Dial of Destiny

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Previously, Kathleen Kennedy’s “The Dial of Destiny” debacle wasn’t in the picture as Lucasfilm had initially considered expanding the Indiana Jones universe on Disney+. This strategy mirrored their approach with Star Wars, but it seems to have been abandoned following the release of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

In the series’ concluding film, featuring Harrison Ford, it was intended to mark his farewell performance as Indiana Jones. Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, indicated that only Ford would portray the character, potentially restricting possibilities for expanding the franchise.

It’s been disclosed that Lucasfilm may have had plans to broaden the series by concentrating on secondary characters. Actor and podcaster Griffin Newman shared on an episode of “Blank Check with Griffin & David” that he once auditioned for an animated show in the vein of Indiana Jones. Known for his roles in “The Tick” and voice work in various cartoons, Newman stated the project was described as an “Untitled Star Wars Project.” He went on to say, “When I read the script, it seemed like a young Indiana Jones show, and it was going to be animated.

It’s clearly not the project James Mangold mentioned before the launch of “Indy V” that he described as abandoned.

The planned production didn’t focus specifically on Indiana Jones, but rather evoked the essence of the youthful Indy episodes seen in “The Last Crusade.” Newman suspects his audition could have been for a younger version of characters like Sallah or Marcus Brody, who appeared in the initial films.

…”In my opinion, The Dial of Destiny seemed to be getting quite intricate; they decided to concentrate on the main plot instead of adding side stories. However, there was going to be an animated version on Disney+ that had a River Phoenix-like feel, rather than resembling Young Indiana Jones.

The amusing aspect of the Indiana Jones animated series often disguised its identity, with titles like “Untitled Lucasfilm Project.” At first glance, it seemed unrelated to Star Wars, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that they were trying to conceal the fact that it was actually a Star Wars spin-off. The casting call referred to it as the “Untitled Star Wars Cartoon Show,” which piqued my interest. However, when I read the scripts, the characters had alien names and spoke of attending a university and studying adventurers while aspiring to collect relics. It was evident that they were using the Star Wars universe as a cover for an Indiana Jones-themed show…Unfortunately, this show never materialized.

The idea for an Indiana Jones animated series is the most credible rumor regarding any upcoming spin-offs so far. In 2022, there were whispers that Lucasfilm was discussing potential series ideas with writers for a possible Disney+ show, but no official announcements followed. It’s speculated that the project might have been conceived before the launch of Disney+, only to be shelved before Disney’s Investor Day in December 2020. If it had continued in development, it would likely have been made public by now, given that Disney’s CEO was reportedly eager to announce projects, even if they weren’t yet ready for the spotlight.

The full interview is here:

Approximately a decade past, Dutch animator Patrick Schoenmaker created a stunning tribute using animation techniques of his own. It’s amazing to think that Disney didn’t explore this style earlier.

As a devoted fan eagerly awaiting the latest adventure, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” I’ve noticed that its release date has shifted several times, eventually landing on June 30, 2023. This rollercoaster ride of delays has posed challenges in planning an accompanying animated project that mirrors the film’s magic. Even Marvel Comics, a subsidiary of Disney, found it challenging to keep up with the momentum. They even paused the publication of an Indiana Jones comic and failed to reprint their critically acclaimed adaptations of the films, as well as the subsequent monthly series that followed.

The movie’s dismal earnings, amounting to a loss of more than $200 million, suggests that Lucasfilm is unlikely to revisit the franchise in the near future. Yet, the abundance of captivating side characters within the Indiana Jones universe opens up an enticing prospect for the future – perhaps an animated series delving into their histories, or even a spin-off focusing on a younger Indy. Could Disney potentially handle this property well in the future?

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2025-03-27 14:46