Key Insights
- The Hunt for Red October was a major success, grossing over $200 million worldwide.
- Paramount's Strategy involved quickly pursuing a sequel to capitalize on the film’s popularity.
- Alec Baldwin’s Exit from the franchise was influenced by his subsequent film’s failure and production issues.
- Harrison Ford's Casting was initially desired by Paramount, making him the first choice for Jack Ryan.
When it came out in March 1990, The Hunt for Red October was a smash hit, grossing $122 million in North America and passing the $200 million mark worldwide. It led to a huge spike in popularity for author Tom Clancy’s techno-thrillers, which centred on CIA analyst Jack Ryan. In John McTiernan’s film, Ryan was played by Alec Baldwin, with the role elevating him to stardom. Yet, by the time they were ready to make a sequel two years later, Baldwin was out and replaced by Harrison Ford, who had infamously turned down the role just a few years earlier, figuring no one wanted to see a “submarine movie.”
So, why did Paramount ditch the lead of one of its biggest hits and a potential new face for what promised to be a huge franchise in favour of Ford? Why did the original director, John McTiernan, skip the sequel, too? And—most curiously—why did author Tom Clancy complain constantly about the movie while it was in production?
Even before The Hunt for Red October hit theatres, Tom Clancy’s star was rising. The book version of The Hunt for Red October had initially been issued by the Naval Institute Press, with Clancy receiving a slim $5,000 for it—but it sold well beyond anyone’s expectations. That led to Clancy being snapped up by Putnam, which published his follow-up, Red Storm Rising, another hit. But his next book, Patriot Games, which continued the adventures of his Hunt for Red October protagonist, Jack Ryan, made its debut at the top of the New York Times Best Seller list. Its follow-up, The Cardinal of the Kremlin, was the bestselling novel of 1988—and this was BEFORE The Hunt for Red October movie came out.
Yet, despite all the success as far as the books went, it wasn’t a sure thing that The Hunt for Red October would be a smash. Sure, it had Sean Connery, but his recent hits had paired him with top-shelf leading men, including Kevin Costner in The Untouchables and Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Alec Baldwin was largely unknown, having played mostly supporting roles up to that point. Yet, it was a big, BIG hit, and it elevated Baldwin to star status. Suddenly, the tabloids and shows like Entertainment Tonight were obsessed with him, with everyone thinking he would become a star on the level of Harrison Ford. Yes, everyone thought that—including Baldwin himself, which is perhaps when the trouble started.
But more on that in a bit.
Why Did Paramount Want a Jack Ryan Franchise?
With Red October a smash hit, Paramount Pictures wanted a sequel right away. After all, with Clancy regularly churning out Jack Ryan novels, they figured they had a gold mine on their hands and potentially a tentpole spy movie franchise that could rival the James Bond series. Paramount paid a huge sum—$2.5 million—for the rights to film two Clancy bestsellers, Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger.
Initially, the idea had been for John McTiernan to return, but he had hoped to shoot Clear and Present Danger first. However, the studio was adamant that they make Patriot Games. The novel focused on “the Troubles,” with Jack Ryan foiling an IRA assassination attempt on the Royal Family and then finding himself targeted by a rogue IRA extremist who wants revenge for his brother whom Ryan killed during the attack. McTiernan apparently felt uncomfortable depicting the IRA due to his Irish-American background.
Why Didn’t Alec Baldwin Return as Jack Ryan?
Still, the plan had been to keep Alec Baldwin on board. However, Baldwin had made The Marrying Man as his Red October follow-up, and it was a notoriously fraught production. He and co-star Kim Basinger had fallen in love but faced negative press portraying them as spoiled actors who ruined their film. Baldwin was especially slammed for allegedly having violent temper tantrums.
The movie also flopped badly, making Baldwin’s christening as a new movie star seem premature. Simply put, he couldn’t have picked a worse follow-up. In his autobiography, Baldwin called making the film a devastating mistake.
Baldwin admits that producer Mace Neufeld had read negative articles about him and warned him about his relationship with Basinger and his image. Still, it was full steam ahead with Baldwin as Jack Ryan.
With McTiernan out, Phillip Noyce was hired to helm the new film. Noyce had broken out with the hit Dead Calm, establishing his thriller bona fides. The script would be written by W. Peter Iliff and Donald E. Stewart.
