A Mastermind Hand-Off

Host Anthony Carboni welcomes actors Mads Mikkelsen and Phoebe Waller-Bridge along with director James Mangold to the Star Wars Celebration LIVE! stage. The crowd erupts into thunderous applause for the team behind Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Carboni kicks off the interview by asking Mangold about the immense pressure of taking over directorship duties from Steven Spielberg. Mangold shares that he grew up with these movies, seeing the first installment when he was 17 years old in Upstate New York. He explains that his lifelong admiration and study of Spielberg and George Lucas influenced his filmmaking long before he stepped into this role. He notes that the first 25 minutes of the film are a dedicated effort to channel Spielberg’s style completely.

The Mystery of Helena

Carboni asks the actors to reveal details about their respective characters under strict instructions to say as little as possible. Mikkelsen breaks the ice by introducing his character, Jurgen Voller, as a German scientist from the 1930s. Waller-Bridge steps up next, introducing her character, Helena, as Indiana Jones’s long-lost goddaughter who returns later in life and gives Indy quite a fright. When Carboni tries to push for details about her parentage, Waller-Bridge laughs it off, choosing to remain tight-lipped about the complex and layered relationships in the film.

Lost in a Cynical Era

Carboni points out the shift in time period, highlighting a shot from the trailer featuring a child in an astronaut helmet. He asks how the iconic archaeologist fits into a Space Age world far removed from the World War II era of previous films. Mikkelsen explains that both Indy and his character, Jurgen Voller, are men deeply lost in the past. Mangold steps in to explain that the late 1960s brought a wave of modernism, cynicism, and realpolitik where the old-fashioned type of hero was no longer considered fashionable. Over the course of the narrative, Indy is forced to prove his worth again within this changing, complicated backdrop.

Globetrotting without the Volume

When asked about their favorite filming locations, the cast notes that they actually traveled to real places instead of relying on digital sets. Waller-Bridge praises the off-the-wall energy of Glasgow and describes filming action sequences in Morocco as a completely immersive experience. Mikkelsen details his love for Sicily, noting that the roughness, beauty, and food fit perfectly down the alley of an Indiana Jones adventure. Mangold proudly reveals that the production completely skipped using the digital background screens known as the Volume. “We never directed Volume,” Mangold states boldly. “We did real shit.” He emphasizes that the production team built real, massive 360-degree sets, allowing the actors to look around and genuinely believe they were standing inside an authentic tomb.

A Score for the Ages

Before wrapping up the interview, Carboni asks the team what they want to pass along to the audience and fans watching at home. Mangold describes the entire experience as an absolute thrill, highlighting the honor of working alongside legend Harrison Ford and producer Kathleen Kennedy. He saves his biggest praise for the franchise’s legendary composer, noting how miraculous it is to have a 91-year-old John Williams writing a kick-ass score featuring over two hours of original music. Mangold tells the roaring crowd to “fasten your seat belts,” promising an unforgettable cinematic ride.