Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy says Dial of Destiny is the end as far as Indiana Jones movies are concerned. Though, Kennedy also said they could look to TV series in the future. Speaking with Dagobah Dispatch Podcast Kennedy reiterated that as far as the character goes, they’re not replacing Ford and this is his last movie.
“It’s Harrison’s last entry. That’s how we look at the Indy franchise. I mean, truthfully, right now, if we were to do anything, it might be in series television down the road, but we’re not doing anything to replace Indiana Jones. This is it.”
Kennedy continued: “There are five movies that Harrison Ford did. And Harrison is so specific and so unique to creating this role. We just, Steven [Spielberg] agrees, we just wouldn’t do that.”
Now there were reports as prequel TV series was in the worked. It would have starred Indy mentor and posthumous father in law Abner Ravenwood. However, with cost cutting measures in place, we also heard this pitch was scrapped for now.
I guess Kennedy is leaving that open as a possibility. However, it would not be Indiana Jones and certainly not feature Harrison Ford. Hence, as I said at the time, I’m not sure of the point. Why tie a story into the lore of Indiana Jones if there won’t be an Indiana Jones? It would be better to create a brand new character and story. They’d also likely have to stick the name Indiana Jones on it somewhere and unless it features a young Henry Jones Jr. then again, it feels like misleading advertising.
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We’ve already had a Young Indiana Jones series from George Lucas. However, I guess there is room to play with that a little more. Then again, all that would be is continuing the franchise without Ford and recasting him, which Kennedy says is not happening. That being said, these may be the thoughts of Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg, but they wonlt be around forever. For now maybe the Disney execs are supporting them. However, what happens when both pass away, or retire and some new young exec looks at why they aren’t making more Indiana Jones movies. Disney has the right to ignore Kennedy, Spielberg, Ford, or anyone else and make as many Indy films as they like.
Mark my words, by the time I hit Ford’s age at 80 years old, there will be a recast Indy movie. It’s inevitable in the story of Mickey Mouse and the Quest for Mo’ Money.
I’m happy with the knowledge, for now, that no one is replacing Ford as Indiana Jones. However, the series, that worries me. Hopefully by the time Kennedy comes back to it, they have some better ideas than an Abner Ravenwood spin-off.
So, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy says Dial of Destiny is the end as far as Indiana Jones movies are concerned. However, Kennedy also hints that TV series are still not off the table. As always, share any thoughts you have on Kennedy’s comments below.