Harrison Ford to return as Indiana Jones for fifth and final film

Harrison Ford is to make a comeback as adventurer Indiana Jones in a fifth and final instalment in the beloved series.

This will be the 78-year-old’s first outing as the archaeologist since 2008’s Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, and the first entry in the franchise not to be directed by Steven Spielberg.

Disney has said the as-yet-untitled film is due for release in July 2022.

The company’s announcement was made in its digital investor day presentation – where it also revealed plans for Star Wars spin-offs, 10 new Marvel films, and the return of the Kardashians.

Many of the new series and films will be streamed on the Disney+ platform, but the new Indiana Jones is set for a traditional cinema release.

Earlier this year, on CBS’ Sunday Morning show, Ford said: “When we have an opportunity to make another, it is because people have enjoyed them.

“I feel obliged to make sure our ambitions are as ambitious as they were when we started.”

Ford has returned to a number of his most famous early roles over the last several years, including Han Solo in 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Rick Deckard in 2017’s Blade Runner 2049.

The next Indy film’s producer, Frank Marshall, told Den of Geek that Ford was irreplaceable.

“There will only be one Indiana Jones and that’s Harrison Ford,” he said, amid speculation that a younger actor could one day inherit the fedora.

Ford’s first appearance in the iconic franchise was Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981), followed by Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984), and then Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989), before returning almost 20 years later for Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (2008).

The fifth film has been a long time coming, with many key production staff leaving and a slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spielberg said earlier this year that he will not be directing the fifth instalment.

The famed filmmaker was at the helm of the first four movies in the franchise, which was created by Star Wars mastermind George Lucas.

Spielberg has been replaced by James Mangold, director of Logan and Ford v Ferrari, but will remain as a producer.

Lucas is not thought to have a role on Indy 5 – the first time he has not been involved in the series.