When Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull premiered in 2008, it received mixed reactions. For lovers of pulp fiction, Indy’s multi-waterfall plummet and Cate Blanchett’s memorable run-in with person-eating ants were perfectly goofy action set pieces. For others, the fourth film “jumped the shark” — or attempted to recapture popularity and relevance through its antics, only to fall a bit flat. In fact, disappointed fans traded sharks for appliances, saying Crystal Skull was a case of “nuking the fridge” since our protagonist hides in a refrigerator to survive a nuclear blast.
Because of all this, what could’ve served as the start of a new Indiana Jones trilogy for a new generation became something of a standalone entry. Well, until now. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which premieres exclusively in theaters on June 30, 2023, is the first film in the series that’s not written by Star Wars and Indy creator George Lucas — and it’s the first installment that’s not directed by Steven Spielberg.
That might be for the best. While Indiana Jones 5 still features Harrison Ford in the titular role, Lucasfilm and Disney have put the fate (and future) of the fan-favorite series in the hands of director James Mangold. With Spielberg staying on as a producer, the film won’t be without those familiar touches. And, given these five entries in Mangold’s diverse, genre-spanning filmography, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has a real shot at being a holy grail among regular old chalices.
Logan (2017) — and The Wolverine (2013)
James Mangold’s first three-clawed stab at making a movie about everyone’s favorite lone wolf X-Men team member came about in 2013 with The Wolverine. A sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) — a movie most viewers wish the Weapon X facility would erase from their memories — The Wolverine was a fun romp, packed with slick action and a distinct visual flair. This second installment in the Hugh Jackman-starring Wolverine trilogy set the stage for what’s arguably Mangold’s best film to date: Logan.
Based on the “Old Man Logan” run of comics, the film is set in 2029 — in a future where no mutants have been born in over two decades. This apocalyptic vision of a bleak, X-Men-less future centers on an aging Wolverine (Jackman), who has lost his healing factor and must safeguard Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), whose dementia has led to destructive telepathic seizures. But the former Professor X isn’t Logan’s only charge. In typical surrogate father-daughter story fashion, our beat-down protagonist must escort Laura (Dafne Keen), a young girl with mutant powers akin to Wolverine’s, to Eden — a supposed refuge for mutantkind on the Canadian border.
Sure, Logan is grim and gritty — two things the pulpy Indiana Jones series is not. But the film does prove that Mangold knows how to execute an old man adventure story rather well. It’s a delicate balance — staying in the moment while harkening back to the hero’s former escapades — but James Mangold is more than capable of striking it.
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
Beyond just its fantastic editing and racing sequences, Ford v Ferrari ended up being one of 2019’s most lauded films. Much of that success can be attributed to James Mangold, who directed the picture, though it certainly didn’t hurt having stars Matt Damon and Christian Bale on board. Set in 1966, the film centers on a team of engineers and designers, along with an accomplished driver, who are hired by Henry Ford II and Lee Iacocca to build a race car that’s capable of beating out the always-triumphant Scuderia Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
Ford v Ferrari is a literal blast from the past — and not just because it’s a period piece. It feels like a thrilling sports flick from another time. Something that would have made waves decades ago and given moviegoers a reason to love not only the spirit of competition, but the fun of movies. Mangold clearly knows how to take cues from films that came before his own, all while making something distinctly his — just look at his stance on practical effects, for starters. And that ability is a must-have one for the director of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
3:10 to Yuma (2007)
The second film adaptation of the short story of the same name, 2007’s 3:10 to Yuma pits Christian Bale’s impoverished rancher against Russell Crowe’s big-name, dangerous outlaw. One of the reasons James Mangold’s take on the story works so well? Crowe’s villain, outlaw gang leader Ben Wade, is ruthless. Bringing him to justice is no small task. Part of the reason the fourth Indiana Jones film faltered? It didn’t have a compelling antagonist — not to mention, there was the lackluster “it’s aliens” MacGuffin. While Lucasfilm and Disney haven’t revealed too much about the plot of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, a few things have been made clear.
The fifth Indy film is set during the Space Race of 1969, and the titular archeologist and adventurer is weary of the United States’ government’s willingness to cooperate with ex-Nazis in order to beat the Soviet Union to space. Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal) plays one of these ex-Nazis involved with NASA’s moon-landing program, and he wants to make the world a better place — his version of a better place. Clearly, the stage is set for an epic brawl between our heroes, Indiana Jones and his goddaughter Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), and Mikkelsen’s ruthless villain. And who better to direct all of that than Mangold?
Kate & Leopold (2001)
Before Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber co-starred in X-Men Origins as Wolverine and Sabertooth respectively, they played relatives in Kate & Leopold. In the fantasy rom-com, Schreiber plays Stuart, a physicist who pulls Leopold (Jackman), his great-great-grandfather, through a time portal. In his own time, Leopold is the 3rd Duke of Albany — and something of a dreamer. And he’s enamored with Stuart’s cynical ex-girlfriend, Kate (Meg Ryan). Sound nonsensical but fun? Perfect.
Perhaps surprisingly, James Mangold directed and co-wrote Kate & Leopold. So, what does this derivative-yet-charming rom-com have to do with Mangold’s ability to direct an Indiana Jones movie? It’s top-shelf comfort food. Yes, there are plot holes, but the familiarity of the story makes those things less distracting. Be it nostalgia or a convention of the adventure comedy genre, Indiana Jones is a kind of comfort food, too, and Mangold understands that this kind of movie has its place on the table.
Oliver & Company (1988)
Yes, James Mangold has plenty of other hits to his name, like Oscar winners Walk the Line (2005) and Girl, Interrupted (1999). But Disney’s cat- and dog-starring, animated, musical take on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist is worthy of a shoutout, too. Along with Jim Cox and Timothy J. Disney, James Mangold penned the Oliver & Company screenplay.
Despite being a modern-day cult classic, Oliver & Company isn’t one of Disney’s top-tier animated films. Still, what sets it apart is the memorable cast of characters. (Not unlike Indy, one could argue.) Oliver (voice of Joey Lawrence), an orphaned kitten, gets taken in by a gang of dogs — the carefree leader, Dodger (voice of Billy Joel); the passionate Tito (voice of Cheech Marin); the not-so-bright Einstein (voice of Richard Mulligan); the art-loving Francis (voice of Roscoe Lee Browne); and the streetwise, caring Rita (voice of Sheryl Lee Ralph).
This ragtag crew sees Oliver through thick-and-thin, becoming his hodgepodge family of sorts. No matter the film, Indiana Jones finds himself surrounded by wayward misfits, chosen (and sometimes biological) family members, and constant friends. Not only has Mangold already written about a bunch of spirited characters on a zany adventure, but he knows the importance of giving every member of ensemble cast their moment. Is this film’s connection to directing a good Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny seem like a stretch? Well, as Dodger would say, “Why Should I Worry?"
James Mangold’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny premieres in theaters on June 30, 2023.