It’s been three years since Harrison Ford starred in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, his fifth feature film as the archaeologist adventurer. Now 84, fans thought that would be his last outing as the character, but it turns out he’s back for a 1950s prequel set before the events of the fourth film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
The only catch is, it’s not a movie, but a new Indiana Jones Disneyland theme park ride, being built at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Florida. To date, there are three Indiana rides located at the California, Tokyo and Paris parks, but this new one is the first involving Ford as Indy himself.
In a specially recorded message at D23 this weekend, Ford told fans: “Thanks for coming along on all of Indy’s adventures. Soon will be time for his next ride and I’m pleased to share that for the first time ever I’m the actual model of the Indiana Jones animatronic, fear of snakes included. I’m excited for you to see his next epic adventure and I’m coming to Walt Disney World soon.”
The upcoming attraction is called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent and it’s unclear if Ford will voice his de-aged animatronic or not. As for the 1950s setting plot, “the attraction takes riders on a journey alongside Indy, beneath an ancient temple ruin, showcasing Maya culture and its profound connection to nature – perfectly fitting for this park.”
The new Indiana Jones adventure’s synopsis continues: You’ll rendezvous with Dr. Jones, who is in the midst of exploring this mysterious temple near a once water-filled underground cave, called a cenote. Local legend says the passageway leads directly to the Maya Underworld, and is protected by a serpentine creature: the Tsukán. The adventure takes off when riders are unwittingly sucked through a portal to the Underworld, where they’ll have to escape perilous dangers, like monstrous bats, larger-than-life scorpions, fire and flame, and of course, snakes.”
