Kathleen Kennedy Confirms No New Indiana Jones Movie in Development

The iconic whip-cracking archaeologist may have cracked his final whip. Kathleen Kennedy, the outgoing president of Lucasfilm, has confirmed that there are no current plans for a new Indiana Jones movie. In a candid interview, she stated that no one is "interested right now in exploring" the possibility of another film.

This announcement comes more than two years after the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which was met with a mixed critical reception and underwhelming box office performance. The film, which saw Harrison Ford reprise the role one final time, now appears to be the definitive end of the character's cinematic journey.

Speaking in an interview confirming her exit from Lucasfilm after 14 years at the helm, Kennedy addressed the future of the beloved franchise. Despite the film's performance, she expressed no regrets about moving forward with the project, emphasizing that it was a decision driven by the actor's own desire.

"I have no regrets about that because Harrison wanted to do that more than anything,"

Kennedy explained. She revealed that Ford was adamant about giving the character a more satisfying conclusion than the previous installment offered.

• Ford did not want Indy to end with the fourth movie
• He wanted a chance at another adventure
• Lucasfilm greenlit the film specifically for him

Ultimately, Kennedy believes it was the right creative choice to honor the actor's legacy with the character.

At nearly 84 years old, Harrison Ford has made his stance clear: he is done playing Indiana Jones. While he felt there was another story to tell within the universe, the actor has moved on from the role. This makes the prospect of a sequel with Ford in the lead virtually impossible.

Despite the film's critical and commercial struggles, Ford remains proud of his work. In a previous interview, he dismissed the negative reception, stating simply that "s**t happens." He felt the film gave the character a fitting arc, allowing him to see Indy "bereft of some of his vigor" before finding a new path.

"I’m still happy I made that movie."

With Ford officially retired from the role, any future Indiana Jones project would require a new actor to take up the mantle—a significant creative and commercial challenge for Disney and Lucasfilm.

The hesitation to continue the franchise extends beyond the lead actor. James Mangold, the director of Dial of Destiny, has also publicly stated he has no interest in returning for another installment. His reasoning centers on the creative limitations of franchise filmmaking.

"I refuse. I just can't do it,"

Mangold told Variety. He expressed concern that the sheer volume of lore, Easter eggs, and fan service required for a sequel would become "antithetical" to genuine storytelling, transforming the film into "large-scale advertising" rather than a cohesive narrative.

This sentiment, combined with the film's performance, has created a clear pause in the franchise's momentum. While Kennedy insists that "Indy will never be done," the current landscape suggests a long hiatus is inevitable.

The legacy of Indiana Jones remains secure, but its cinematic future is uncertain. Kathleen Kennedy’s departure marks the end of an era that saw the revival of both Star Wars and Indiana Jones, alongside the launch of Disney+. Her final act was to give Harrison Ford the send-off he wanted, even if it didn't meet box office expectations.

For now, the whip and hat are likely to remain in the vault. With no actor, director, or studio executive eager to immediately jump back into the adventure, the franchise will likely remain dormant for the foreseeable future. However, as Kennedy noted, these are "timeless movies," and in Hollywood, nothing is ever truly finished.