LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: As Harrison Ford gears up for the highly anticipated fifth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise 'Dial of Destiny', the 80-year-old Hollywood veteran recently discussed the shared passion for aviation he has with fellow actor Tom Cruise. Cruise, whose film 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One' is scheduled for July 12, has reportedly impressed Ford with his fearless dedication to pushing the boundaries of physical stunts.

"I like Tom. We talk about flying," Ford told The Hollywood Reporter when his and Cruise's similarities were discussed. "But he's far deeper into physical acting than I ever was," the actor added, in reference to Cruise's years-long passion for performing increasingly wild stunts himself. "I don't mind running, jumping, falling down, rolling around on the floor with sweaty guys," the Indiana Jones actor said. "Tom takes it to a whole new level that's pretty amazing."

Despite approaching an age where high-flying action becomes less feasible, Ford's enthusiasm for aviation continues unabated. As a licensed pilot, he seizes every chance to take to the skies. Similarly, Cruise has also gained attention for his impressive piloting abilities, notably demonstrated in the recent hit 'Top Gun: Maverick', where he skillfully handles multiple aircraft.

Ford's near-fatal crash with vintage plane

Having obtained his pilot's license at the age of 54, Ford has expressed his deep affinity for being in the sky, considering it his favorite place to be. However, his wife Calista Flockhart has chosen not to accompany him any longer, following his near-fatal crash in 2015 while piloting a vintage World War II-era plane. However, Ford's engagement in rescue missions has diminished over time.

The renowned actor was once actively involved in using his helicopter for rescuing stranded people. However, he eventually chose to step away from such operations when he witnessed the media often portraying him as the sole savior or the "hero," overlooking the collective efforts of the entire rescue team. He openly remarked, "It's a team effort. It's lame to think about it that way."

'I like playing an old guy'

Further in the interview, Ford said he believes acting "is the place I feel most useful." "I feel comfortable wrestling with how to make behavior out of words on a page and tell a story, and I'm still excited about the prospect of telling a story," the actor said. "I think this is a service occupation — telling stories," he added. "We need it. Whether it's drawing on caves or religious tenets, we love telling stories." "I like playing an old guy," he told the outlet when asked how long he plans to keep acting. "If I wasn't having a good time, I would stop doing it."

'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' will hit the theaters on June 30.