Indiana Jones' future hangs in the balance, a mere three years after a box office disappointment. What does this mean for the iconic adventurer?
When Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, it wasn't just the Star Wars saga that found a new home. The legendary Indiana Jones also came under the Mouse House's umbrella. After a long wait, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the fifth installment, finally hit theaters. While reviews were generally positive, the film struggled to connect with audiences, ultimately considered a box office bomb, grossing only $383.9 million worldwide. Consequently, the franchise has been put on hold, and no new projects seem to be on the horizon.
As Kathleen Kennedy steps down as Lucasfilm president, the future of both Star Wars and Indiana Jones is being reevaluated. Specifically, two proposed Indiana Jones television shows were scrapped. One was an animated series designed to bridge the gaps between the films, showcasing Indy's various adventures. The other was a live-action spinoff centered on Abner Ravenwood, Marion's father and Indy's mentor.
Kennedy herself addressed the future of Indiana Jones movies in her exit interview. She stated, "I don’t think Indy will ever be done, but I don’t think anybody is interested right now in exploring it." She added, "But these are timeless movies, and Indy will never be done … You never know. But we are all still here, Steven [Spielberg] and Frank [Marshall] and I, and Harrison [Ford] and George [Lucas]. So we get to say whether there’s going to be any more, or not."
Why were these TV shows cancelled? While the exact reasons haven't been officially disclosed, the performance of Dial of Destiny likely played a significant role. After the film underperformed, Lucasfilm and Disney probably decided that investing in additional projects wouldn't be financially viable, given the apparent lack of interest from the general public. Despite the potential of both series to be fascinating additions to the franchise, the studio likely found it difficult to justify the time and resources.
But here's where it gets controversial... There's an argument to be made that these TV shows should still see the light of day. A key reason Dial of Destiny may have fallen short of expectations is that fans weren't as invested in a story about an older Indiana Jones. A significant part of the character's appeal lies in his status as an action hero. The joy of experiencing Indy in his prime, performing daring stunts, and saving the world from various threats, was missing in Dial of Destiny. This experience could be replicated in either the animated series or the Abner Ravenwood prequel.
It will be intriguing to see if there's any attempt to revive these projects now that Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan are in charge at Lucasfilm. The studio has a renowned animation department that has delivered hit Star Wars series. It would be exciting to see what they could do with Indiana Jones, crafting old-school adventure serials that take full advantage of modern technology. The Abner Ravenwood prequel could be worth revisiting as well. That might be a way to add extra depth to Indy’s character, finally fleshing out his dynamic with his teacher. Abner was only mentioned in Raiders of the Lost Ark, so it would be fun to see him in action.
Star Wars is understandably the priority for Lucasfilm. Not only has that franchise proven to be more successful in the Disney era, but it also offers a much broader scope. Indiana Jones is centered around a single character; Star Wars is set in a whole universe with centuries of built-in history and a rich mythology to explore. However, if there's a way to keep Indiana Jones in the spotlight, Lucasfilm should pursue it. Another movie might be a tough sell now (recasting Indiana Jones for a reboot could evoke memories of Solo: A Star Wars Story), but there are other mediums to explore. The video game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was very successful, so maybe that's the way forward.
What do you think? Do you agree that the TV shows should be reconsidered? Or is it time to let Indiana Jones rest? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!
