Kathleen Kennedy, president of Disney label Lucasfilm, has said she is “in full support of the writers getting what they deserve” in the ongoing WGA writers strike.
Speaking at the press conference for Cannes out of competition title Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny, Kennedy said: “I would like to see the whole situation resolved by truly being in an environment where people can talk about some complicated issues that are affecting the entire industry.”
”When it comes to acknowledging the importance of writing, everybody up here [at the press conference] has demonstrated that you can’t do any of this without great writing,” said Kennedy. ”All of us who make movies, who create anything on television - I am in full support, I know most people are in full support of the writers getting what they deserve.”
”What’s the meta-issue here is how is that being impacted by an industry that’s in the midst of change, both technologically and the basic aspects of how we work,” continued the US executive. ”That’s going to take time. That’s what everybody’s getting ready for, is to take the time that’s necessary, to make sure everybody can articulate what those feelings are and arrive at a resolution around alignment.”
Dial Of Destiny director James Mangold had voiced his support for the striking writers earlier in the conference.
“Of course we’re not writing now,” said Mangold, speaking during the press conference for the Cannes out-of-competition title. “No movie happens without a great script, and no great script happens without writers. Because they’re first in the process, writers are often first to be forgotten. I support them in their struggle to get what could be fair for everybody.”
The comments from Kennedy came at the end of a press conference that had previously focused predominantly on the new Indiana Jones tentpole, which debuted last night on the Croisette.
80-year-old Harrison Ford said that he still engages in physical stunts for the film. ”Let me tell you, yeah, I can ride a horse! If they let me,” laughed the actor. ” I’ve been blessed with this body. Thanks for noticing,” he joked.
When Ford was asked whether the de-ageing technology that has been used for The Dial Of Destiny might be used to bring the character back for future Indiana Jones films, Kennedy interjected quickly: “No!”
“You got the answer from the right person!” said Ford of de-ageing. ”I know that that is my face - that’s what I looked like 35 years ago, because Lucasfilm has every frame of film we’ve made together over all of these years. This scientific mining of this library – it’s just a trick unless it’s supported by story. It sticks out like a sore thumb if it’s not honest and real. I’m not talking about visually – I mean emotionally real. It was used skillfully and assiduously.”
“I’m very happy with it, but I don’t look back and say I wish I was that guy again.”
Ford also confirmed that he is keen to continue working as long as possible, and is signed on for additional seasons of Apple’s Shrinking and Paramount+’s 1923.
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