The fedora. The whip. That theme music. For a generation, those were the keys to adventure, but try to explain Indiana Jones to someone who came of age with Nathan Drake, and you might hit a wall. After Kathleen Kennedy’s departure from Lucasfilm, the post-mortem revealed a studio that had considered (and then scrapped) both an animated series and a show about Indy’s mentor, Abner Ravenwood. So, what happened?
The last few years have been a mixed bag for Harrison Ford’s archaeologist: 2023’s Dial of Destiny didn’t reach its expected box office, and 2024’s Indiana Jones & the Great Circle, despite widespread play via Game Pass, faces questions about its profitability. With Dial marking Ford’s final turn and MachineGames (developers of Wolfenstein) moving on, the future is unclear. As Kennedy herself mentioned, “I don’t think anybody’s interested right now, but I don’t think Indy will ever be done.”
Indiana Jones is iconic, sure, but does he command the same cultural weight as Han Solo? Probably not. Star Wars predates Raiders of the Lost Ark, establishing Han early in the cultural consciousness. The Star Wars universe also expanded more aggressively across media, bolstered by a robust book presence that kept the flame alive. It’s a shadow Indiana Jones has always been under, an echo in the halls of pop culture.
Why Are *Indiana Jones*-Style Action-Adventure Stories Less Popular Now?
I remember summers spent glued to the screen, captivated by globe-trotting heroes. But the market for action-adventure has shifted, with video games now carrying much of that weight. Tomb Raider and Uncharted filled the void, echoing Indiana Jones’ spirit. Uncharted, in particular, struggled to escape Indy’s shadow, even as Lara Croft carved her own path, only to find the comparisons reversed with the Survivor Trilogy.
While Lucasfilm geared up for its second Indiana Jones era, Tomb Raider and Uncharted surged ahead. New games, remasters, a TV show starring Sophie Turner as Lara, and movies with rising stars aimed at younger audiences all broadened those franchises’ reach. Even with Naughty Dog sidelining Nathan Drake in 2016, the success of the Uncharted film, starring Tom Holland, likely pushed the franchise toward another game, Drake or no Drake.
Animation, TV, and the Quest for Mainstream Relevance
Think about the last great animated adventure series you saw. Did it have the heft to revive a dormant film franchise? Animation and television aren’t silver bullets for Indiana Jones. It’s not Predator, with endless monsters for movies, or Star Wars, where the universe supports countless stories tangentially related to the main characters. Instead, it’s closer to Tron, a franchise that could have been if it had released content more consistently.
What is the healthiest outlook for the *Indiana Jones* series?
Regardless of your feelings about the recent Indiana Jones films, this may be the best path for the series. There’s a timeline where Ford’s storied career is replaced by him doing Liam Neeson impressions in endless Indiana Jones sequels or similar copycats. It would be a pale imitation of his earlier, more impressive work.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
Crystal Dynamics is pursuing a multi-pronged approach to revive Lara Croft, and how fans react to the show and the games in development might just influence Lucasfilm’s next move with Indy. The series needs a shot in the arm, a cultural reset. For me, it’s a bit like a classic car that needs a new engine. It looks the same, but it has a completely different way to burn rubber.
Who will play Indiana Jones next?
That’s the million-dollar question. But beyond casting, the more significant issue remains: Does Disney even know what to do with the franchise now? The whip and fedora are just props; the real challenge is rediscovering the spirit of adventure that made Indiana Jones an icon in the first place. Until they can do that, the franchise will simply be going through the motions.
Like Kennedy said, we may not have seen the last of Indiana Jones. How the new Lara Croft show and games are received could determine Indy’s fate. But after “Who will play him?” the big question is: Does Disney know what to do with the franchise now? Considering recent choices, will it be a treasure or another booby trap?
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