Indiana Jones 5 will likely complete Indy's legacy, and director James Mangold is the perfect man for the job. Mangold previously brought an iconic character's journey to a close with 2017's Logan. Now, he can do the same with Indiana Jones 5 - perhaps even killing off Indy in the process.
At its recent Investors Day event, Disney confirmed what many already knew: Mangold is set to direct Indiana Jones 5. Of course, Mangold's involvement is notable in that he is replacing Steven Spielberg, who helmed the first four films in the franchise. The fifth film is set to release in July of 2022, at which point Indiana Jones star Harrison Ford will be 80 years old. Ford has previously scoffed at the idea that his age would hinder his performance as Indy, suggesting that the character is strong enough to succeed in a less action-oriented film. A softer, quieter version of an Indiana Jones film would certainly be interesting, and Mangold certainly has the chops to make such a film. The director has been praised for his ability to turn seemingly mundane moments into exciting setpieces, such as the driving sequences in Ford vs. Ferrari or the domestic disputes in Walk the Line. Logan is arguably Mangold's magnum opus, and provides a perfect reference for what the fifth and final film in the Indiana Jones franchise might look like.
To its credit, Logan was not exclusively an action film either. While some of its more violent sequences were rightfully praised, its quieter moments - the ending in particular - are what truly make the film great. Logan is remembered as a poignant tribute to one of the most iconic characters of the last two decades, as well as a loving send-off to Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman. Indiana Jones 5 finds itself in similar territory. Harrison Ford is a Hollywood legend, and his work as Indiana Jones is among his most iconic roles, perhaps only rivaled by his performance as Han Solo in the Star Wars franchise. Star Wars somewhat botched its opportunity to pay its respects to Ford and Solo, but it's not too late for the Indiana Jones franchise. Mangold's experience in this realm offers a natural blueprint for how Disney should proceed with this all-important entry in the franchise. The question on everyone's mind, however, is whether or not Mangold will kill off Indy.
Throughout his career, Mangold has demonstrated a knack for turning generic tropes on their head. His films are very neatly considered genre films, and yet they refuse to settle into any one category. Logan is a perfect example. It is obviously a superhero film, and yet it is also a western. Similarly, 2013's The Wolverine, also directed by Mangold, is a superhero film that plays out more like a samurai film. One can only imagine how Mangold will manage to reinvent the action-adventure trappings that have defined the Indiana Jones films up until this point.
Logan operated like a western in a number of ways, but its ending especially contributed to the film's status as a neo-western take on the superhero genre. The solemn goodbye to Logan, and consequently Hugh Jackman, was reminiscent of classic western endings like that of Shane or The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence. The decision to kill off Logan was effective not necessarily because it was unexpected, but because it engaged with one of the character's defining traits: his immortality. It also allowed for the young X-23 to potentially carry on the mantle of the Wolverine.
There is a lot of speculation as to how Indiana Jones 5 might handle its titular character. Shia LaBeouf is not returning after appearing as Indy's heir apparent in 2008's Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and rumors regarding Chris Pratt's involvement with the film have been debunked. Fans have speculated that a younger Ford may appear in the film, so there is reason to believe Indiana Jones 5 may offer the same sort of heart-wrenching goodbye that Mangold delivered with Logan just a few years ago.
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