Indy or Han? Choosing Harrison Ford’s ultimate movie legacy

OK, let’s pretend for a moment that much like the NBA, NFL or MLB, professional actors were inducted into their respective Hall of Fames like athletes are.

You know, the type where votes are cast by writers and such, and all-time greats like Ken Griffey Jr. or Barry Sanders are inducted to legendary status as all-time greats.

Here’s always been the sticking point with talents who played a long time for more than one team, guys like Jim Thome, who played well for Cleveland and Philadelphia, or CC Sabathia, who was a Cleveland staple on the mound but also dazzled for the New York Yankees.

Once you get that coveted call to the hall, you must decide one burning question that will last for all time: what team will grace your bronze bust in the hall?

Oddly, Sabathia spurned Cleveland.

All of that to ask you this: If actors were inducted into the mythical Actors' Hall of Fame, and they had to enter the hall forever known as one character, who would Harrison Ford go in as, Han Solo or Indiana Jones?

Wow, that’s a doozy!

Both merit deep consideration because both are icons in the movie kingdom.

Each character has a long-running, endearing and enduring love affair with fans.

Solo is the self-absorbed, egotistical yet big-hearted scruffy looking nerf-herder… “Who’s a scruffy looking?”

Jones is the confident, egotistical, intelligent and like Solo, quick with a quip guy, as sarcasm often dripped off both characters' lips like sweat beads in a sauna.

Both were swashbucklers at their best, careening around the world or galaxy, doing daring deeds, captivating their respective love interests while oozing with charisma, both for those in their movies and those sitting in the seats watching.

Each was wildly entertaining, and in their own unique ways, both characters saved their world from complete and utter destruction.

The debate over Solo versus Jones is very personal for many.

Kids who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s probably got their first real taste of science fiction and fantasy films through Solo, Darth Vader, R2D2, Princess Leia, Luke and the rest of George Lucas’ brave new world.

Star Wars instantly became a smashing success, and Harrison Ford became its breakout star, something that wasn’t supposed to be the case.

One big difference is that Jones is in nearly every scene in that series, the focal point of attention at every turn, whether he’s finding lost relics, saving his dad or fighting Nazi troops off.

Solo is part of an ensemble, sharing the screen with plenty of other iconic people, creatures and even droids. His lack of screen presence may sway some people’s votes.

Solo wasn’t originally supposed to be a linchpin in the Star Wars saga, but Ford’s charisma forced the franchise to make him a bigger part, and it paid off because for many people, Han Solo is the big draw in the franchise. Ford starred in “A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Return of the Jedi” and “The Force Awakens.”

The original trio of Star Wars movies stands out among the most popular movies ever.

Yet, from the moment Jones stared into the face of that little gold statue in the cave, came roaring out of the woods being chased by countless pursuers and uttered “Snakes: why did it have to be snakes,” he was a household name.

Everyone who went to the theater wanted to be with him or like him, or probably both.

Each character took us places we felt as though we wanted to explore but knew we probably never would, and both did it with such aplomb and pizzazz that they drew us into their worlds effortlessly.

One could argue that perhaps with Solo, there would be no Jones.

One could, but should one?

Others would argue that Jones’ immense cultural popularity only added to his Han Solo mystique.

How would one of the greatest actors of several generations decide which uniform to wear for movie eternity?

Fortunately, fans don’t have to choose, because thanks to modern media, they can more than likely find both characters' films on any number of possible media outlets.

So, what is your taste in Harrison Ford icons?

Do you prefer your Ford with fedora, whip-cracking, snake-hating rogue exploring ancient temples? Or are you more of a laser blaster-toting, Millennium Falcon-flying, “It’s not my fault” hitting hyperspace kind of person?

Which one would Ford choose to have represent him in the mythical Actors' Hall of Fame?

Bottom line: Both are charming rogues, but Indy chases the past while Han races toward the future.

Either way, you can’t go wrong.