Aug 18, 2026 11:13am IST

Harrison Ford Steps Back into Indiana Jones Franchise For New Disney World Attraction

Adit Ganguly

Harrison Ford is putting on the fedora once again, but park visitors will spot him inside a theme park ride rather than on the big screen. The legendary actor surprised fans in a video message at Disney’s D23 event, confirming he personally modeled for a brand new audio-animatronic figure. This marks the first time Ford's actual likeness will grace a Disney attraction anywhere in the world.

Ford greeted the excited crowd, saying, "Hello, D23. Thanks for coming along on all of Indy’s adventures. Soon it’ll be time for his next ride, and I’m pleased to share that, for the first time ever, I’m the actual model of the Indiana Jones animatronic — fear of snakes included. I’m excited for you to see his next epic adventure, and I’m coming to Walt Disney World soon."

The upcoming experience, titled Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, is set to open at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. Concept art shows an immersive trip through an ancient Maya temple where riders come face to face with Dr. Jones himself.

The ride will sit inside Tropical Americas, a newly designed land replacing DinoLand U.S.A. Theme park designers are creating an expansive space that transports guests deep into the heart of Central and South America. To make the journey feel authentic, Disney Imagineers are using cutting-edge animatronic technology. The figure will incorporate advanced movements and realistic facial features to recreate the actor's classic expressions. Guests will join Dr. Jones on a dangerous quest through hidden chambers, dodging ancient traps, dark caverns, and unexpected hazards along the path.

Ford first played the famous adventurer in 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark". He then starred in four sequels: "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" in 1984, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" in 1989, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" in 2008, and "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" in 2023. While that fifth film struggled at the box office by making just over $380 million against a $300 million budget, the timeless hero is now ready for his next adventure in Florida.

Comment Icon 0 Comments

Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

varietyindia

variety india