Yes, you’re not dreaming it, the world just becamse a slightly better place because despite his onscreen adventures concluding with 2023’s Dial of Destiny, Harrison Ford shall return as Indiana Jones, and this time he’ll actually be the model for the Indy animatronic. Opening 2027 at Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will be set in the 50’s, before the events of Crystal Skull, and it would appear to be hurling the good doctor into even more incredible adventures.
You’ll rendezvous with Dr. Jones, who is in the midst of exploring this mysterious temple near a once water-filled underground cave, called a cenote. Local legend says the passageway leads directly to the Maya Underworld, and is protected by a serpentine creature: the Tsukán. Michael and Chris provided an animated first look at one of the key scenes. And they shared that the adventure takes off when ridersare unwittingly sucked through a portal to the Underworld, where they’ll have to escapeperilous dangers, like monstrous bats, larger-than-life scorpions, fire and flame, and of course, snakes.
You may be asking, “why’d it have to be snakes?” and Imagineers have a great answer to that. Chris divulged that you’ll encounter the Tsukán throughout the attraction, including a final confrontation that will probably solidify your fear of snakes for the rest of time (speaking for myself here, at least).
A first look at the gigantic Audio-Animatronics figure was showcased to the crowd, revealing how it completely towers over the Imagineers bringing it to life. Not only that, but the team is taking great care to sculpt the figure by hand, which will make it that much more life-like, and snake-fear-inducing, for guests.
Everyone in the audience was delighted to receive a message from Indy himself, Disney Legend Harrison Ford, to kick things off.
After expressing his gratitude to fans for being along for the ride on so many adventures with this beloved character, Ford briefly shared that he is the actual model for the next Indiana Jones animatronic. He confirmed that this is the first time he will be the face you see on a Disney attraction anywhere in the world.
Michael and Chris resurfaced this news later in the showcase, proudly displaying the digital model that is being used to build the Audio-Animatronics figure.
Here’s the legend himself Harrison Ford making the reveal.
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Take a closer look at the reveals, with Disney Food Blog.
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