Director James Mangold has teased the importance of Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character Helena in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, describing her as the “catalyst” to the events of the sequel. Speaking with EW, Mangold revealed details of how Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will begin, with Helena bringing further adventure to Indy’s doorstep during his twilight years.
Alongside unveiling a new image, Mangold went on to reveal his hopes that “Helena’s arrival will convert Dial of Destiny into a classic Indy adventure, one sheathed in the thematic elements of the ’60s.”
“She’s a daughter of a friend of Indy’s, who we will also meet in the movie. Helena’s gotten herself in a bit of trouble, and brings [that] to Indy’s doorstep. She’s a character who’s a wonderful set of contradictions — charming and brilliant, but also a lot of trouble.”
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There have been rumors circulating for some time that Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will conclude with Phoebe Waller-Bridge taking over the franchise from Harrison Ford’s beloved adventurer. While Mangold has refuted these rumors several times, no doubt remarking on Helena’s importance to the plot will have the rumor mill churning once again.
James Mangold Assures Fans That the Sequel is an ‘Indiana Jones Film’
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny drops audiences in 1969, where American archeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones lives against the backdrop of the Space Race. Jones has grown uneasy over the U.S. Government’s use of former Nazis to help beat the Soviet Union in the competition to make it to space, heading off on a final adventure to stop Jürgen Voller, a NASA member and ex-Nazi involved with the moon-landing program, who wishes to remake the world as he sees fit.
With all the chatter of Indy passing the baton, poorly received press screenings, and multiple endings, many have grown concerned that Indiana Jones himself will be lost when Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny lands in theaters next year. But Mangold is not worried, knowing how important the character is to audiences and declaring that yes, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny “is an Indiana Jones film.”
Directed by James Mangold (Ford v Ferrari, Logan), Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny stars Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies, Shaunette Renee Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Oliver Richters, Ethann Isidore, and Mads Mikkelsen.
“I am under no illusions that my job making an Indiana Jones film was to suddenly beat the humor out of it and turn it into some kind of dirge. I think that what we’re trying to do is balance both an accurate and realistic appraisal of where this character would be at this time in his life, and do that honestly, and at the same time, try and carry forward what the very title of our movie promises, which is a romp and a wonderful adventure with action and chivalry and escapes by the skin of your nose and ingenious solutions to diabolical problems. This is an Indiana Jones film.”
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is scheduled for release theatrically on June 30, 2023, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
