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He’s faced sword wielding Arabs, power-hungry Nazis and crazed Indian cults in his quest for some of the world’s most elusive treasures, but grizzled archaeologist Indiana Jones isn’t quite ready to hang up his battered Fedora and trusty whip – despite being the ripe old age of 80.
Harrison Ford is poised to return as swashbuckling Indy for one final adventure in the long-running film franchise and its yet to be titled fifth instalment, directed by James Mangold and co-starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge – best known for her role as the angry, confused and frequently chaotic titular lead in BBC comedy Fleabag.
But she’ll need her wits about her while following the famed archaeologist on his latest adventure, with first images from the forthcoming film – exclusively released by Empire – transporting both to an ancient temple in their search for a yet to be specified bounty.
Welcome back: He’s faced sword wielding Arabs, power-hungry Nazis and crazed Indian cults in his quest for some of the world’s most elusive treasures, but grizzled archaeologist Indiana Jones isn’t quite ready to hang up his battered Fedora
The pair will star alongside Tobey Jones, Mads Mikkelsen and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers in a film that features a prologue set in 1944 but concludes in 1969 – the climax of social change across the United States and much of the western world.
These newly released images show several characters and tease the 1969 setting of the movie, which is set for release next summer.
On returning to the role for the last time, Harrison told Empire: ‘I just thought it would be nice to see one where Indiana Jones was at the end of his journey. A script came along that I felt gave me a way to extend the character…
Movie magic: Harrison Ford, 80, is poised to return as swashbuckling Indy for one final adventure in the long-running film franchise and its yet to be titled fifth instalment alongside Phoebe Waller-Bridge, 37, as his goddaughter Helena
‘It’s full of adventure, full of laughs, full of real emotion. And it’s complex and it’s sneaky. The shooting of it was tough and long and arduous. But I’m very happy with the film that we have.’
Meanwhile, director James Mangold was faced with the challenge of making Indiana look age-appropriate, given the film spans across 25 years, with special visual effects being utilised to ensure viewers get a genuine experience.
James explained: ‘It became really important to me to figure out how to make this a movie about a hero at sunset.
Acting out: Mads Mikkelsen, 59, is set to appear in the action flick, with his character yet to be named
‘The issues I brought up about Indy’s age were not things I thought were being addressed in the material being developed at the time. There were “old” jokes, but the material wasn’t about it.
‘To me, whatever your greatest liability, you should fly straight towards that. If you try to pretend it’s not there, you end up getting slings and arrows the whole way.’
As part of the process, Harrison tried on his old Raiders Of The Lost Ark costume again in a bid to help the wardrobe department.
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Born to perform: Boyd Holbrook will also star in the film which spans 25 years and is the final instalment in the franchise
The outfit from the 1981 film fit perfectly, with producer Frank Marshall laughing: ‘I think his proudest moment was when he fit in those pants.’
Elsewhere, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, 37, who plays Indy’s goddaughter Helena, was invited to star in the film while at dinner with producer Kathleen Kennedy.
The actress said she was left in a ‘haze’ after reading the script and immediately accepted the part in the film.
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She joked: ‘I immediately ordered ten bottles of wine. Then it was the fastest I’ve ever read a script; I came out of a sort of haze afterwards. I just couldn’t believe how much fun I had and how moved I was by it. And then I had a Zoom and screamed, “YES!” at them all.’
It comes after sources in Hollywood say Phoebe may take over the lead role from Harrison after film-makers shot a series of possible endings.
In one version, Indiana dies after passing on his famous bullwhip and weathered fedora to Helena.
The film began shooting in the UK in June last year but the set was temporarily shut down after Harrison injured his right arm rehearsing a fight sequence.
He has played the iconic archeologist in four movies, starting with Raiders Of The Lost Ark in 1981, followed by Temple Of Doom, The Last Crusade and, most, recently 2008’s Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. The films have taken nearly $1 billion (£850 million) at the box office.
In September, producer Frank Marshall confirmed Phoebe’s role was ‘significant’ and posted a photograph on social media of the actress standing next to Harrison, writing: ‘Indy and his goddaughter, Helena.’
Speaking at a Disney event to promote the film, Harrison pointed at his co-star Phoebe and said: ‘I’m very proud to say that this film is fantastic and this is one of the reasons. Indiana Jones movies are about mystery and adventure but they’re also about heart.
‘And I’m really, really happy that we have a really human story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick your ass.’
Empire is available to buy in supermarkets and newsagents, or via a digital membership.
Harrison has played the iconic archeologist in four movies, starting with Raiders Of The Lost Ark in 1981, followed by Temple Of Doom, The Last Crusade and, most, recently 2008’s Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (pictured)
