For Harrison Ford, the allure of reprising the iconic role of Indiana Jones for a fifth time in the highly anticipated “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” was rooted in the concept of time. As Ford approaches his 81st birthday in July, just a few weeks after the release of “Dial of Destiny,” it’s quite uncommon to see someone of his age as the quintessential Hollywood action hero. Nevertheless, this fact became a selling point for Ford, who expressed his desire to portray Indiana Jones as an aged man in “Dial of Destiny” in an interview with Esquire magazine.
“I wanted this movie to be ambitious, to serve as the final chapter,” Ford explained when discussing his decision to return as Indiana Jones. “That’s not to say the previous films weren’t ambitious in their own right—they certainly were. But I wanted the last one to truly capture the essence of the character in a way that felt truly grand.”
One of the standout action sequences in “Dial of Destiny” takes place during the 1969 ticker-tape parade in New York City, held to commemorate the historic moon landing. In this scene, Indiana Jones can be seen riding a horse through the bustling streets. As Ford was shooting this exhilarating moment, he found himself being supported by the hands of three stunt workers from the ground, ensuring he remained securely on the horse.
“I was taken aback and thought, ‘What the fuck? Am I being attacked?'” Ford humorously recalled. “When I glanced down, I noticed three stunt guys beneath me, making sure I didn’t lose my balance. They explained, ‘Oh, we were just concerned and wanted to make sure you were okay.’ And I responded, ‘Leave me the fuck alone… I’m an old man dismounting a horse, and I want it to look exactly that way!'”
In line with his desire to embrace the reality of his character’s age, Ford made the bold decision to film a shirtless scene early on in “Dial of Destiny.” He explained, “The idea came to me to wake up in my underwear, with an empty glass in my hand.”
Ford’s age did present its challenges during the production of “Dial of Destiny.” In one fight scene with co-star Mads Mikkelsen, he accidentally tore the subscapularis muscle off his right shoulder, resulting in a two-week shutdown of filming. Even after resuming production, Ford had to take an additional six-week break to ensure his full recovery.
“Yeah, well, I’ve become known for shutting down movies because of injuries, which is not the kind of reputation you aim for,” Ford remarked with a hint of irony. “But hey, shit happens.”
Despite nearing 81 years old, Ford shows no signs of slowing down. He recently found himself in Atlanta, filming “Captain America: New World Order,” marking his first venture into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When asked about the experience of making a Marvel movie, Ford responded, “Uh, yeah. I mean, there are tough days, easy days, fun days—every kind of day. It’s a demanding schedule, and yeah, it’s fun. But it’s not a walk in the park. It’s not all fun and games; it’s work.”
Fans of the iconic archaeologist-adventurer can eagerly anticipate the release of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” on June 30, as Ford takes audiences on one final ambitious journey in the beloved franchise. The film, distributed by Disney, promises to deliver a fitting conclusion to Indiana Jones’ legendary saga.