One of the bigger headlines from earlier this year was the announcement that Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm are eyeing Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt to potentially replace Harrison Ford as the headlining star of the Indiana Jones franchise! Today, Deadline offers an update, suggesting that Steven Spielberg himself is interested in directing the fifth big screen installment in the life of Dr. Henry Jones, Jr.
Although the most recent big screen adventure, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, was not entirely a hit with critics, the fourth film in the series managed to gross more than $786 million worldwide when it was released in 2008. Shortly thereafter, George Lucas hinted that plans were underway for a fifth cinematic adventure, but he admitted that he had yet to decide on a MacGuffin (A term popularized by Alfred Hitchcock, referring to a narrative element that drives the story forward, such as the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark). Following the sale of Lucasfilm to Walt Disney Pictures and Lucas’ own subsequent retirement, however, hints regarding plans for the future of the franchise have been few and far between. Ford, however, has suggested that he’s quite eager to reprise the role himself, despite turning 73 this year.
Spielberg is said to have himself selected Pratt to headline Jurassic World, so, while there’s currently no script in place for a fifth Indiana Jones adventure, one may very well be on the way in the not too distant future!
What do you think about Spielberg potentially directing the next Indiana Jones? If you think he should pass the reins, who would you like to see step in instead? Share your thoughts below!
(Photo Credit: WENN.com)