Harrison Ford is not particularly disheartened by the disappointing performance of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” This film, marking his fifth and final portrayal of the beloved archeologist, hit theaters in summer 2023 but fell drastically short of expectations, costing Disney approximately $130 million after grossing less than $400 million globally. In a candid interview with The Wall Street Journal Magazine, Ford nonchalantly accepted the setback, stating, “Shit happens.”
Ford emphasized that he believed there was still a compelling narrative to explore. He shared his vision for Indiana Jones’ journey, saying, “When [Indy] had suffered the consequences of the life that he had to live, I wanted one more chance to pick him up and shake the dust off his ass and stick him out there, bereft of some of his vigor, to see what happened. I’m still happy I made that movie.” His positive outlook surprised many, especially given the film’s underwhelming reception.
With the legacy of “Indiana Jones” and “Star Wars” now behind him, Harrison Ford is set to embark on a new adventure within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He will appear alongside Anthony Mackie in “Captain America: Brave New World” as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. Ford is taking over this beloved character from the late William Hurt, who portrayed Ross previously, transforming him from a military figure into the Red Hulk.
In his interview, Ford revealed that he accepted this intriguing role without seeing a script. He expressed his spontaneity by saying, “Why not? I saw enough Marvels to see actors that I admired having a good time.” He humorously remarked, “I didn’t really know that at the end I would turn into the Red Hulk,” reflecting on how unpredictable the process can be. “Well, it’s like life. You only get so far in the kit until the last page of the instructions is missing.”
Last December, while speaking with Empire, Ford characterized his experience working on a Marvel film as “just another day at the office.” He noted, “I tried to understand the ambition of the filmmakers, and to be useful to them.” He was unfazed by the prospect of turning into the Hulk, suggesting it didn’t present much of a challenge to his acting skills. His playful attitude towards the role shone through when he quipped about the motion capture process, saying, “What did it take? It took not caring. It took being an idiot for money, which I’ve done before.”
Ford, however, did convey some honest feelings regarding the changes in the film industry. He addressed the differences he notices now, stating, “What I miss, really, truthfully, is the connection [cinema had] to the culture overall. Now we’re in people’s houses more than we’re in the commons. We work for niche audiences.” He highlighted that the work remains significant, even if the context has shifted dramatically.
Responding to what constitutes a Marvel movie today, Ford ventured to say, “It’s a big niche.” Looking ahead, “Captain America: Brave New World” is expected to be a big hit, possibly delivering one of Ford’s most significant box office successes at the age of 82. The film is scheduled to premiere in theaters on February 14, and anticipation continues to build around his transition from an iconic archaeologist to a formidable character in the superhero genre.
