Indiana Jones 5 is set to hit theaters next summer, with Harrison Ford returning as the iconic adventurer for one last time. He will be joined by a number of new cast members, with Fleabag creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge set to portray the female lead opposite Ford. At this point, exact details of Waller-Bridge’s character and storyline are still unknown, but that hasn’t stopped fans online from speculating about the future of the franchise. With Indiana Jones 5 confirmed as the last installment featuring Ford as Indy, there are growing rumors that the franchise itself may continue, with Waller-Bridge as the new lead character.
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Back in September, the Daily Mail reported on the rumors that Waller-Bridge would be taking over the franchise’s leading spot, with future films centering on her new character rather than Indy. But how accurate are these rumors? Absent any hard evidence, all that fans can do at this point is speculate. Could the Indiana Jones franchise really continue without Indy himself? Keeping all that in mind, let’s take a look at all that we know about Waller-Bridge’s role in the upcoming Indiana Jones 5 and whether she is the future of the franchise.
A New Lead?
Lucasfilm Ltd.
As we know, there are not many specifics around whom Waller-Bridge will be portraying in the new film, other than being the female lead opposite Ford. Indy being joined by a female partner is nothing new. He has also been joined by Karen Allen as Marian Ravenswood, Kate Capshaw as Willie Scott, Alison Doody as Elsa Schneider, and Cate Blanchett as Irina Spalko. None of these characters replaced Indy, so why are conspiracy theories suddenly popping up around Waller-Bridge? One of the big reasons is likely timing.
Ford is 79 years old, and Indiana Jones 5 is confirmed to be his final go at the character. Indiana Jones is still a recognizable property, with Kingdom of the Crystal Skull grossing nearly $800 million back in 2008 (audience reception aside). It makes sense that Disney and Lucasfilm would look for some way to continue the franchise beyond Ford. Waller-Bridge is a recognizable household name, thanks largely to her acclaimed BBC sitcom Fleabag. Waller-Bridge’s star power would likely bring in new viewers to future installments of the franchise.
According to that same Daily Mail reporting, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy wants to make “big, bold changes” to the franchise. One of these changes involves making the lead character a female. Representatives for Kennedy declined to comment on the rumors, but that has not stopped them from persisting online.
Die-hard fans will recall that this is not the first time that Ford has been rumored to be passing the torch to a younger protege. In Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Shia LeBeouf portrayed Mutt Williams, the illegitimate son of Indy and Marion Ravenswood. There were talks of LaBeouf starring in a spin-off film or potentially taking over from Ford in the lead role. However, those turned out to be unfounded, and LaBeouf will not be returning for Indiana Jones 5.
The Case for Waller-Bridge
BBC
If Disney and Lucasfilm did want to continue the franchise without Ford, Waller-Bridge seems like an ideal choice. She is the creator and lead star of the acclaimed comedy series Fleabag, as well as executive producer of the drama Killing Eve. TIME Magazine named Waller-Bridge one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020. Her success in Fleabag garnered her three Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes.
While the Indiana Jones films are not comedies, viewers could always count on Indy’s dry sarcasm and wit. Waller-Bridge has a unique style that could appeal to viewers who enjoyed the comedic elements. She was asked to bring her “offbeat” style of humor to the script of the new James Bond film, No Time to Die. Waller-Bridge has the name recognition, but is that enough to carry such an iconic franchise?
In any case, Disney and Lucasfilm will likely wait until after Indiana Jones 5 is released to make any concrete decisions about the future. If Waller-Bridge is well received by fans, then they may seriously consider handing over the reins of the franchise. No matter how she is received, fans would still be divided, to say the least. Some may want her character to have a connection to Indy, maybe as a family member or close confidant, to help future films stay connected to the franchise. Others may want her movies to stand completely on their own, as separate or companion pieces.
With nothing to go off of rather than secrets and rumors, all that fans can do at this point is speculate. When you have a franchise as recognizable as Indiana Jones, replacing the lead star is no easy task. Here’s hoping that if Waller-Bridge does become the new lead, they will still honor the franchise that so many people have grown up with for more than four decades.
