Indiana Jones 5 Delayed, Might Miss 2020 Release Slot--Report

Despite the very mixed fan reaction to 2008's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the movie was a box office success, and a fifth Indy movie has been in development for several years. In 2016, it was confirmed that star Harrison Ford and director Steven Spielberg will return for the next one, and a year later, a 2020 release was announced. However, it has now been reported that the movie is unlikely to make this slot.

According to Variety, Indiana Jones 5 was set to begin production in the UK in April next year. However, the site reports that the shoot is being pushed back by several months, and could even be delayed by a full year. Apparently much of the delay is down to continuing work on the script. Earlier this week Collider, reported that Solo: A Star Wars Story co-writer Jonathan Kasdan was coming on board to work on a new draft, with Jurassic Park's David Koepp having written the earlier versions. Kasdan is the son of Lawrence Kasdan, who co-wrote the the first Indy movie, 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark.

In February, it was reported that Indiana Jones 5 would be Spielberg's next film, but the delay could change this. The veteran filmmaker is extremely prolific and is also currently working on an adaptation of the classic musical West Side Story. Casting for that movie has already started, with the director keen to assemble an "ethnically authentic" Hispanic cast.

Last year, Koepp provided a few clues as to the direction of the next Indy movie. He said that the film will follow "some precious artifact that they're all looking for," and confirmed that Indy's son Mutt, played by Shia LaBeouf in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, will not return.

In addition, Ford has spoken about why he was returning to the role of the iconic archeologist for the fifth time. "The opportunity to work with Steven again on this character which has brought pleasure to so many," he said. "Not to mention me. It's great fun to play this character. It's great fun to work with Steven, I'm looking forward to it."