Steven Spielberg Starts Filming Indiana Jones 5 In 2019

Steven Spielberg is eyeing a 2019 production start date for Indiana Jones 5, which is due for theatrical release in the summer of 2020. Though Star Wars has definitely been the main attraction at Lucasfilm since the studio was acquired by Disney in 2012, there has been steady progress on a new adventure for Dr. Henry Jones, Jr. over the past couple of years. Spielberg, who helmed the previous four installments, signed on to direct back in 2016. Harrison Ford will star in the title role once again, with Spielberg drawing from a script by David Koepp.

Updates on the film have been hard to come by, which may have as much to do with Spielberg’s busy schedule as the premiere being so far off. The legendary filmmaker has kept himself occupied with a number of projects, including Best Picture nominee The Post and this year’s adaptation of the sci-fi novel Ready Player One. But as we inch closer to Indiana Jones 5, Spielberg and Ford are going to have to reunite sooner, rather than later. As it turns out, the cameras on the tentpole should be rolling some point next year.

In their report detailing the widespread casting call for Spielberg’s planned West Side Story remake, THR mentions the director hopes to start production on Indy 5 in 2019. This would give him plenty of time to complete the film for July 2020, meaning Disney shouldn’t have to delay it any further. Previously, the movie was scheduled for July 2019 before getting pushed back.

It’s probably for the best Spielberg is going to begin Indiana Jones 5 in the near future. Ford will turn 77-years old in 2019, which raises some questions about how an elderly Dr. Jones will be portrayed. Granted, the actor earned high marks for his performances in fellow legacy sequels Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Blade Runner 2049 (proving he could still tackle a set piece), but he was more of a supporting player in those films. It will be interesting to see if Spielberg seeks out a younger co-star to handle the more physically-demanding stunts, as it might be too much to ask Ford to be dragged behind a truck or leap onto a tank again. Of course, Tom Cruise is surfing helicopters and leaping off buildings for Mission: Impossible – Fallout, so age may just be nothing but a number for these aging action stars.

By all accounts, Spielberg is looking to make Indy 5 next before tackling anything else, so fans will hopefully learn more about the project soon. Other than confirmation Shia LaBeouf’s Mutt Williams will not return, nothing has been revealed about the plot. On the flip side, John Rhys-Davies is game to reprise fan-favorite character Sallah, and it would be great to see him on the big screen again. Time will tell what Spielberg has in store for what should be Indiana’s last big quest.