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Bronze statue of cinema’s most iconic explorer to be unveiled this Summer as part of the ‘Scenes In The Square’ statue trail in Leicester Square.
The statue will depict the explorer’s iconic stance replete with coiled whip and fedora.
To mark the occasion Leicester Square celebrates with a special screening of Raiders of the Lost Ark at Vue, West End, as the Indiana Jones Collection launches today on Disney+.
Indy will join silver screen royalty Harry Potter, Laurel & Hardy, Bugs Bunny, Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain, Mary Poppins, Mr. Bean, Paddington Bear, Batman and Wonder Woman, occupying the tenth plot in the dynamic statue trail in London’s West End.
Scenes in the Square is an initiative run by Heart of London Business Alliance, supported by Westminster City Council.
LONDON, 31 May 2023 - Often regarded as the greatest movie character of all time, Indiana Jones is set to be immortalised as a bronze statue in the nation’s home of film Leicester Square, becoming the newest addition of the Scenes in the Square statue trail.
To celebrate the archaeological ace’s return in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, set to be released in UK cinemas nationwide on 28th June, the statue will bring to life the moment he first donned the unmistakable whip and fedora in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Famed for his pursuits of priceless artefacts including the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail, the cinematic treasure will become a jewel in the crown of Leicester Square as he joins the likes of Harry Potter, Batman and Mary Poppins in the popular free entertainment trail, occupying the tenth plot of the attraction, now in its fourth year.
The new addition to London’s entertainment district was announced today to coincide with a celebration of where it all began in George Lucas and Steven Spielberg’s 1981 classic Raiders of the Lost Ark, with a very special screening at the Vue, West End, Leicester Square, celebrating the arrival of the ‘Indiana Jones’ collection on Disney+ today.
In true Indy style, the statue was teased with a mysterious crate labelled ‘PROPERTY OF DR. H JONES,’ mirroring the wooden case containing the Ark of the Covenant from his first cinematic adventure, along with signature whip and fedora marking the spot where the eponymous explorer’s statue will stand.
Taking pride of place on the buzzing north east corner of Europe’s busiest pedestrian area in the historic square, the bronze statue promises to become a major new attraction for the West End.
Mark Williams, Director of Destination for Heart of London Business Alliance, comments:
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Indiana Jones to the Scenes in the Square trail, honouring the character’s major part in cinema history since 1981 and cementing Harrison Ford’s status as a movie icon.”
“The dynamic statue trail is a true celebration of entertainment and there are few more worthy inclusions than the legendary Indiana Jones. Taking pride of place on Leicester Square’s bustling north terrace, Indy promises to be a hugely popular addition to the Square that is soon to host its third Indiana Jones premiere, further cementing his legacy in movie history.”
First opened in February 2020, with nine statues celebrating a century of cinema in the Square, Scenes in the Square is a dynamic statue trail run by Heart of London Business Alliance and supported by Westminster City Council. It has fast become one of London’s most popular free tourist attractions, with visitors in their tens of thousands sharing their photographs with the characters daily.
Councillor Tim Roca, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Young People, Learning and Leisure, added: “Although some might think it belongs in a museum, I’m thrilled to be welcoming the Indiana Jones statue to Leicester Square. Being in the heart of our city, this tribute celebrates Westminster’s unrivalled position as the home of film and entertainment.
“We’re proud to be partnering with Heart of London Business Alliance to support Scenes in the Square, which continues to generate a buzz across the borough, making culture and the arts accessible to our residents.”
In celebration of the upcoming theatrical release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny on June 28th, the Indiana Jones collection of movies swing onto Disney+ today.
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Notes to Editors
About “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”
Harrison Ford returns as the legendary hero archaeologist, starring along with Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“Fleabag”), Antonio Banderas (“Pain and Glory”), John Rhys-Davies (Raiders of the Lost Ark), Shaunette Renée Wilson (“Black Panther”), Thomas Kretschmann (“Das Boot”), Toby Jones (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”), Boyd Holbrook (“Logan”), Olivier Richters (“Black Widow”), Ethann Isidore (“Mortel”), and Mads Mikkelsen (“Another Round”). Directed by James Mangold, the film is produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Simon Emanuel, with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas serving as executive producers. John Williams, who has scored each Indy adventure since the original Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981, has once again composed the score. The movie will open in cinemas June 28th.
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“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark”
In this first installment of the series, which was nominated for eight Academy Awards® including Best Picture and won four, archeologist-adventurer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is tasked by Army Intelligence to track down an invaluable staff that is the key to locating the Ark of the Covenant, which is being sought by the Nazis.
“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”
After fleeing a nightclub shooting and being dropped out of an abandoned plane, Professor Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), singer Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw) and 12-year-old Short Round (Ke Huy Quan) find themselves in a starving Indian village who blame their plight on the loss of three mystical stones that have always brought the village prosperity. Jones vows to return the stolen rocks — which brings him and his unlikely cohorts face-to-face with a deadly cult.
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”
There’s nothing more exciting than trying to keep up with the Joneses in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Indy’s Nazi enemies are back and have kidnapped his father, Professor Henry Jones, Sr. (Sean Connery), in their effort to locate the sacred Holy Grail. Following a trail from America to Venice to the deserts of the Middle East, it’s up to Indy (Harrison Ford) to save his father, save the Grail and save the day in this non-stop, action-packed adventure the whole family will treasure.
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”
Famed archaeologist/adventurer Dr. Henry Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is called back into action when he becomes entangled in a Soviet plot to uncover the secret behind mysterious artifacts known as the Crystal Skulls.
About Disney+
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DiscoverLSQ
DiscoverLSQ and www.leicestersquare.london are consumer destination channels owned and operated by Heart of London Business Alliance on behalf of member businesses in the local area.
Heart of London Business Alliance
Since 2001 Heart of London Business Alliance has been cementing London’s position as the world’s leading cultural destination by working on behalf of over 500 businesses and 100 property owners in the Leicester Square & Piccadilly Circus, Piccadilly & St James’s and St Martin’s areas of the West End.
Home to galleries, theatres, restaurants, cafés, bars, world-famous shops, cultural institutions and associations, the area is truly unique with an experience-based economy that caters to every taste. From the BAFTA headquarters to the National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Academy of Art, the area’s cultural heritage stretches back centuries, yet it remains at the forefront of the arts.
As a not-for-profit, Heart of London Business Alliance is focused on securing the long-term commercial wellbeing of the area. Through area promotion, business support and advocacy they champion members’ interests and ensure the West End remains truly world-class.