The new ‘Indiana Jones’ movie de-ages Harrison Ford. He found it ‘a little spooky’
Harrison Ford is set to appear in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Judah” — the next chapter in the Indiana Jones film franchise with the Israeli movie’s script adapted by Steven Spielberg from the book series by Robert Caro.
To avoid accusations of “de-aging” Ford, the production is being overseen by Spielberg and Gary Goetzman, the director of the original version of “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” according to the book — which will be available at the Cannes Film Festival on May 26.
“It’s a little spooky,” Ford told The Associated Press in an interview at the film’s Los Angeles studio. He said he’s heard some criticism about how the film will affect his portrayal of the original characters in the ‘Indiana Jones’ trilogy, including Indy, Dr. Jones, Col. Mustafa and other members of the crew. “I think it will be good.”
But after watching the new movie in December, Ford isn’t worried about what he describes as his “craven appearance” as the new lead in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Judah” (due in U.S. theaters on Aug. 19).
“I’m looking forward. I have nothing to do with it,” he said on Thursday, an hour after his cameo was publicly announced. “I think Steven and Gary are going to do a great job and hopefully it will be as great as the last two.
“In the ‘Indiana Jones’ trilogy, I’ve had to do things that required me changing — sometimes to the detriment of a certain character,” Ford said. But he said he was committed to preserving the integrity of his roles, which took place in the pre-Columbine New Mexico school shooting in 1999.
Ford also said he felt he was “getting a raw deal” from the film’s producers, who took over the rights to the franchise after the death of producer Albert “C.T.” Hackett.
“I think now they think they can do whatever they want with it,” Ford said. To the film
