Phoebe’s set to be the new Indiana Jones
She’s already in Harrison Ford’s latest film, but now insiders say...
SHE is to star as Indiana Jones’s sidekick next year in Harrison Ford’s last outing as the gnarled adventurer.
Now Phoebe Waller-Bridge is being tipped to replace the veteran actor as a female version of the fictional professor of archaeology in the adventure movie franchise.
The film industry is awash with rumours that the Fleabag star will take over as the main Indiana adventurer, making her the first female lead since the Disney-made movies began in 1981 with Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
Insiders claim Kathleen Kennedy, the Hollywood producer behind the franchise, is keen to make ‘big, bold’ changes – with few bigger than switching the lead character to a woman.
One said: ‘It would be a huge statement, and a great role for Phoebe.’
Ms Kennedy’s spokesman declined to comment on the rumours.
Others in the industry cast doubt on the suggestion, but rumours have persisted that Ms Waller-Bridge will be a future star in the role.
None of the versatile actress and writer’s representatives in the UK or America responded to questions about the possibility of the new role.
Disney also did not respond when given the opportunity to comment.
In July, the 36-year-old star filmed rooftop scenes alongside her American co-star Boyd Holbrook in Glasgow city centre for the fifth movie, whose title has yet to be made public.
While the character she plays was not spelled out, Ms Waller-Bridge, dressed in a maroon corduroy jacket and blue trousers, is understood to be playing an assistant to Indiana Jones.
A source said: ‘The gossip on the set is that this character will slot into the leading role.’
In 2019, double Golden Globe winner Ms Waller-Bridge co-wrote the
screenplay for No Time To Die, the 25th James Bond film, along with Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Cary Joji Fukunaga.
Bosses said she was brought in to introduce ‘more humour and the offbeat style of writing’ that has earned her a reported £22million in less than two years.