Actress tipped to replace Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones lead

With Harrison Ford widely reported to be stepping down from the iconic franchise, the unexpected frontrunner to replace him has been named.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge may flip the script on Indiana Jones.

The English actress, 37, could be replacing Harrison Ford as the lead in the fifth instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise, which is set to hit theatres mid-next year, according to The Daily Mail.

Sources told the outlet that producer Kathleen Kennedy was looking to make “big” changes – which could include replacing the lead character with a woman.

“It would be a huge statement, and a great role for Phoebe,” one insider told the Mail.

It was announced earlier this year that the Fleabag creator and star had been cast opposite 79-year-old Ford in the film, the name of which has not yet been revealed.

Harrison Ford has played Indiana Jones for nearly 40 years. Picture: Frederic J. Brown/AFP

Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays the female lead in the new Indiana film. Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

The iconic franchise has starred Ford as the lead since the first film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, was released in 1981.

It’s not clear what character Waller-Bridge will portray in the upcoming movie, but a source told The Mail: “The gossip on the set is that this character will slot into the leading role.”

The project has long been delayed, and was pushed off again this year after Ford injured his shoulder while shooting a fight scene.

Ford in a scene from the 2008 film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

While the team had initially suggested that the mishap wouldn’t derail filming too badly, the Oscar nominee and franchise film icon was then sidelined for months as he underwent surgery.

It marked yet another hiccup for the highly anticipated Indiana film, which was originally slated to hit theatres on July 9, 2021, but was pushed back to July 29, 2022 over Covid concerns.

Sources have yet to confirm whether this latest fiasco will impact the theatrical release date of Indiana Jones 5.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Actress tipped to replace Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones lead