Los Angeles, May 5 (IANS): "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" actor Harrison Ford had "a fire in his eyes" after injuring himself during filming for the much anticipated new movie.

The 72-year-old, who reprises the role of Han Solo in the movie which is set for release in December, fractured a bone in his left leg during filming and according to director J.J. Abrams, the accident ignited Ford and united the film's crew, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Talking about Ford's injury and subsequent performance, the director told Vanity Fair magazine: "In a weird way, it was the greatest gift to the movie that, once it was clear Harrison would be okay, the way that the crew came together.

"I've never seen a crew bonded like that. And when Harrison came back, when I say he came back better and stronger than ever, I can't overstate that. There was a fire in his eyes that you see in the movie."

Abrams also said the Oscar-nominated star "was excited to get back in those shoes again, which was really interesting because I thought he hadn't been a fan. I kept hearing those rumours when I was a kid."

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" features new lead characters Finn, Rey and Poe Dameron alongside returning characters, played by the likes of Ford, Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker).