In a joint statement, Alcon co-founders Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove said: “We believe that Hampton Fancher and Michael Green have crafted with Ridley Scott an extraordinary sequel to one of the greatest films of all time. We would be honored, and we are hopeful, that Harrison will be part of our project.”

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The company, which is in pre-production on the Point Break remake, is keeping the plot hidden in off-world colonies. The story is known to take place several decades after the events seen in the original movie.

It is unheard of for a film company to formally announce it is seeking an actor for a project. On the contrary, studios and production banners fight tooth and nail to not have such stories go out for fear of compromising a deal.

Alcon could be strategizing that an outpouring of enthusiasm for Ford and the classic character will play a positive part in the actor’s decision to return. But there is also great risk of losing face if Ford turns it down.

Alcon has been developing the sequel since acquiring all television and ancillary franchise rights in 2011 from producer Bud Yorkin. The company has explored ideas of prequels and sequels.

It is unclear when Alcon hopes to go into production. Ford is days away from the beginning of principal photography for Star Wars: Episode VII. Scott recently came on to direct 20th Century Fox’s outer space adventure project, The Martian, which is to star Matt Damon.

Yorkin will serve as a producer on the sequel along with Kosove and Johnson. Cynthia Sikes Yorkin will co-produce.

Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers.