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A Look at The Future Of Indiana Jones 5

April 10, 2021 | Posted by Steve Gustafson
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

Indiana Jones 5 is happening. We just got news that Emmy-winning actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been cast to star opposite Harrison Ford in the next chapter of the franchise, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

For now the project is going by Indiana Jones 5 and will have the 78-year-old Ford reprising his role as the archeologist. James Mangold will be directing, taking over from Steven Spielberg. Also, legendary Oscar-winning composer John Williams has signed on to score the film. 

“I’m thrilled to be starting a new adventure, collaborating with a dream team of all-time great filmmakers,” Mangold said in a statement. “Steven, Harrison, Kathy, Frank, and John are all artistic heroes of mine. When you add Phoebe, a dazzling actor, brilliant creative voice and the chemistry she will undoubtedly bring to our set, I can’t help but feel as lucky as Indiana Jones himself.”

Now we see what happens next. Without doubt, Ford is an iconic actor who has portrayed a number of classic characters over his career. But a Harrison Ford playing Indiana Jones in 2022 might be pushing it.

“It’s not the years, honey. It’s the mileage.”

At one time the fifth film in the franchise was scheduled for release on July 10, 2020. Spielberg was set to helm the movie with Ford returning. Then Spielberg made it known that he was handing the directing reins to Mangold.

The movie has had a number of push backs with the biggest reason being the script. While we hear everyone say that they won’t sign on without a good script, that hasn’t stopped it from being scheduled over and over. The biggest rumor being passed around centers on reports of substantial rewrites to the film’s script.

The screenplay by David Koepp was scrapped. Koepp wrote the fourth film in the franchise, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, a movie that made lots of money but was met with a mixed critical reaction.

Then Jonathan Kasdan, son of Lawrence Kasdan, was enlisted to deliver a new draft but there’s been little word on where that stands.

George Lucas’ involvement is still in question, as is what role Spielberg will have. Lucas was initially not going to be involved with the project and that was called into question during a press event for Disney. Spielberg shared that Lucas will be returning as executive producer, stating “I would never make an Indiana Jones film without George Lucas. That’d be insane.”

Both Spielberg and Bob Iger have gone on record saying Indiana Jones would not be killed off. However, Iger said the future of the franchise with Ford is unknown, but that the fifth film “won’t be just a one-off.”

Spielberg has suggested that a female star could take over from Ford in future Indiana Jones films. He said it was time the franchise “took a different form”, adding: “We’d have to change the name from Jones to Joan. And there would be nothing wrong with that.”

That doesn’t really make sense as Jones is his last name…but I get his point. Is Waller-Bridge being set up as the one to continue the franchise? It would certainly be a different tone than going the Tomb Raider route. 

The clock is ticking and this project seems to have a finite shelf life as Ford gets older and Spielberg’s calendar is filled to capacity with projects. 

When it come to Hollywood, one Indy quote says it best why this project is still on the books:

“Fortune and glory, kid. Fortune and glory.”

The magic of the Ford films are undeniable. To try to recapture that seems to be a losing proposition with a new actor. Maybe they need to take the advice of Indy’s dad, played by the great Sean Connery and just let it go. 

But an animated show…that has possibilities.

article topics :

Indiana Jones 5, Steve Gustafson