41 years after the release of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones 5 will see Harrison Ford, now 80 years of age, back in his iconic fedora – the only time a fedora has ever been acceptable? – for another round.
The announcement was made at Disney’s Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California, where LucasFilm trotted out actual Harrison Ford – who famously told an interviewer, during the Rise of Skywalker press run, “I have no fucking idea what a Force ghost is and I don’t care”. But apparently, he's all in on this one…
At the event, Ford, presumably with a gun to his head said: “We have almost completed the next Indiana Jones film featuring the music of John Williams. I had a wonderful experience working with James Mangold, with [producer] Kathy [Kennedy] … I’m really proud of the movie that we made.”
If this is the end of the series, and surely, it has to be, then odds on they'll be going out on a high.
What's Indiana Jones 5 about?
They didn’t let anything slip about the actual plot of the film, but it has to be said, the crew they’ve pulled together is pretty impressive. Indiana Jones 5 is directed by James Mangold of Logan fame. That film was a brilliant sendoff for an ageing, larger-than-life character, so Mangold feels like a good fit for this one. Exact plot details are still firmly under wraps, but in an interview with Empire, Mangold has revealed a bit more about the thing that makes or breaks any Indiana Jones film - the opening sequence.
To compete against Raiders of the Lost Ark's rolling boulder or, heck, even Kingdom of the Crystal Skull's ludicrous nuclear fridge bunker, he's decided to go full Irishman-technology and de-age Indy back to fighting Nazis in 1944. “I wanted the chance to dive into this kind of full-on George-and-Steven old picture and give the audience an adrenaline blast,” Mangold says. The film's producer, Kathleen Kennedy, also says “my hope is that, although it will be talked about in terms of technology, you just watch it and go, ‘Oh my God, they just found footage. This was a thing they shot 40 years ago’. We’re dropping you into an adventure, something Indy is looking for, and instantly you have that feeling, ‘I’m in an Indiana Jones movie.’” As for Ford, he says seeing the footage that essentially winds back the clock was eerie. “This is the first time I’ve seen it where I believe it. It’s a little spooky. I don’t think I even want to know how it works, but it works.”
The film, whose bulk action takes place in 1969, is written by Jez Butterworth, best known for Ford vs Ferrari and Spectre. And the cast is stacked with big names, like Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Antonio Banderas and the wildly underrated Toby Jones. Shia LaBoeuf, of the much-derided fourth film? Nowhere to be found, thankfully. Oh, and John Williams is back to do the music.
Harrison Ford got emotional over Indiana Jones 5
Is Ford's wall of stoicism coming down? The icon got on stage at Disney's fan expo D23 to showcase the first footage from the still untitled fifth instalment of the franchise. With a crowd of thousands ecstatically cheering him on, Ford appeared to be moved to tears by their enthusiasm – and perhaps because he's saying goodbye to one of his most legendary characters.
“Thank you for making these films such an incredible experience for all of us," he began. “Giving the opportunity to us to make these films for you. I'm very proud to say that this one is fantastic, and this is one of the reasons,” he continued, gesturing towards his co-star Phoebe Waller-Bridge. “Indiana Jones movies are about mystery and adventure, but they're also about heart. We have a really human story to tell that will really kick your ass.” He also put to rest any rumblings of more Indy movies: “I'm delighted to be here again, maybe for the… no, not maybe. This is it! I will not fall down for you again.”
As for the first reveal of the film, the footage is still locked up tight for now, but journalists reported that the lightning-paced sizzle reel gave some intriguing glimpses of what to expect. Namely, grandiose action set pieces, the return of some old favourites, and maybe even a little de-ageing tech. There are some fights on top of a train, on horseback, and at a bar where Indy cracks the whip once more. John Rhys-Davies also reprises his role as the adventurer's old pal Sallah, as he's heard reminiscing with Indiana Jones and wondering “what wonderful adventure that day will bring to us.”
In other wholesome news, D23 was also the venue for a very sweet reunion. Ke Huy Quan, who played Short Round in Temple of Doom and is now maybe (hopefully) an Oscar contender for Everything Everywhere All At Once, met up with Ford for a selfie and a cuddle. We love to see it.
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When will Indiana Jones 5 be released?
14 years in the making, Indiana Jones 5 has finally been filmed, and a release date has been announced for 30 June 2023, so just under a year from now.
