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Harrison Ford on the future of Indiana Jones: ‘When I’m gone, he’s gone’

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones

Harrison Ford has dismissed the notion that he will ever be replaced as Indiana Jones, insisting that when he’s done with the role then the character will be done.

Ford was recently asked about his iconic performance as cinema’s most famous archeologist, being quizzed, “When you’re done with that role, who would you like to see as Indiana Jones?”

Ford’s response was wonderfully blunt, as he simply declared, “Nobody. Nobody is going to be Indiana Jones. Don’t you get it? I’m Indiana Jones. When I’m gone, he’s gone. It’s easy!”

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The 76-year-old then couldn’t resist making a joke at the expense of the endless list of young actors that have been linked with replacing him as Indiana Jones, as he quipped, “This is a hell of a way to tell Chris Pine this. I’m sorry man!”

What’s even better about this joke is that Chris Pratt is actually the actor that has been repeatedly linked with playing a younger Indiana Jones, meaning that even Harrison Ford gets the bevy of Hollywood Chrises mixed up.

Actor Harrison Ford, center, executive producer and writer George Lucas, second from right, co-star Karen Allen, second from left, and producers Frank Marshall, left, and Kathleen Kennedy, stand together at the premiere of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" in Tokyo, Thursday, June 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Actor Harrison Ford, center, executive producer and writer George Lucas, second from right, co-star Karen Allen, second from left, and producers Frank Marshall, left, and Kathleen Kennedy, stand together at the premiere of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" in Tokyo, Thursday, June 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

These remarks to the Today Show at least make it clear that once Ford decides to move on then whoever is tasked with carrying on the franchise will be playing either his son, another relation or an associate, but not Indiana Jones himself.

Of course, Ford has played Indiana Jones on four occasions now. Starting with 1984’s Raiders Of The Lost Ark, which was followed by the prequel, Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom, and then 1989’s Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade.

Read more: Possible Indy 5 storylines

19 years later, Ford returned as the titular character for Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, which introduced Shia LaBeouf as Indiana’s son Mutt. However, LaBeouf’s career has moved away from the mainstream since then, so the recently confirmed fifth installment to the Indiana Jones franchise is unlikely to feature him.

Very little is known about Indiana Jones 5, other than it is scheduled to hit cinemas on July 9, 2021, and that Ford has no intention of giving up the fedora and whip anytime soon.