Harrison Ford responds to criticism towards de-aging used in new Indiana Jones film

'I think it was used very skillfully'

The 80-year-old is subject to the controversial technology in the opening sequence of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Robert DeNiro and Samuel L. Jackson were also de-aged in The Irishman and Captain Marvel respectively, which has led to discussions over whether older actors should be playing younger versions of themselves.

“The technology has evolved to the point which, to me, seems very realistic and I know that that is my face,” Ford said in an interview at the Cannes Film Festival.

“It’s not a kind of Photoshop magic, that’s what I looked like 35 years ago because Lucasfilm has every frame of film that we’ve made together over all of these years. And this process, this scientific mining of this library was put to good [use]…”

There's been plenty of criticism over the technology since it gained prominence in Hollywood over the last decade. Many viewers refer to the uncanny and unsettling nature of the effects, which, while impressive, can't seem to replicate the real thing in a believable way.

The discussion has also been added to with the rise of AI generated content in recent years.

Ford continued, “It’s just a trick unless it’s supported by a story and it sticks out like a sore thumb if it’s not honest, it’s not real… I mean, emotionally real. And so I think it was used very skillfully.”

The actor also seems OK with his actual aging process, saying, "I don't look back and say, 'I wish I was that guy again,' because I don't. I'm real happy with age. I love being older. It was great to be young, but s---fire I could be dead, and I'm still working."

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny first reactions

Debuting at Cannes this week, Indiana Jones 5 received a five minute long standing ovation. That may seem like a lot, but in Cannes terms it's tepid enough.

Even more tepid are the first reviews. Rotten Tomatoes currently have the adventure flick at a lukewarm 52% based on 29 reviews.

James Mangold took over the helm for the fifth instalment which sees Steven Spielberg step away from directing duties for the first time since the original entry in 1981.

When Ford was asked if it was his last time donning the famous fedora, the actor replied with a laugh and said, "Is it not evident? I need to sit down and rest a little bit. I love to work, and I love this character, and I love what it brought into my life, and that's all I can say."

Don't worry Harrison, de-aging can take over from here.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny drops in cinemas on June 30, 2023.

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