Why James Mangold was apprehensive about helming an Indiana Jones movie

James Mangold says he was unsure about stepping into the director's chair for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

The Indiana Jones series is one of the most beloved franchises of all time and the first four movies were all directed by Steven Spielberg, who remains an executive producer on Dial of Destiny.

Recent films that turn the gaming table into a pressure cooker

Monday 19 October 2026, 13:48

Why Casinos Remain a Popular Setting in Crime Dramas

Thursday 15 October 2026, 11:53

Mangold has explained how replacing Spielberg and working with Harrison Ford was a daunting prospect.

"At first I was hesitant because of my admiration for Steven (Spielberg) and Harrison (Ford) and stepping in," he told IGN at the Star Wars Celebration show.

"But when they came to me, there was such a feeling that they were still open to what the story was going to be. And so I got the opportunity for a year to kind of really work with the Butterworth brothers, Jez and John-Henry, on what the story of this film was going to be."

It was also important for the Logan and Cop Land director to sign on to the movie because it was a good project and not just a money-spinner.

"And in some ways, the danger with sequels is really, do they just exist to make money or do they have something left to say? And that's kind of the blunt question for me," Mangold continued.

"Money is wonderful, but I'm not really interested in the creative act of just making a thing that's here just to cash in on its name."

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has been confirmed as Ford's last outing as the whip-wielding hero.