Disney just announced that Harrison Ford will be reprising his iconic role as Indiana Jones in the fifth installment in the series with Steven Spielberg returning to direct.
Indiana Jones 5 has officially been set for July 19, 2019 as is currently the only film set for that date. Marvel’s Inhumans is scheduled for the July 12, just the weekend before, but chances are that Disney will end up moving Inhumans so they’re not battling it out at the box office. That’s just not smart business.
The release from the studio describes “a fifth epic adventure in the blockbuster series,” adding: “Steven Spielberg, who directed all four previous films, will helm the as-yet-untitled project with star Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role. Franchise veterans Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall will produce.”
Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn called the Indiana Jones character:
“one of the greatest heroes in cinematic history…It’s rare to have such a perfect combination of director, producers, actor and role, and we couldn’t be more excited to embark on this adventure with Harrison and Steven.”
Ford will be 77 when the untitled Indiana Jones is released in theaters but could you imagine anyone else in the role? There was talk for years after Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull of possibly having a new actor don the famous hat and whip, but in the end Harrison Ford will continue on as the world’s most famous archeologist.
Before Disney’s purchase of LucasFilm, it was set that any future Indiana Jones titles wouldn’t move forward in production unless Lucas and Spielberg agreed on the script and all of the production’s elements. That’s one of the reasons why there’s always been a gap between sequels, but it turns out Lucas will have no involvement in the film, similar to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Looks like that purchase by Disney released him of all involvement from any LucasFilm property.
Disney and Paramount reached an agreement in 2013 giving Disney control over all future films.
Paramount retains rights to the first four films and will receive a financial participation on any future films that are produced and released. The four previous films have grossed nearly $2 billion at the global box office.
Look for Indiana Jones 5 (title still to be announced) when it cracks its whip into theaters July 19, 2019.
Images: Disney, LucasFilm LTD., Paramount Pictures
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