the NEXT Indy?...hypothetically speaking that is.
I'm in the camp of Indy fan that is probably in the minority that thinks it would be great if the character of Indiana Jones / Henry Jones, Junior could live on just as long as one of his inspirations...James Bond. And by living on, I mean, beyond Harrison Ford's portrayal of the character.
I know, I know, that's sacrilege, but that's what people thought when Connery stopped playing Bond, and here we are after multiple Bonds, unable to think of a better, truer Bond than Daniel Craig. I think that Indiana Jones as a character has become just as ingrained in culture as James Bond (And don't say, "Bond was a literary character first, so it's okay that there are other actors portraying him. Indy was created for film!" It's not like the public at large knows Bond from the novels first and then the movies), and Indy is big enough, and great enough to survive in other actors' hands and as time goes on, other creative teams. That said, I'd like to see Harrison, Steven, and George be involved for as long as they all live! It's their creation!!!
(As a parenthetical, I would like to also add that KOTCS is presumably going to be told as Indy's "Last-ish adventure", wrapping up the series in some way (and no, I don't think death!). If they do that, you have Harrison playing all the major beats for the character, and there would never be another movie that would take place AFTER KOTCS, giving Harrison the honor of being Indy on the character's final adventure. ALSO, having KOTCS play with a very obvious "THE END" feel allows purists to ignore any other installments with other actors if they want to. You really can't beat that! Finality and Continuation all in one! And now back to my point...sigh.)
Now, I'm sure that if they EVER consider making more Indy without Harrison, it would either be the (meh) Adventures of Mutt, or (thumbs up!) more Indy-like young Indy adventures taking cues from the current trend of "reboots" and Lucas's "prequels." BUT, if they decided to just Bond it and do fill-in the blanks tales of Indy's other adventures in the 1930's and 1940's, I think I've seen someone who at least seems to look and play Indy's archetype pretty well...
I watched "The Mummy" (1999) for the first time tonight, and I saw a character actor that I'm betting was cast for his obvious resemblance to Harrison Ford. There are screen grabs in the film that scream Indiana Jones, and his mannerisms are unreal (check the gun play, body language, costume, facial expressions Dunham turns in during the scene where the Mummy enters his room and kills him. I couldn't find a screen grab from this scene online, so if anyone could muster one, I'd be grateful!). His names is Stephen Dunham, and I think seeing him in the hat, jacket, tans and browns, with whip in hand would probably make any fanboy shun the sacrilege of it all and run to the theater.
Let's face it, folks. The hat, the jacket, bag, whip, and all the other gear is just as much the character of Indiana Jones and what we love about him as the actor Harrison Ford is. I'm not saying Dunham is the only choice. Just one of COUNTLESS possible lesser known actors that could potentially turn in a great performance.
I don't care what any "true fan" swears they'll boycott, you put somebody in that iconic outfit, they'll be in line...pacing with excitement.
-Ff