First Bond, now Indy... will movie legend be killed off?
Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge set to replace ageing star Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones f ilms
FLEABAG star Phoebe Waller-Bridge may replace ageing action hero Harrison Ford as the next Indiana Jones, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The British actress and writer will be introduced as Helena, Jones’s adventure-seeking goddaughter, in the upcoming fifth film in the series which is set for release next summer.
But now sources in Hollywood say Ms WallerBridge, 37, may take over the lead role from 80-year-old Ford after filmmakers shot a series of possible endings. In one version, Ford’s character dies after passing on his famous bullwhip and weathered fedora to Helena.
The as-yet-untitled film began shooting in the UK in June last year.
The set was temporarily shut down after Ford injured his right arm rehearsing a fight sequence.
Ford has played the iconic archeologist in four movies, starting with Raiders Of The Lost Ark in 1981, followed by Temple Of Doom, The Last
Crusade and, most, recently 2008’s Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. The films have taken nearly $1b at the box office.
In September, producer Frank Marshall confirmed Waller-Bridge’s role was ‘significant’ and posted a photograph on social media of the actress standing next to Ford, writing: ‘Indy and his goddaughter, Helena.’ A source at Disney Studios which owns the franchise said: ‘A handful of different endings have been shot and are being shown to test audiences. In one, Indy dies but not before handing over his bullwhip to Phoebe’s character.’
Speaking at a Disney event to promote the film, Ford pointed at Waller-Bridge and said: ‘I’m very proud to say that this film is fantastic and this is one of the reasons. Indiana Jones movies are about mystery and adventure but they’re also about heart. And I’m really, really happy that we have a really human story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick your ass.’
Filmmakers have kept details of the plot under strict guard but actors including Toby Jones, Antonio Banderas and John Rhys-Davies are all in the new film.
Ford has confirmed it is his last outing as Indy, saying: ‘This is it. I will not fall down for you again.’