It seems like a fifth Indiana Jones movie is definitely happening, but it's been unclear for a while if it would actually involve Harrison Ford playing the titular character again. Now, we have our answer to that question.
Producer Frank Marshall has confirmed to Total Film that Indiana Jones will not be recast in the upcoming movie.
Marshall explained that they're "not doing the Bond thing where we’re going to call somebody else Indiana Jones."
That should be a relief to hardcore fans who wouldn't want to see the role played by anyone else other than Ford. However, Marshall didn't rule out the possibility of someone else replacing him one day; it's just that the new person wouldn't be playing Indy. He said that there are "a bunch of people who could probably take the baton," suggesting an Indiana Jones franchise that doesn't even star Indiana Jones.
For months there have been rumors that Chris Pratt was being considered for the role. This quote doesn't necessarily refute that, but if Pratt were to appear in an upcoming installment, we at least know he wouldn't be playing Indy. It actually seemed like the most recent film was setting up a replacement with the introduction of Indy's son, Mutt, but Shia LaBeouf received so much hate for that role that it seems pretty unlikely he'd lead the series going forward.
Prior to this, the latest big Indiana Jones 5 update came in a recent interview where Steven Spielberg suggested he'll probably make the movie and it would star Harrison Ford. Spielberg is already attached to The BFG and Ready Player One for the next few years, though, so don't expect it anytime soon.