New Indiana Jones: Who Will Take the Hat and Whip?

It’s challenging to imagine a film character and actor more inseparable than Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford, who have built a strong cinematic bond over time.

Through his impressive acting career, the star has played many unforgettable roles such as Han Solo and Rick Deckard, but it’s his portrayal of the brave archaeologist that is considered his greatest, and the idea of recasting this character would be considered blasphemy by many.

Two years from now, when Ford appears in his final Indy race in 2023’s The Dial of Destiny, there are whispers suggesting a new version might be coming up.

Based on a recent article in The Disinsider, Lucasfilm intends to reintroduce the adventure series sometime in the future; however, they plan to take a brief break from it initially.

The statement continues by suggesting that a declaration might be unveiled during the upcoming D23 Expo next year, but it’s important to remember that these plans are still uncertain and not yet finalized.

It seems Jeff Sneider, a Hollywood insider, appears to contradict the previous report. He stated (through LRM) that while a reboot is unavoidable in the future, it’s still “several, numerous years off” and “those waiting for an announcement at D23 next year might want to relax, as it won’t be happening”.

Despite the possibility of a future remake being distant, there’s been quite a buzz, and the topic that sparkles curiosity among many is who might step into the leading role.

As a movie critic, I ponder this question: Should the upcoming installment of this franchise present a new actor donning the same role, reminiscent of how James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, and other cultural titans have been portrayed by various talents throughout history? Or will it introduce an entirely fresh character embodying similar characteristics? The choice is intriguing.

We’ve taken a look at some possible options below.

Who could play Indiana Jones in potential reboot? Rumours explained

Glen Powell

Occasionally, a film actor emerges who appears to pop up everywhere – and in the past few years, Glen Powell has definitely taken on that role with gusto.

Since his teenage years, he’s been acting in films and even gathered some significant roles. However, it wasn’t until the debut of Top Gun: Maverick in the summer of 2022 that he truly exploded onto the scene as a leading star, and ever since then, he’s been consistently thriving.

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Over the past couple of years, he’s taken on leading roles in films such as Hit Man, Anyone but You, and Twisters. Moreover, he’s slated to appear in Edgar Wright’s reimagining of The Running Man and JJ Abrams’ upcoming enigmatic fantasy project. Clearly, his workload is quite substantial.

Although Powell may not be an exact match for Ford, he possesses a charismatic roguishness that could convincingly portray Indiana Jones, and undeniably, he has demonstrated his ability to captivate as a leading man.

It’s quite plausible that, given his past decisions to decline roles in films like Jurassic World Rebirth and a Jason Bourne revival, he might also pass on this opportunity if offered a part in this project.

Pedro Pascal

It appears that Pedro Pascal is quite busy these days, with a notable project hitting screens almost every month.

Over the past decade, he has been well-known following his impressive portrayal of Oberyn Martell on Game of Thrones, but it’s only recently that his presence has expanded significantly. This summer, he has several significant film roles lined up, including The Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Materialists, and Ari Aster’s Eddington.

As a cinephile, it’s undeniable that he doesn’t shy away from big-name productions. His role in The Mandalorian is yet another proof of his star power, a fact that fans are well aware of and eagerly anticipate. Indeed, he would be an appealing choice for any project, given the ever-expanding reach of his devoted fanbase.

It seems like his frequent appearances have sparked some chatter, and his name has been mentioned a couple of times lately on the grapevine – however, it’s important to note that so far, these mentions have only originated from online conjecture and not substantiated facts.

It’s likely that Pascal, who has openly admired the character in previous statements, such as sharing that he fractured his arm three times as a kid while emulating Indiana Jones, might find it challenging to reject the role if given the opportunity.

Chris Pratt

Over the past ten years, only a handful of actors have consistently brought in larger audiences than Chris Pratt, primarily due to his portrayals of Star-Lord within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Owen Grady in the Jurassic World movie series.

Now that these roles have been completed, it’s highly likely that he’s seeking a new significant character. If so, there might not be anything larger than Indiana Jones on offer.

It’s worth noting that Pratt’s name has come up frequently regarding potential future reboots. There have been whispers about this over time, with strong speculation in 2021 suggesting he might take on the character previously played by Ford upon his retirement.

Back in the peak of those rumors, Pratt was questioned about potential involvement, yet his response didn’t suggest imminent agreement. He shared with Variety in 2022, “The only thing I can confirm is that I once came across a quote attributed to Harrison Ford, though I’m not sure it was truly him. It went something like, ‘When I pass away, Indiana Jones will too.’

Bradley Cooper

Cooper is often mentioned as a strong contender for the position, having been connected with it on multiple occasions before – and he’s yet another individual who possesses the charisma and rugged appearance that could make him a standout choice for the role.

