Back together: Billy Zane and Kelly Brook were also in attendance.
It might have been the grand return of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, but the red carpet premiere in Cannes was stolen by Cate Blanchett. The Australian actress, who stars as Harrison’s adversary in Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull cut a glamorous figure in a smoky grey gown today. While most new mums are still struggling to lose baby weight, the actress appeared super svelte, despite giving birth to her third child just weeks ago.
He said: ‘It was a life changing experience making the first movie. The putting on of the costume reminded me of all the good times. They all come flooding back. ‘The last couple of days they have been moments where I have been overwhelmed by unlikely nostalgia. Especially being with Karen again brought back a lot of memories. ‘It was probably the most significant professional moment in my life.’ The actor, who is joined in Cannes by partner Calista Flockhart, said he was unafraid of disappointing critics’ expectations.
He said: ‘I am not afraid at all. I expect to have the whip taken to me. It’s not unusual for something that’s popular to be disdained by some people. I actually expect it.’
Spielberg even hinted that a fifth Indiana Jones film was not out of the question.
He said: ‘Certainly we’ll have our ear to the ground and see what happens and where we go from here.’
Despite this industry insiders have suggested that Ford has already relied heavily on air-brushing to maintain his action hero physique.
His youthful looks on-screen were commented upon by George Lucas, who has been co-writer and executive producer on all four films.
He said: ‘You can take a still from each of the four movies and I don’t think you would be able to figure out which one was which.
‘Because he just looks like how he did in all the other movies.’
Air-brushing expert Chris Bickmore said the star’s looks had clearly been digitally enhanced.
Mr Bickmore said: ‘The majority of retouching work done to him has obviously been done to the face.
‘Bags under his eyes and crows feet have been removed and his eyes now look quite fresh and sparkly instead of quite sunken. ’ His cheeks are now really smooth and I’d say that he’s also had his face made slightly slimmer. In the actual life photo his face is quite rounded but not so in the promotional shot.
Despite his advancing years Ford refused to ease up on the physical demands of the film which promises to include just as many death-defying stunts as his first outing in 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark.
The plot of the highly secretive film was relentlessly kept under wraps until yesterday’s inaugural screenings despite photographs being stolen from a computer file before the movie was completed.
Ford made the first film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, in 1981 aged 39 following his success as Hans Solo in Star Wars.
Due to its immediate popularity it was quickly followed by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984 and Indiana Jones and the last Crusade in 1989.
Earlier this month Ford dismissed criticism that he is too old to play an action hero.
He said: ‘I am probably as fit, or possibly fitter, than I was 18 or 20 years ago.
‘Part of it is genetic, part of it is a willingness to work hard to keep myself in the best shape for an old f*rt.’
The Star Wars actor has five children aged 41, 38, 20, 17 and seven.
The youngest is Liam, whom Ford adopted with long-term girlfriend, Ally McBeal actress Calista Flockhart.
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