Ke Huy Quan shares the touching story behind his Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom reunion with Harrison Ford. The film served as a prequel to Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark, in which Ford starred as Indiana Jones herself. The 1984 prequel Temple of Doom saw Ford return alongside a twelve-year-old Quan as the character Short Round. The young character proved to be a helpful sidekick during Indy’s travels in the film, and the two reportedly shared a good bond both on and off screen.
Ford has, of course, achieved great fame in Hollywood, not only known for his role in the Indiana Jones franchise, but for his turn as Han Solo in star wars. The action star has also starred in dramas such as: The refugee and Witness. Quan played in The Goonies as Data, and his career has recently seen a renaissance thanks to his impressive achievements in Everything everywhere at once. The two co-stars reunited after 38 years at the D23 Expo, with Ford for his role in Indiana Jones 5 and Quan for his involvement in Loki season 2. Ford and Quan captured a memorable photo that made fans everywhere happy.
Journalist and author Kyle Buchanan posted an excerpt from his upcoming interview with Quan, detailing the circumstances of his touching reunion with Ford. In the clip, Quan states that he was told about Ford’s presence at D23 and that he was given the option to see him after nearly 4 decades, although he was concerned that the actor would not recognize him. See Quan’s account of the moment below:
“We were at the D23 event and I was told Harrison would be there. We are in this green room with so many actors, producers and directors, and the person assigned to help me said, ‘Harrison Ford is right outside the green room. Would you like to say hello?’ I think, “Of course! I haven’t seen him in 38 years.” So I walk out and I see him talking to Phoebe Waller-Bridge about 5 feet away, they’re there promoting Indy 5. “Last time he saw me I was a little kid.” “As I get closer, he turns and points his finger at me, and he’s got that classic, famous, grumpy Harrison Ford look. Come near him.” But he looks and points at me and says, ‘Are you Short Round?’ Immediately I was taken back to 1984, when I was a little kid, and I said, ‘Yeah, Indy.’ And he said, “Come here” and gave me a big hug. When I put my arms around him, all those wonderful memories I had on set came back to me. It felt so comfortable. It was great, and he is a wonderful man – one of the most generous men on the planet.”
Can Short Round Return in Indiana Jones 5?
Quan stepped out of the film industry after his on-screen childhood, with Everything Everywhere All at once serving as his main comeback role. The actor did not appear in the next two Indiana Jones sequels, but given his return to acting and heartwarming relationship with his former co-star, it’s possible a Short Round will return in Indiana Jones 5 could come. This would be especially touching given that the sequel will serve as Ford’s last Indiana Jones movie. Since it has been confirmed that Ford will not be recast, the only place for Quan’s return to the franchise is in Indiana Jones 5 or in a possible short round spin-off series.
Whether the co-stars reunite on screen or not, Quan’s account of their reunion after nearly four decades is further testament to the charming bond they were able to create while working on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Quan has even previously revealed that Ford taught him how to swim while shooting the film, showing that the actor hasn’t changed much in the 38 years since. While Indiana Jones fans won’t see Ford take the role after that Indiana Jones 5, Quan’s career renaissance is sure to prove exciting to follow.
Source: Kyle Buchanan/Twitter
