Harrison Ford first played Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, which was released on June 12, 1981. His last film as Indy was Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, released on June 30, 2023. That's a span of 42 years- over four decades!
Given how popular the character and franchise is in North America, it's not exactly surprising that Disney isn't going to just let the IP sit on the shelf.
Per DisInsider, "Lucasfilm is letting the franchise rest for a bit before they do a full reboot of the franchise. I would expect the studio to announce something next year at the D23 Expo because even though the last film tanked at the box office, Indiana Jones is still an iconic IP and Disney/Lucasfilm do not want to waste that."
That’s a fair and realistic outlook on where Disney is likely to take the franchise next. The bigger question now is who could possibly step into the role of the legendary, whip-cracking archaeologist and make it their own?
Harrison Ford was in his late 30s when he filmed Raiders of the Lost Ark, so if Disney and Lucasfilm are aiming for a similarly seasoned Indiana Jones in their reboot, which actor in that age range could realistically take up the mantle and bring the same mix of grit, charm, and adventure to the role?
If Chris Pratt wants to keep portraying different versions of Star-Lord, he would certainly be a viable option- he's also the name that most often surfaces first in fan casting?
Another option would be Ryan Gosling, Glen Powell, or even Alden Ehrenreich- who previously played a young Han Solo.
Another option would potentially be Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Helena Shaw, who was introduced in Dial of Destiny as Indy's goddaughter.
She shares several qualities with Indiana Jones: quick thinking, sharp wit, and a talent for escaping dangerous situations, though her motivations early on lean more toward profit than discovery. Some fans and media sources have speculated that her character’s debut might be a setup for continuing the franchise with a fresh lead at the center.
Not long after the movie's release, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy mentioned that a spin-off starring Shaw was “entirely possible.” However, given Dial of Destiny’s underwhelming box office performance, the studio now seems more inclined to quietly move on from the film rather than pursue any follow-up projects tied to it.
No matter which path Disney and Lucasfilm choose for the future of their Indiana Jones IP, it seems likely that a reboot announcement is just around the corner.
Heck, even Sylvester Stallone's Rambo is reportedly set to have a prequel film hit theaters soon that will likely lead into a reboot of the franchise.