Steven Spielberg Promises Not To Kill Off Harrison Ford In Indiana Jones 5

While the world was ecstatic to learn earlier this year that we’ll finally get a fifth instalment to the ‘Indiana Jones’ franchise the news was met with some trepidation.

Most of this worry was instigated because of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’’ treatment of Harrison Ford’s Han Solo. But now Steven Spielberg has insisted that he won’t do the same to Indy.

During a recent discussion with The Hollywood Reporter the legendary director kept mostly schtum about the current plans for ‘Indiana Jones 5′. But after insisting that he’s “super excited” to make the film, he also noted, “The one thing I will tell you is I’m not killing off Harrison [Ford] at the end of it.”

Which is something of a relief to hear. Ever since 2008′s ‘Indiana Jones And Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull’ failed to live up to the popularity of the earlier trilogy of Indy films, there has been speculation that a younger actor might step in to replace Harrison Ford, with Chris Pratt’s name repeatedly linked to the part.

There’s every chance that could still happen. In fact, ‘Crystal Skull’s’ inclusion of Shia LaBeouf as Mutt Williams seemed to be setting him up as the new leader of the franchise. However it’s extremely unlikely that either Spielberg or LaBeouf will want to return, as the actor has set his sights on different projects away from mainstream cinema.

It is likely that another younger actor will join Ford in ‘Indy 5′, though. Which is understandable. It’s not just that Harrison Ford is now 73-years-old, but the ‘Indiana Jones’ franchise has grossed $1.9 billion over the course of four films since ‘Raiders Of The Lost Ark’ was released back in 1981.

Sadly, the continuation of the series without Harrison Ford is inevitable. But at least we now know that we won’t see Mutt using a bullwhip to kill his pops.

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[Image via Lucasfilm]