Brace yourselves, friends, because this one is bound to upset more than a few Indy fans. Recently, while speaking with The Sun, READY PLAYER ONE and INDIANA JONES director Steven Spielberg told the outlet that after Harrison Ford completes his work on INDIANA JONES 5, the franchise may introduce a female lead to carry the series into a set of bold, new adventures. Be that as it may, Spielberg was also quick to mention that, while he knows a move such as this will inevitably anger a portion of the character's fanbase, he believes it's time for Indy to take "a different form."
Naturally, the above comment quickly became a hot topic of conversation during the legendary filmmaker's exclusive interview with the outlet, and Spielberg was more than happy to elaborate. “We’d have to change the name from Jones to Joan. And there would be nothing wrong with that.” In all honestly, the notion of giving the Jones mantle to a female lead should not come as too much of a surprise to long-time Spielberg fans, who should already be well-aware of the JAWS director's outspokenness for gender equality in the film industry, not to mention the army of powerful women he's worked beside, throughout his long and storied career.
In regard to the next chapter of the Indiana Jones franchise – which is expected to begin production in April of 2019 – Spielberg said: “This will be Harrison Ford’s last Indiana Jones movie, I am pretty sure, but it will certainly continue after that.”
Perhaps its Spielberg's lack of a personal social media presence that keeps the director focused on his projects, while remaining unencumbered by slanderous attacks against his desire to create works that represent his intended vision? At least that's the vibe I've gleaned, after hearing the SCHINDLER'S LIST creative say “I am not on Facebook, I don’t have a Twitter or a Snapchat or Instagram account. But I know what it feels like to be addicted, because I am addicted to a couple of games on my phone and I am always checking my messages. Even taking the phone away from me and putting it somewhere out of sight — it’s never far out of mind.” Could Spielberg be onto something? Does the pressures of social media and public outcry lead to distraction and questionable decisions being made on behalf of upcoming film projects? I think we all know the answer to that one, though I'll allow you to fill in the blanks for yourself.
So what do you think? Are you prepared to bid farewell to Ford's Indy after INDIANA JONES 5 makes its theatrical debut? Are you cool with a female leading the series? What if it were someone like Charlize Theron, Lucy Lawless, or Rosario Dawson who was chosen to pick up the hat and bull-whip? I'd be down for that. Let us know what you're thinking in the comments section below.