To Play a Scientist, Harrison Ford Learned Real Science

By Jake on

(Getty Images) more pics »

In Harrison Ford's latest movie, Extraordinary Measures, he plays Dr. Robert Stonehill, a research scientist who races to find a cure for a deadly form of muscular dystrophy called Pompe disease. But when you see Ford scribbling out all those equations for protein synthesis, don't think he's just putting up chicken scratch: Ford met and studied with actual research scientists to get it right.

Ford in a scene from the upcoming film Extraordinary Measures. (CBS Films)
"I did my research, like I always do," said Ford when we caught up with him on the red carpet premiere of Extraordinary Measures here in San Francisco.

Learning how to get those equations just right was an important part of allowing the audience to follow along on the journey. "Science is pretty much practiced in the head," admitted Ford. "So, we wanted to find ways we could have visual scenes, scenes where other people were involved, so that people could understand what the process of science is."

While Ford has played doctors before, most memorably Dr. Indiana Jones, he's playing much more of an egghead in this film than in any other. Ford gave that half-rueful smile that's made him one of the most iconic actors in history, and shrugged, "Not my usual territory, I know."

Still, it wasn't all learning molecular biology on set. Ford said, "I have fun just showing up for work. I have fun in makeup. I'm that kind of guy. I love to work."

Extraordinary Measures stars Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser, and Keri Russell, and opens nationwide January 22nd.

See more pictures of Harrison Ford (click any photo):