- Harrison Ford will always be Indiana Jones, but he has to be replaced eventually.
- Chris Pratt could be a possible Indy replacement, but he’s said he won’t do it.
- Bradley Cooper and Chris Pine are viable candidate to play Indiana Jones next.
The Indiana Jones franchise is one of Hollywood’s most iconic big screen series.
It’s stood the test of time, and even though it probably should have ended as a trilogy, it’s kept on creating with an additional installment made, and a fifth on it’s way.
Of course, the franchise’s massive star, Harrison Ford, is nearing his end with the fedora and whip.
Ford is carrying the show on his back one last time, but he’s now 80 and probably can’t do a sixth installment. That offers the question; who should play Indiana Jones next?
If you ask Ford, nobody will.
The character will die with him, and that’ll be that. However, Hollywood is in love with reboots and there is undeniably a ton of story to be told for one of the funnest, most thrilling characters to ever reach cinemas.
Chris Pratt
Before you can recast Indiana Jones, you probably should establish some criteria for picking Harrison Ford’s replacement. To save time, the demands are simple; you need a relatively good-looking and charming lead that can carry an action film, but also provide comedic timing.
Ford did that at an elite level. He was incredibly believable as a legit action star, but he also could be disarming, charming, and flat out funny. It has to be the perfect blend, and that’s what brought me to my list of potential Indiana Jones actors.
I’ll start with Pratt, who checks off all of the predetermined boxes. He also has been tied to possibly being the next Indy in the past.
Pratt certainly has a humorous side, as he displayed routinely in Parks & Rec as Andy. But he also evolved as an actor and displayed an ability to carry massive blockbuster movies.
There’s his own successful trilogy with the Jurrasic World films, and he’s also starred in some Amazon action flicks.
The question, of course, is just how serious has Hollywood been about rebooting Indiana Jones, and how close to the top of the list Pratt may be.
As far as looking for the total package when hunting down a new Indiana Jones actor, though, Pratt has to be one of the better choices.
Bradley Cooper
Another potential Indiana Jones actor could be Bradley Cooper. He isn’t as funny as Pratt, but he is a more esteemed acting talent, and he would probably be a tad more believable in the role.
When looking for a serious lead, Cooper edges Pratt out. He’s won an Oscar, after all.
Cooper does offer respectable comedic chops as seen in The Hangover trilogy, as well as Wedding Crashers. We also know he can carry a film with action. See: American Sniper.
What’s missing is Cooper taking over an entire action blockbuster franchise, but nothing about his resume suggests he’s incapable of pulling that off.
Is age a factor here? It could be, as Cooper is 48 and has been taking on more prestigious projects. With more Oscars in sight, it’s possible his desire to take the mantle just isn’t on his radar.
Ryan Gosling
Cooper is a really good choice to play Indiana Jones, but as noted, he’s pushing 50. This type of role also may not interest him.
It’s possibly the perfect franchise for someone like Ryan Gosling, who is just 42 and has displayed an ability to mesh comedy and action brilliantly.
Gosling has made a career out of this, and he’s shown a touch for comedic flair numerous times. The best illustration of this? His recent Netflix film, The Gray Man.
The main issue here? Gosling might be too busy with his own franchise to attempt to take over an already existing one.
While that could be a big hang-up, Gosling has exhibited the natural ability to crush the two major aspects of playing Indiana Jones. And he’s not afraid of taking on a big franchise, either.
Chris Pine
Another option to be the next Indiana Jones is Chris Pine. He’s a bit rougher around the edges than Gosling or Pratt, but he’s also the same age, and he still has the talent to nail this role.
Pine has starred as Jack Ryan and James T. Kirk, so he is no stranger to filling massive shoes on the big screen. And if you’re curious about his ability to make you chuckle, look no further than his devilishly affable turn in Horrible Bosses 2.
I doubt Pine is your first choice to be the next Indiana Jones actor, but he should at least make the shortlist. Pine is a dual threat actor, he has the right look, and he may be a bit less busy than some of the other options out there.
Ryan Reynolds
How can we talk about a blockbuster action flick with comedic undertones without nominating Ryan Reynolds? You can’t, is the answer.
Reynolds can carry films with the best of them, and comedy is his ace in the hole. I could point to a litany of roles he’s smashed, but what tops his take on Deadpool?
I was also a fan of Reynolds in Red Notice, where he further showcased his ability to carry a rising franchise. It also offered a glimpse of Reynolds in that National Treasure-themed world we’d probably want him dropped in.
The only problem? Reynolds is pretty busy, and it can sometimes be difficult to take him seriously.
Can he dial back the humor just a tad and give a more balanced (but still really funny) Indiana Jones? If he can hit that sweet spot, this could be a dream come true.
Tom Hardy
Name a role Tom Hardy couldn’t crush. Go on, I’ll wait. The guy has played Mad Max, he’s been Bane, he was Venom, and he’s been mobsters, soldiers, and spies.
He’s done it all – so much so, that he’s even in the running to be the next James Bond.
Why stop there? Hardy is almost definitely the biggest superstar on this list, so tossing his fedora into the ring only makes sense.
Like most of the potential Indiana Jones actors here, he’s also pretty busy. However, he happens to be perfect for this role. Hardy is very convincing in every role he takes on because he brings his own unique take, and he pours his whole being into it.
That’d be no different here, while Hardy also possesses the charm and timing to deliver the funny bits, as well.
Chris Hemsworth
Last, but not least, let’s consider Chris Hemsworth as a viable Indiana Jones reboot option. This is another actor still very much in his prime, and he’s proven capable of carrying massive films.
Hemsworth has displayed a penchant for both humor and action as Thor.
But he’s also shown he can carry a franchise like he did in Extraction. Which, by the way, happened to be one of his best movies.
You won’t find a more physically dominant option on this list, and Hemsworth offers perhaps the best ready-to-go action star physique. Blend in his calm demeanor and underrated humor, and he could be the perfect Indiana Jones casting.
Could an Actress Become the Next Indiana Jones?
Of course, a big problem with trying to come to a new Indiana Jones prediction is the possibility that it could go to a woman.
There has already been some chatter that Harrison Ford and co. could be setting the stage to have Phoebe Waller-Bridge take over the iconic role.
Nothing really makes this a concrete rumor, but speculation has been running wild.
Instead of having someone be the new Indiana Jones directly, could the franchise not see a gigantic pivot that simply continues the story with a female lead?
If so, I’d argue there are better options out there. That said, we can’t rule it out completely.
Who Will Play Indiana Jones Next?
You came here for a prediction for who plays Indiana Jones next. There is the obvious rumor of Waller-Bridge possibly taking over the franchise, and there’s the dark cloud that is Ford’s desire to have the character die with him.
Due to these issues, it’s quite possible the new Indiana Jones is someone nobody sees coming – or we don’t get a new Indy at all.
Some will argue that’s for the best. However, there are more exciting tales to be told in this universe, and there are actually several fantastic options if Hollywood decides to search for the next Indiana Jones actor.
For now, my pick is Bradley Cooper.
This role needs someone who can carry an action sequence, but it also needs someone smart, confident, and charming. Cooper also has a comedic edge to him, and really is the total package.
Cooper can be the guy with the whip looking for treasure and escaping harm, or he can be the nerdy professor you’d never expect to go on such dangerous adventures.
Of course, I like all of these options to be the next Indiana Jones. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have included them in my list. Prefer a different option other than Cooper? Let me hear your choice in the comments below!
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