For forty years, Indiana Jones has been known as one of the most entertaining heroes in film history. His films contain adventurous action, intriguing locations, dangerous traps, exotic animals and insects, ruthless villains, and memorable characters. After four films, master filmmaker Steven Spielberg will not be directing the fifth Indy picture and will let this position go to another talented director, James Mangold, leaving viewers with questions as to what will happen to the legendary archeologist.
While there are no plot details known at this point concerning the fifth feature, there are photos that show 78-year-old Harrison Ford wearing his classic Indy outfit, along with his lucky hat, leather jacket, and whip. There's also an intriguing lineup of entertaining cast members, including Mads Mikkelsen (from NBC's Hannibal and Bond film Casino Royale), Boyd Holbrook (from Mangold's Logan), Thomas Kretschmann (Avengers: Age of Ultron), and Toby Jones (Captain America: The First Avenger), all of whom are experts at playing great villains in major franchises. Any one of them may prove to be formidable foes in Indy's next adventure.
Actresses Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) and Shaunette Renée Wilson (Black Panther) will also star in the film. Any one of these women could portray a tough villain like Cate Blanchett did in the previous film, or could also be Indy’s next sidekick(s). It has been speculated that Waller-Bridge may take over the franchise after Ford’s presumed departure from the role. However, it has also been said that Indiana Jones is Ford’s role, and wouldn’t be given up, so Waller-Bridge’s role could be the start of a new era of adventure films.
Mangold is no stranger when it comes to directing films with strong heroes, especially those who suffer a tragic fate. He most recently directed the violent and emotional Logan, which contained Hugh Jackman's final performance as Wolverine. In that film, Wolverine was much older and weaker, but still maintained that tough and emotional intensity he's always known for.
Another example of a tragic hero is Mangold's 2003 psychological thriller, Identity, in which John Cusack's protagonist, Edward, is an ex-cop turned limo driver who accidentally runs over a man's wife in the rain while driving an actress in his car. Cusack stops at the nearest motel to treat the severely wounded wife while trying to comfort the woman's husband and son. On top of that, when there's a killer on the loose around the motel, he tries to protect all the guests as best he can, but gets killed in the end after a shootout with one of the film's primary villains.
In Mangold's 2007 Western, 3:10 to Yuma, Christian Bale is a former soldier turned rancher named Dan Evans, whose leg was severely wounded in the Civil War. While desperately trying to protect his family and his farm by searching for more work with higher pay, he finds an opportunity to make more money by helping to transport infamous outlaw Ben Wade, portrayed by Russell Crowe. There are many bumps along this journey, including Dan being shot and killed in the end, but Dan goes the distance not only to be fairly compensated, but to ensure that he gets the job done, and to prove to his oldest son that it's important not to give up.
Mangold is a versatile director who has taken on numerous genres, such as the Western, the comic book superhero, psychological thriller, and drama. Mangold tends to incorporate tragic heroes in his features, such as Wolverine, Edward, and Dan, who try to find redemption within themselves. They each intend to overcome mistakes from the past, proving that they still matter and are worthy of accomplishing something meaningful, especially when it comes to saving those closest to them. Mangold could incorporate some of these elements into Indy’s character.
This latest adventure could turn out to be a personal one for Indy. There have been reports that digital de-aging effects may be used to show a younger Indiana Jones, perhaps highlighting a moment from his past that has come back to haunt him. Indy has lost pivotal people in his life, such as his father, Henry Jones, and his friend Marcus Brody. The Nazis have also been Indy's biggest enemy, and they could continue to cause conflict in his archeological adventure.
Fans of Harrison Ford remember the tragic fate of his other legendary character, Han Solo, in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. However, while it would make sense for Mangold to end Indy's run with a suitable death in order for another young adventurous character to take the torch (like in Logan), Indiana Jones also has a chance to have a happy ending, especially if Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) were to return by his side. Whatever the future holds for Indy, "anything goes."
Indiana Jones 5 is currently scheduled for release on July 29th, 2022.