“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” actor Ke Huy Quan had an emotional reunion with Harrison Ford at Disney’s D23 convention on Sept. 10. The “Everything Everywhere All at Once” actor posted a photo of the sweet moment on Instagram, writing, “‘I love you, Indy.’ Indiana Jones and Short Round reunited after 38 years.”
Now, Quan is opening up about how their reunion came to be. In an interview with The New York Times’ Kyle Buchanan, per Variety, the actor recalled, “We were at the D23 event and I was told Harrison was gonna be there. We’re in this green room with so many actors, producers, and directors, and the person who was assigned to assist me said, ‘Harrison Ford is right outside the green room. Would you want to go say hi?'”
“I’m thinking, ‘Of course! I haven’t seen him in 38 years,'” Quan added. “So I walk out and I see him about 15 feet away talking to Phoebe Waller-Bridge, they’re there to promote ‘Indy 5.’ And as I walk close, my heart is pounding. I’m thinking, ‘Is he gonna recognize me? The last time he saw me, I was a little kid.'”
Of course, Ford did recognize him. “As I get closer, he turns and points his finger at me, and he has that classic, famous, grumpy Harrison Ford look,” Quan joked. “I go, ‘Oh my gosh, he probably thinks I’m a fan and he’s gonna tell me to not come near him.’ But he looks and points at me and says, ‘Are you Short Round?’ Immediately, I was transported back to 1984, when I was a little kid, and I said, ‘Yes, Indy.’ And he said, ‘Come here,’ and gave me a big hug.”
Not only did Ford reunite with Quan, who will star in season two of “Loki” on Disney+, but he also introduced the first teaser for “Indiana Jones 5” at the D23 Expo and bid farewell to one of his most iconic characters. As reported by Variety, the usually stoic Ford was visibly choked up as he talked about the upcoming film and hanging up Indy’s fedora for good.
“Thank you for making these films such an incredible experience for all of us,” he said. “I’m very proud to say that this one is fantastic.” The “Star Wars” actor then pointed at his costar Waller-Bridge before giving her credit for helping to make this Indiana Jones adventure so special. “And this is one of the reasons,” he said.
Ford continued, “‘Indiana Jones’ movies are about fantasy and mystery, but they’re also about heart. We have a really great story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick your ass.”
“Indiana Jones 5” is set to premiere in theaters on June 30, 2023. Details about the movie’s plot remain scarce, but most of the cast has been announced. In addition to Ford and Waller-Bridge, the movie also stars Mads Mikkelsen, Antonio Banderas, Boyd Holbrook, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, and Toby Jones. Meanwhile, “Logan” director James Mangold will helm the film, marking the first time in the franchise’s history that Steven Spielberg isn’t directing.
From Mangold taking over at the helm for Spielberg to Ford’s praise for Waller-Bridge, there is a feeling that “Indiana Jones 5” may be passing the torch on to a new generation. At 80, Ford made it clear that even though he loves the franchise, he’s ready to let himself and Indy rest after this one.