Though the idea has received significant backlash, recasting the Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Indiana Jones franchise has become one of the most beloved and iconic in all cinema. The franchise's titular archeologist has long since become synonymous with the action-adventure genre, while Harrison Ford's roguish charm has come to define the character. Few characters in film enjoy the same legendary status as Indiana Jones, and separating the role from its actor seems practically unthinkable.
After playing the role in four major blockbusters, Harrison Ford is preparing to reprise the role one final time for Indiana Jones 5. With Ford's age making the action-heavy franchise a far less likely prospect for the actor than it once was, it's become clear that the Indiana Jones movies will need to confront the idea that its lead actor cannot continue in the role. It's been confirmed that Indiana Jones 5 will be Harrison Ford's last cinematic outing in the iconic fedora, which in turn makes the Indiana Jones franchise's future seem more uncertain than ever.
While suggestions that the role of Indiana Jones could be recast have been met with routine dismissal, the idea perhaps outlines the best approach to the franchise's future. Though recasting Indiana Jones may not be a popular notion, the alternatives are far less appealing: either the franchise tries to continue without its titular character, or it simply ends forever. Refusing to recast the role may be somewhat hasty, especially as it would most likely spell the death of the beloved franchise. Though it may seem sacrilegious to imagine another actor donning the leather jacket and fedora, there are clear reasons that it's the best way forward for the Indiana Jones franchise.
Harrison Ford Doesn't Think Indiana Jones Should Be Recast
One of the voices dismissing the idea of recasting Indiana Jones is Harrison Ford himself, and though his opinion may seem to carry a great deal of weight, it's also inherently biased. Ford believes that recasting Indiana Jones would be a mistake - when asked about recasting the role, he simply replied: "Don't you get it? I'm Indiana Jones. When I'm gone, he's gone." Though it's possible that Ford's response was tongue-in-cheek, the sentiment is shared by many, and the actor's apparent dismissal of the notion of recasting the role seems to have sealed the consensus on the matter.
It's not just Harrison Ford who has publicly voiced his opposition to Indiana Jones being recast, either. Kathleen Kennedy, the head of Lucasfilm, has also stated that there are no plans to recast the role after Ford's departure. Ford and Kennedy are perhaps the two most important voices in the debate, so their agreement on the matter may well be definitive. It seems that this reluctance to recast the iconic adventurer stems from a nostalgia for the glory days of the character, despite the fact that future movies have the potential to fix the Indiana Jones franchise's mistakes.
Not Recasting Means The Franchise Needs A Brand New Hero (And It Won't Work)
If indeed the role of Indiana Jones isn't recast, the only conceivable way to continue the franchise is to use a new character for its protagonist. This is tricky, because the franchise has yet to introduce a character worthy of being Indy's successor: his first four movies proved to be a revolving door of sidekicks, so there's no character consistent enough to convincingly become the new protagonist. The character that could logically fill the role is Indiana Jones' son, Mutt Williams, and that presents an issue all its own: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was not only the worst film of the franchise, but Mutt Williams actor Shia LaBeouf has since become embroiled in controversy, and his return would be ill-advised.
If the Indiana Jones franchise is to continue with another hero, it would almost certainly need to be one introduced in Indiana Jones 5. However, this itself could be a problem, because establishing a brand-new character charismatic and important enough to the franchise to convincingly step into Ford's leading role will be a singularly tough sell, especially if the character is being introduced in a film designed to see the iconic adventurer's ending. With Harrison Ford reportedly making his final Indiana Jones appearance in Indiana Jones 5, the franchise will need a new protagonist if it's to have a future, and there's no good way to establish such a character at so late a juncture.
The Only Other Choice Is To Retire The Indiana Jones Franchise For Good
Of course, there's always the option to simply retire the franchise along with its eponymous character. If Indiana Jones 5 ends the franchise entirely, there's no need to worry about recasting or replacing its protagonist, and it may well be the most graceful way to see the iconic character off. Though there are indications that this may well be Lucasfilm's intention for the Indiana Jones franchise, it seems somewhat unlikely: movies as popular and profitable as Indiana Jones aren't common, and the temptation is always to find a way to keep the franchise alive. However, killing the whole franchise is perhaps the only logical way to proceed without recasting its title role.
Why Recasting Indiana Jones Is The Best Approach
As both of the most plausible alternatives come with their own challenges and issues, the best approach is to simply recast the role of Indiana Jones. To cast a new Indiana Jones actor may prompt backlash, but it's the only real way to keep the true spirit of the franchise alive, particularly as the character is such an integral part of the Indiana Jones franchise's magic. Telling new stories with a new actor in a rebooted Indiana Jones franchise is the only logical way to keep it alive after Harrison Ford's departure, and though it's not ideal, it's the only choice that preserves its potential.
There are many actors who have been suggested over the years as potential replacements for Harrison Ford: Bradley Cooper and Chris Pratt are two of the most prominent names, but others have entered the mix as well. Though casting a well-known star in the role might undermine some of what makes the Indiana Jones movies' protagonist so iconic, the idea itself could work. Allowing a new actor to add something different to the characterization of Jones would actually be an interesting and fitting way to continue the character's cinematic legacy, and if handled delicately, it could secure a bright future for the franchise. Though recasting the Indiana Jones' franchise's titular character isn't a popular idea, it's still the best way to keep the magic alive.
