Everything we know so far about ‘Indiana Jones 5’

Harrison Ford is ready to don that beloved pinch-front fedora one last time.

After years of delays, the fifth installment in the Indiana Jones film franchise — which Ford swears is his last — is almost upon us, and to celebrate, EW is rounding up everything we know so far about the new film.

From plot details to who’s playing the villain and more, here’s everything you need to know about Indy’s latest adventure.

Does the film have a title?

After years of going by Indiana Jones 5, the film’s title was officially revealed alongside its first teaser trailer debut on Dec. 1. The film will be called Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

What’s it about?

Plot details are scant at the moment, but according to a report by Empire, everyone’s favorite professor of archaeology will be fighting a familiar foe this time around: Nazis. Set in 1969 amid the space race, the outlet says, “The American effort to beat the Russians to the moon brings with it some uncomfortable truths for Indy.”

“The simple fact is that the moon-landing program was run by a bunch of ex-Nazis,” Indiana Jones 5 co-writer Jez Butterworth told the outlet. “How ‘ex’ they are is the question. And it gets up Indy’s nose…”  According to Butterworth, audiences can expect Indy to feel a bit out of place in this new era. “It’s not just that the model of what a hero is has completely changed,” he says. “It’s not just that they’re looking for something where there’s nothing up there — it’s like Reno without the gambling, or whatever his line is. But the people that are behind it are, you know, his sworn enemies.” The Aug. 13, 1969, ticker tape parade in New York celebrating the Apollo 11 astronauts will also somehow feature in the film.

Who is starring in the film?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, and Antonio Banderas are costarring alongside Ford.

Director James Mangold tells EW that Waller-Bridge will play Indy’s goddaughter, Helena. He describes the character as a “catalyst” for the film. “She’s a daughter of a friend of Indy’s, who we will also meet in the movie,” he explains. “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.”

Meanwhile, Mikkelsen will play the villainous Voller, inspired in part by real-life Nazi-turned-NASA-engineer Wernher von Braun. Holbrook plays his lackey, Klaber. John Rhys-Davies’ Sallah, who was last seen in the third film, The Last Crusade, also returns. But Jones’ son Mutt Williams, played by Shia LaBeouf in the fourth film, will not be in the sequel. Mangold promises that audiences will “find out what happened” to him, but wouldn’t say more.

Not much else is currently known about the other roles.

Who is writing and directing?

For the first time in franchise history, Steven Spielberg will not be helming Indiana’s latest adventure. He was initially attached to direct the film but bowed out in 2020. Instead, Logan and Ford v Ferrari director James Mangold took the reins.

“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,” he tells EW. “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.”

Spielberg remained on the project as a producer alongside Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, franchise producer Frank Marshall, and Solo and Rogue One producer Simon Emanuel. Mangold, Butterworth, and John-Henry Butterworth penned the screenplay.

As EW previously reported, the score will be composed once more by Indiana Jones veteran John Williams.

Is there a trailer?

The first footage from the film was shown at Disney’s D23 Expo in September, and the first teaser was released publicly on Dec. 1. The clip is nostalgic, and features Sallah’s voiceover in the beginning, as he tells Indy, “I miss the desert. I miss the sea. And I miss waking up every morning wondering what wonderful adventure the new day will bring to us.” Indy sadly tells him, “Those days have come and gone.” But Sallah cryptically says, “Perhaps. Perhaps not.”

The trailer features several nods to past films, along with sweeping shots of the desert, underwater skeletons, and a digitally de-aged Ford. The fedora-loving professor can be seen in the classroom, fighting atop a speeding train, and making chase through a crowded parade.

At D23, the 80-year-old actor choked up introducing the clip, while thanking the audience for “making these films such an incredible experience for all of us.” Ford added that he’s “proud to say that this one is fantastic.” “Indiana Jones movies are about fantasy and mystery, but they’re also about heart,” he said through tears. “We have a really human story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick your ass.”

When is the film being released?

Indiana Jones 5 will open in theaters on June 30, 2023. However, Disney confirmed the film will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18. The big, globe-trotting, rip-roaring cinematic adventure will screen out of competition at the annual fest. In a statement Mangold says, “In 1995, I was honored to come to Cannes with my first film as part of Director’s Fortnite. Twenty-eight years later, I am proud to return with a slightly larger spectacle. My legendary collaborators and I are very excited to share a brand new and final Indiana Jones adventure with you!”

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

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