Indiana Jones 5 is reportedly getting a rewrite from This is Us creator Dan Fogelman. As Lucasfilm has made their way through the slate of modern Star Wars films that began with 2015's The Force Awakens, they've also been developing a new adventure for Dr. Henry Jones, Jr. Originally announced in 2016, Indiana Jones 5 was at one point scheduled to hit theaters this summer, but keeps getting pushed back. The biggest hurdle the film has yet to clear is the screenplay, which was initially tasked to director Steven Spielberg's frequent collaborator David Koepp.
Last summer, Indy 5 recruited Solo: A Star Wars Story co-writer Jonathan Kasdan (son of Lucasfilm legend Lawrence Kasdan) to take a pass at the script, and the film was rescheduled for July 2021. After those shifts, it looked like the dust had settled and it'd be smooth sailing from there, but apparently there are still some issues figuring out the right approach for Indiana Jones 5. As it turns out, the movie is getting another new writer.
According to Making Star Wars, the job is now Fogelman's, whose credits also include Cars, Tangled, and Life Itself. A reasoning for the change wasn't given, but it may have something to do with Kasdan spearheading a Willow TV show for the Disney+ streaming service. It's possible Kasdan wouldn't have time for both projects and decided to pass Indy 5 off to someone else. That he's still working with Lucasfilm suggests Kasdan leaving Indy was extremely amicable. Screen Rant contacted Disney for comment and will update this post accordingly.
Allegedly, Fogelman's script will be different from the one Kasdan was working on, implying the film is getting a substantial rewrite. Making Star Wars' sources indicated Kasdan's screenplay saw Indy look to track down the Walbrzych Gold Train (a missing train full of Nazi gold), but it's unknown what Fogelman has in mind. Based on the established franchise formula, the film will revolve around a quest for some kind of ancient, mythical artifact that'll give people unspeakable power. It'll be interesting to see if any curveballs are thrown in order to keep Indy 5 fresh. Audience tastes and expectations have changed since Raiders of the Lost Ark kicked the series off in 1981, so mixing things up on the fifth installment might be beneficial. That being said, there wouldn't be anything wrong with an old school throwback as long as it's executed in thrilling fashion.
Lucasfilm obviously remains committed to Indiana Jones 5, but it's nevertheless troubling that the film has now gone through three writers. One has to wonder if the studio will finally lock something in place soon, or if they'd be better served to pull the plug. Harrison Ford isn't getting any younger and is fast approaching his 77th birthday. He delivered standout performances in The Force Awakens and Blade Runner 2049, but it'd be a bit of a stretch to see him headline an action film at this stage in his career. Plus, Spielberg and company already did the "old Indy" schtick in 2008's Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, so if the third time isn't the charm for Indiana Jones 5, perhaps Lucasfilm should let the archeologist ride off into the sunset.
Source: Making Star Wars
