New cover art for Indiana Jones 5 confirms the setting and timeline of the long-awaited sequel. Indiana Jones 5 is set to premiere on June 30, 2023, 15 years after the fourth installment in the series was released. The long delay was the result of Lucasfilm coming under Disney ownership and the company's decision to revitalize the Star Wars franchise before working on Indiana Jones. Filming was further delayed when Steve Spielberg decided to step down from the project as director and was replaced by James Mangold, though after a multitude of delays, the project has started to become a reality.Empire Magazine unveiled its exclusive Indiana Jones 5 cover art which was inspired by the film's premise. The magazine offered a first look at Jones' (Harrison Ford) long-awaited return, though subscribers got a special treat with the subscriber-only illustrated cover. The breathtaking art from Sam Hadley sees Jones standing in a 1960s-era New York City as skyscraper tower over him and a golden light encompasses the city, offering the first insight for Indiana Jones 5's setting and time period. Check out the cover art below:
What Indiana Jones 5's New York Setting & Timeline Reveals
Few details have been revealed about Indiana Jones 5's plot, but its setting and timeline have provided some hints about what to expect. Before its confirmation, the 1960s timeline had been heavily rumored, partially because it was only natural for the film to pick up in this period, given that the previous film took place in 1957 and the delays for Indiana Jones 5 meant it was impossible to cover up the fact that at least a couple of years have passed by. Meanwhile, the 1960s creates a perfect setting to further explore the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union.
Given Ford has teased that Indiana Jones 5 will see the titular character at the end of his journey, it will be interesting to see how far after the previous film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull, it takes place, with the 2008 sequel being set in 1957. With nearly 15 years between both releases, one would think the story would follow suit, though the new cover art confirming a '60s setting seems to indicate less than a decade of separation. Putting the typically globe-trotting franchise in the States proves to be an interesting breaking of the Indiana Jones formula, even if it only proves to be for a sequence or two, as Ford was spotted in character throughout the film's London and Italy sets.
While Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull didn't receive high praise for its inclusion of aliens, it showed that the franchise wasn't afraid to delve into the sci-fi realm. With the 1960s being the decade of the arms race and the first Moon landing, it wouldn't be surprising if Indiana Jones 5 tackles some outer space phenomenon, though hopefully in a way that sits better with audiences. The New York City premise could also support this theory, as the city was the location of a ticker tape parade that was held for the Apollo 11 crew upon their return from space. It is hard to say what exactly Indiana Jones 5 will be about, but with the film closing out Ford's tenure in the role, audiences are sure to come out in droves upon its June 30, 2023 release.
Source: Empire Magazine
