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Turns out Indiana Jones can be a softie.
Harrison Ford fought back tears at one of the biggest premieres at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. No expense was spared when Disney sent its top executives, including CEO Bob Iger, to the south of France for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the fifth chapter of one of the most celebrated franchises in cinema history.
But as the credits rolled on this time-traveling action epic directed by James Mangold, Cannes received only a slightly muted five-minute standing ovation for the film.
The biggest cheer of the night was for Ford, who was called on stage by festival director Thierry Frémaux to surprisingly accept the Palme d’Or after an episode of his biggest screen roles.
“I’m very moved by this,” Ford said prior to the film’s play. “They say when you’re about to die you see your life flash before your eyes and I just saw my life flash before my eyes. A big part of my life, but not my whole life. My life was made possible by my lovely wife” – Calista Flockhart, present – “who has supported my passion and my dreams and I am grateful.”
Ford then addressed the audience. “I love you too. But I have a movie I want you to see. It’s right behind me. So let me get out of the way and thank you again for this great honor.”
The film’s lavish action scenes and witty one-liners, directed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, met with a muted response in cinemas for the most part. During parts of the 142-minute film, viewers could be heard whispering in French out of boredom.
Ford reprises his role as the archaeologist of the same name in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Set in 1969 against the space race, the film sees Indiana Jones re-embracing an adventure that coincides with the resurgence of the Nazi Party. Mads Mikkelsen, Boyd Holbrook and Waller-Bridge star in the film.
Ford has stressed that “Dial of Destiny” marks the end of his tenure as Indiana Jones. “This is the last film in the series and this is the last time I play the character,” Ford told Total Film magazine ahead of Cannes. “I expect it will be the last time he’s in a movie.” While aware that Disney is developing an Indiana Jones series for Disney+, Ford said he “won’t be involved , if it is actually implemented”.
Notably, Indiana Jones is the first Indiana Jones film not directed by Steven Spielberg. “The Wolverine” and “Ford v Ferrari” director Mangold took over the direction of “Dial of Destiny”. Spielberg said during a press event in April that he loves the latest sequel.
“Bob Iger had a screening for a lot of Disney executives, and I came to the screening with director James Mangold,” Spielberg said. “Everyone loved the film. It’s actually a really good Indiana Jones movie. I’m really proud of what Jim did with it.”
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny hits theaters June 30th from Disney.