Disney has reportedly greenlit an Indiana Jones TV series for their streaming platform, Disney+. The move comes hot on the heels of star Harrison Ford stating he will be done with the role after the release of the fifth film, which is currently in post-production.
The series is still searching for a head writer to helm the project, but Disney and Lucasfilm have reportedly given the idea the go-ahead. It’s currently unknown what link, if any, the series would have to the upcoming sequel to the Ford quadrilogy, which is currently untitled.
This is a pretty unsurprising move considering Disney’s recent shows, which successfully branched out from their other successful movie franchises such as the MCU and Star Wars. Even The Mighty Ducks and High School Musical have developed well-liked TV spinoffs, so Indiana Jones was only a matter of time.
How the series will work is another question. Jones obviously won’t play the role, so will we see a recast Indy? Or will the show be a prequel, necessitating a young version of the character? But Disney might be wary of that after their previous failure, when attempting to develop the backstory of another famous Ford character without him in the role in Solo: A Star Wars Story.
However, this won’t be the first adaptation of Indiana Jones into a TV series, and if it is a prequel, it wouldn’t be the first either. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles aired for two seasons between 1992 and 1993 on ABC, with four made-for-TV specials airing between 1994 and 1996.
Ford made a cameo appearance as an older Jones in one episode, but the primary focus of the show was on the character’s youth with Sean Patrick Flanery and Corey Carrier playing him at different ages, while George Hall played the elderly Jones, narrating the series.
The existence of that show likely doesn’t affect any decisions Disney will make about this one, as most people likely don’t remember that series anyway. But it will be interesting to see what angle they go with.
Further details about the show will be forthcoming. Until then, the focus will be on the fifth film in the series, and Ford’s final outing as the legendary adventurer. Directed by James Mangold, the film is currently scheduled to hit cinemas on June 23, 2023.
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