Thomas Kretschmann, best known for his portrayal of villain Baron Wolfgang von Strucker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), recently joined the cast of Indiana Jones 5.
The German actor joins an ensemble cast that also includes new additions Mads Mikkelsen and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, according to TheWrap. Harrison Ford is also set to reprise his role as the titular archaeologist in the upcoming film, which will see James Mangold replacing Steven Spielberg as director.
It's unclear who Kretschmann will portray in the film, and Lucasfilm has yet to comment on the casting. Kretschmann previously appeared as Captain Wilm Hosenfeld in Roman Polanski's 2002 film The Pianist. He stepped into the role of Baron Wolfgang von Strucker in 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier and 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron.
First announced in 2016, Indiana Jones 5 was initially scheduled for release in July 2019. It was pushed to July 10, 2020, then again to July 9, 2021. The film was pushed for a third and final time due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and will now be released in summer 2022.
In addition to marking the return of composer John Williams, the next installment in the Indiana Jones franchise will "conclude this iconic character's journey," according to Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.
Mangold also hinted at the time that the film may take place in the '60s. Following reports that the film may include some sequences that would require a younger version of Indian Jones, actor Sean Patrick Flanery teased that he would love to return.
"Man, I can probably count on one hand the amount of people that wouldn't want to do something that George Lucas originated," Flanery, who portrayed Indiana Jones in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, said back in February. "...Having said that, I mean, to me, Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones. You know what I mean?"
Directed by James Mangold and written by Mangold, Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth, Indiana Jones 5 stars Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen and Thomas Kretschmann. The film arrives in theaters July 29, 2022.
Source: TheWrap