We’re still a long way off from seeing the fifth Indiana Jones movie in theaters, but when it does arrive, it’ll be without one of the Joneses.
Screenwriter David Koepp gave Entertainment Weekly an update on his script for the untitled fifth movie in the series. He didn’t say much, but he revealed two important things for longtime fans: the one actor who will be in the film and the actor who won’t be.
“Harrison plays Indiana Jones, that I can certainly say,” Koepp said. “And the Shia LaBeouf character is not in the film.”
LaBeouf’s character, Mutt Williams, made his debut in the much-criticized Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Later revealed to be the son of Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood (with the name Henry Walton Jones III), he was one piece of a film that didn’t quite work. Even now the character is better known as “Shia LaBeouf’s character” than by his actual name—even though it was stitched on his jacket. Koepp didn’t say if he would kill the character, leave him out, or would just ignore Crystal Skull in its entirety.
Koepp also revealed that Indiana Jones 5 could be director Steven Spielberg’s next film “if the stars align.”
“We’re plugging away at it,” Koepp said. “In terms of when we would start, I think that’s up to Mr. Spielberg and Mr. Ford.”
On the other hand, Koepp’s confirmation that Harrison Ford will portray the archaeologist and adventurer in the fifth film can lasso the rumors that a younger actor would take over the role.
Indiana Jones 5 is tentatively slated to debut in theaters July 19, 2019.
H/T Vulture
