When Disney bought Lucasfilm in late 2012, they immediately announced The Force Awakens (then referred to as Star Wars: Episode VII) as the headliner for a new Star Wars trilogy. However, after the shock wore off everyone started to inquire about the state of Indiana Jones. Unfortunately, we didn’t receive much in the way of answers.
A few rumors bounced around the internet, one of which claimed that one of the demands Harrison Ford made in agreeing to return as Han Solo was that Lucasfilm would start development of a new Indiana Jones film. After all, the Indiana Jones franchise is one Ford loves dearly and always seems to enjoy talking about in interviews. However, despite the rumors we’ve heard very little concrete news regarding Henry Jones Junior… until now.
So, what’s the news?
In the latest Star Wars themed Vanity Fair, President of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy was questioned as to the state of the Indiana Jones franchise and had a few interesting points to contribute on the subject, “In buying the company, Disney also got the rights, for better or worse, to less-storied Lucasfilm properties, among them Willow and Radioland Murders. A bigger prize is the Indiana Jones franchise. Kennedy confirmed rumors that another Indy movie ‘will one day be made inside this company. When it will happen, I’m not quite sure. We haven’t started working on a script yet, but we are talking about it.”
What does “we are talking about it” mean?
It means you probably shouldn’t expect a new Indie movie soon. Most likely, all of the energy at Lucasfilm is being directed to getting the next era of Star Wars off the ground. Maybe when that machine is running and well oiled, they will be able to turn their attention to Indiana Jones.
Who will be in charge of it?
The same person in charge of Star Wars: Kathleen Kennedy. Luckily, she has worked with Spielberg for decades and has acted as a producer on films as far back E.T. and Back to the Future. As far as producers go, it’s in very good hands. Though we haven’t seen the films yet, she seems to be steering the Star Wars franchise in a very positive direction
Will the new film star Harrison Ford or someone else?
Despite rumors of Bradley Cooper or Christ Pratt, no one knows for sure. Until they have a concrete story idea and develop it, they won’t be reaching out to anyone. If they do want to use Harrison Ford, it might be a good idea to get started on the movie sooner rather than later. Ford is in fantastic shape for 72, but an 80 year old Indiana Jones will be much more awkward than the late 60s one we saw in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
