We finally get to see a glimse of what’s to come for the classic Indiana Jones franchise. Harrison Ford also confirms the film’s premiere date: June 30, 2023. We will finally see the old film hero again.

Next summer, one of the big screen’s biggest heroes is back-maybe for the last time. Now the very first image from “Indiana Jones 5” has been released, wherein Harrison Ford once again puts on his fedora and embarks on an adventure. Here we see him walking through a dark cave, perhaps in search of a treasure.

Following the film’s official announcement in 2016, Steven Spielberg stepped down as director, to be replaced by Logan director James Mangold. Aside from Harrison Ford, who is likely to make his final appearance as Indie, the film will also star Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mads Mikkelsen.

During the ongoing Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, Ford announced that the filming is almost complete and that he is “very proud of the movie that we made.” writes IGN.

Last Crusade better than Raiders?

There has been some debate online whether Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) is actually a better movie than Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). It’s safe to say that Sean Connery’s presence really elevates Indy as a character. Raiders is primarily an adventure film with a romantic subplot, the most important of which is the relationship between Marion and Indy. Last Crusade, on the other hand, is an adventure film about a father and son’s relationship, with that powerful emotional undercurrent of them repairing their relationship. It can be argued that this is more wholesome in general, but that the presence of his father also challenges Indy as a character.

We’ve seen action hero Indy, explorer Indy, romantic Indy, and civilized Dr. Jones, but when Indy’s father appears, he completely disarms him as a character. Indy transforms into a little boy with his hand in the cookie jar. This classic hero, this cowboy and maverick, is suddenly forced to confront his imperfect childhood and his emotionally distant father, and it’s amazing to watch him flounder. It’s great character development.

The Indy movies are basically James Bond movies but with an American hero and supernatural elements. Think about it: A manly man travels around the world, oftentimes at the behest of the government or powerful citizens to combat his country’s enemies. He visits exotic or classic locales along the way. He contends with frequent assassination attempts. He oftentimes has to face down iconic and megalomaniacal villains with evil schemes. He has a different love interest in each movie (a la Bond girl). Indy is in many ways an American James Bond, and so to challenge that formula by bringing in Indy’s father (ironically played by the most famous Bond) and shifting focus away from Elsa (the Bond girl of TLC) and toward Indy and Henry’s relationship is a really interesting move and does a lot for the characters.

The film’s theme of asking Indy who he is and what he believes adds depth to the story. This is a film about challenging Indy as a man, so asking him what he believes while dealing with his father, connects really well. Henry Jones goes through a similar conflict and grows into a man who realizes his son is more important to him than knowledge or a holy quest. On his crusade, he gained “illumination.” While Raiders has Indy confronted with supernatural elements, The Last Crusade has him really take the leap of faith, building on his prior experience with the divine in a really interesting way, one that focuses on who Indy is as a character.

The cherry on top is how well Henry Jones fits in with the rest of the cast. He clearly has a relationship with Marcus Brody, and his interactions with Sallah are also spot on. Raiders would really have been so much better with the character Henry Jones in it. Therefore, the argument should be settled with the fact that The Last Crusade is a better movie.

Slight detour perhaps, but it is now more than 40 years since the fearless archaeologist first appeared in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” With Mangold taking over the direction from Spielberg, who directed the first four films, it’s really toch and go how this film will be received. The cast includes Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas and Mads Mikkelsen, among others, and the plot – yet to be confirmed – is said to revolve around time travel.

The fifth film about Indiana Jones will have its cinema premiere on June 30, 2023.