I've had an epiphany recently concerning the future of the Indiana Jones franchise. Audiences were eager to see the fourth film when it appeared, eager yet skeptical. For many, the skepticism proved correct with an underwhelming return after nineteen years. While it wasn't exactly terrible, it didn't exactly live up to the previous films. While much of this comes from my personal opinions of Crystal Skull, I still feel as if something wasn't quite working.
There are a number of things that I love about the Indiana Jones franchise. I love the vintage feel of the stories, places, and characters. The films are a window into a period. I wouldn't call them period films, but the world presented is fun and reminiscent of the history some remember and most of us learned of in school. I smile when Indiana says "Nazis. I hate these guys."I love the aged hero the films offer us. Harrison Ford was around 39 when Raiders was released. Not very old by any standards but certainly older than many of the action heroes we are used to today. Dr. Jones was a teacher, he had a PH.D. Indiana Jones is the type of character that should be played by an actor who is still young enough to be an action hero but too old to be Spiderman.
After the release of the fourth film, fans speculated that the addition of Shia LaBeouf as the son of Indiana Jones presented a possibility to continue the films. I only saw the film once, but I don't recall his character yet having a wealth of knowledge concerning history, archaeology etc. He doesn't have a PH.D. either. For the films to continue with him in the same fashion as his father, we would have to age the character.
My theory/epiphany which I also feel is unlikely, is to follow the Bond film model. If they want to continue the series, they should keep the era, keep the same characters, but have a new actors playing the roles when appropriate. They don't need to make as many films as the bond franchise, or as often, but I feel the model could work.
When I came to this realization I started to think of who might be able to fill the roll. The possibilities were sacrificed by my being a nerd, but I think it could work. My choice wouldn't even have to be how it would happen. A talented unknown is sometimes a better choice than an equally talented known actor. That being said, my first thought was Nathan Fillion. Again, likely stemming from my being a nerd. I still think he is an appropriate choice. Like it or not, Nathan Fillion is aging. He isn't old yet. In fact, he is about the perfect age to take up the role. It begins to make more sense when you consider fan's desire to see Fillion play the character of Nathan Drake in the film adaptation of Uncharted: Drakes Fortune, a popular video game. The title character of which couldn't have possible not have been influenced by Indiana Jones. I think it would be a good casting, but I think he is getting a bit old for it. In addition to that, my nerd-dom considers Nathan Fillion to be our generation's Han Solo. Could you ask for a better analogy? Perhaps, but I like it so refrain from answering that rhetorical question.
I'm not sure if I yet have any ideas for remaining cast members. As far as recurring characters, Sallah, Jones Sr., and Marcus Brody might be the only actually recurring characters. Like the Bond films, we may have to have a new girlfriend for each movie. Crystal Scull told us that the relationship with Marion Ravenwood didn't work out until much later, so she would probably be absent. John Rhys-Davies is aging gracefully and could likely reprise his role. Although if I get my way he may be busy acting an a Pavarotti biopic. For the rest, I'm not quite sure. I had the thought to cast John Cleese as Jones Sr. but perhaps a Scottish actor would be better. I was grasping at straws there.
Really the point of my epiphany wasn't to put Captain Mal in the role of Indiana Jones. It was to revive the franchise with a new actor presenting the same character and hopefully the same feel and nostalgia we love from the original (three) movies. It's not a reboot, it is a continuation. And Crystal Scull wasn't THAT bad, but aliens, Really?
