When Disney bought Lucasfilm for $4 billion dollars, much of the discussion was over the studio’s most bankable property – Star Wars. But there was another hot franchise that Disney acquired along with a galaxy far, far away – Indiana Jones.
Sure, there may not be the same merchandising surrounding Indiana Jones, but the film series and its character are immensely popular. Even its most recent and weakest entry, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull fared well at the box office amid tepid reviews, proving it’ll take more than a refrigerator and Shia LaBeouf to derail a film icon like Indy.
Recently, both Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford shared a strong interest in returning to the franchise, even insisting they have no intention of recasting the role with a younger actor. Earlier in the year, Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy confirmed plans for a fifth Indiana Jones, though she and producer Frank Marshall also revealed there’s no script in development, suggesting earlier rumors of a 2018 release are false.
Adding his name to the above list of Indians Jones 5-backers is Disney CEO Bob Iger, who, while talking with Bloomberg, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to another Indy film. During the interview discussing Disney’s recent business and future plans, Iger noted: “Indiana Jones, by the way, which will be coming.” Making the question of Indiana Jones 5 less of an “if?” and more of a “when?”
For his part, the 73-year-old Ford shows no signs of stopping or shying away from reprising past roles. Currently, Ford is back as Han Solo in The Force Awakens and the years have done little to dampen the smuggler’s charm or swagger. He’s also set to return as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner 2 from Sicario director Denis Villeneuve, rounding out something of a trifecta for the actor when it comes to reprising his most famous 1980s roles.
Yet, while Ford’s return as Han Solo is celebrated, his return as Indiana Jones in Crystal Skull is not. But the only way to change that perception is by allowing Ford another crack at giving Indy as fine a return to form as The Force Awakens gave Solo. We can only hope an Indiana Jones 5 (whatever and whenever that will be) will do the character justice. And hopefully, lay the groundwork for how Indiana Jones can continue once Ford hangs up his hat for good.
Stay tuned for more information on Indiana Jones 5 when we have it.
Source: Bloomberg
