Steven Spielberg Heaps Praise on Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny: ‘It’s Really, Really a Good Indiana Jones Film’

Seminal director Steven Spielberg has heaped praise on the final outing of Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, declaring that he always thought he “was the only one who knew how to make one of these.” Speaking at the Time 100 Summit, the legendary filmmaker revealed that he finally saw the fifth Indy outing two nights ago and could not help but sing the praises of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny director James Mangold.

“I just had that experience two nights ago. Bob Iger had a screening for a lot of the Disney executives and I came to the screening along with the director James Mangold. Everybody loved the movie. It’s really, really a good Indiana Jones film. I’m really proud of what Jim has done with it.”

Mangold, who is best known for directing the likes of Logan, Ford v Ferrari, and Walk the Line, is the first person to direct an Indiana Jones movie that isn’t Steven Spielberg. Clearly, Mangold relished the pressure that comes with such a task, with Spielberg teasing how Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny lives up to the legacy.

“When the lights came up I just turned to the group and said, ‘Damn! I thought I was the only one who knew how to make one of these.”

RELATED: Steven Spielberg Reveals His Involvement in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Will Be the Last Time We Ever See the Character

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will drop audiences in 1969 and finds American archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones living against the backdrop of the Space Race. Jones is uneasy over the fact that the U.S. government has recruited former Nazis to help beat the Soviet Union in the competition to make it to space. His goddaughter, Helena Shaw, accompanies him on his journey. Meanwhile, Jürgen Voller, a NASA member and ex-Nazi involved with the moon-landing program, wishes to make the world into a better place as he sees fit.

Returning star Harrison Ford has now confirmed (multiple times) that the fifth movie in the beloved franchise will be the final time we see him in the role. Not only that, he also believes it will be the last time we ever see the character too. “This is the final film in the series, and this is the last time I’ll play the character. I anticipate that it will be the last time that he appears in a film,” he said.

Directed by James Mangold and starring Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore, and Mads Mikkelsen, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is due to have its world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2023.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 30, 2023.