Indiana Jones says farewell, but this Sheboygan collector continues homage to the legend

SHEBOYGAN – Michael T. Miller, 53, sat in the back row of Sheboygan's movie theater with his wife Martha, readied with a large soda and popcorn.

With anticipation and some sadness, he settled in as “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” opened across the screen.

Miller, an Indiana Jones collector, faced the end of the franchise before. The “Last Crusade” and "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" were supposed to be the last movies in 1989 and 2008, respectively.

Miller said he’s still processing "Dial of Destiny," which he has seen twice so far, but “it’s starting sink in that this really is the last movie.”

The latest film is the last with lead Harrison Ford, 80, as Indy. Speculations about another film or television spinoff haven't been confirmed yet, but Miller said he won't add related items to his collection.

“I'm loyal to Harrison Ford and what he's done with the character and what it's done for me in my life,” Miller said.

Some critics have deemed “Dial of Destiny” falling short of its potential as the last in the franchise and at the box office.

“Dial of Destiny” accrued about $60 million opening weekend in the U.S., though The Hollywood Reporter reported filmmakers hoped for $65 million.

Miller, though, doesn’t focus on those indicators.

Destined to grow with Indy by his side

Miller grew up watching Ford in “Star Wars” but was drawn to his “screen appearance (and) his persona” as Indiana Jones. He took something away from each film, maybe even before he knew what he needed to hear.

As a shy kid, he emulated Indy's traits, like courage and confidence. He became more outgoing, smiling at people he’d pass by and taking more chances as a teenager. Sometimes he'd hear the theme song playing in his head, he said.

Miller felt more similarities emerge between him and Indy. He was often outdoors, and some people said he looked like the character when he grew facial hair at a young age.

"It's following me and ..., I can't ignore this anymore,” he thought back then. So, he leaned in.

Ford and Indy — sometimes one in the same — were models for Miller, as he strived “to be as good as he can."

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“Dial of Destiny” was not only a farewell to Indy’s character but also an acknowledgment of his age. Miller thinks about his own age more often, too.

“You're watching this character (Indy) that got along with life and what was going on at the time in the earlier movies, but now it's like he's been displaced. Like your time is over,” Miller said.

He wasn’t surprised, but it was difficult to reckon with Ford's age and transition out of the spotlight.

While Ford’s face is “de-aged” with CGI in a flashback scene, Miller said the movie doesn’t shy away from acknowledging Indy is older.

He’s not “climbing over boulders and running and falling" anymore.

The story of Indiana Jones may be over, but Miller doesn’t intend to stop collecting in the foreseeable future.

His parents gave him a collector’s edition VHS of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” when he was 14, he told the Sheboygan Press in 2020. The collection bloomed, so he moved into a custom-built home in town of Wilson in 2016.

Movie posters, cardboard standees and Lego toys are some of the items that span the ceilings, walls and floors of the room.

Miller curated a collector’s eye and techniques on his own. He doesn’t track the collection’s worth or trade.

He finds the majority of items online or at local restaurants during promotional runs but discovered gems in unlikely places, like dumpsters. Miller received a signed picture from Ford after writing him a thank-you letter, too.

As media outlets highlighted Miller over the years, he hopes his collection and story might inspire others as Ford inspires him.

“Maybe someday down the road all of a sudden somebody will want to meet me,” he said.

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In the next chapter, Miller just wants to be the best collector he can. His biggest dream is meeting Ford one day.

Miller would like to thank him, but said he “wouldn’t even be able to touch the beginning” of the ways Ford impacted his life.

Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @alexx_garner. 

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan collector keeps Indiana Jones story alive as series ends