A young Han Solo role might be up for grabs in Disney’s “Star Wars” movie universe, but Steven Spielberg says Harrison Ford is here to stay as Indiana Jones, on the big screen, at least.
The filmmaker told Screen International in a new interview that he doesn’t think “anyone could replace Harrison as Indy.”
“I don’t think that’s ever going to happen,” the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” director said. “It’s certainly not my intention to ever have another actor step into his shoes in the way there have been many actors that have played Spider-Man or Batman. There is only going to be one actor playing Indiana Jones and that’s Harrison Ford.”
Ford, now 73, has played Jones in four films to date: “Raiders,” “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade “and most recently, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” Sean Patrick Flanery is the only other actor to get a crack at the iconic role in the short-lived early ’90s TV show “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.”
The movies have grossed over $2 billion at the global box office, and both Spielberg and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy are hoping to make more.
Kennedy said last May that another Indy movie “will one day be made inside this company,” and Spielberg is confident there are plenty of adventures to choose from as Hollywood’s most famous archaeologist continues to enjoy his years as a senior citizen.
“There are more adventures out there than films,” Spielberg, who is approaching his 70s himself, said. “So as long as there’s more adventures out there, I’ve got a bullwhip, a fedora, a leather jacket and a man on a horse who knows how to get the job done.”
