They say, “Don’t meet your heroes,” but an encounter from Wednesday night’s Dial of Destiny premiere would state otherwise.
For 34 years, Hollywood Studios has hosted eager Disney Guests gathering to watch their favorite heroic archaeologist circumvent boobie traps from depicted scenes of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Of course, Harrison Ford was on movie sets around the globe throughout the last four decades, so Disney needed a skilled stunt stand-in to pull the show off.
Enter Kevin Brassard, the original Indiana Jones stuntman pivoting spikes, leaping from buildings, and taking down bad guys. Since the Disney show debuted at the former MGM Studios, Brassard performed alongside the show’s Marion: Michelle Waitman.
While Brassard and Waitman have delivered realistic Raiders of The Lost Ark portrayals since the late 80s, they had yet to cross paths with their silver-screen counterparts—until now.
Destined to Meet
On Wednesday night, household Hollywood names converged at the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny premiere in LA. With Guests like George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, John Williams, and of course, Harrison Ford, it was an event for the history books.
At the premiere, two honored Guests who have contributed to Walt Disney World history got to walk the red carpet and meet the titular whip-cracking star behind five iconic films. Kevin Brassard, the now producer of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and Michelle Waitman, who maintains her role in the show as Marion, got to attend the premiere as VIP Guests.
They waved to Indy fans in the crowd dressed in symbolic fedoras before walking straight up to Harrison Ford. The exchange between the two performers immersed in the Indiana Jones world for decades and the Indiana Jones character helped bring the entire five-film franchise full circle. On Twitter, @LandonProducer shared captures of the crew:
NEW: Kevin Brassard and Michelle Waitman attend “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” premiere. Brassard originated the role of Indiana Jones at 'Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular!' when it first opened in 1989 and now portrays the part of “The Producer.” Waitman portrays Marion. pic.twitter.com/3eZ3jpCny9
— Landon McReynolds (@LandonProducer) June 15, 2023
In an interview with Hollywood Reporter, Brassard said:
To have started this venture 34 years ago and to keep the franchise alive, which is hopefully what we’ve done in Florida, it’s amazing and we’re so appreciative to Disney for making this huge dream come true.
Directed by James Mangold and written by George Lucas, Dial of Destiny concludes the Indiana Jones franchise with the story of Indy and his goddaughter on an epic journey to retrieve a dial that could change the course of history. The film debuts to worldwide audiences on June 30.
