Indiana Jones 5 producer provides news on script and director James Mangold

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

INDIANA JONES 5 producer, Frank Marshall, is providing some updates on the upcoming sequel. Marshall has been a formative creative voice in all four INDIANA JONES films and he's revealing where they're at in the writing process while he also praises the project's new director, James Mangold.

Marshall spoke with "Collider" while promoting his upcoming documentary LAUREL CANYON and soon the conversation shifted to the fifth INDY film. When asked about what stage the script was in, he simply put that “It just started” and that more of the concern was figuring out when it would be safe to get to work on the production due to the coronavirus pandemic:

"The number one thing, obviously, is the safety of everybody – the cast, the crew, and all of us. So, we’re looking at the guidelines that are coming slowly, from the health experts and the studios and the different parts of the business, and we’re just trying to incorporate everything, so we can move forward and be safe. It’s going to obviously slow things down, so we’re trying to adjust. You won’t see a lot of big crowd scenes, for example, for awhile. There won’t be any more craft service, so maybe that’ll be good for people, in keeping more fit. It’s a moving target right now. There are a lot of people working on the solutions, to be able to work and be safe."

Marshall also spoke highly of the film's new director James Mangold. When the fifth film was originally announced, Steven Spielberg was back on board to direct Harrison Ford for the latest entry but since then we have learned that James Mangold, the helmer behind LOGAN, would be taking on directing duties. Spielberg is still very much involved as a producer and Marshall explained by Mangold was the right choice to take Spielberg's place behind the camera:

"His love of the franchise. He’s a wonderful filmmaker. I think he also has a relationship with Harrison. It was all of the right pieces coming together, at the right time."

I know there were some concerns when Spielberg stepping down as director, especially since he has helmed the previous four films of the franchise. I believe in James Mangold they have found a solid replacement because he has proven to be a filmmaker to watch. With films such as FORD V FERRARI, THE WOLVERINE, WALK THE LINE & IDENTITY, the director has built a filmography that indicates he was the right choice to take this on. I also think Spielberg won't just sit back as a producer and just be the money guy and he'll definitely have his influence on the project as well.

Do YOU think INDIANA JONES 5 will work without Spielberg as a director? What would YOU like to see in the fifth installment? INDIANA JONES 5 is currently scheduled to be released in 2022.