Harrison Ford has starred in his last Indiana Jones movie, leading to speculation about who could don the fedora next in the titular role of the adventuring archaeologist. Ford’s Indiana Jones has had a number of final farewells, as he literally rode off into the sunset in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and he then got married and passed the torch to his son in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. However, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is definitely the final Indy movie for the 81-year-old actor, and though the 2023 movie had a mixed reception, Ford’s ending was expertly crafted.
Nevertheless, while Harrison Ford thinks the Indiana Jones franchise will end with his departure, that likely won’t be the case, as Disney wouldn’t simply shelve a billion-dollar movie franchise. Whether it’s in two years or 20 years, the Indiana Jones series getting rebooted is inevitable, but it would face some major challenges, the biggest of which is finding an actor to fill Ford’s shoes. While popular names such as Chris Pratt and Bradley Cooper have been thrown around in the past, there are so many other interesting choices who could carry the franchise whether it’s continuing the role in a possible Indiana Jones 6 or in a reboot.
10 Diego Calva
Indiana Jones is 37 years old in Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Harrison Ford was 38 years old while shooting that first Indiana Jones movie. That makes the 31-year-old Diego Calva a little on the young side to play the archaeologist. However, the reboot doesn’t have to be exact, and Calva’s other characteristics that he’s displayed on screen make up for the age difference. Calva’s breakthrough role in 2022’s Babylon proved the actor had a kind of fast-paced and frenetic energy that would be great to see showcased in jungles and tombs. Babylon also showed that Calva is great at subtle comedy, which is an Indiana Jones franchise trademark.
9 Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender already achieved the impossible once, as he replaced the seemingly irreplaceable Ian McKellen as the iconic Magneto in the X-Men franchise. Audiences instantly fell in love with Fassbender’s portrayal of the Marvel character, and there’s no reason why Fassbender can’t do that again with Indiana Jones. The actor’s version of Indy would undoubtedly be electrifying and intense, though the very drama-oriented performer lacks the humor that Ford is so great at. Still, following two Indiana Jones movies that were criticized for being too goofy with a more serious reboot might be for the best. The X-Men actor playing Indy would also continue a major comeback for Michael Fassbender.
8 Donald Glover
Donald Glover has a great relationship with Disney; the actor featured in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Star Wars franchise, the latter of which he’s set to return to for a Lando Calrissian series, and he played Simba in the $1.6 billion-grossing remake of The Lion King. Even outside of Disney and Glover’s continuous partnership, the actor is a genuinely great choice for the Indiana Jones recasting. As proved by his role as Lando in Solo: A Star Wars Story, Glover can play characters that are suave, charismatic, and completely in control even though they might not seem like they are, all of which are signature Indiana Jones traits.
7 Karl Urban
Karl Urban has featured in huge franchises, including the MCU and Star Trek, and he now plays Billy Butcher in The Boys. However, the actor has never had his own big-budget movie. While Urban is part of the Mortal Kombat 2 cast, the sequel is more of an ensemble piece. Urban would make a great Indiana Jones and would perfect the classic Indy traits while still standing out and feeling different from Ford. Urban’s Indy would double down on the archaeologist’s gruff exterior, but the actor has proved with stoic characters like Billy and Dredd‘s Judge Dredd that he can play fatalistic characters that still have feelings.
6 Regé-Jean Page
Fans have been talking about Regé-Jean Page for the recasting of James Bond, and while he’d make a great 007, he’d make an even better Indiana Jones. Whether it’s the period drama series Bridgerton or the fantastical adventure movie Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Page has shown how charismatic an actor he is. In both cases, Page plays enigmatic characters that audiences want to know more about, and Indy often keeps his cards close to his chest too. Between Page’s growing popularity, being the perfect age, and the characters he chooses to play, Page is the perfect Indiana Jones candidate.
5 Pedro Pascal
Since leading The Mandalorian cast, Pedro Pascal has become one of the most bankable movie and television stars working today. With his roles in some of the most popular TV shows, including his Star Wars series and The Last of Us, the actor has shown how he can carry adventure stories regardless of whether they’re science fiction, horror, or any other genre. In that respect, there’s no reason he couldn’t carry a big-budget action-adventure movie as Indiana Jones. Like Harrison Ford, Pascal has a commanding onscreen presence, and based on the criminally underrated The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, he’s just as great at comedy as he is at drama.
4 Joaquin Phoenix
On paper, Joaquin Phoenix seems like a weird choice to play Indiana Jones, as it’s well-documented that he isn’t interested in franchises, and he generally plays troubled characters, not action heroes. However, Phoenix playing Indy totally makes sense, as the actor is genuinely great at action comedy. As seen in Inherent Vice and Beau Is Afraid, Phoenix doesn’t hold back from letting himself get thrown around for the purpose of comedy, and Indy is notoriously clumsy in fights and action sequences. Phoenix being cast in the role would also be a fun callback to his brother River Phoenix playing young Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
3 Rupert Friend
Rupert Friend had his shot at leading a franchise in 2015, as he replaced Timothy Olyphant in the Hitman sequel, Hitman: Agent 47. While Hitman 3 won’t happen following the first sequel’s underperformance and negative critical reception, that wasn’t Friend’s fault, as he actually made a great Agent 47. Friend generally plays apathetic and mysterious characters, such as Montana in Asteroid City and the titular role in Hitman: Agent 47, and along with the actor’s charming but roguish characteristics, he completely fits the Indiana Jones profile. Friend deserves another chance at leading a blockbuster movie, and an Indiana Jones reboot could be the best vehicle.
2 LaKeith Stanfield
LaKeith Stanfield can often be found in completely intense dramatic movies, such as Judas and the Black Messiah, and even his comedy Sorry to Bother You is absolutely distressing and uncomfortable. However, in all of those roles, Stanfield still plays slick characters who find themselves in bizarre situations. The actor is also becoming a reliable comic actor in major movies. While Disney’s Haunted Mansion bombed at the box office, Stanfield’s lead role showcased his perfect comedic timing and how he can be openly emotional in a family adventure movie. Though Ford’s Indy finally opened up in the fifth movie, Stanfield’s portrayal of Indiana Jones could be refreshingly vulnerable.
1 Alexander Skarsgård
Alexander Skarsgård is commonly cast in major roles based on his build, as his well-built physique helped him get roles in The Northman and The Legend of Tarzan. The role of Indiana Jones doesn’t exactly require a Viking-like physique, but a Skarsgård-led Indiana Jones movie could feature a more thrilling version of the archaeologist who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. While a common criticism of the franchise is that Indy is ultimately a mass murderer, it’d be exciting to see Skarsgård as an even less forgiving Indiana Jones. The actor starring in the next Indiana Jones movie could even lead to the series’ biggest stunts yet.
