Indiana Jones 5 is set to be the first installment of the franchise without the involvement of George Lucas, nor direction by Steven Spielberg. Scheduled to release in 2023, it will be the first Indiana Jones story since 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Spielberg and Lucas stepping down could indicate a new direction for the archaeologist-adventurer, and while this initially seems like a setback, it might be exactly what the franchise needs.
Spielberg and Lucas built the franchise together, with Spielberg directing all the films to date, and Lucas writing the initial story then maintaining an executive producer role. Despite being previously set to direct Indiana Jones 5, Spielberg decided to step down, with James Mangold (director of Logan and Ford v Ferrari) replacing him. Spielberg will still be influential in the film, assuming a producer role. Lucas, however, will not be involved in the development of the new film.
While these adjustments may not be appreciated by some fans of the franchise, delays in the production of both Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and the upcoming film, perhaps suggest that change was necessary. Moreover, the 2008 film was met with some critical praise but is largely disliked by fans. Negative responses to the film, even as a long-awaited sequel, indicated that nostalgia is not enough to keep the franchise interesting, and fresh perspectives might be necessary to invigorate the storyline.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has a convoluted plot that does not truly warrant the unraveling of the perfect close to Indy’s tale that featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. An obsession with implementing CGI created a film that seemed more interested in what it could do with a modern film based on an iconic character, rather than how it could suitably continue that character's storyline. With Harrison Ford reprising his role as Indy once more in Indiana Jones 5, fresh perspectives for writing and directing the film present an opportunity to revisit Indy's story with a purposed sequel, and extend its cinematic qualities beyond simply nostalgia.
Considering the conclusive nature of the final scene of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and delays in the production of both films since, it was perhaps Spielberg’s ideal scenario that the Indiana Jones saga cease production beyond the original trilogy. Of course, he remains influential in the production of Indiana Jones 5, but the intention of his direction for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’s conclusion does suggest he might not have wished for the character to be taken forward from there. For any sequels to do justice to a new story for Indy, therefore, they should be conducted by someone who is deeply invested in an idea on how to do it.
Spielberg remains a great director, but for Indiana Jones 5 to continue Indy’s story properly, it is perhaps best to do so from a new perspective. Spielberg and Lucas have already done the most important part of the franchise: characterizing Indy. Indiana Jones 5 simply needs a storyline that will do the character justice; a sensible and creative reason for the iconic whip-wearer to return to the big screen.
