Harrison Ford Confirms Indiana Jones Return In The Most Unexpected Way

Harrison Ford is returning to the Indiana Jones franchise, but it is not in the way that you think.

Indy is one of the most popular characters Ford has played in his iconic, multi-decade acting career. He debuted as the character in Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981. The Spielberg-directed film has since been hailed as an adventure classic, and Ford returned for all of its sequels, including most recently, 2023’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

In an announcement at D23 (via The Wrap), Ford’s next foray into the Indiana Jones IP has been revealed. In a video Ford sent in for the convention, Ford sent in a video to reveal that he will serve as the model for Indiana Jones at a new attraction at Disney World. The new attraction will be at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, and will be called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent.

This is landmark news in the Disney theme park universe, because it is the first time that they have used his actual likeness in the park. Currently, they have another Indiana Jones-themed ride at the park, Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (i.e. the Indiana Jones Adventure) uses a different voice and likeness.

Using Ford himself will make the ride feel a lot truer to the IP, and not like the uncanny valley version that the existing ride can feel like to some people. Ford is so synonymous with the Indiana Jones character at this point that seeing anyone else play him can read as inauthentic. Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, by using Ford’s likeness, will curb that feeling.

The ride will also serve a key role in expanding an already-developing section of Animal Kingdom, Tropical Americas. This area will replace what was formerly Dinoland, U.S.A. This Indiana Jones ride will take over the building that holds the Dinosaur ride, which notably mimicked some of the experience of Disneyland’s Indiana Jones adventure.

As for the ride’s content, the story will be set prior to the canonical events of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, taking place in the 1950s. Guests will take the POV of Indiana Jones as he has to enter the underworld in search of a South American artifact. The underworld is, of course, guarded by Indy’s well-known greatest fear: snakes.

This is already a great setup for an Indiana Jones ride, as the character’s vocal reactions will be key. The news did not confirm whether Ford would also be voice acting for the role in the ride, but given they are using him as the model, this may also be possible. The timeline for this new Indiana Jones attraction’s opening has yet to be revealed, but it will hopefully be enjoyed by visitors within the next few years.

Movie(s)

Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

TV Show(s)

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles

Video Game(s)

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

First Film

Raiders of the Lost Ark

First TV Show

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles

Genres

Action, Adventure

Created by George Lucas, Indiana Jones is an action-adventure franchise that began with 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. The series follows Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, Jr., an archaeologist who adventures across the world as he faces off against the likes of Nazis and other groups bent on collecting ancient artifacts of power. Seeking to preserve history, Jones races against his incidental foes to stop them from conquering – or destroying- the world.