Ready to dig up a fresh cinematic artifact? As we get closer to the summer, we’re getting closer and closer to the reality that a fifth Indiana Jones movie will soon be a real thing that exists – bringing back Harrison Ford as the legendary archaeologist for one last ride. The character’s swan-song, Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny, is being brought to us by Logan and Ford v Ferrari director James Mangold, wrapping up his life story with a tale involving Nazis and the moon landings in America 1969.
Most of us will have to wait until 30 June before we get to see if Mangold pulls off the most monumental of tasks – picking up the reins from Steven Spielberg himself, delivering something of a piece with the original trilogy, and giving a better send-off to the iconic hero than 2008’s The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. But the lucky folk attending the Cannes Film Festival will get the first look at the film – now officially confirmed to receive its world premiere at the southern French film fest, screening out of competition on 18 May.
Yes, 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 scientists 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 a tantalising prospect. Now, watch us make our way over to Cannes via this red line slowly crawling across a map.