One 1923 Harrison Ford Costume Piece Took A Long Time To Figure Out

One 1923 Harrison Ford costume piece for the character Jacob Dutton was tough to pin down, says costume designer for the Yellowstone prequel series.

A costume designer for Yellowstone prequel 1923 discusses the lengthy process of selecting Ford’s hat. Ford will star as the Dutton family patriarch Jacob in the upcoming Yellowstone spinoff series, with Helen Mirren starring alongside him as his character’s wife, Cara. The next addition to Taylor Sheridan’s expanding neo-Western universe will introduce a new generation of the Dutton family and see them grapple with the various hardships that come with the 1920s, including prohibition, the Great Depression, drought, and Western Expansion. So far, the 1923 trailers released for the new prequel have promised a darker and more violent addition to the Duttons’ epic saga.

With Yellowstone‘s extremely high viewership numbers and the acclaim achieved by previous prequel series 1883, there is plenty of anticipation for 1923, which is made greater by the star power of its leads. Ford and Mirren fit right in based on the trailers for the upcoming spinoff, but a costume designer for the series reveals it took time to perfect their looks, particularly Ford’s. While speaking with Variety, 1923 costume designer Janie Bryant reported trying an estimated 75 hats on Ford before landing on the perfect look for his character. Bryant stressed showrunner Taylor Sheridan’s emphasis on Ford’s hat in particular, stating that Sheridan considered Jacob Dutton’s unique brand of Western cowboy was essential to get right. See what Bryant had to say about the process below:

“It’s all about his hat. We made so many for him. All the different colors — trying the different creases, the different brims, the different crown heights. It was definitely a process. Taylor [Sheridan] is also very specific about the kind of hat that he likes, too. There was a lot of collaboration with Taylor, with Harrison [Ford] and myself to create what I call the ‘Jacob.’”

Related: 1923 Already Has A Major Advantage Over Other Yellowstone Shows

Why Jacob Dutton’s Look Is Essential In 1923

Yellowstone debuted in 2018 and quickly grew in popularity due to its blend of classic and contemporary elements, resulting in a story that feels simultaneously timeless and relevant. When the franchise branched off into prequel territory with 1883, viewers were immersed in a post-Civil War era Western chronicling the Dutton family’s move to the ranch they would later call home. This story appealed to viewers who had become invested in the Duttons’ story as well as fans of period dramas, leading to positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.

When it comes to 1923, odds are that the new prequel will be another success for Sheridan due to the built-in franchise audience, the fans of Ford and Mirren that will inevitably tune in, and the appeal of a 1920s Western drama to fans of period pieces. However, to maintain that audience, it is more important than ever for the series to maintain the immersive quality of the other Yellowstone series so that the new generation of Duttons is as real and believable as the others that audiences have met. This makes it essential that every detail of the show, especially the main characters and their attire, fits both the characters and the time period flawlessly.

In addition, to avoid franchise fatigue, 1923 must set itself apart from both Yellowstone and 1883, which the new time period should help with. The societal issues faced by Jacob and Cara as well as their attire and lifestyle will be heavily influenced by the era they are living in, which is likely why a different, grimmer tone is expected from 1923. Since Ford’s character Jacob may be the toughest Dutton family member yet, he must look the part in order to win viewers over. On December 18, audiences will finally see whether the hard work on choosing Jacob’s hat paid off when 1923 premieres on Paramount+.

More: Yellowstone Spinoff 1923 Could Be The Darkest Dutton Story YetSource: Variety