According to the folks over at Variety, Steven Spielberg is handing directing duties on ‘Indiana Jones 5’ to filmmaker James Mangold (‘Logan,’ ‘LeMans 66,’ ‘Walk the Line’).
Spielberg, who directed all four previous films, was all set helm the as-yet-untitled project with Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role, but stepped down as director in a desire to pass along Indy’s whip to “a new generation to bring their perspective to the story.”
The fifth outing was first announced back in 2016, with the release pencilled in for summer 2019. It was then pushed back a year, to July 2020, and once again to July 2021.
Ford’s famed archaeologist and explorer was first introduced in 1981’s ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ – one of AFI’s 100 Greatest American Films of All Time – and later thrilled audiences in 1984’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,’ 1989’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,’ and 2008’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.’ The four films have brought in nearly $2 billion at the global box office.
Jonathan Kasdan, son of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, is on board to shape the script. Spielberg will remain on board as producer.