The fifth entry in the iconicIndiana Jonesfilm franchise has been held in development for many years by Disney and Lucasfilm. With the announcement of new cast members (such as Mads Mikkelsen and Phoebe Waller-Bridge), an exciting new director inLoganhelmer James Mangold, and a release date of July 28th, 2022, fans believed that the film was coming to theaters sooner than later. Unfortunately, Disney has announced thatIndiana Jones 5will be pushed back by a whole year, with a new release date in June 2023.
Ever sinceRaiders of the Lost Arkwas first released in theaters in 1981 (withTemple of DoomandThe Last Crusadereleasing soon after), theIndiana Jonesfilms have been known as classic examples of Hollywood filmmaking and have cemented Harrison Ford as a major star. Lucasfilm eventually traversed back to the franchise twenty years afterThe Last CrusadewithIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which grossed well at the box office despite receiving a lukewarm critical response. The franchise still enjoys frequent attention without having spawned another film since, with the series enjoying various media spin-offs includingBethesda’s upcomingIndiana Jonesvideo game.
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The fifthIndiana Jonesfilm has officially been delayed from July 28th, 2022, to June 30th, 2023. A specific reason has not been given as to whyIndiana Jones 5was pushed back, though the delay curiously followsmany schedule changes of upcoming Marvel Studios films, includingDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,Thor: Love and Thunder, andBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. The delay is likely connected to Disney’s decision to delay their film slate as a whole rather than a reason tied toIndiana Jones 5’s production woes such as Ford getting injured on set. The incident reportedly forced Ford to take time to recover, though production was said to have continued around him.
In addition to director Mangold,Edge of Tomorrowscreenwriters Jez and John-Henry Butterworth are on board forIndiana Jones 5. The film also stars Mads Mikkelsen andPhoebe Waller-Bridge(who’s rumored to be the series' new lead). Additional stars include Antonio Banderas, Boyd Holbrook, Toby Jones, and Thomas Kretschmann, among others. Meanwhile, John Williams is returning to the franchise to compose the film’s score.
The delay ofIndiana Jones 5will surely be disappointing for fans of the film series, as it will be for Lucasfilm fans eager to see the company release a new major movie outside of theStar Warsfranchise. Nevertheless, fans can rest assured knowing thatIndiana Jones 5is still coming soon.
Indiana Jones 5releases in theaters on June 30th, 2023.
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