You might be surprised to hear Harrison Ford not attending Oscars this year, despite being scheduled to appear onstage to present an award at the 97th ceremony. Known for his iconic roles like Indiana Jones and Rick Deckard, Ford was initially expected to walk the red carpet — almost four decades after scoring a Best Actor nomination for Witness. So, why did he bail at the last minute?

A Surprising Change of Plans
Until quite recently, Ford was on the official list of presenters, set to join names like Gal Gadot, Andrew Garfield, and Samuel L. Jackson. But the 82-year-old actor’s publicist confirmed he’s dealing with shingles, a painful viral infection known for causing an itchy or burning rash. While it often appears on the chest or back, any outbreak is enough to put a serious dent in anyone’s schedule — even a Hollywood legend’s.

Shingles: An Unwanted Guest
Shingles can cause fatigue, headaches, and a general sense of feeling unwell, which is the last thing you want before hitting a red carpet event. The NHS notes that the condition results from a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, and it’s definitely not something you’d want to try to power through. Ford’s doctors likely advised him to stay home and rest. In short, Harrison Ford not attending Oscars is all about recovering properly from a condition that can take people out of commission for weeks.

Who’s Taking His Place?
Since Ford had to back out, Mark Hamill — another Star Wars icon — has stepped up to fill the presenting role. While fans are excited to see Hamill onstage, they also can’t help but miss Harrison’s presence. It’s been a big year for him with appearances at the SAG Awards (where he went viral just by casually snacking behind co-star Jessica Williams), so Harrison Ford not attending Oscars feels like a major letdown for his admirers.

Oscars Snubs and Surprises

Speaking of letdowns, this year’s Oscars are bound to spark fresh debates about snubs and upsets. From Citizen Kane to E.T. to The Shawshank Redemption, history’s shown us that the Academy’s picks don’t always match public opinion. That said, the stage is set for another memorable broadcast — and if all goes well, maybe next year we’ll see Ford back where he belongs, adding his signature blend of cool and charm to Hollywood’s big night. For now, though, health comes first.

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