The director of the upcoming untitled Indiana Jones 5 has denied rampant rumors that the film's initial test screenings have been met with overwhelmingly negative reactions. The fifth installment of the classic franchise is Lucasfilm's first live-action film outside of Star Wars since the production company was acquired by Walt Disney Pictures in 2012. Filmmaker James Mangold is serving as the director and co-writer of the script. Harrison Ford has returned to play the beloved titular archeologist and adventurer, which the actor has confirmed will be his last portrayal of the character. Ford is joined once more by John Rhys-Davies as the Egyptian excavator Sallah, as well as brand-new cast members such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Kretschmann, Shaunette Renée Wilson, and Antonio Banderas.Following recent rumors that Indiana Jones 5 had begun showing test screenings that left viewers disappointed, director James Mangold took to Twitter to debunk the unfounded claims circulating across social media. Responding directly to concerned fans, Mangold denies that any test screenings of the untitled Indiana Jones movie have even taken place. Among the speculation was one particular claim that clearly struck a chord with Mangold, asserting that one of the endings screened saw Phoebe-Waller Bridge replacing Harrison Ford, which the director swiftly dismissed while assuring fans that Ford's iconic portrayal could never be replaced. Read Mangold's responses, below:

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What to Expect From Indiana Jones 5

Indiana Jones 5

The discourse surrounding these rumors has understandably amplified the ongoing curiosity about what to expect from Indiana Jones 5. Unfortunately for eager viewers, much about the film, including its name, have been tightly kept under wraps. However, members of the cast and crew, including Boyd Holbrook, have publicly expressed their confidence that audiences will be satisfied, and that the film's emotional core will be just as impactful as the grand scale it has come to be known for.

While plot details have not been confirmed, rumors indicate that Indiana Jones 5 will be set in New York City in the 1960s at the time of the space race. Joining co-star Phoebe Waller-Bridge on stage at Disney's D23 Expo, Harrison Ford assured the audience that the upcoming film is "fantastic". The fifth Indiana Jones installment is scheduled to be released by Walt Disney Studios on June 30, 2023.

Why Indiana Jones 5 Will Be So Important To The Franchise's Legacy

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones

The upcoming installment, likely to be the final of the Indiana Jones franchise, will have major implications on how the record-breaking series will come to be viewed and respected. With this film confirmed to be Harrison Ford's last time portraying Indiana Jones, potentially the most iconic character of his career, expectations are at an all-time high. Furthermore, this is the only Indiana Jones film that will see Steven Spielberg step away from the director's chair, serving instead as a producer, though the story is still in great hands with esteemed Ford v. Ferrari director James Mangold at the helm. Disney certainly would not want another Indiana Jones film leaving audiences disappointed after Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was received so poorly, meaning it is up to Indiana Jones 5 to amend and cement the legacy of the franchise as some of the greatest adventure movies of all time.

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Source: James Mangold