In Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indy received a charming sidekick in Ke Huy Quan's Short Round. Short Round was an instant success, but despite his popularity character never returned in the sequels, leaving audiences wondering what ever happened to him. While a critical and commercial smash at the time of its 1984 release, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is often regarded as a mixed bag today. Many don't care for Kate Capshaw's Willie Scott character, and others think the depiction of India and its people is woefully regrettable. However, the sequel — or technically, a prequel — still has a legion of passionate defenders. Ke Huy Quan's character was a big reason for this cult following among the Indiana Jones fandom.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom has many positives, from Harrison Ford once again turning in a rousing performance as Dr. Jones, to his interplay with Short Round, to some action and adventure set pieces that rival anything in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Ultimately, the sequel changed the Indiana Jones franchise for the better. Unfortunately, as beloved as Short Round is, and though he made a good addition to the Indiana Jones canon, the character has never appeared in further sequels. Thanks to licensed tie-in materials though, it's fairly easy to map out what Short Round did after Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Indiana Jones: What Happened To Short Round After Temple Of Doom

Indiana Jones, Willie and Short Round sneak around in Temple of Doom

According to the "Trail of the Golden Guns" arc found within The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones comic book, Short Round returned with Indy to the U.S. in 1936. Dr. Jones enrolled his sidekick into boarding school, but that doesn't mean Short Round never accompanied him on any further adventures. In the comic, he assists Indy on a search for Atlantis, and while they don't find it, a pirate attempts to rob Indy of artifacts, leaving Short Round to race up in a speedboat to save his friend and the treasure. Short Round is then, much to his dismay, sent back to school.

Short Round's next comic appearance alongside Indy is considered non-canon, but it's worth mentioning. Published in an issue of Dark Horse's Star Wars Tales, "Into the Great Unknown" sees Indy and Short Round in the Pacific Northwest looking for Sasquatch. Instead, they find the remains of the Millennium Falcon, which in this story crashed there over 100 years earlier. Inside the ship is the body of Han Solo, which spooks Indy for obvious and hilarious reasons. Looking on unknown to them is Chewbacca, still alive, and the source of the Sasquatch legend. It's the only comic to ever combine Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

RELATED: Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom Cast - Where They Are Now

Finally, in The Lost Journal of Indiana Jones reference book, Short Round has made illustrations. It's also revealed that he went on to become an adventurer himself, finding an artifact called The Peacock's Eye in 1957. While it hasn't been firmly established why Short Round never appeared in another Indiana Jones movie, he was at one point planned to cameo in an early version of Crystal Skull, appearing at the end to drive Indy and his love interest Elaine McGregor away from their wedding. Ke Huy Quan was even contacted by Steven Spielberg about the cameo, but the script ended up being massively reworked and the scene was removed.

Short Round Is Not Returning For Indiana Jones 5

Harrison Ford on a horse in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

While so many other franchise characters are joining the cast of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Short Round is not returning for Indiana Jones 5. Quan is not reprising his role as the iconic Indy sidekick, which seems like a missed opportunity given the actor's newfound popularity following his role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Though there were rumors of a cameo from the actor, Quan definitely debunked them. Referring to his and Ford's D23 reunion, the actor explained, "Here’s the thing. I don't want to disappoint the fans. I've joked about it all the time, but reuniting with Harrison after 38 years, that was very special."

What Ke Huy Quan Has Done Since Indiana Jones

Waymond looking at something as he enters the building in Everything Everywhere All At Once

Outside of playing Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Quan most notably appeared as Data in 1985's The Goonies. However, despite becoming successful at such a young age, outside a couple of small roles, Quan largely retired from acting. It wasn't until 30 years after Encino Man that Quan properly returned to Hollywood, but he did so with the grandest statement possible. Ke Huy Quan starred alongside Michelle Yeoh in the breakaway 2022 multiversal comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once, as Evelyn's (Yeoh) husband. The former child actor played Waymond Wang, and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor too. Quan will also appear in Loki season 2 as a TVA employee.

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