MOVIE NEWS – Harrison Ford has built a reputation for being blunt, unbothered, and refreshingly honest in Hollywood. That’s exactly why he remains one of the most beloved figures in the industry. When it comes to discussing the financial failure of 2023’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Ford once again proves he’s the guy we can all count on. If the film’s underperformance bothers him, he sure isn’t showing it. In fact, his reaction is exactly what you’d expect from him.

During an interview with The Wall Street Journal Magazine, Ford was asked about the disappointing box office performance of the fifth Indiana Jones film. The actor, known for his no-nonsense attitude, didn’t sugarcoat his response but also made it clear that he has no regrets about making the movie.

“S** happens.”

“I was really the one who felt there was another story to tell. 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.”*

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny ran into financial trouble due to its massive budget, which was reportedly between $295 million and $387 million. By the end of its global run, the movie grossed $384 million worldwide—well below expectations. The film needed to reach at least $600 million to break even and closer to $800 million to be considered a true success for the studio. According to reports, Disney ultimately lost $143 million on the project.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Had a Mixed Reception

Directed by James Mangold and written by David Koepp alongside Jez and John-Henry Butterworth, the film is set in 1969 and follows Indiana Jones (Ford) and his goddaughter Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) as they try to retrieve a powerful artifact before Dr. Jurgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), a former Nazi, can use it to alter the outcome of World War II. The cast also includes John Rhys-Davies, Karen Allen, Antonio Banderas, Toby Jones, and Boyd Holbrook. Unfortunately, the long-awaited sequel didn’t immediately win over critics.

The film premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival out of competition, where early reviews were lukewarm. Over time, opinions improved, and it eventually landed a 70% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics’ consensus reads, “It isn’t as thrilling as earlier adventures, but the nostalgic rush of seeing Harrison Ford back in action helps Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny find a few final bits of cinematic treasure.”

Some believe the franchise skewed too old to attract younger audiences, which ultimately hurt its box office potential. Still, Ford seems unbothered by the financial outcome. After all, he’s never been afraid to revisit his most iconic roles.

Source: The Wall Street Journal Magazine