In a thrilling twist at the D23 convention in Anaheim on Saturday, Harrison Ford made an unexpected virtual appearance.
The iconic 84-year-old actor, who was last seen in Los Angeles in July, unveiled his involvement in a brand-new Indiana Jones ride coming to Disney World’s Animal Kingdom in the Tropical Americas land.
‘I’m pleased to share that for the first time ever, I’m the actual model of the Indiana Jones animatronic,’ he announced in a video that was also shared on Instagram. ‘I’m excited to see his next adventure, and I’m coming to Walt Disney World soon.’
While Ford has been a prominent figure in several Disney-owned film series, this marks his debut connection with a Disney theme park attraction.
The new adventure, named Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, invites visitors into an engaging journey through the immersive world of a Mayan temple underworld.
In a heartfelt message, Ford expressed his gratitude: ‘Thanks for coming along on all Indy’s adventures.’
Harrison Ford made a surprise virtual appearance at the D23 convention in Anaheim on Saturday
The 84-year-old actor revealed that he is closely involved in a new Indiana Jones ride headed to Tropical Americas land at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom; pictured in 1981’s Raiders of The Lost Ark
According to the lore of Mayan mythology, caves are guarded by a giant snake.
The accompanying caption on the Disney Parks Instagram page read: ‘We have unearthed Indiana Jones news.
‘For the first time, Harrison Ford is the actual model of the Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronics figure, fear of snakes included.’
‘Come face to face with the real-life Tsukán on Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent at Animal Kingdom,’ a follow-up post teased.
Currently under construction, the Tropical Americas land will replace DinoLand USA, which closed in February.
Ford celebrated his birthday in July, and continues to act and live an active lifestyle.
Weeks ago, the octogenarian was spotted enjoying a solo bike ride through LA.
‘I believe in training for injury prevention more than anything else. I’m an old fart and I need to protect myself,’ he told Men’s Health in June.
‘Come face to face with the real-life Tsukán on Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent at Animal Kingdom,’ a Disney Parks Instagram post teased
Ford pictured with Phoebe Waller-Bridge in 2023’s Dial of Destiny
In 2023, the seasoned star told People magazine that he views aging positively.
‘I don’t want to be young again,’ he declared to the outlet, adding, ‘I was young, and now I enjoy being old.’
He reflected, ‘You are certainly physically diminished by age but there are wonderful things about age – richness of experience, the full weight of all the time you’ve been spending getting to being old – and there’s a certain ease in it for me.’
In March, Ford received the Life Achievement award at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards.
He got emotional as he looked back on his decades-long career in the entertainment industry and called himself a ‘lucky guy.’
‘I feel incredibly grateful for this kind attention, but to be clear, I’m also quite humbled,’ he began.
‘I’m in a room of actors, many of whom are here because they’ve been nominated to receive a prize for their amazing work,’ the actor said before teasing, ‘Well, I’m here to receive a prize for being alive.’