Can you imagine anyone else other than Harrison Ford playing Indiana Jones? Hollywood may, and the industry allegedly has a short list of actors they’d possibly plug into a future Indiana Jones trilogy, if the latest rumor is to be believed.
Now, let’s state this up front. Obviously, this is a HUGE rumor, and nothing has been confirmed by any of the parties we are about to discuss. But, Latino Review is quoting a very reliable source who claims that there’s a strong possibility the next Indiana Jones will be played by a younger actor as the studio tries to refashion the series in the way that James Bond routinely recasts. It’s still Bond, whether it be Daniel Craig, Roger Moore or Sean Connery. Is it still Indiana Jones if it isn’t Ford? We may find out soon.
The site reports that plans are still underway to have Ford return to the part for a fifth adventure. But, LR notes, "there is a date. And if Indiana Jones 5 is not moving forward by then, the studio is 100% prepared to recast a younger Dr. Jones and ready up a new trilogy."
They even reportedly have their eyes set on Bradley Cooper for the role.
This really shouldn’t come as huge shock, if you step back and analyze the playing field from multiple angles. Ford, for starters, turns 72 in July. And he might be stepping into J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars universe for the next few years, reprising the role of Han Solo. That would eat up valuable time he could spend filming another Indiana Jones movie.
At the same time, Disney recently negotiated for all rights to future Indiana Jones films, leaving the rights to the previous films to Paramount. Disney didn’t do that deal just to sit on their hands. They have a plan to make more Indiana Jones movies, and the possibility of doing them with Harrison Ford is decreasing.
So tell us, do you think that the Indiana Jones franchise can work like Bond? It is a question we have been asking with multiple film series, Iron Man being another example. Is it still Tony Stark if Robert Downey Jr. isn’t playing him? Marvel may have to find out soon enough.
If there is silver lining to this chaos, LR is reporting that Frank Darabont "might be taking a crack at the franchise once again." For those who don’t know, Darabont wrote a killer script that almost came to fruition before Indianan Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. He penned several drafts over the years, and elements made it into Crystal Skull, but he adores the character, can write compelling drama, and knows his way around an action set piece. He’d be a fantastic hire.
Nothing is in stone. But wheels appear to be turning. What do you think of this rumor? Is Cooper a good choice to maybe continue Indy’s legacy on screen? If not, who should Disney be looking at? Let us know below.