Baldwin wrote that when he met with Noyce and co-producer Robert Rehme, he felt they wanted him out especially when he made script suggestions. He also wanted to return to stage acting but Paramount wasn’t keen on that either. Baldwin refused to sign a contract because they hadn’t figured out when it would shoot.
By this point though, it was likely already too late since John McTiernan allegedly warned Baldwin that Paramount was negotiating with Harrison Ford behind his back. When he opted not to sign by deadline he was replaced by Ford—and it became headline news.
How Did Harrison Ford Take Over as Jack Ryan?
Interestingly, Ford was always Paramount’s first choice to play Jack Ryan but had turned down Red October because he believed Ryan’s role was secondary to Ramius played by Sean Connery. Yet he admitted regretting his decision once he saw the film.
At that time Ford was among Hollywood’s elite but his Indiana Jones series had become dormant. For a time Jack Ryan would be an action-driven franchise that worked well considering his age with Ford turning 50 when Patriot Games was released.
Why Was Tom Clancy Unhappy With Harrison Ford?
Too bad then that Tom Clancy didn’t agree. Indeed he was upset about Ford playing Jack Ryan as he believed him too old for the part.
How Was A New Cast Built Around Ford?
With Baldwin not returning Gates McFadden’s role as Jack Ryan’s wife was recast with Anne Archer taking over. The film hinged on Ryan’s family being threatened with attacks from Miller.
The villain Sean Miller was played by Sean Bean in what proved an early role for him where he adopted an Irish accent despite having played various Irish roles before this film.
Miller’s superior would be played by Patrick Bergin while Polly Walker would play an IRA hitwoman based on several female accomplices in Clancy’s novel.
While many roles from Red October were recast James Earl Jones returned as Admiral Greer while Samuel L. Jackson would play Robby Jackson who helps fight off attackers in action-packed scenes.
Why Did Tom Clancy Dislike Patriot Games?
So why was Clancy so upset? It went beyond Ford being “too old.” The movie greatly simplified Clancy’s novel perhaps too politically correct for someone who emphasized realism above all else.
The entire premise that Sean Miller wants revenge because his brother died at Ryan’s hands is an invention of screenwriters whereas in the book Miller is simply an IRA member targeting Ryan because he threatens their cause.
What Were The Biggest Changes From Tom Clancy’s Novel?
A significant change is that in the novel Miller attempts to kill Charles and Diana which would have been too explosive for film so they were replaced by generic aristocrats instead.
What Was The Ending That Tom Clancy Disliked?
The ending also troubled Clancy since in film Ryan kills Miller whereas in book he remains controlled turning Miller over to authorities instead which made him just another Hollywood action hero.
How Did They Turn Jack Ryan Into An R-Rated Action Hero?
Patriot Games was marketed as much harder-edged than Red October. That film earned PG rating while this one became R-rated due to violence and language aimed at adults only.
Patriot Games Was A Hit — But Not As Big As Red October
This success didn’t match up against its predecessor grossing $83 million domestically against $45 million budget while still being successful overseas but falling short compared to The Hunt for Red October.
What Did Harrison Ford Say About Tom Clancy?
Ford noted that Clancy’s open criticism hurt film saying “I think [Clancy’s criticism] did hurt film… I don’t think it should have.” He eventually caved when studio offered him rich deal for follow-up, Clear and Present Danger.
What Happened With Clear and Present Danger?
The ironic thing is that Clancy and Ford along with Noyce had bigger falling out over sequel due to script changes making Jack Ryan more central leading Clancy livid taking shots at them in press.
Why Did Harrison Ford Walk Away From Jack Ryan?
You see before Patirot Games came out Ford faced murky path forward after Presumed Innocent, so Jack Ryan made sense but after The Fugitive, he no longer needed role anymore.
How Has Jack Ryan Been Rebooted Over Time?
Citing issues with Hollywood adaptations of books Clancy remained involved as they continued adapting them. In 2002 series rebooted starring Ben Affleck in The Sum of All Fears, which changed dramatically from Noyce/Ford films.
Clancy passed away in 2013 but novels continue being adapted including Without Remorse, casting Michael B Jordan as John Clark while Paramount tried rebooting again with Chris Pine before Amazon succeeded with streaming series starring John Krasinski.
While adaptations weren’t faithful perhaps Clancy’s issues were overblown since films still set within world he created even if not exactly as envisioned.
This adaptation has stood test of time though not considered classic like The Hunt for Red October, still regarded as signature ’90s action flick.
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