Ke Huy Quan shares the touching story behind his Steven Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark, which starred Ford as Indiana Jones himself. 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 throughout Indy's travels in the film, and the two reportedly shared a sweet bond both on and off-screen.
Ford has, of course, gone on to enjoy widespread fame in Hollywood, known not only 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 Fugitive and Witness. Quan starred in The Goonies as Data, and his career has enjoyed a renaissance of late due to his impactful performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once. The two co-stars reunited after 38 years at the D23 Expo, with Ford appearing due to his role in Indiana Jones 5 and Quan because of his involvement in Loki season 2. Ford and Quan snapped a memorable photo that delighted fans everywhere.
Journalist and author Kyle Buchanan posted an excerpt from his interview with Quan, detailing the circumstances of his touching reunion with Ford. In the excerpt, Quan states that he was told of Ford's presence at D23 and given the option to see him after nearly 4 decades, though he worried that the actor wouldn't recognize him. See Quan's of the moment below:
"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.’ 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.' As I get closer, he turns and points his finger at me, and he has that classic, famous, grumpy Harrison Ford look. 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. When I wrapped my arms around him, all those wonderful memories I had on the set came flooding back. It felt so comfortable. It was amazing, and he's an amazing man — one of the most generous men on the planet."
Could Short Round Return In Indiana Jones 5?
Quan stepped away from the film industry after his childhood years on-screen, with Everything Everywhere All at Once serving as his major comeback role. The actor didn't appear in the two subsequent Indiana Jones sequels, but given his return to acting and heartwarming relationship with his former co-star, it's possible that a Short Round return in Indiana Jones 5 could come to fruition. This would be especially moving considering that the sequel will serve as Ford's last Indiana Jones film. Since it has been confirmed that Ford won't be recast, the only place for Quan's return to the franchise would be in Indiana Jones 5 or in a potential Short Round spin-off series.
Whether the co-stars reunite on-screen or not, Quan's of their reunion after nearly four decades is further proof of the charming bond that they were able to create while working on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Quan has even previously revealed that Ford taught him 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 be seeing Ford take up the role again after Indiana Jones 5, Quan's career renaissance will surely prove exciting to follow.
Source: Kyle Buchanan/Twitter
