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Harrison Ford has one of Hollywood's most enviable acting careers, and his role in Indiana Jones 5 will complete a perfect franchise trend. Ford's first acting credit came in 1965, but he found global fame as Rebel Alliance pilot Han Solo in George Lucas' classic Star Wars trilogy. Ford soon teamed up with Lucas again to play Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark and continued to land leading roles in successful movies, including Blade Runner and The Fugitive. While Ford doesn't intend to slow down with acting any time soon, Indiana Jones 5 will mark his final appearance in the popular franchise.
Saying goodbye to Ford's Indiana Jones will continue the actor's recent trend of retiring his most famous characters. In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Ford's Han Solo met his end and hasn't been seen since a cameo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Rick Deckard, Ford's protagonist from Blade Runner, was given a fitting farewell 25 years later in Blade Runner 2049. Exactly how Indiana Jones will be retired is yet to be seen, but as arguably the greatest movie character of all time, Indy deserves a proper send-off with Indiana Jones 5.
It Makes Sense Harrison Ford Is Retiring From Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones is a globetrotting adventurer, but at 80, Ford naturally can't bring the same energy to the character that he could in the 1980s. Retiring Indy on a high makes sense, and Indiana Jones 5 is the perfect opportunity to do so while redeeming the divisive fourth installment, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. While stepping away from Indiana Jones doesn't signal the end of Ford's acting career, given he is set to become the MCU's Thunderbolt Ross, it is maybe the right time to take on roles that are less physically demanding.
The end of Harrison Ford's involvement with Indiana Jones doesn't need to mean the end of the franchise. Disney has announced an Indiana Jones TV show is in development, and while they will struggle to recast Ford, it will be a chance to refresh the franchise and tell exciting stories set in the modern day. Given other studios are creating their own action-adventure franchises, like Sony's Uncharted adaptation, it makes sense that Disney wants to revive Indiana Jones.
Will Indiana Jones' Ending Be More Like Han Solo Or Rick Deckard?
It's difficult to imagine Ford's Indiana Jones dying in Indiana Jones 5, given he has always cheated death in the past. It made sense for Han Solo to die in The Force Awakens to further develop Kylo Ren's descent into the dark side. However, there's no reason for Indy to make that same sacrifice. Indiana Jones' ending will likely share more similarities with Rick Deckard's final moments in Blade Runner 2049 instead, where Rick is given a happy sendoff by meeting his daughter for the first time. Ford's final outing in Indiana Jones 5 will no doubt be a wild ride for the adventurous archeologist while concluding another of Ford's franchise arcs.