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'We could've been that guy': Nobu Adilman rounds up hopefuls who auditioned for Short Round in Temple of Doom

When Nobu Adilman was 11 years old back in 1983, he got the chance to audition for Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom — but he didn't get the part. Now he's made a documentary featuring the other hopefuls who missed out.
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Young Nobu Adilman around the time he auditioned to be Short Round. (Submitted by the artist)

When Nobu Adilman was 11 years old back in 1983, he got the chance to audition for a part in the second Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

The character he hoped to play was Short Round, Indiana Jones' plucky sidekick. Adilman was one of thousands of kids who tried out for the part — but he didn't get it. The role was played by Jonathan Ke Quan, who also went on to star in The Goonies in 1985. 

Nobu Adilman with host Tom Power in the q studio in Toronto. (Vivian Rashotte/CBC)

Even though Adilman went on to find success later in life as a filmmaker, actor and musician, he never forgot his failed audition. Now, he's released a new documentary called Short Round Up, in which he tracks down a bunch of the other kids who missed out on the part to see if it had the same impact on them as it did on him.

He joined Tom Power live in the q studio to tell us more about it and why he wanted to make this film.

You can watch Short Round Up below or catch it streaming now on CBC Gem.

Download our podcast or click 'Listen' near the top of this page to hear the full conversation with Nobu Adilman.

— Produced by ​Frank Palmer

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