The fifth entry in the iconic Indiana Jones film franchise has been held in development for many years by Disney and Lucasfilm. With the announcement of new cast members (such as Mads Mikkelsen and Phoebe Waller-Bridge), an exciting new director in Logan helmer James Mangold, and a release date of July 28th, 2022, fans believed that the film was coming to theaters sooner than later. Unfortunately, Disney has announced that Indiana Jones 5 will be pushed back by a whole year, with a new release date in June 2023.

Ever since Raiders of the Lost Ark was first released in theaters in 1981 (with Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade releasing soon after), the Indiana Jones films have been known as classic examples of Hollywood filmmaking and have cemented Harrison Ford as a major star. Lucasfilm eventually traversed back to the franchise twenty years after The Last Crusade with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which grossed well at the box office despite receiving a lukewarm critical response. The franchise still enjoys frequent attention without having spawned another film since, with the series enjoying various media spin-offs including Bethesda's upcoming Indiana Jones video game.

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The fifth Indiana Jones film has officially been delayed from July 28th, 2022, to June 30th, 2023. A specific reason has not been given as to why Indiana Jones 5 was pushed back, though the delay curiously follows many schedule changes of upcoming Marvel Studios films, including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The delay is likely connected to Disney's decision to delay their film slate as a whole rather than a reason tied to Indiana Jones 5's production woes such as Ford getting injured on set. The incident reportedly forced Ford to take time to recover, though production was said to have continued around him.

Indiana Jones 5 Harrison Ford

In addition to director Mangold, Edge of Tomorrow screenwriters Jez and John-Henry Butterworth are on board for Indiana Jones 5. The film also stars Mads Mikkelsen and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (who's rumored to be the series' new lead). Additional stars include Antonio Banderas, Boyd Holbrook, Toby Jones, and Thomas Kretschmann, among others. Meanwhile, John Williams is returning to the franchise to compose the film's score.

The delay of Indiana Jones 5 will surely be disappointing for fans of the film series, as it will be for Lucasfilm fans eager to see the company release a new major movie outside of the Star Wars franchise. Nevertheless, fans can rest assured knowing that Indiana Jones 5 is still coming soon.

Indiana Jones 5 releases in theaters on June 30th, 2023.

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Source: The Walt Disney Company