Origins of Indiana Jones and Initial Casting Considerations
When George Lucas and Steven Spielberg conceived Indiana Jones, they drew on pulp serials and earlier screen adventurers — nods to characters such as Humphrey Bogart's Fred C. Dobbs and Charlton Heston's Harry Steele. Jim Steranko's early concept paintings also shaped Indy's appearance, depicting a much more heavily built, macho hero than the actor who ultimately took the part.
Tom Selleck's Casting and Screen Test
Tom Selleck fit Steranko's muscular vision and earned high marks in a screen test opposite Sean Young. Filmmakers were reportedly impressed; as J.W. Rinzler documents in The Complete Making of Indiana Jones, Spielberg even noted how Selleck resembled the Steranko artwork. Other names, like Peter Coyote, were also considered during casting.
Obstacles to Casting Selleck
The obstacle was Selleck's commitment to the CBS series Magnum, P.I. Though Spielberg and Lucas reportedly hoped he could do both projects, CBS refused to release him. Selleck later told interviewers that he wanted the Indy role but could not secure permission from his television employer.