Thanks to their deal that was made with LucasFilm last year, the Walt Disney Company already owns all the important rights to the company's biggest franchise, Star Wars, but now the Mouse House has completed a deal that now gives them control of both of the Lucas powerhouse series. Deadline has learned that earlier today a deal was struck that will see Disney get full rights to the future of the Indiana Jones franchise.
According to the report, Disney has now acquired both marketing and distribution rights from Paramount Pictures to any future Indiana Jones sequels. The deal was the last thing standing in the way of a possible Indiana Jones 5, but what remains unclear is when that will happen. If Disney is bothering to make the deal it probably means that they will want to make the movie at some point, but for right now there aren't any official plans on the books.
But what does Paramount get in return? Much like how 20th Century Fox still owns the distribution rights to both of the previously released Star Wars films, the Viacom-owned studio will continue to own the distribution rights to Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, The Last Crusade and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. What's more, Paramount will also get an undisclosed amount of money from all future Indy movies created and released by Disney. Kind of like the deal that they worked out with both The Avengers and Iron Man 3 when Marvel Studios went to Disney, Paramount is likely going to end up getting a good amount of money from doing absolutely nothing.
The important question that comes up, of course, is whether or not we actually want to see another Indiana Jones film. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is widely considered the weakest entry in the franchise, and delivered us not only a sad, aging Indy, but also conjures unfortunate memories like nuking the fridge and Shia LaBeouf swinging through the jungle like Tarzan with a bunch of monkeys. Indiana Jones is such a great character that it's hard to imagine that it would be impossible to craft a new, quality story around him, but the question remains whether or not it would be worth the risk. Would you be interested in seeing a fourth sequel in the adventure franchise. If yes, what would you like to see them do? If no, why not? Answer our poll below and tell us what you're thinking in the comments section.
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