Director James Mangold had the honor of collaborating with numerous exceptional actors throughout his career. However, when he took the reins of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” he finally had the chance to direct the legendary Harrison Ford in his farewell performance as the renowned adventurer. This opportunity allowed Mangold to witness firsthand what sets Ford apart as an actor in Hollywood. In an interview with Perri Nemiroff from FilmSweep, Mangold shared his observations about Ford’s uniqueness and why he stands out among his peers.
Similar to many actors Mangold has worked with previously, Ford values a dialogue with his director. This is particularly true for a character like Indiana Jones, whom Ford has portrayed in four films, giving him ample experience. It also explains why Ford has never been inclined to direct his own projects. He has expressed that a significant part of his joy in acting stems from engaging with another creative mind to shape the direction of a film. Mangold found this to be a recurring theme among the finest actors he has directed, including Robert De Niro, Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Angelina Jolie, and Winona Ryder.
During the filming of “Dial of Destiny,” Mangold found himself becoming the audience for Ford, reacting and responding to the ideas and improvisations the actor brought to the table. Ford’s ability to subvert typical movie tropes fascinated Mangold and cemented his status as an exceptional actor. According to Mangold, Ford consistently sought to challenge the expected norms of a scene, playing against the text and defying convention. These moments created the greatness of Indiana Jones that audiences couldn’t quite pinpoint but could feel.
Ford’s talent for playing with established tropes and infusing scenes with a personal touch is well-documented throughout his career. The iconic “I love you,” “I know” exchange with Carrie Fisher in “The Empire Strikes Back” is a notable example of his improvisational brilliance. Ford’s unique style extends beyond “Star Wars” and can be seen in his portrayal of Indiana Jones as well as his recent television roles in “Shrinking” and “1923,” where he captured the hearts of viewers in the series “Yellowstone.”
Mangold emphasized that Ford’s commitment to going the extra mile was evident in “Dial of Destiny.” He described an interaction between Ford’s character and Mads Mikkelsen’s character, which he found delightfully Indy-esque. Ford proposed an unconventional action during a scene where he punches Mikkelsen’s character. In the script, it was a simple action, but Ford suggested the idea of placing his hat in front of Mikkelsen’s face before throwing the punch. Although there was no rational reason for the character to do so, the addition of the felt hat created a visually appealing, absurd, and uniquely Indy moment. Mangold acknowledged that Ford consistently seeks opportunities to challenge and manipulate the expectations of heroic acts, turning them into something more relatable and human.
Mangold recalled Ford’s inclination to break the mold, drawing a parallel to the iconic Han Solo line, “‘I love you.’ ‘I know.'” He stated that these instances demonstrate Ford’s continuous efforts to undermine conventional tropes. Mangold marveled at Ford’s dedication to reviewing the script every day and contemplating ways to push the boundaries and add his personal touch to the material.
“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” will hit theaters on June 30, offering audiences the chance to witness Ford’s exceptional portrayal of the beloved adventurer once again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Acting subversion
Q: Who is James Mangold and what has he worked on?
A: James Mangold is a director who has worked on various films throughout his career. In this particular instance, he directed “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” the final outing for Harrison Ford as the iconic adventurer.
Q: What sets Harrison Ford apart as an actor according to James Mangold?
A: According to James Mangold, Harrison Ford stands out among his peers in Hollywood due to his willingness to engage in a dialogue with the director and his ability to subvert typical movie tropes. Ford always looks for ways to play against the grain, adding unique and human touches to his characters.
Q: Can you provide an example of Harrison Ford’s improvisational brilliance?
A: One of the most famous examples of Harrison Ford’s improvisation is the “I love you,” “I know” exchange with Carrie Fisher in “The Empire Strikes Back.” Ford’s ability to modify the scripted dialogue made the scene more engaging and is often hailed as one of the best instances of improvisation in film history.
Q: How does James Mangold describe Harrison Ford’s approach to acting in “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”?
A: James Mangold describes how Harrison Ford continually seeks to undermine the tropes of a scene, playing against the text and defying convention. He provides an example where Ford suggested adding an unconventional action to a scene where he punches another character, showcasing Ford’s desire to create moments that are visually appealing, absurd, and uniquely characteristic of Indiana Jones.
Q: When will “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” be released?
A: “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” is set to be released on June 30.
More about Acting subversion
- James Mangold – Wikipedia page about James Mangold.
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – IMDb page for the film.
- Harrison Ford – Wikipedia page about Harrison Ford.
- The Empire Strikes Back – IMDb page for the film “The Empire Strikes Back.”
