Actor Harrison Ford hit the red carpet Tuesday (January 19) night with his fiancé, Calista Flockhart, at the Hollywood premiere of his new film "Extraordinary Measures."
Co-stars Brendan Fraser, Keri Russell and Jared Harris all joined Ford in greeting fans and talking to the press in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre prior to the movie screening.
"Extraordinary Measures" is based on a true story about an unconventional scientist and a determined businessman who work together to develop a life-saving drug for children suffering from a fatal form of muscular dystrophy.
Ford plays the brilliant but abrasive Dr. Robert Stonehill. And Fraser portrays a pharmaceutical executive by the name of John Crowley, a man who risked everything to find a cure for his children's killer disease.
Ford, who is 67, talked about why he liked playing an unconventional hero in this motion picture.
"Because I've spent a lot of time playing conventional heroes," he said. "Why not? I mean, it's interesting for me. I've always thought of myself as a character actor. And now I'm old enough to do it."
In addition to his work in front of the camera, Ford served as the executive producer on the film. This is the second time he has worked behind the scenes on one of his films. The first time was for the 2002 "K-19: The Widowmaker." He says juggling the dual responsibilities is not hard for him.
"The executive producer part is a separate enterprise and it is very easy to separate them," explained Ford. "When I put on the clothes and block out a scene and everything the actor takes over."
Actor Brendan Fraser, who has in the past has named Ford as one of his role models, summarized his thoughts on the experience of finally working with the legendary actor.
"He's a really great guy," smiled Fraser, 41. "He lived up to all my expectations and hopes. All the hero worship I've had since I was a kid. And he's just a regular good old guy. What can I tell you? And he's not a bad pilot either."
Fraser has enjoyed a varied career, gaining fame in movies like the Pauly Shore comedy "Encino Man" as a cave dweller in modern times, and earning critical praise in dramas like the Oscar-winning 2004 film "Crash."
Actress Keri Russell, who portrayed Fraser's on-screen wife Aileen Crowley, talked about why she was interested in making the film.
"I just feel like this movie has one of the best everyday hero stories I've ever read or heard about," said the 33-year-old actress. "And I just think it's an amazing parent family story about never giving up. And just how important, that you count as an individual. You can absolutely change your fate and take control of your situation. And, that's what it says."
Russell began her career as an entertainer as a cast member of the Mickey Mouse Club alongside her famous counterparts Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Gosling.
British actor Jared Harris, who plays a skeptical lab director in the film, talked about working with Ford and Fraser.
"It was a thrill," noted the 48-year-old actor. "They both have very different sort of qualities. Brendan has this thing where, it's almost like he's a comic savant. He can read the phone book, and after a couple of minutes, he can have you laughing. And Harrison, at the read-through he understood exactly how to shape his performance. And was already absolutely there in the read-through."
The film was helmed by Scottish director Tom Vaughan.
"Extraordinary Measures" opens across North America on Friday, January 22nd.
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