Photo via Paramount
We’re just a few days away from the epic culmination of Indiana Jones’ journey. In Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the legendary archaeologist and renowned Nazi fighter will wield his whip one final time. Harrison Ford, joined by the talented Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mads Mikkelsen, is basking in the spotlight.
Director James Mangold drew inspiration from the Golden Age of Hollywood, the same well that Steven Spielberg tapped into when crafting Raiders of the Lost Ark:
“When we discuss the ‘Raiders’ film and Steven’s overall body of work, which has always influenced me greatly, we have to understand that Steven himself draws heavily from the classical, Golden Age Hollywood style. So, we’re dealing with a combination of influences.”
Mangold specifically highlighted Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character as a delightful callback, envisioning her as a charismatic, fast-talking leading lady reminiscent of Barbara Stanwyck’s role in Preston Sturges’ ‘The Lady Eve’:
“I had Barbara Stanwyck’s character in mind from Preston Sturges’ ‘The Lady Eve.’ We see that Phoebe’s character is a bit of a card shark, and this idea came to me of a modern-generation conwoman archaeologist who places more importance on success, fame, or wealth rather than discovering historically significant artifacts and preserving them in museums or for the sake of preservation itself.”
Mangold further explored how Waller-Bridge’s character provides a fascinating contrast to the traditionalist Indy, who still holds onto an idealistic view of unearthing ancient treasures:
“This presented a wonderful contrast with Indy, particularly as he enters his senior years. Despite his idealism about the role of an archaeologist, Waller-Bridge’s character introduces a sense of patter and a swift, agile manner of moving and thinking.”
While Dial of Destiny has received mixed reviews, with a Tomatometer score of 63%, we can’t pass up the opportunity to witness Harrison Ford’s final portrayal of Indiana Jones.
That being said, although this may be Harrison Ford’s farewell to the iconic role, the franchise’s future remains uncertain but promising. Disney and Lucasfilm are unlikely to recast the central character, but with Waller-Bridge’s archaeologist poised to take the stage, perhaps she could become the franchise’s new face and carry on Indy’s legacy.
We eagerly await the arrival of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny on June 30 to see if the fedora truly fits.
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