Indiana Jones 5: How To End Old Indy’s Story (Without Killing Him Off)

While killing him off isn’t the route to get there, Indiana Jones 5 needs to be the end of Dr. Jones’ story. It’s a small club of actors who get the chance to portray a character so iconic that they become a pop-culture touchstone reaching across decades. In Harrison Ford’s case, he’s gotten to play not one but two all-time movie heroes. The first was born in 1977 when Ford first played smuggler with a heart of gold Han Solo in Star Wars. The second arrived in 1981 when Ford first donned the trademark dusty fedora of treasure-hunting archaeologist Henry “Indiana” Jones, Jr.

Quick with both a whip and a quip, but also famously quite fast with a gun, Jones would probably prefer not having to engage in so many life or death battles in order to accomplish his goals. After all, under his gruff exterior, he’s a good person at heart. Unfortunately for Indy, his desire to recover priceless artifacts and have them preserved in museums often sets him at odds with some of the most dangerous people on Earth. When it’s kill or be killed, Indy will do what he has to do to survive.

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Like any franchise, every Indiana Jones movie has its fans, even if the general consensus is that 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is the weakest entry. Still, all good things must come to an end, and at 79-years-old with recent health issues, it’s probably about time Ford hung up his whip and fedora and rode off into the sunset. At the same time, he deserves the utmost respect for making Indy an icon. That’s why 2023’s Indiana Jones 5 needs to find a balance between closing out Indy’s story and giving him a triumphant sendoff.

Indiana Jones 5 Should End The Harrison Ford Franchise

While the sometimes disturbing Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is generally seen as being lesser than Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, that’s not really an indictment, as Raiders and Crusade are beloved, truly great films. Together, Indy’s first three adventures were often held up as one of the best trilogies ever. That’s until Kingdom of the Crystal Skull came along to sharply divide audiences. While that movie probably gets more scorn than it deserves, it’s definitely not as good as the first three. The law of diminishing returns seems to have finally caught up to Dr. Jones, and with Indiana Jones 5 marking the first time Steven Spielberg isn’t in the director’s chair, there’s certainly a chance that could end up being another misfire.

Even if Logan director James Mangold proves to be just what the Indiana Jones franchise needs, it’s still time for Indy to call it a career and enjoy the rest of his life, presumably spending it with his now-wife Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen). Ford certainly appears to be aging well, but by the time Indiana Jones 5 comes out, he’ll be over 80, and at a certain point, it becomes impossible to buy a man that age beating up bad guys and surviving situations that would kill any normal person. Aside from Ford’s age though, the more practical concern is not allowing the franchise to reach the mires of bad fallen to by once-great series like Die Hard and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Why Indiana Jones 5 Shouldn’t Kill Off Indy

As much as Indiana Jones 5 needs to be Harrison Ford’s last hurrah as Indy, that doesn’t mean Dr. Jones should be killed off. While Star Wars: The Force Awakens did kill off Ford’s other iconic character, Han Solo, that decision proved to be an understandably contested one among fans. Han’s death wasn’t necessarily poorly written or realized, but at the same time, franchise devotees didn’t really want to see someone they had come to love so much die. It’s fair to say that those same audiences would rather not see Indy’s story end in tragedy either.

While his initial relationship with Marion was problematic at best, Indy has shown himself to be a kind, courageous, and honorable person, at least outside of said dalliance with a young Marion Ravenwood. After all he’s been through, Indy has earned his retirement, with Indiana Jones 5 hopefully providing the treasure hunter with one last triumphant adventure before he takes his final bow. This doesn’t have to mean the end of the entire Indiana Jones franchise if Disney doesn’t want it to, but for Ford’s Indy, this should provide both the character and his fans satisfying closure.

How Indiana Jones’ Story Can End Without Him Dying

As flawed a film as Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was, it did seem to realize that Indy’s days of adventuring would soon come to an end. Despite the final scene of the movie giving Indy the last laugh, Shia LaBeouf’s Mutt Williams character was clearly designed as a star for potential further sequels and spinoffs if and when Crystal Skull was a hit. Since it wasn’t, that didn’t happen, but that doesn’t mean the concept Spielberg and collaborator George Lucas had for Indy’s phasing out was wrong.

It remains to be seen if Mutt will turn up in Indiana Jones 5, but considering the various troubling accusations against LaBeouf, as well as the general antipathy toward Crystal Skull, it seems likely he’ll sit the next one out. Yet, that doesn’t mean Indy can’t help prepare a new protege to take up his mantle, rescuing priceless artifacts from the wrong hands. Said protege doesn’t have to be another long-lost child either, as the relationship between mentor and mentee could be closer to the one between Hawkeye and Kate Bishop. If that works, and Indy’s successor is set, the best part about leaving him alive is that cameos in further spinoffs and sequels are possible if Ford is open to them. Just because he’s not the star, doesn’t mean he has to vanish forever, and a quick appearance by a wise old Indy could serve to warm the hearts of those who’ll always cherish his adventures. They shouldn’t happen too much but would be a truly special treat going forward.

Key Release Dates
  • Indiana Jones 5 (2023)Release date: Jun 30, 2023
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