Disney has confirmed that Harrison Ford will return as Indiana Jones in the fifth installment of the franchise, with Steven Spielberg once again directing. The new film, currently without an official title, is scheduled to hit theaters on July 19, 2019.
In a statement, Walt Disney Studios president Alan Horn said: "Indiana Jones is one of the greatest heroes in the history of cinema, and we can't wait to bring him back to the big screen in 2019. 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."
Interestingly, the official press release makes no mention of George Lucas, who sold the Indiana Jones rights to Disney along with Star Wars in 2012. Given the lukewarm reception of the last film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (remember the fridge scene and the monkeys on vines?), it's a curious omission. The announcement also notes that the four previous films have collectively grossed nearly two billion dollars worldwide, which might explain the eagerness to "embark on this adventure".
Also absent from the announcement is any mention of Shia LaBeouf, who co-starred in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and was once considered the heir to the franchise. While Harrison still has the earnestness and humor required for the role, it's hard to imagine him running through adventures like the classic ones. The studio may need to pair him with a younger star to round out the story.
Spielberg has directed all four previous films: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Temple of Doom (1984), The Last Crusade (1989) and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008). Produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, the new film will star Harrison Ford and be directed by Steven Spielberg. Indiana Jones 5, with no official title yet, opens on July 19, 2019.
Source: Deadline
