Steven Spielberg Won’t Direct INDIANA JONES 5; James Mangold In Negotiations To Replace Him

It’s pretty surprising to hear that Steven Spielberg has stepped aside as the director of Indiana Jones 5. After all, Indy was crafted for the screen after Cubby Broccoli refused Spielberg’s offer to direct a James Bond movie in the late ’70s/early ’80s. 

Spielberg directed all four of the previous Indiana Jones adventures and he was set to direct the latest Harrison Ford starrer, but now comes the news that he will only produce the movie, leaving the door open for James Mangold to help the film.

Variety is reporting that ‘according to a source close to the filmmaker, the decision to leave the director’s chair was entirely Spielberg’s, in a desire to pass along Indy’s whip to a new generation to bring their perspective to the story.’

Mangold is a fine director, a man who can navigate multiple genres and I really admire his work on Cop Land, Identity, Walk The Line, Logan, Kate and Leopold and 3:10 To Yuma.

He’s got the chops to deliver the movie and if Spielberg’s heart isn’t in directing, then it’s probably for the best that he steps aside. After all, Indiana Jones and The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull failed to recapture the magic of the original movies from 1981, 1984 and 1989. I thought that Ready Player One was Spielberg on autopilot and it sounds that the 73 year old director has decided that making and Indy movie is a young man’s game. 

If he’s willing to let Mangold takeover, then who are we to argue?

Indiana Jones 5 is currently scheduled for release in July 2021. 

Source: Variety