Troy Baker on Channeling Harrison Ford in ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’ – and the Advice That Made It possible
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The celebrated actor, Troy Baker, revealed the surprisingly simple advice that guided his critically acclaimed performance as Indiana Jones in the new video game, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, following praise from the iconic Harrison Ford himself. BakerS portrayal earned him a nomination for Best Performance at The Game Awards 2025,a testament to the depth and authenticity he brought to the role – a role he initially hesitated to accept.
From Hesitation to Acclaim
Ford publicly lauded baker’s work at the 2024 Game Awards, stating, “I think this guy did a great job,” and playfully adding, “If I’d known he was so good, I would have done it myself.” This endorsement, Baker admits, was a moment of sheer disbelief.”‘Don’t pass out,'” he recalls with a smile. Initially, Baker recommended other actors for the part, unsure if he could do the character justice. However, performance capture director Tom Keegan saw potential Baker didn’t recognize in himself.
“Tom, to his credit, saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and I had to trust him,” Baker explained. keegan’s direction wasn’t about imitation, but about something far more fundamental. “He said, ‘I think there’s a natural thing that you do,” Baker observed. “There’s a level of comprehension that happens, and we get to watch in real time, as that manifests and erupts effusively out of him.” Ford himself famously quipped, as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, “I don’t know, I’m making this up as I go.”
“To me,that is the way that Harrison Ford is as an actor,” Baker continued.”He’s just responding to everything that’s in front of him.And I think that’s the way that I like to be as an actor.” After their onstage encounter, Baker confessed to Ford that the role was the most challenging of his career. Ford’s response, a characteristic smile and a glance with his “blue eyes,” underscored the dedication and passion that define his work.
Beyond the Hat and Whip
Baker’s gratitude for Indiana Jones extends beyond the character’s iconic accessories. While acknowledging the coolness of the hat and the practicality of the whip, he believes Indiana’s true strength lies in his intellect. “The hat just makes him look cool. And the whip sure does come in handy, but at the end of the day, it’s really that knowledge that is his biggest weapon… he’s an academic, but he’s not like this erudite person who is just nothing but knowledge.”
A Team Effort
The Game Awards nomination, Baker emphasized, is a recognition of the collective effort behind Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. “Recognizing people’s skills,talents,diligence,time,and being willing to go the extra mile to make sure that we ship a game that was received so well – that’s what I’m excited about,” he said. “I get to look back at everybody at MachineGames, everybody at Bethesda, and go, ‘Hey guys, we did this.’ So, if I get to stand up and accept something in their stead, you better believe I’m going to also share the glory with them.”
Tune into The Game Awards on Thursday,December 11,2025,at 7:30 PM Eastern / 4:30 PM Pacific to find out if Troy Baker will take home the award for Best Performance. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is currently available for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Game Pass, with a release planned for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.
