Indiana Jones 5 hit screens today, so we are asking the question on every Indy fan’s lips – will there be an Indiana Jones 6.
The Indiana Jones saga began in 1981 with Raiders of the Lost Ark, while prequel Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom arrived in 1984. The series seemed like it concluded with Last Crusade in 1989. But then Kingdom of the Crystal Skull arrived in 2008.
Less well-received than its predecessors, that really seemed like it would be the end for the archeologist adventurer. But in spite of the fact that star Harrison Ford is now 80, a fifth film hit screens this week in the shape of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
So is the franchise over? Or will Indiana Jones don leather jacket and and fedora and crack that whip one last time? SPOILERS FOR INDIANA JONES 5 below…
Will there be an Indiana Jones 6?
No, there will not be an Indiana Jones 6. While presenting footage from Dial of Destiny at D23, Harrison Ford stated that this will be the last time he plays the character.
“This is it!” Ford joked. “I will not fall down for you again.”
In the film’s official production notes, he says his farewells, stating: “I’ll miss the people who I’ve worked with on the film – everyone at Lucasfilm, at Disney, [director] Jim Mangold, and the actors. But I’m not going to miss Indy because he’s fulfilled his purpose, and I’m really happy to have seen it come around to the end.
“I felt good. I felt that we had made a film that the audience deserved. For those people who had been fans of the earlier films, had enjoyed seeing them, had shared them with their families, I feel confident that we’re going to knock their socks off with this one.” Right, SPOILERS follow…
What happens to Indy at the end of Indy 5?
It does look like Indiana Jones might die at Dial of Destiny’s end, with the title character taking a bullet to what looks like the chest. But next scene, he’s recovering in bed in his apartment, the film telling us the bullet hit him in the shoulder.
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What follows is a lovely end for Indy. He’s reunited with love-of-his-life Marion Ravenwood. And in spite of the fact that they’ve been estranged for the duration of the movie, they kiss in his kitchen.
But just when you think he’s retiring from adventuring – much like he’s just retired from teaching – the final shot features Indy grabbing his iconic hat.
Why Indiana Jones won’t be recast
Harrison Ford is 80 years old now, which is one of the reasons the Indiana Jones films are ending. There were rumors of a TV spinoff, but that is now off the table. While the role could always be recast. But producer Kathleen Kennedy believes that isn’t an option.
Speaking in April 2022, Kennedy told Vanity Fair: “We would never make Indiana Jones without Harrison Ford. Having just finished the fifth movie, I can tell you, there wasn’t a day I wasn’t on set where I wasn’t like, ‘Yes – this is Indiana Jones.'”
So at this point, the only way it seems like the Indy universe will continue, is through his goddaughter Helena Shaw, who is played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and who has much in common with her godfather.
For more Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny info, check out the below articles:
Indiana Jones 5 review | Cast and characters | What is the Dial of Destiny? | Number of Indy movies | Helena Shaw explained | Soundtrack and songs | Indiana Jones streaming details | Dial of Destiny runtime | Lance of Longinus explained | Where is Indy’s son? | Filming locations | How to watch the Indy movies in order | Is Short Round in Dial of Destiny? | Ranking the Indiana Jones movies | Villain explained | Does Dial of Destiny have a post-credits scene? | Best Easter Eggs | Ending explained | Deaths in Dial of Destiny? | Will there be an Indiana Jones 6?