Indiana Jones and the Great Circle comes out soon and Troy Baker has gone through heaven and hell to fill Harrison Ford’s shoes.

Troy Baker, one of gaming’s most recognizable voices, is stepping into the shoes of an icon this December with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Baker is a veteran voice actor, known for iconic roles in The Last of Us and Bioshock Infinite. Now he faces the task of portraying the legendary adventurer.

Troy Baker is a legendary name, but this was still a challenge. | Image Credit: @CouchSoup/YouTube)

But how does he do it without merely imitating the essence of Harrison Ford? As Baker prepares for the game’s December release, he discusses the pressures, regrets, and lessons learned from this transformative journey. He talks about why he stopped trying to be Ford and instead focused on being Indiana Jones.

Troy Baker’s Journey to Becoming Indiana Jones

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Baker’s journey to becoming Indiana Jones wasn’t a straightforward one. Despite his status as one the biggest actors in the industry, the project’s executive producer, Todd Howard, initially doubted him.

Talking to GQ, Baker said that he faced a rigorous audition process, including “blind taste tests” comparing his voice to Harrison Ford’s. After months of uncertainty, Baker got the role and ultimately won over Howard, who remarked,

I did not want you for this, but you won every time. Don’t mess this up.

The game is set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. And it places Baker in the unique position of learning and adapting Ford’s iconic portrayal with his own interpretation.

The challenge of playing Indiana Jones wasn’t just physical but deeply personal for Baker. He trained with a stunt actor to master the whip and even bought a leather jacket to embody the role fully. Yet, the hardest part was to not just imitate Harrison Ford’s own iconic performance.

You’re either gonna do something different, or you’ll try to be Harrison Ford.

Baker wrestled with the challenge of balancing homage and originality. He recalled. This reflects the immense pressure he faced, especially given the scrutiny that comes with portraying a beloved character.

To prepare, Baker spent months studying Ford’s movements and voice while training in whip-cracking and horseback riding to ensure authenticity. From studying Raiders of the Lost Ark to physically training with stunt experts, Baker committed fully to the role.

Harrison Ford’s Shoes Are Giant Ones to Fill

What kind of twist will Baker bring to the character? | Image Credit: MachineGames

The sheer scale and expectations behind the game demanded more than acting chops. It required Baker to adopt the swagger and precision Ford brought to the screen, all while making the character his own.

Guided by director Tom Keegan, who insisted that “imitation, it’s dead,” Baker discovered a deeper level of authenticity.

Daily warmups, jokingly dubbed “church” by the cast, became emotional spaces where performers could connect with the story on a deeper level. Baker described how these sessions stripped away his reliance on imitative crutches, like Ford’s signature finger wag. “It became premeditated,” he admitted.

Baker confessed to a moment of frustration during the game’s production, including one tense episode he wishes he could undo. These experiences led to growth and Baker learned to trust the process.

I don’t yell, it’s not a Christian Bale moment, but my frustration is very visible.

The following week, Keegan gave Baker a simple yet transformative note: “Just trust that it’s going to be there.” From that point forward, Baker focused less on recreating Ford’s Indiana and more on making the character his own.

I stopped trying to be Harrison Ford. I just wanted to be Indiana Jones.

The stakes for The Great Circle are undeniably high. As the first major Indiana Jones game in over a decade, it carries the weight of fan expectations. For Baker, the goal wasn’t perfection but authenticity.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle releases on Xbox and PC on 9th December, 2024.