With uncertainty around the future of theIndiana Jonesfranchise, Guy Ritchie’s latest movie, the heist adventure feels like the spiritual successor that will fill the needs of adventure movie fans. Not only that, but it may actually be a better alternative than a potentialsixth installment of the Harrison Ford franchise. There’s not a problem with the appetite for Indiana Jones projects, as proven by the success of 2024’s late contender for game of the year consideration,Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, but barring a future reboot, the movie universe looks like it’s on ice at best.
That much is frustrating for anyone who has grown up withtheIndiana Jonesmovies, but the writing has been on the wall since Ford first spoke about hanging up his fedora and whip and retiring cinema’s most famous archeologist. That means anyone looking for a swash-buckling movie fix will have to look elsewhere. Options may feel few and far between, with only Tom Holland’sUnchartedmovie really offering a similar experience in recent years other than theDial Of Destinyitself. But there is hope coming in 2025, thanks to Guy Ritchie.
Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny Makes The Franchise’s Future More Difficult
The Box Office Return Makes A New Installment Unlikely
Fountain of Youthwill be a necessary replacement for theIndiana Jonesfranchise, as it seems likely that franchise is all but finished. In addition to Harrison Ford’s advancing age making it difficult to continue the overarching narrative of the iconic character,the latest installment was an unmitigated disaster for Disney. With a sky-high budget of nearly $300 million (as reported by Disney), the movie needed to gross roughly $600 million to break even after marketing costs were added in. It only grossed $384 million worldwide, making it one of the biggest flops of all time for Disney.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny - Key Details
June 30th, 2023
$295-$387 million
$384 million
70%
87%
While the reviews forDial of Destinywere on the better side of middling, it wasn’t some excellent film that simply missed the audience at the theater. The franchise seems well and truly cooked without Harrison Ford in the mix, anda legacy or spin-off sequel feels like it could only further damage the legacy of the franchiseand the character of Indiana Jones himself.Fountain of Youthcould be the next great family action adventure movie, and if it’s a success there is certainly franchise potential.
Fountain Of Youth Looks Like A Worthy Replacement For Indiana Jones
The Heist Adventure Movie Seems Like It Will Hit Many Of The Same Notes
Fountain of Youth, represents somewhat of a departure from the norm for Ritchie, who typically deals in gangster comedies and spy thrillers.Guy Ritchie’s upcoming moviewill be a family-friendly action-adventure movie, very much in the vein of theNational TreasureorThe Mummyfranchises, and will star Hollywood A-listers John Krasinski and Natalie Portman.
While details are somewhat limited, a feature inEntertainment Weeklyrevealed some information about the general plot. InFountain of Youth, Krasinski and Portman will play siblings Luke and Charlotte Purdue as they journey across the globe in search of the legendary fountain that grants eternal life to anyone who drinks from it.Ritchie’s adventure moviedefinitely includes some echoes of past adventure franchises, as the Purdues have an archaeological background that drives their global endeavor. That will undoubtedly invite comparisons to Indiana Jones, and based on early looks,Fountain of Youthcould be a worthy successor.
First and foremost,Fountain of Youthlooks like it willencapsulate the globe-hopping spirit of the very bestIndiana Jonesadventures. The movie’s action will occur in vastly different locations; Ritchie mentioned having shot on-site in Egypt, Vienna, and Bangkok, among other locations. While the hunt for a mythological object is straight out of theIndiana Jonesplaybook, it’s that ever-shifting, action-packed narrative that really makesFountain of Youtha true spiritual successor to the storied franchise. It even sharesIndiana Jones' family-friendly tone, to boot.
The star-studded cast of Fountain of Youth also includes frequent Guy Ritchie collaborator Eiza Gonzalez, Domhnall Gleeson, Laz Alonso, and Carmen Ejogo.
On top of the elements that it will share with theIndiana Jonesmovies,Fountain of Youthlooks like a worthy successor due to the level of talent behind the movie. Guy Ritchie has directed box office and critical darlings during his career, many of which fit into theaction-adventure mold ofFountain of Youth. The live-action adaptation ofAladdinand theSherlock Holmesmovies starring Robert Downey, Jr. are perfect examples of how his talents will translate well to this particular story, especially if he’s armed with the talents of the Academy Award-winning Portman and SAG Award-winning Krasinski.
