Indiana Jones 5 casting: James Bond villain star Mads Mikkelsen joins Harrison Ford sequel
INDIANA JONES 5 has cast James Bond villain star Mads Mikkelsen in a mystery role opposite Harrison Ford.
Indiana Jones: Harrison Ford discusses shooting fifth film
After several years of delay, Indiana Jones 5 is finally coming together for release in summer 2022. Harrison Ford, who will be 80-years-old when the film hits cinemas, returns as the archaeologist adventurer for the first time in 13 years. But this time with Logan director James Mangold, while Steven Spielberg – who helmed the first four movies – will be a hands-on producer.
Now Deadline reports that James Bond villain star Mads Mikkelsen has landed a role in the long-delayed sequel.
The 55-year-old Danish actor is best known for playing Le Chiffre in 2006’s Casino Royale opposite Daniel Craig.
While he’s most recently taken over from Johnny Depp as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3.
Mads is also known for prominent roles in blockbusters Doctor Strange and Star Wars spin-off Rogue One.
READ MORE: Indiana Jones 5 casting: Star Wars actress to play female lead
A new #IndianaJones adventure begins July 29, 2022. Phoebe Waller-Bridge joins the cast alongside Harrison Ford in the fifth installment of the iconic franchise. The inimitable John Williams will also return to score the film. pic.twitter.com/OrYJHNY6Ys
— Indiana Jones (@IndianaJones) April 9, 2021
The news of Mads’ casting follows last week’s announcement that Phoebe Waller-Bridge will co-star opposite Ford in Indiana Jones 5.
Like the Danish actor, she’s also known for a Star Wars role, having played the droid L3-37 in Solo.
While Indiana Jones 5’s title, plot and characters remain under wraps, we wouldn’t be surprised if Mads is playing the villain since he’s well known for playing formidable antagonists.
Aside from the main cast members, Lucasfilm has also announced that John Williams will return to score Indiana Jones 5.
Harrison Ford is Haunted by the 'Indiana Jones' Theme Song
The 89-year-old first wrote the memorable movie theme 40 years ago for the first film in the franchise, Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Meanwhile, Spielberg will be joined as produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Simon Emanuel.
Indiana Jones 5 director Mangold stated last week: “ “I’m thrilled to be starting a new adventure, collaborating with a dream team of all-time great filmmakers.
“Steven, Harrison, Kathy, Frank, and John are all artistic heroes of mine.”
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Mangold added: “When you add Phoebe, a dazzling actor, brilliant creative voice and the chemistry she will undoubtedly bring to our set, I can’t help but feel as lucky as Indiana Jones himself.”
Indiana Jones 5 is expected to start production this summer, while in the meantime Mangold has been meeting with potential cast members.
The first three movies were set in the 1930s, while 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull took place in the 1950s.
Interesting a couple of years ago, Spielberg let slip that the fifth film will take place in the 1960s.
Back in 2019, Express.co.uk asked John Rhys-Davies, who played Sallah in the first and third Indiana Jones movies, if he was likely to return for Ford’s fifth and final outing.
The Lord of the Rings actor replied: “Well I keep sending signals that I’d love to be [involved in Indiana Jones 5] but I’m not on the mailing list at the moment. And I’ve got an idea that perhaps I’m not quite as politically correct enough to survive in it anymore.
“And that’s for a number of reasons, adding to which Sallah is no longer a believable character given the history of the Arab world and the West since we did the first one.”
Indiana Jones 5 hits cinemas on July 29, 2022.