Harrison Ford opens up about his own unique perspective on the character of Indiana Jones, explaining why he doesn’t see the adventurous archaeologist as a typical kind of cinematic hero. Ford first donned the leather jacket and fedora of Henry Jones Jr. in 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark, and reprised the role across three sequels that respectively released in 1984, 1989, and 2008. After 15 years after his previous adventure in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Ford will bring Jones’ adventures to an end in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

As audiences prepare for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny release on June 30, Ford has opened up to Entertainment Weekly about his view on the character after over four decades. The actor claimed that he wouldn’t use the word “hero” to describe Indiana Jones at all, as he hoped that others would see Indy as just an ordinary man thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Check out Ford’s full explanation below:

“I don’t use the word hero at all, because I think it starts us off in the wrong direction. For years and years and years, I’ve been saying I want to play an ordinary person [in] extraordinary circumstances, who happens to behave well for the benefit of others.”

How Indiana Jones Is One Of Cinemas’ Most Vulnerable And Human Characters

Throughout the Indiana Jones franchise’s film history, the titular character has consistently been portrayed as an incredibly human character, rather than a typical classic action hero character who can take on hordes of enemies. Despite facing magic, mysteries, and interdimensional beings, Indy is simply an ordinary man who has had his own share of slip-ups, errors, and frustrations, including falling down a set of hidden stairs, missing a pivotal swing in his later years, and shooting a swordsman out of exhaustion rather than having a prolonged duel. While this has led to many comedic beats, it has also helped endear audiences to the character through his vulnerabilities.

With the franchise having frequently shown its lead character’s foibles, Ford has consistently been keen to ensure that the franchise never loses sight of making Indiana Jones an endearing, flawed, but admirable figure in pop culture through his human struggles. When discussing his work on The Dial of Destiny, Ford revealed that he refused stunt assistance in order to ensure that Indy acted his age. With Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny bringing Ford’s tenure as Indy and the character’s story to a close, the actor made sure to properly depict just how far the character had come, giving a satisfying overall journey across his theatrical adventures.

Indiana Jones is one of pop culture’s most endearing heroes, as new generations have discovered the series and come to love the character for themselves. A large part of the character’s appeal is due to Ford’s portrayal, as not only does the actor make Indy an aspirational figure, but flawed in a way that makes the stakes higher and seeing him overcome them more satisfying. As such, it is clear that Ford’s aim to make Indy an ordinary, relatable character, with viewers remaining engaged after four decades to see what his final adventure will hold.

Source: EW

Key Release Dates Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny