For a while there, it felt like the still-untitled Indiana Jones 5 was destined to never become a reality. For many fans, that might have seemed like a relief after 2008's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the critically panned movie that welcomed Harrison Ford back to one of his most iconic roles after 19 years. Now, though, the hope is that this fifth instalment will make things right.
Director Steven Spielberg and producer George Lucas were working on story ideas prior to Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm, with the former officially announced as Indiana Jones 5's helmer in 2016. Set for release in 2019, it was pushed to 2021 before Spielberg decided to step down from the project.
Since then, Logan director James Mangold has come on board, rewriting the script and working through the madness of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ford was sidelined with a shoulder injury for a while, but work is clearly back on track as veteran producer Frank Marshall has shared a positive update.
Production may be nearing its end, but we know very little about what to expect from Indiana Jones 5. It's believed the movie will be set in 1969 and somehow tie into the first Apollo moon landing. Based on set photos, we'll get to see Indy both in his prime and as a slightly older adventurer (the events of this instalment will take place roughly twelve years after Kingdom of the Crystal Skull).
Barring any further delays, Indiana Jones 5 will be released on June 30, 2023.