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The Indiana Jones franchise continues to evolve, with a significant shift taking place in its latest installment, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
It’s been over 40 years since Raiders of the Lost Ark premiered, but the Indiana Jones franchise is still chugging along. Last year, the fifth cinematic installment, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2024) saw Ford seemingly reprise the role for one final adventure. In the film, Indiana Jones teams up with his estranged goddaughter, Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), to stop Nazi-turned-NASA scientist Dr. Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen) from using a powerful artifact to alter history.
Credit: Lucasfilm
While the film was generally praised for its nostalgic appeal and Ford’s performance, the movie flopped at the box office and received mixed critical responses. Some felt it didn’t recapture the magic of earlier Indiana Jones installments, with critics singling out the over-reliance on CGI (especially for de-aging Ford in early scenes of the film) and action-heavy sequences.
Even before the release of Dial of Destiny, Ford made it clear that he was ready to move on from the role, and at 82, his decision wasn’t overly surprising.
‘Indiana Jones’ Sequel (Or Midquel) Approaches Release Date
However, despite Ford’s departure, Disney has made it clear that the Indiana Jones brand is far from dead.
Credit: Bethesda Games
The studio has teamed up with Bethesda Softworks and MachineGames for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a video game set between Raiders and The Last Crusade. As previously reported, the game – released on Xbox on December 9, 2024 – will feature Troy Baker as the voice of Indiana Jones, replacing Ford’s iconic portrayal.
“He really brings forward that charm and sense of humor in such a good way,” said Jerk Gustafsson, MachineGames’ co-founder and game director. “He’s also a very big Indiana Jones fan, which is super cool. So he’s also very invested in the game.” Baker’s enthusiasm for the role has been evident, with fans praising his performance for capturing the essence of Indiana Jones.
Harrison Ford Replaced For Iconic Scene
One of the most notable aspects of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is its recreation of the unforgettable opening scene from Raiders, where Indy faces deadly traps to retrieve the Golden Idol. The game’s use of Ford’s likeness makes the moment visually faithful to the original, but Baker’s voice inevitably alters the dynamic. While the scene retains much of its original charm, it feels slightly jarring without Ford’s iconic voice.
Credit: Lucasfilm
Despite this, early reviews have praised Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for its immersive and captivating global treasure hunt. IGN described it as “an irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt for Indy fans who’ve felt underserved by the likes of The Dial of Destiny and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” The game has garnered positive feedback for its storytelling, particularly for fans who were disappointed by the more recent film installments.
Baker’s portrayal of Indiana Jones has also received commendations. GameRant called his performance “uncanny,” highlighting how he closely mirrors Ford’s tone and mannerisms.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle lets you relive the iconic opening from Raiders of the Lost Ark:
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle lets you relive the iconic opening from Raiders of the Lost Ark: pic.twitter.com/iuDJGtnbOy
— IGN (@IGN) December 6, 2024
While the performance sometimes risks bordering on imitation, GameRant also praised Baker for respecting the character and Ford’s legacy. “Troy Baker is, oftentimes, uncanny as Indiana Jones, doing his best to represent the tone and mannerisms of Harrison Ford,” the site noted. “There are times when the performance skirts dangerously close to imitation, but it is handled with a reverence for the character (and the actor) that ensures Indiana Jones and the Great Circle doesn’t feel like a knock-off.”
Even the more critical reviews acknowledge the game’s storytelling strengths. The Verge suggested that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle could have worked better as a film. “The developers at MachineGames, the studio best-known for Wolfenstein, took their mandate too seriously,” they wrote, “making what is essentially a spiritual successor to Raiders and Temple of Doom, instead of a video game that is fun to play.”
The Future of ‘Indiana Jones’
As Disney pushes ahead with new Indiana Jones projects, the question remains whether future films or games can recapture the magic that made the original trilogy such a cultural touchstone.
Credit: Bethesda Games
With Indiana Jones and the Great Circle receiving positive feedback from critics and fans alike, it’s clear that the franchise still has a lot of potential for exploration. Whether the next steps in the franchise will satisfy fans of the classic films remains to be seen, but for now, the world of Indiana Jones is alive and well in both cinematic and gaming realms.
Do you think Disney should produce more Indiana Jones sequels without Harrison Ford?
