FLEABAG star Phoebe Waller-Bridge may replace Harrison Ford as whip-cracking archaeologist Indiana Jones, according to reports.
Waller-Bridge, 37, is set to be introduced to the hugely successful franchise in the upcoming fifth film in the series, as Helena, Jones’ granddaughter.
And legendary actor Harrison Ford, 80, may be about to pass on his bullwhip and sense of adventure to Phoebe as film-makers have shot a series of possible endings, including Indy’s death.
The veteran may now get the opportunity to hang up his worn-out fedora and retire after a rough time on set, where Ford injured his right arm in a fighting sequence, temporarily shutting the set down.
Speaking at a Disney event promoting the new addition to the franchise, Ford said: “I’m very proud to say that this film is fantastic and this is one of the reasons,” as he pointed at his co-star, Waller-Bridge.
“Indiana Jones movies are about mystery and adventure but they’re also about heart.
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“And I’m really happy that we have a really human story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick yur ass.”
Director James Mangold has been defending the film on Twitter to refute claims it has received poor test screenings.
Mangold said that there has not been any test screenings, and tweeted: “No one will ever replace Indiana Jones. Not in any script. Not in any cut. Never discussed.”
One source who has seen an early cut of the film told The Mail On Sunday: “There’s everything you’d want; Nazis, fighting on top of a moving train, a chase sequence through a parade and Indy using his bullwhip to fight bad guys with guns.”
However the souce confirmed that the film is being shown to test audiences, adding: “No one knows which ending they will use.”
Ford has confirmed it is his last outing as Indy, saying: ‘This is it. I will not fall down for you again.’
Actors Toby Jones, Antonio Banderas and John Rhys-Davies (who plays Indy’s close friend Sallah in three of the previous four movies) are all in the new film, plot details are being kept strictly under wraps.
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It will be 15 years since Ford played the booby-trap-swerving archaeologist, building a movie franchise that has taken nearly $1 billion (£850 million) at the box office.
Raiders Of The Lost Ark, the first in the series, was released in 1981, followed by Temple of Doom, The Last Crusade and, 2008’s Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull.
