Will Harrison Ford’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ Be as Epic as Past Installments?

Five days ago, the film production company Lucasfilm released an action-packed trailer for the fifth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise. 

The legendary Harrison Ford returns as the renowned adventure-seeking archaeologist, Indiana Jones, fully equipped with his brown hat and whip, ready to take on some Nazis.

The thrilling preview video gives a taste of what to expect from the upcoming adventure film, including a hint of some cast members. Take a look!

Set in 1969, the U.S. Government is in a race against time to beat the Soviet Union to ship to space. Indiana Jones isn't satisfied with the government's decision to recruit former Nazis to help with the mission. He goes on a quest, accompanied by his goddaughter Helena. 

A former Nazi and Nasa staff Jürgen Voller has a mission of his own, aside from the moon venture, to make the world a better place from his perspective.

The franchise wouldn’t be complete without Harrison Ford, who reprises his role as the titular character Indiana Jones, a world-exploring archaeologist and college professor. 

John Rhys-Davies also reprises his role as Sallah, Jones' long-time friend, who helped locate the Holy Grail and the Ark of the Covenant. 

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny presents a new A-list cast consisting of Phoebe Waller-Bridges as Helena, Mads Mikkelsen as Jürgen Voller, Antonio Banderas as Renaldo, Jones’ friend, Shaunette Renée Wilson as Mason, a government agent, Thomas Kretschmann as Colonel Weber, a former Nazi member, Toby Jones as Basil, Jones’ ally and Boyd Holbrook as Klaber, Jürgen’s right-hand man.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the fifth installment of the franchise, succeeding: 

• Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)- 96% Rotten Tomatoes 

• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)- 83% Rotten Tomatoes 

• Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)- 88% Rotten Tomatoes 

• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)- 78% Rotten Tomatoes 

Given the rating trend, the upcoming film could rack up an average rating of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes or higher, but it probably won't beat the first film's mark. 

The fourth installment, which debuted almost two decades after the third, was the least likeable. Hopefully, this new one will restore the lost charm and get on the audience's good side.

The fifth installment is executive produced by George Lucas and Stevens Spielberg, who served as script writers and directors respectively in the previous films. 

The new sequel is directed by James Mangold, who co-wrote the script with John Henry Butterworth and Jez Butterworth. 

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the first movie in the franchise not produced by Paramount Pictures. The Walt Disney Company bought Lucasfilm in 2012.

Hold your horses because Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny debuts next summer on June 30 2023, in the United States. 

Meanwhile, keep yourself busy with the previous films in the series, available on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video.