Why Helen Mirren Didn't Like Kissing Harrison Ford

As one of Hollywood's most recognizable leading men, few would deny that an opportunity to kiss Harrison Ford would be something to write home about. Well... count Helen Mirren as one of those few.

As a refresher, Ford and Mirren portrayed husband and wife in the 1986 film, "The Mosquito Coast." By then, he had already starred in the early offerings of two of his biggest film series to date, "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones." He'd also firmly ensconced himself in his role as a Hollywood heartthrob for the ages, and would even go on to be crowned People's "Sexiest Man Alive" more than a decade later — an accolade achieved in his late 50s, no less. Despite the constant attention he's received for his looks, though, Ford typically shies away from acknowledging it. In fact, in response to being 1998's "Sexiest Man Alive," the actor quipped, "I never feel sexy. I have a distant relationship with the mirror." 

We're not sure if Mirren felt the same way when she revealed that she didn't like kissing her 1986 co-star, but she certainly didn't hold back at the time of the revelation. So, to quote Cardi B: "What was the reason?" 

Something tells us Harrison Ford would have loved for someone to have held Helen Mirren back in 1997 when she opted to kiss and tell it like it is. 

More than 10 years after they worked together on "The Mosquito Coast," Mirren reflected on the experience in a BBC "Radio 1 Breakfast Show" interview — and she wasn't exactly complimentary of her co-star's kissing abilities. "He can't kiss," she told the then-hosts Zoe Ball and Kevin Greening (via the Independent). To add insult to injury, she also revealed that, among his past co-stars, his reputation for sub-par smooches was well-known. "It's not just me — other actresses agree. Whenever we get to chatting off-screen ... we come to the same conclusion: 'He couldn't do it with me either!'" she doubled down. And, though she opened with a comment that he struggled puckering up for the cameras, she ultimately concluded that she didn't think it was work-specific: "He's probably not good off-screen either." Yikes!

Unfortunately for Ford, it seems Carrie Fisher may have confirmed that in her memoir, "The Princess Diarist." In the book, Fisher revealed that she and Ford had an affair while shooting "Star Wars" — and likened his kissing skills to that of a "Grouper" (via Esquire). Granted, she clarified, "Without the water, the scales, and that awful fishy smell." Small wins, we guess? 

Harrison Ford has never addressed Helen Mirren's kissing commentary, but it would make sense if the "Indiana Jones" star opted to steer clear of his former co-star to avoid any awkward run-ins. However, more than 20 years on, it seems they're on good terms. In fact, as was revealed earlier this year, they're about to be colleagues once again. 

In May, Entertainment Weekly reported that both Mirren and Ford had signed on to star in the new "Yellowstone" prequel. In September, Variety shared more details on the casting and, as it turns out, Ford and Mirren are set to play Jacob and Cara Dutton: husband and wife. That doesn't automatically mean we'll see the on-screen couple locking lips ... but it also doesn't seem too far-fetched an idea. 

Maybe, over the years, Mirren has forgotten about Ford's kissing technique. Alternatively, perhaps Ford took her notes to heart and brushed up on his skills. There's also a chance that Ford was never quite as awful as she suggested in her BBC "Radio 1 Breakfast Show" interview — though Carrie Fisher painted a not-so-pretty picture we're not likely to forget anytime soon. Either way, the "Yellowstone" origin story — now officially named "1923," per Deadline — offers an opportunity for these two to kiss and make up. With "1923" slated for a December release (via TV Guide), we'll just have to wait and see how it pans out.