Originally , Spielberg suggested Harrison Ford ; Lucas resisted the idea , since he had already cast the actor in American Graffiti , Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back , and did not want Ford to become known as his `` Bobby De Niro '' ( in reference to the fact that fellow director Martin Scorsese regularly casts Robert De Niro in his films ) . During an intensive casting process , Lucas and Spielberg auditioned many actors , and finally cast actor Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones . Shortly afterward pre-production began in earnest on Raiders of the Lost Ark . However , CBS refused to release Selleck from his contractual commitment to Magnum , P.I. ( which was gradually gaining momentum in the ratings ) , forcing him to turn down the role . One of CBS 's concerns was that shooting for Magnum P.I. conflicted with shooting for Raiders , both of which were to begin about the same time . However , Selleck was to say later in an interview that shooting for Magnum P.I. was delayed and did not actually begin until shooting for Raiders had concluded .

Question: who was originally cast to play indiana jones
Answer: Tom Selleck