An Indiana Jones Poster’s Character Change Was So Good, George Lucas Called The Artist

An Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom poster created by Drew Sturzan featured a character change so good, George Lucas called the artist. The second film in the franchise follows Indy as he uncovers the mystery behind a secret cult in India while searching for lost treasure. Thuggee priest Mola Ram serves as the main antagonist of the film, performing human sacrifices in an underground temple.

Now, Sturzan has opened up about an official poster he made for the movie, which includes Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom‘s villain sporting a different design.

In the post, the artist explains how he ended up getting a call from Lucas about the decision to give Mola Ram sharp teeth. Lucas lamented that he didn’t think of it, showcasing how powerful Sturzan’s redesign was.

Why Temple Of Doom Is Still An Iconic Indiana Jones Film

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom‘s iconic cast is one of its most memorable qualities, with Mola Ram being no exception. His unique brand of human sacrifice involves pulling people’s still-beating hearts from their chests before lowering them into a fiery pit. Coupling this dark antagonist with Indy’s light-hearted companions Willie Scott and Short Round made for a memorable adventure.

The film is also remembered for its underground action sequences, especially those where the main heroes fight the antagonists’ powerful forces while freeing children from a mine. This ends with a climactic scene on a broken rope bridge where Indy and Mola Ram have a final confrontation, ending in the villain being eaten by crocodiles. Due to how memorable the scene of him being eaten is, it’s fitting the villain ended up with sharp teeth on the poster.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom also changed the franchise by having a more humorous tone and embracing goofier ways for Indy and his friends to get out of trouble. These elements carried over for its sequels, too, including the critically-panned Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. However, part of its memorable nature will always come from Mola Ram, making Sturzan’s poster design for him all the more impactful.