Deadline was the first to break the rumor that Disney is eyeing Chris Pratt to replace Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. Here’s the link to the article:
http://deadline.com/2015/01/chris-pratt-indiana-jones-guardians-of-the-galaxy-disney-1201360637/
I’m a HUGE Indiana Jones fan. I consider Raiders of the Lost Ark to be my favorite movie of all-time. So for what it’s worth, here are my feelings on this very interesting story…
First, let’s remember this is not an official announcement. Deadline wouldn’t post the story unless there was some truth to it, but until we read an official press release by Disney, I will still hold out hope for one last adventure by Ford.
Which isn’t to say this potential decision isn’t a good one for Disney.
We can’t turn back the clock. Rebooting franchises has become a cornerstone for Hollywood. Indiana Jones is one of the most powerful movie brands in existence. If studios have reached out to Don Coscarelli to remake Phantasm, it’s a certainty Disney would want to sink its teeth into a new Indy film.
Chris Pratt would make an excellent Indiana Jones. As he has shown from his role in Guardians of the Galaxy alone, he has the charisma, the looks, the physicality, and the humor to pull it off. Ten years ago, I would have suggested Bradley Cooper. Today, apparently this is Chris Pratt’s world and we’re all living in it.
There’s something admittedly intriguing about seeing a new Indiana Jones adventure set in the 1930’s depicting the swashbuckling archaeologist in his prime, when he’s hardcore and has something to prove. This could be really exciting.
I’m thankful the franchise is in the hands of Disney, with a current brain trust that seems to understand the balance between the reverence and special care needing to be shown to these beloved products whilst allowing them to evolve with the times to keep them relevant.
So as we explore the idea of Chris Pratt taking over the role of Indiana Jones, the question isn’t “why?” The question, instead, is, “Why now?”
We all know Harrison Ford, 72, can’t do it forever. But as we saw in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and as we will see when he returns to the role of Han Solo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he can still do it.
It’s trendy to bash Crystal Skull. To me, the issues of that film stem largely from the story, cinematography, and the computer generated special effects. But not from Ford. He was capable, he was game, and he brought it. I would argue, especially considering today’s advances in stunt work, the filmmakers coddled the character a little too much. I always felt he was capable of more physicality than the story allowed him to showcase.
In a 5th installment, we may not necessarily find Indy punching his way out of hell like he did in Temple of Doom, but we could still see him do some pretty amazing things.
Ten years from now, bringing Ford back won’t even be a discussion. But Disney as a corporation doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. There doesn’t seem to be any sort of dire need to reboot this franchise. Assuming Ford is still game, why not give him a proper send off with one last adventure now, while he is still capable, then bring Pratt in shortly thereafter?
It isn’t as though the character has lost his relevance, especially when you look at the box office.
Crystal Skull grossed $786 million worldwide. Guardians of the Galaxy took $772 million. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 did $713 million.
Perhaps one could argue kids aren’t exactly lined up to buy action figures of a cantankerous old Indy. No problem. Address that in five years. For now, if there’s a chance they could have him, get a 5th installment fast tracked immediately.
By delivering box office numbers that outshines nearly all of today’s biggest blockbusters, Ford has earned the right to depart the role on his own terms.
Disney needs to treat Ford in the same way the Bond producers treated Sean Connery, not Pierce Brosnan. The role was Connery’s until he decided it was time to retire from it.
He willingly left the franchise after You Only Live Twice, and when he returned to the role for his swan song with Diamonds are Forever, he took one of the largest salaries ever awarded to an actor, and gave it all to charity. Even after declaring that would truly be his last adventure as Bond, prior to casting Roger Moore in Live and Let Die, the producers still asked Connery to come back yet again, which he, of course, declined.
If Ford is showing interest, especially after returning to Han Solo, which, let’s face it, Disney owes a huge debt of gratitude to Ford for, it seems rather odd that Disney would cut him out of his most beloved role right now at this moment in time. Unless they know something we don’t, unless behind the scenes Ford has indicated a desire to step down, you’d have to assume they’d give him the option before rebooting the whole thing.
This is why I take the news with a grain of salt. Disney has been handling themselves with perfect class, and with this being one of their most important acquisitions, one would have to imagine a similar respect and care being given to the parties involved.
Right now, Lucasfilm seems to have its hands full with The Force Awakens, so I’m sure Indiana Jones is a lesser priority.
Whichever direction they ultimately go in, it’s awesome news no matter what. Clearly, life is beginning to breathe into this franchise again, and that’s a great thing.
If Ford is willing to punch the doubters away for one last pursuit of fortune and glory…
…I will be first in line.
If Chris Pratt becomes our next Indiana Jones…
…I will be first in line.