Lucasfilm’s Kennedy Addresses Rumors Regarding Indiana Jones 5, Star Wars
Empire Magazine paid close attention to this weekend’s BAFTA awards and reported on Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy’s comments in the UK.
Kennedy, who was honored with a BAFTA fellowship, spoke to the BBC.
James White of Empire reported:
At the BAFTAs on Sunday night, Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy was honoured with a BAFTA Fellowship. And she was also asked about the future of two of the main movie series she’s shepherding – Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
On the subject of Indy, Kennedy once again confirmed that the still-in-development fifth film will not reboot the concept, but does indeed return Harrison Ford to one of his iconic roles. According to the producer, “We’re working away, getting the script where we want it to be and then we’ll be ready to go.” She also drops word that Ford can’t wait, and given the years he’s been waiting already, it’s perhaps not all that shocking.
As for Star Wars, she was asked again about female directors for the franchise and nodded towards the likes of Deborah Chow and Bryce Dallas Howard on The Mandalorian before being pressed on the movie question. “Absolutely, without question,” she replied.
You can watch the full interview below:
Meanwhile, IGN brought us back up to speed:
This confirms earlier reports that the next Indiana Jones movie is a sequel, not a reboot, and that Ford will remain in the lead role. In fact, Ford has previously been adamant no one else can play Indiana Jones but him, insisting, “When I’m gone, he’s gone.”
Unfortunately, Ford’s commitment to the role hasn’t prevented Indy 5 from experiencing multiple delays. Disney previously announced a July 10, 2020 release date for the sequel, and at one point production was expected to begin in April 2019. However, Disney then pushed back the release date a full year to July 9, 2021, with Solo: A Star Wars Story’s Jon Kasdan taking over the script from original writer David Koepp.
Even that release date is looking increasingly unlikely now. It appears Disney is still trying to perfect the script before Ford finally reunites with director Steven Spielberg. Given the lukewarm critical reception to 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and the likelihood that Indiana Jones 5 will be Ford’s last, we can’t blame Disney for being cautious.
After all, even Henry Jones Jr. had a penchant for being careful.
“You know what a cautious fellow I am.”
Indiana Jones
