Canceled Indiana Jones Series Had “Nothing to do with Indiana Jones”, Confirms James Mangold
Indiana Jones is one of the oldest and most successful adventure drama franchises in Hollywood. For over four decades, the franchise has entertained the world with one of the most loved characters in the history of cinema. Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones is known for his never giving up attitude and his love for adventure and mystery sometimes in the deep caves of the forest and sometimes while going back in time through a time travel dial.
The franchise came with its fifth installment after fifteen long years. The Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny also mark the end of an era in the world of entertainment. As the 80-year-old actor is hanging his boots on the sets of his second home in Hollywood. The speculations around the TV series based on the Indiana Jones franchise have been in development since 2022. Director James Mangold was looking forward to coming up with the part of Indiana Jones, that came into existence before he became a well-known figure. Recently, the director cleared the air around it during his appearance on a podcast.
James Mangold Shared Update On Indiana Jones Disney+ Spin-Off
In November 2022, it was confirmed that the Disney+-backed Indiana Jones TV series was in development. According to the reports, the series would have been a prequel focussed on Marion Ravenwood’s father, Abner Ravenwood. Jeff Sneider, an entertainment insider had informed Comicbook.com that the Indiana Jones spin-off was supposed to release by March 2023.
Recently, James Mangold appeared as a guest on the Josh Horowitz podcast Happy Sad Confused and spoke about Harrison Ford’s starer movie Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The director even squashed the speculations around the Indiana Jones spin-off. The Logan, director confirmed that the spin-off was in development, but he pointed out that – “it was purely speculative” on whether the show will get any green signal and go on board for a release date or not. James Mangold said-
“I looked at what they were developing for that show, but I think it was, it was purely speculative in terms of whether that show was going to happen.”
He even mentioned that the spin-off had nothing to do with the titular character Indiana Jones, indirectly clarifying that the character would not be a part of the show.
“But it had nothing to do with Indiana Jones. It was the world, but it was not…
Abner Ravenwood was an archaeologist who was introduced in the first chapter of Indiana Jones–Raiders of the Lost Ark, released in 1981. The character was a mentor to Indiana Jones. He was also the father of Marion Ravenwood and grandfather to Mutt Williams. The hat of Indiana Jones that sets him apart in the crowd was gifted by Abner Ravenwood in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
James Mangold On The Future Of The Indiana Jones Franchise
With the fifth chapter of Indiana Jones already hitting the theatres around the globe, Harrison Ford’s last ride with the franchise comes to a halt. This leads to speculations over the future of one of the oldest yet most successful franchises of all time. While talking about the Indiana Jones franchise to the media outlet Entertainment Weekly, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, spoke about the association of the legendary actor Harrison Ford and the future of the adventure drama franchise in Hollywood. She said-
“It’s Harrison’s last entry. That’s how we look at the Indy franchise. I mean, truthfully, right now, if we were to do anything, it might be in series television down the road, but we’re not doing anything to replace Indiana Jones. This is it.”
She even went on to clarify that the possibility of a TV series based on the franchise can take place in the future and there is no replacement for Harrison Ford’s Iconic portrayal of Indiana Jones. As the actor said goodbye to the franchise he had been associated with since its inception with the fifth chapter of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, his die-hard fans cannot stop themselves from seeing him for one last time donning the hat and the charismatic character of the popular archeologist in the theatres.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is currently running in theaters worldwide.
Source: YouTube
