Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy confirms Indiana Jones 5 is not a reboot of the film series. When Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, they were quick to get new Star Wars movies in development, releasing The Force Awakens three years later. However, they’ve been much slower when it comes to doing anything with the Indiana Jones films, even after assuming full control of the IP from Paramount in 2013. Indiana Jones 5 was officially added to the docket three years later - with Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role and Steven Spielberg directing - but has since been delayed twice from its original 2019 release date.

With Ford not getting any younger (he turns 78 this summer) and Indiana Jones 5 undergoing multiple rewrites, some have fairly wondered if the film will end up evolving into a reboot. Even back in 2016, Disney CEO Robert Iger suggested the movie wouldn’t be a conventional followup in the vein of the previous Indiana Jones sequels. For her part, Kennedy says the movie is still a continuation of what’s come before.

In an interview with the BBC on the BAFTA red carpet, Kennedy offered an update on Indiana Jones 5, saying “We’re working away, getting the script where we want it to be, and then we’ll be ready to go”. When asked if it would be a reboot or sequel, Kennedy confirmed Ford’s return, adding “It’s not a reboot, it’s a continuation”.

It’s not surprising to hear the plan is still for Ford to don his classic fedora one more time. The actor might be pushing 80, but remains as active as ever and even stars in The Call of the Wild later this month. He’s also stayed enthusiastic about Indiana Jones 5 throughout its delays and appears to be genuinely excited about returning to that character. Of course, it’s no secret 2008’s Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is regarded by many as the weakest of the Indiana Jones films, especially after 1989’s Last Crusade originally ended Ford’s time as Dr. Jones on a high note. Indiana Jones 5 has the potential to close the door on Ford’s run with the franchise in a more graceful fashion, which is all the greater reason for him, Spielberg, and Lucasfilm to stay committed to making it a continuation of some kind, rather than a hard restart.

Although scheduling has been an issue in the past, both Spielberg and Ford should be able to start filming Indiana Jones 5 this year as planned. The main thing holding the movie back right now is the story, which has already passed through the hands of multiple writers. Most recently, longtime Spielberg collaborator David Koepp confirmed he’s working on the screenplay again, having done a pass on an earlier draft. It’s speculated he and Spielberg are trying to settle on a strong MacGuffin and plot that avoid rehashing the “old man Indiana Jones” story they already used for 2008’s Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Once they do, the film should be ready to enter production. If they can’t then, well, Indiana Jones 5 may yet transform into a reboot after all.

Source: BBC News

  • Indiana Jones 5 Release Date: 2023-06-30