Harrison Ford to join cast of ‘Anchorman 2’

Harrison Ford has signed on for his next role. No, not “Star Wars: Episode VII,” at least not officially. No, Ford has joined “Anchorman 2,” according to an exclusive published by The Hollywood Reporter on March 4.

According to THR, Ford will play a veteran broadcaster in Adam McKay’s sequel to “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” He joins a cast of comedic A-listers from the first film, including Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Christina Applegate and David Koechner. Kristen Wiig also joins the sequel.

Ford is an interesting choice for, although he played a newscaster in 2010's “Morning Glory” the actor not immediately associated with comedy. Ford is best known for embodying such icons as Han Solo and Indiana Jones and other action roles. Still, both those iconic characters are identified as much by their sly humor as by their actions, and owes much to Ford’s comedic timing.

The actor has also starred in several romantic comedies ("Six Days, Seven Nights," "Working Girl" and "Serena”) as well as 1979’s “The Frisco Kid,” a comedy Western that also starred Gene Wilder.

Ford has even showcased his comic sensibility on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” notably in a 2003 bit called “Secrets.” So it’s not all that surprising the actor is up for the role.

Beyond “Anchorman 2,” Ford may indeed reprise his role as Han Solo in “Star Wars: Episode VII" as is rumored; there have been neither official confirmations nor denials of his potential involvement in the film.

The actor will star as Brooklyn Dodgers’ general manager Branch Rickey in “42,” a Jackie Robinson biopic; as industry elder-statesman Jack Goddard in “Paranoia,” a corporate thriller, and as Colonel Hyrum Graff in “Ender’s Game,” a sci-fi based on Orson Scott Card’s classic YA novel.

“Anchorman 2" is slated for a Dec. 20 release.

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