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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Paul Speed

New Indiana Jones TV series rumoured for Disney Plus - but Harrison Ford won't be involved

Talk of a new Indiana Jones TV show on Disney Plus is whipping fans up into a frenzy - even though it likely won't feature Harrison Ford.

Everyone's favourite globe-trotting archaeologist is still a massive box office draw, with his fifth adventure set to hit the cinema in June next year.

And the House of Mouse is rumoured to want to capitalise on the hype with a new series for the small screen.

Variety reported that Lucasfilm and Disney are currently scouting for a writer to pen a whole new TV escapade.

Whether it would be a prequel or spin-off to the film franchise is still unknown; and it may of course even link to the new movie - similar to how Disney has tied-in its Marvel TV shows with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was a rather more gruesome outing for our hero. (Mirrorpix)

A fresh Indiana Jones TV show should please fans, who were miffed that Harrison Ford - now 80 - says the Indy 5 film will be the last time he plays the titular hero. Rumours are currently flying around that co-star Phoebe Waller-Bridge will be assuming the role.

A new series would be the latest avenue Disney has taken to explore ways of keeping the franchise going, with an Indy computer game currently in development, scheduled for release next year. Click here for the trailer.

Who remembers The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles?

Of course, older readers will know this isn't the first time our Fedora-sporting hero has appeared on our TV screens.

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles ran for two seasons on ABC from 1992-1993, but was canned due to its large budget and low number of viewers. But this didn't stop four made-for-TV films cropping up from 1994 to 1996, and in 1999 the series was edited into 22 television films called The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones.

Chronicles focused on the early years of the character with Sean Patrick Flanery and Corey Carrier playing Indy at different times in his life. George Hall portrayed an elderly Jones, bookending each episode, with Harrison Ford even making a cameo appearance in one instalment.

Harrison Ford and Kate Capshaw in Temple of Doom. (Getty Images)

Fantastic box office run

Ford has played everyone's favourite whip-smart hero in four blockbuster films to date - Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Temple of Doom (1984), The Last Crusade (1989) and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).

The character was created by Star Wars mastermind George Lucas and film director Philip Kaufman, with Steven Spielberg directing each movie, together grossing almost £1.1 billion worldwide.

Disney wishing to branch out the Indiana franchise is nothing new, with the brand always eager to explore new avenues for its vast and well-known IPs.

The platform has multiple live-action Star Wars series such as The Mandalorian and Andor, as well as successful Marvel tie-ins WandaVision and Loki.

For many, Indiana Jones without Harrison Ford is like The Terminator without Arnie, or Rocky without Sylvester Stallone, so it remains to be seen just how popular an Indiana Jones TV show without him would be.

Social media certainly has mixed feelings.

Harrison Ford and Sean Connery made a wonderful double act in The Last Crusade. (Publicity Picture)

Mike posted: "Please listen to the fans. Nobody wants this".

Frank Comiskey said: "When Disney bought the Indy rights it was obviously not just for one film; I’m sure there’s appetite for this, but without Ford, (composer) John Williams (or a good McGuffin; which is tough to find) I’m Out; I guess it will be built round his global sidekicks or a time travel spun prequel".

Geoff: "This would be the second Indiana Jones series. The first was The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, which had impressive production design. I’m curious about the plot details".

Trevor Ashman: "Sounds like a great idea".

Nick Agostinelli: "Good stuff I crave more Indy content all seriousness".

Alta_Warrior_99: "Make something worthwhile instead. People are tired of all these ancient franchises being milked dry. You can do better, Disney!"

Taylor Link: "They have to get Indy right or why bother?"

Sayeh: "Put Harrison Ford in the new Indiana Jones series!"

What do YOU think? Do you welcome a new Indiana Jones TV series? Or is the franchise doomed without Harrison Ford? Let us know

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