Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Director on the Tone of Indy’s Final Adventure

Not a lot is known about the upcoming fifth entry in the Indiana Jones franchise, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. However, according to director James Mangold, the film won’t be a dour or overly serious film.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly recently, Mangold spoke about some of his previous films, including 2017’s Logan. In comparing the films, both of which feature an older version of a legendary character, Mangold says that Logan was “very purposefully and intentionally grim adventure, very dramatic, and very serious,” but that the upcoming Indiana Jones film would be nothing like that.

“I am under no illusions that my job making an Indiana Jones film was to suddenly beat the humor out of it and turn it into some kind of dirge,” Mangold said. “I think that what we’re trying to do is balance both an accurate and realistic appraisal of where this character would be at this time in his life, and do that honestly, and at the same time, try and carry forward what the very title of our movie promises, which is a romp and a wonderful adventure with action and chivalry and escapes by the skin of your nose and ingenious solutions to diabolical problems. This is an Indiana Jones film.”

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will once again be led by Harrison Ford as he reprises one of his most iconic roles as the titular explorer. Joining him as the female lead is Emmy and Golden Globe winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The final installment will also feature the introduction of other franchise newcomers Antonio Banderas, Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Kretschmann, Boyd Holbrook, and Shaunette Renée Wilson.

The long-awaited film is being directed by Oscar nominee James Mangold (Logan) from a new screenplay he is co-writing with Jez and John-Henry Butterworth, who collaborated on Ford v Ferrari. Mangold took over the director’s chair after Steven Spielberg exited his directorial duties for the film. Despite his exit, Spielberg will still remain part of the film’s production as a producer.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will also be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Simon Emanuel, with John Williams returning to score the film. It is set to be released in theaters on June 30, 2023.