Following the release of the first trailer for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny last week, rumors intensified online that the movie is setting up Phoebe Waller-Bridge to "take over" the Indiana Jones franchise from Harrison Ford. Director James Mangold took to Twitter to dismiss the notion.

　　Deeper in the thread, Mangold also spoke out against "trolling a-holes" who are "pushing controversial guesses" coming from uncredit sources to "gin up clicks." Mangold underlines his point by sharing that there was never at any time anything in the sequel's script, nor filmed, that suggested the movie is setting up the archaeologist's baton being passed. Waller-Bridge plays Indy's goddaughter Helena.

　　One more time. No one is "taking over" or replacing Indy or donning his hat nor is he being "erased" thru some contrivance— and he never was, not not in any cut or script — but trolls will troll — that's how they get their clicks. 1/

　　— Mangold (@mang0ld) December 2, 2022

　　To be fair, the rumors are not unfounded--in 2008, just one of many criticisms and underwhelmed reactions of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was how much of that film was seemingly setting up Shia LaBeouf to take over the franchise. The film was so maligned that it's been this long since another Indiana Jones sequel has firmed up, and also briefly popularized the phrase "nuking the fridge" as a challenger to "jumping the shark" to indicate when a franchise has crossed into the absurd and lost its way. In contrast, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny's trailer has--in addition to sparking the above rumors--rekindled enthusiasm for the franchise.

　　The Dial Of Destiny is the first Indiana Jones movie not directed by Steven Spielberg, and also the first in the franchise without a story written by George Lucas. Spielberg serves as a producer alongside Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Simon Emanuel. The movie will be in theaters starting June 30, 2023.

　　Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny Trailer Breakdown

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　　David Wolinsky on Google+