‘Solo’ Screenwriter Jonathan Kasdan Taking Over ‘Indiana Jones 5’ Script; Film Will Miss Its 2020 Release Date [Updated]
Update:It is now being reported thatIndiana Jones 5will not open in 2020. We have added the new details below.Soloco-writerJonathan Kasdanhas replacedDavid Koeppas the screenwriter ofIndiana Jones 5.Harrison Fordwill return for one final time to play the Nazi-punching archeologist. More on theIndiana Jones 5writer below.Collideris reporting that David Koepp, who wroteIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulland was originally hired to pen theIndy 5script, is no longer working on the film. Instead, Jonathan Kasdan, who co-wrote the recentSolo: A Star Wars Story, will write the script.Steven Spielbergwill once again direct the latest outing for everyone’s favorite fedora wearing archeologist, and Harrison Ford is returning for what is likely to be his final time in the role.
Kasdan assuming writing duties brings theIndiana Jonesseries full circle, as his father,Lawrence Kasdan, wrote the script for the first Indiana Jones adventure,Raiders of the Lost Ark, andhelped createmany of Indy’s iconic traits.. And of course, both Kasdans just had a hand inSolo– a film about a characterIndiana Jonesstar Harrison Ford originated. This also indicates that despiteSolounderperforming at the box office, Lucasfilm isn’t laying any blame on Kasdan, and are more than happy to have him involved with future films.
Koepp has a long history working with Spielberg. He wrote scripts for Spielberg’sJurassic Park,The Lost WorldandWar of the Worlds. Of course, Koepp also wroteKingdom of the Crystal Skull, a film that manyIndiana Jonesfans were none too pleased with. Collider points out that it’s not entirely clear what Jonathan Kasdan’s duties on the newIndiana Jonesscript will be. He could be simply doing a polish on Koepp’s draft or he could start fresh with a whole new screenplay.
No one really knows whatIndiana Jones 5will be about, but rumors suggest it will end with Indiana Jones passing his whip down to a younger actor. This sounds similar to early rumors surroundingCrystal Skull, where many assumed that Shia LaBeouf, playing Indy’s son Mutt Williams, would take over the franchise. That, of course, didn’t happen. And it’s already been confirmed that LaBeouf will not be returning forIndiana Jones 5.
TheIndiana Jonesfranchise is in an interesting place right now. WhileCrystal Skullisn’t nearly as terrible as some make it out to be, the general consensus is that it wasn’t the newIndiana Jonesfilm fans were hoping for. With this fifth entry, Spielberg and Ford have a chance to end the franchise on a high note. But what comes next? At one point, a rumor surfaced that the franchise would be rebooted withChris Prattplaying Indiana Jones. Nothing has come of that, though. Personally speaking, I’d like theIndyfranchise to end for good after this entry. I’m sure Spielberg and company can pass the franchise on to a new actor if they really want to, butSolorecently proved that it’s very hard to find an actor to fill Harrison Ford’s shoes.
Spielberg was originally set to start shootingIndy 5in April 2019, with a planned July 2020 release, but that’s unlikely now. Spielberg will also be helming a remake ofWest Side Story, because he likes to keep busy.
Update:Varietyis now reporting thatIndiana Joneswill no longer open in 2020. This definitely suggests that new screenwriter Jonathan Kasdan is doing a complete overhaul of the script, rather than a rewrite. As Variety says, “Jonathan Kasdan, son of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” scribe Lawrence Kasdan, has been enlisted to deliver a new draft.”
