The rumors are real: Harrison Ford will once more don the iconic fedora as Indiana Jones for a fifth screen adventure, according to an official announcement by Disney Tuesday. As Disney disinterred their plans for the new film, the public discovered that Ford will be joined by director Stephen Spielberg and producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall. Fans can mark their itineraries for July 19, 2019, when the red path on the map arrives at the dot at a theater near them.
Here is the full statement:
Indiana Jones will return to the big screen on July 19, 2019, for a fifth epic adventure in the blockbuster series. 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.
“Indiana Jones is one of the greatest heroes in cinematic history, and we can’t wait to bring him back to the screen in 2019,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “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.”
Famed archaeologist and explorer Indiana Jones was introduced in 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark – one of AFI’s 100 Greatest American Films of All Time – and later thrilled audiences in 1984’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The four films have brought in nearly $2 billion at the global box office.
Indiana Jones 5
Rumors of a fifth Indiana Jones film go back to at least 2009. The Indy fan community established a long history of creative speculation and watchful reporting since the 1990s during the excruciating wait for “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” The prospect for a fifth adventure gained new traction when Disney acquired the rights to produce new Indiana Jones films in December, 2013. Indy 5 was all but official when Disney CEO Bob Iger said an interview with Bloomberg last December that “Indiana Jones . . . will be coming.”
That same month, Spielberg and Ford both talked about interest in returning for a new film. “There are more adventures out there than films,” Spielberg told Screen Daily. “As long as there’s more adventures out there, I’ve got a bullwhip, a fedora, a leather jacket and a man on a horse who knows how to get the job done.” He also refuted previous speculation of Chris Pratt assuming the role of the iconic archaeologist. “I don’t think anyone could replace Harrison as Indy; I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. It’s certainly not my intention to ever have another actor step into his shoes in the way there have been many actors that have played Spider-Man or Batman. There is only going to be one actor playing Indiana Jones, and that’s Harrison Ford.” Appearing on Good Morning America, Harrison Ford said, “I would love to do another Indiana Jones and work with Stephen again and if we get a script, I’d love to do it.”
Ford’s performance as Han Solo was the best part of “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.” It’s going to be a long three years waiting to see him crack the whip again.
REALLY EXCITED FOR THIS! I agree that Ford was excellent in The Force Awakens. (For me, Rey, Maz Kanata and Han Solo were the highlights, equally.. with BB-8 up there too.)
Can not wait for another Indy film. (I’m one of the few that really enjoyed Kingdom of the Crystal Skull… liked it better than Temple of Doom.)
I enjoyed KotCS, too, Paul. I didn’t understand why it got so much of a negative reaction. To me, felt much more like a real Indy movie than Doom. I think a lot of people don’t make the connection between the Indiana Jones films and the popular entertainment of the years the films were set in. The original trilogy were set in the 30s and captured the feel of the pulp magazines and Republic Serials of that time. CotCS was set in the 1950s, so it was a B-movie.