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Indiana Jones TV Show In Early Development At Disney+
An Indiana Jones TV show is reportedly in early development at Disney+. Lucasfilm is finally bringing Harrison Ford back as his iconic archeologist for Indiana Jones 5 in 2023. The film has been delayed several times as the studio worked out how to conclude Ford's time with the character and also crack what will come next for the Indiana Jones franchise. There has long been speculation that Lucasfilm could recast the role of Indiana Jones, an idea that has since been debunked. However, fans of the franchise remained heavily interested in seeing the characters and world return in other ways.
According to Variety, Disney and Lucasfilm are now actively looking to develop an Indiana Jones TV show for Disney+ and are currently meeting with writers for the potential series. It is not known if the show is a prequel, spinoff, or connected to Indiana Jones 5 in some fashion. Disney reportedly wants to expand the franchise with new shows, movies, and more regardless of what happens with the newly developed series. The potential Indiana Jones Disney+ series would be the second TV show in the franchise, as The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles ran for two seasons from 1992-1993.
Will Harrison Ford Return For Disney's New Indiana Jones Show?
The development of a new Indiana Jones show for Disney+ comes as Lucasfilm approaches what was planned to be the end of Harrison Ford's tenure. Steven Spielberg and James Mangold crafted a story for Indiana Jones 5 that is meant to be his swan song. Harrison Ford has even confirmed recently at D23 2022 that the film will be his final appearance as the famous archeologist. That points to the unlikely nature of Ford's involvement in an Indiana Jones TV show. He already has a new franchise role thanks to taking over as Thunderbolt Ross in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Lucasfilm's plans for an Indiana Jones TV show are complicated by the stance that Indiana Jones will never be recast. Studio president Kathleen Kennedy has stated that no one else will ever play Indiana Jones, so the old fan casts of Chris Pratt or Bradley Cooper taking over the role will not happen. The fact that The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles already explored his younger adventures could diminish Disney's interest in rehashing the same idea. This could mean that the new Indiana Jones TV show does not actually feature the titular hero in any capacity but instead turn the attention to a new lead.
Expanding the focus of the Indiana Jones franchise to other characters opens up some fun possibilities too. It would not be all that surprising if Ke Huy Quan returns as Short Round in the Indiana Jones TV show, as the actor is having a resurgence thanks to Everything Everywhere All At Once. The series revolving around Short Round would be a pleasant surprise for longtime fans, while he could even be responsible for guiding a younger treasure hunter. If Lucasfilm is serious about these plans, more information on the new Indiana Jones TV show should be revealed before too long.
