimately went with Harmon instead. Check out what Johnson had to say below:
I know Harrison Ford was a name that everybody thought about for Gibbs because he was so perfect. But I don’t think it ever got further than, it was a name thrown out.
How NCIS Would Be Different With Harrison Ford
It’s unknown how Ford would depict the NCIS agent given that Harmon’s Gibbs is regarded as a classic TV character. Ford would undoubtedly give the character his own unique spin to set him apart from the one the series ultimately received. Given his prior performances as Indiana Jones and Jack Ryan from Patriot Games, Ford’s Gibbs might come off as a more somber or daring persona.
However, Ford’s many film projects over the years would have made Gibbs’ time in the franchise uncertain. Harmon exited NCIS in season 19, but given Ford’s ties to franchises like Indiana Jones and Star Wars, he may not have stuck around for quite as long. This may have left a hole in the team earlier in the series, making the development of its story and characters wildly different.
Even though it would be interesting to see Ford portray Gibbs, Harmon managed to craft the character into a memorable icon of the franchise. It’s possible Harmon could return as Gibbs in NCIS later on too, cementing him as the right actor for the team leader. While it would have been interesting to watch Ford play Gibbs in the series, Harmon seems to have been the right choice for the job.