The highly-anticipated, much delayed fifth entry in the Indiana Jones franchise is currently filming, with Harrison Ford back for what's being referred to as the final outing for the iconic archaeologist adventurer. It’s been over a decade since the last entry – the less-than-adored Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – and many fans view this production as a chance to make amends and bow out with a flourish.
Here’s everything that’s known about the as-yet untitled Indiana Jones 5 so far.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Updated Sept. 15, 2021, to include an unsubstantiated rumor about Harrison Ford's potential Indiana Jones successor.
The Indiana Jones 5 Story So Far
Plot details are limited to rumors at this point, but the most reliable ones suggest Indiana Jones 5 mainly takes place in the 1960s and revolves around the Space Race between the U.S. and Soviet Union, with Mads Mikkelsen playing an ex-Nazi scientist currently working for NASA. Photos from the movie's set show Ford in costume with motion-capture dots on his face, presumably so the actor can be digitally de-aged during post-production on the scene being filmed. Leaked set footage has further revealed a train bearing the Nazi symbol, which could be part of the same flashback sequence.
Walt Disney Pictures will release the film, having acquired Lucasfilm in 2012. As such, this will be the first time a studio other than Paramount has distributed an Indiana Jones movie. Indiana Jones 5 has seen its release date pushed back multiple times since being announced in March 2016. On October 18, 2021, Disney announced a wholesale delay of many of its films, including Indiana Jones 5, which has a current release date of June 30, 2023.
Indiana Jones 5 doesn't have a trailer at the time of writing, but a production like this demands a big publicity ramp-up that includes multiple trailers and sizzle reels. This page will be updated to include all confirmed information on trailers and similar promotional material as it's made available.
Indiana Jones 5's Cast and Crew
Harrison Ford is returning as the swashbuckling archaeologist, but for the first time in the franchise, someone other than Steven Spielberg is at the helm. Directing in Spielberg's place is James Mangold, who delivered a definitive curtain call for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine with Logan. Other known cast members include Antonio Banderas, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Boyd Holbrook, and Shaunette Renée Wilson, as well as a trio of MCU villain actors: Mikkelsen, Toby Jones, and Thomas Krestchmann. Spielberg and Indy co-creator George Lucas retain executive producer credit on the film.
An unconfirmed Sept. 11 report by the Daily Mail claims that Waller-Bridge, who plays Indy's assistant in the film, will take over the reins from Ford, and continue the franchise in his place. Similar rumors swirled around 2008's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, contending that Shia LaBeouf's Mutt was destined to succeed Ford as the star of the franchise. However, that obviously didn't happen: Ford returns for the sequel, while it was confirmed as far back as 2017 that LaBeouf wouldn't reprise his divisive role as Mutt.
Perhaps of greatest interest to fans beyond the reappearance of Ford himself, composer John Williams is returning to score the film. Before the announcement, many assumed his score for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker would mark the conclusion to Williams' legendary career.
On June 23, 2021, reports emerged revealing Ford had sustained an injury to his shoulder while filming Indiana Jones 5 and had to leave the set briefly to have his physical status assessed. Shooting continued on scenes that didn't need Ford in his absence, allowing the production to avoid any delays or disruptions. In an earlier, separate incident, a stuntman doubling for Ford during a motorcycle chase sustained minor injuries and received treatment on-set.