‘Indiana Jones’ Director Confirms Main Character’s Fate as Recasting Rumors Grow

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Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena and Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' (2023). Credit: Lucasfilm

Credit: Lucasfilm

The director of the new Indiana Jones movie has hit out at “trolls” speculating that the character might die or be recast.

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in Lucasfilm's IJ5. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
Credit: Lucasfilm

Related: ‘Indiana Jones 5’ Director Slams Rumors of Movie Flopping

Director James Mangold responded to a fan’s now-deleted post on Twitter, which tagged the director and spoke of speculation from content creator Doomcock that the latest trailer for the Mangold-led Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) seemingly “confirmed” that the iconic hero, played by Harrison Ford, would be replaced by the conclusion of the film.

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in Lucasfilm's IJ5. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
Credit: Lucasfilm

Mangold, whose previous credits include the Oscar-nominated Ford V Ferrari (2019) and the critically acclaimed Wolverine movie Logan (2017), slammed the “trolling a-holes” using “culture-war politics” to make fast cash from clicks.

In a short thread, he said:

One more time. No one is “taking over” or replacing Indy or donning his hat nor is he being “erased” thru some contrivance— and he never was, not not in any cut or script — but trolls will troll — that’s how they get their clicks. 1/

He went on to deny arguments that theories are occasionally proven correct, stating that “even a blind squirrel finds a nut now & then”:

And please don’t exhaust me pointing out how once in a while a troll is “right”. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now & then. All one has to do is look at set photos & interviews & u get enough info to make wild guesses about a movie plot. 2/

The director ended his missive by asking fans to “let it go”:

The diff between trolling a-holes & everyone else is they r trying to make $ off your feelings about other films & culture war politics. They push contoversial guesses as coming from “sources” to gin up clicks. Let it go. END

His clear frustration at the speculation comes amid rumors that Indiana will be recast or otherwise replaced due to the aging Ford.

It is not the first time Mangold has spoken out against the discourse; last month, he replied to a fan confirming there had been no screenings of the film so far and even called out Doomcock by name when debunking rumors of recasting.

Klaber (Boyd Holbrook) in Lucasfilm's Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
Credit: Lucasfilm

Related: Indiana Jones 5 Villains Revealed

After the new trailer was unveiled at Brazil’s Comic Con Experience (CCXP), the presence of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Helena — Jones’ goddaughter in the new movie — fed fan discourse around whether she might take up the adventurer’s mantle following this latest outing.

Questions have also been raised around how the franchise will handle Shia LeBeouf’s Mutt, who was revealed to be Indy’s illegitimate son with Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) in the last film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).

Some fans have called for Ke Huy Quan, who played Short Round, Indy’s sidekick in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), to make a return to the franchise after the actor’s recent career resurgence thanks to his star supporting turn Everything, Everywhere, All At Once (2022).

The release of the film’s debut trailer and poster also came with the confirmation of the movie’s release date; Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will be on the big screen on June 1, 2023.

Are you excited to see the latest Indiana Jones adventure? Let us know in the comments below.

About Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny:

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the fifth instalment in the Indiana Jones franchise. Originally conceived by Star Wars creator George Lucas, the first four films in the franchise were directed by legendary auteur Steven Spielberg, who worked in close partnership with Lucas during production. The franchise began with Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Amblin co-founders Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall return to produce this latest instalment, with the directing mantle handed to James Mangold. Star Harrison Ford returns for this movie, with Dr Jones facing off against Mads Mikkelsen and Boyd Holbrook. On the side of Henry Jones Jr. is Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Helena, John-Rhys Davis returning as Sallah, and Toby Jones in an undisclosed role.

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