"Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" to premiere at Cannes Film Festival
The final film starring Harrison Ford as the globe-trotting archaeologist will premiere at Cannes Film Festival this May, before opening in theatres in June.
It’s been some years, and a lot of mileage since the world’s most famous fictional archaeologist took the Croisette by storm. But “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 15 years to the day that “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” premiered there as well. The franchise's final instalment will premiere in theatres everywhere in June, but critics will get a first look at the film, directed by James Mangold, at the world’s most prestigious film festival.
Mangold said, “In 1995, I was honoured to come to Cannes with my first film as part of Director’s Fortnite. Twenty-eight years later, I am proud to return with a slightly larger spectacle. My legendary collaborators and I are very excited to share a brand new and final Indiana Jones adventure with you!” Mangold stepped in for directing duties, the first time someone other than Steven Spielberg has helmed an ‘Indy’ movie. He’s bringing along his writers from his last feature, “Ford v Ferrari,” Jez and John Henry Butterworth, to write the script with him, along with David Koepp. John Williams, 91 years old, has written the score, as he has for all the previous editions.
Little is known about “Dial of Destiny” except that it will take place in between the late ’60s with flashbacks to World War II — all the better so Indy can fight the Nazis in classic “Raiders” and “Last Crusade” fashion — powered by CGI 'youthening' techniques first pioneered in “TRON: Legacy” and “The Irishman.” Legacy seems to be at the forefront of the “Dial of Destiny.” Something Indy did during World War II is haunting him decades later, and some Nazis who were never brought to justice are after him. Or could there also be a time-travel element?
In around six weeks’ time, we’ll have our first reports on whether Indy will go out with a bang. As well as bringing back Ford as Indy, “Dial Of Destiny” will introduce Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Jones’ adventurer goddaughter Helena, and see the return of John Rhys-Davies as Sallah – teaming up to ace down Mads Mikkelsen’s villainous Voller, a former Nazi scientist who’s been drafted in to help the US in the space race. Also in the cast are Antonio Banderas, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Shaunette Renée Wilson, and Thomas Kretschmann.
Since “Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull” had, it’s fair to say, a mixed reception, it remains to be seen whether “Dial Of Destiny” can give us an adventure classic in the Raiders, Temple Of Doom and Last Crusade vein – but the thought of seeing Ford back in the fedora once more and hearing John Williams strike up the theme tune all over again is an awe-inspiring prospect.