Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (a.k.a Indiana Jones 5) is set to be released this year. It is said to be the franchise’s last film to star Harrison Ford. While fans are eager to see how the all-time classic will end, rumors of allegedly disastrous test screenings are spreading. How true is this?
The beginnings of Indiana Jones
In 1973, before the release of the worldwide superhit Star Wars, George Lucas wrote The Adventures of Indiana Smith. He spoke about this with his colleague Philip Kaufman and decided on the Ark of the Covenant as the MacGuffin. The execution of the project, however, was delayed due to various reasons.
After the release of the first Star Wars movie in 1977, George Lucas went on a vacation to Maui to escape the spotlight. While there, he met his friend and colleague Steven Spielberg, with whom he discussed the story of Indiana Smith. Soon Spielberg and Lucas made some changes to it, and the story was to be called Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the protagonist was changed to Indiana Jones. The duo made a deal with Paramount Pictures for the release of 5 movies. Harrison Ford was cast as the main lead, Indiana Jones.
Sequels and Prequels
The movie Raiders of the Lost Ark, was released on June 12th, 1981. It stars Harrison Ford as Dr. Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones, Jr., a professor of archaeology. The movie was set in 1936. Indiana gets hired by the government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis do. The film was a super hit and won many academic awards for its performance and production.
A second movie to be a prequel was released on May 23rd, 1984. The film was named Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. This movie is set in 1935 and also stars acclaimed Indian actor Amrish Puri as Mola Ram, the main villain of the movie. This film initially received mixed reviews as people were uncomfortable with gore on screen. Spielberg suggested changing the review system by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). This led to the creation of today’s PG-13 rating system.
The third movie was a sequel to Raiders of The Lost Ark. It was released on May 24, 1989, and was called Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The movie is set in 1938 and revolves around finding the lost Holy Grail. This movie became the highest-grossing movie of 1989, earning $475.8 million at the worldwide box office.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) was the fourth film of the franchise and was released on May 22, 2008. The movie is set 19 years after the previous film, in 1957. Indiana is tasked with fighting the KGB agents and acquiring the “crystal skull” before the Russian agents do. Many fans were happy to see their childhood hero back on screen. The movie received positive reviews and was a hit at the worldwide box office.
The movies are such cult classics and are adored by many fans worldwide. The success triggered the release of many spinoffs such as The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles , and the release of many books, comics, games, etc…
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
15 years after the last Indiana movie, another is to be released this year in 2023. The movie Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is to be set in 1967 and is supposedly the last installment to the franchise. The movie was supposed to start filming in 2008 but was stalled for years. Finally, it was picked up in 2021 and shot in the UK.
Many fans are excited to see their hero on screen again. The movie is set to star a de-aged Harrison Ford as his last portrayal of Indian Jones and is to be set in 1969. Although Spielberg directed the previous movies, this one is to be directed by James Mangold of the “Logan: The Wolverine” fame and is to be released by Disney motion pictures instead of Paramount. Unlike the previous installments, the movie is not written by George Lucas but by Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth. Spielberg and Lucas serve as the executive producers instead.
Supposed Disastrous screening and the director replies
This month, a rumor of disastrous test screening is spreading. The rumors allege that many ending, six were screened with the Disney boss Bob Chapek demanding many reshoots. The movie’s ending was leaked by a YouTuber by the name of Overlord DVD, formerly Dicktor Van Doomcock, in 2021. He now claims that the audience will be extremely disappointed with the new movie.
The rumors were spreading so badly the Director of the movie had to speak up. When asked by a fan about it, Mangold said, “No. There haven’t been any test screenings at all”.
Nope. Haven't been any screenings at all.
— Mangold (@mang0ld) November 10, 2022
He also replied to another fan asking about the baseless rumors surrounding the movie.
Well, Paulo, it's up to you who you believe — an anonymous troll named "basement dweller" & "doomcock" or the actual director of the film. No one will ever replace Indiana Jones. Not in any script. Not in any cut. Never discussed.
— Mangold (@mang0ld) November 11, 2022
Overlord DVD is spreading sensationalism for views and giving the haters what they want while agitating the fans. The director asked the fans not to worry and not to believe anything from unofficial sources. The movie Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is to be released worldwide on June 29, 2023.