2014 is when whispers about him potentially assuming the role first surfaced, but veteran Indiana Jones producer Frank Marshall categorically dismissed these rumors back then, labeling them as “absurd” and stating he wouldn’t address them.

He mentioned, “I’ll hold off giving feedback on our tasks until I have some genuine updates.” It’s also important to clarify that Katy Perry is not going to be the next Indiana Jones.

It appears as if this old rumor has become history, given that Cooper now dedicates most of his time to personal writing and directorial endeavors.

Unless he’s up for signing on as a writer/director/star…?

Alden Ehrenreich

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, stepping into the shoes once filled by the legendary Harrison Ford is no small feat – a challenge that Alden Ehrenreich bravely took on in the past.

In 2018, the actor became well-known for portraying Han Solo in the movie “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” but the film didn’t resonate with both viewers and critics, which meant that Alden Ehrenreich’s career did not receive as significant a boost as fans may have anticipated from such a prominent role.

Despite the flaws in the movie, it’s challenging to criticize Ehrenreich’s acting performance, as even director Ford himself has commended his role, expressing satisfaction by stating to Entertainment Weekly upon release that he was “thrilled” with the performance. This endorsement certainly speaks volumes.

Ehrenreich’s professional journey faced a setback following the release of Solo, which seemed somewhat unjust. He then disappeared from the big screen for a period of five years, although he did secure a leading role in the television version of Brave New World on Peacock.

His acting career on the big screen has made a strong comeback, landing him roles in movies like “Cocaine Bear” and “Oppenheimer,” set for release in 2023, and he’s also starring in Zach Cregger’s highly-anticipated horror film “Weapons” this summer. However, it seems likely that he wouldn’t jump at the chance to reexperience a situation similar to the Solo debacle, so it’s possible he might not be interested – despite being a suitable candidate for such roles.

Henry Golding

For several years, Golding’s name has occasionally surfaced as a potential choice for portraying another famous movie character – James Bond.

Maybe he could suitably take on the role in Indy, given his impressive performances since his debut in Crazy Rich Asians in 2018. While he’s been predicted to ascend to superstardom and has delivered notable roles in A Simple Favor and The Gentlemen, his career hasn’t yet reached that next significant milestone.

In 2021, he starred in the lead role for the GI Joe spin-off Snake Eyes, but unfortunately, the movie didn’t perform well and didn’t significantly boost his career. It seems he deserves another opportunity to showcase his leading man abilities, and what better way to do so than by tackling one of the most legendary roles?

Based on Golding’s latest remarks about James Bond to People, it seems there might be some doubt if he would eagerly accept such a prominent position. In a recent interview, he labeled the role as “an actor’s worst dream,” citing the limitations and expectations attached to it.

Since Indy, the character, hasn’t been played by anyone else so far, one might anticipate a particularly high standard for the new actor. Perhaps this is a role that Golding wouldn’t necessarily be eager to take on!

John Krasinski

Whenever a relatively young British actor assumes a part that involves wearing a suit and has action or espionage elements, there’s an instant connection made to the role of James Bond. Similarly, if we consider rugged American actors portraying brave adventurers, Krasinski becomes a strong candidate for Indy (Indiana Jones).

Guy Ritchie’s latest movie, The Fountain of Youth, featuring Krasinski and Portman in the lead roles, is essentially a tribute to Indiana Jones, offering a worldwide journey centered around discovering a renowned artifact believed to possess extraordinary powers.

Indeed, it wouldn’t be accurate to claim that this performance was Krasinski trying out for the Indiana Jones role, but it undeniably showed his enthusiasm and affinity for such character types.

When this movie came out, the leading actor pointed out the likenesses, saying to CBR: “It was actually the family element that captivated me, something Indiana Jones didn’t have. So, we’ve already surpassed Indy Jones in that regard! Just remember not to mention this to Harrison Ford!

Despite a quiet reception towards the movie and his performance, it appears that studios might not be in a hurry to cast Krasinski for the part in the near future.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

It’s quite clear that this proposal belongs to the group of productions based on a spin-off – centering around the character Helena Shaw, who made her debut in The Dial of Destiny.

In the movie, we discover that Helena is Indy’s goddaughter; she’s the offspring of their long-time friend Basil Shaw. It’s obvious they share many similarities, particularly their adventurous nature and determination. Yet, there are notable differences between them. Helena appears to approach ethics with a bit more flexibility compared to Indy.

As Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s film “Dial of Destiny” premiered, there were whispers suggesting she might assume the leading role in potential sequels. However, during that period, director James Mangold clarified to Variety that he had no inclination towards making such a movie.

Alternatively, producer Kathleen Kennedy hinted at the possibility of a sequel focusing on Helena, while Waller-Bridge suggested to Variety that there could be space for a less polished, injured female action heroine in the coming years.

It’s quite possible that if a new Indiana Jones movie is given the green light in the future, this could be the direction they decide to take.

2025-07-11 15:06