You’re going to have to keep calling it Indiana Jones 5 for a little while longer. A presentation of the first footage from the film was shown at Disney’s D23 Expo, but the title card only identified it as “Indiana Jones.” Exactly what the intrepid researcher is seeking will remain a mystery for now.
The film was announced in 2016, and planned for release in 2019. Spoiler: That didn’t happen. The movie that would return Harrison Ford to his most iconic role as the whip-snapping archaeologist remained on the schedule for 2021, but that didn’t come to pass either. Then Steven Spielberg stepped back as director with Ford v. Ferrari filmmaker James Mangold taking over, and cameras finally started rolling.
Now the movie is in the can and destined for theaters next summer, on June 30—scout’s honor. Mangold told the crowd he was working with composer John Williams yesterday on the score for the film.
“I’m very proud to say that this one is fantastic,” Ford told the audience. “And this is one of the reasons,” he added, pointing at Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the film’s female lead, who said, “I’ve had the time of my life making this movie. Keeping up with this guy is exhausting.”
Choking up at times, an emotional Ford pledged that this will be his last time as the character. “Maybe for the last…” he started, eliciting cries of “no!” from the crowd. “Not maybe,” he emphasized. “This is it. I will not fall down for you again.”
The teaser footage featured Jones reuniting with his old friend Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), and facing down a roomful of toughs alongside Waller-Bridge. The hero cracks his whip repeatedly in the scene, yelling for the thugs to “Get back,” but they respond by all drawing their guns—a callback to the original Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the swordsman who dazzles with his bladework before Jones casually shoots him.
The new Indy film was just one of the titles highlighted at Disney’s D23 Expo on Saturday, following a day showcasing its lineup of princess-centric projects—live-action versions of The Little Mermaid and Snow White, and a new animated feature Wish.
Other News From the D23 Expo
Willow
Val Kilmer’s swordsman Madmartigan will not be in the new show based on the 1988 Ron Howard movie Willow, but star Warwick Davis told the audience “an old friend of his” will appear. Christian Slater came onstage to announce he is taking on an unspecified role in the series, debuting on Disney+ Nov. 30th.
D23 is ongoing, keep an eye out for updates.