Cotton Budd
Some reassuring news to head into the weekend.
Talented multi-hyphenate Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“Fleabag”) will reunite with Lucasfilm – she was the voice of L3-37 in the terribly underrated “Solo” – on the fifth “Indiana Jones”* flick.
Disney and Lucasfilm have also confirmed that famed composer John Williams has agreed to return, reuniting with series staples Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford, Kathleen Kennedy, and Frank Marshall (Ford, back as Jones, and the latter trio producing alongside John Emmanuel) on sequel number four.
“I’m thrilled to be starting a new adventure, collaborating with a dream team of all-time great filmmakers,” director James Mangold said in a statement. “Steven, Harrison, Kathy, Frank, and John are all artistic heroes of mine. When you add Phoebe, a dazzling actor, brilliant creative voice and the chemistry she will undoubtedly bring to our set, I can’t help but feel as lucky as Indiana Jones himself.”
Hearing the 35-year-old Emmy-winner was atop of a list that also included such capable beauties as Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”) and Kennedy-darling Daisy Ridley (the “SW sequels”) to fill the highly-coveted female lead slot.
Aside from absolutely crushing it with “Fleabag”, Waller-Bridge co-wrote the upcoming Bond film “No Time to Die” and will soon share the screen with fellow Lucasfilm alum Donald Glover on Amazon’s “Mr & Mrs Smith”. Disney and Lucasfilm both have an existing relationship with Waller-Bridge, having collaborated with her on “Solo”, so she already had her foot in the door.
No word on a Maguffin yet (it’s no longer the Nazi gold train plot), just that whatever script they’re going with will be before the cameras this summer for a July 29, 2022 release.
I’d be interested if the age-old idea to introducing audiences to Indy’s brother is still on the cards. Many, many years ago – back before even “Crystal Skull” – Paramount and Lucasfilm were set on Kevin Costner to play the new Jones sibling. Costner would work well, even years after the idea was first flirted with, but I can imagine director James Mangold wanting his old buddy Hugh Jackman above anyone else – for that role, or another equally juicy one.
*Yes, Paramount and Lucasfilm declare it’s definitely happening. After umpteen different scripts, a revolving door of writers, and a shift in the production schedule due to the year-that-turned-to-goop, ”Indiana Jones 5” is a lock.
A new #IndianaJones adventure begins July 29, 2022. Phoebe Waller-Bridge joins the cast alongside Harrison Ford in the fifth installment of the iconic franchise. The inimitable John Williams will also return to score the film. pic.twitter.com/Qh8nvFiQsE
— Disney (@Disney) April 9, 2021
