Phoebe Waller-Bridge joins the fifth without a title yet Indiana Jones film, alongside Harrison Ford (who of course returns as the adventurer in the title) as a yet-to-be-announced character. John Williams, who has recorded the previous four films and whose theme “Raiders March” is indelibly linked to the character, will also return.
Disney has not released details on who Waller-Bridge (especially known for its award-winning series) Fleabag, along with appearances in Alone and the coming No time to die) will play, although in a 2019 interview with The sun, Franchise creator Steven Spielberg has admitted that it may be time for a female iteration of the character. Using the fifth film to send the torch of the 78-year-old Ford to Waller-Bridge could be a great way to rejuvenate the franchise.
That said, the last time the Indiana Jones franchise tried to hand things over to a younger actor – Shia LaBeouf, who panned Jones’ song in the wide Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008 – things did not quite stand out. (It’s no surprise that Ford, not LaBeouf, is heading the upcoming film.)
The theory further complicates the fact that Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, earlier at Disney’s investor event last December confirmed that the fifth Indiana Jones film would be the last film in the series. But in today’s world of reloads, sequels and Disney Plus versions, there is probably enough room for Disney to continue the franchise if it chooses.
Unlike the first four films in the series, directed by Steven Spielberg, James Mangold will direct Indiana Jones 5 (although Spielberg is still on board as an active producer of the film).
Indiana Jones 5 will hit theaters on July 29, 2022.