Top 10 Actors Who Should Be the Next Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones isn't just an action hero. He's an archaeologist with a knack for danger, a charming rogue with a sharp sense of humor, and a relentless pursuer of history's secrets. The actor stepping into those boots needs to embody courage, curiosity, and just enough of a mischievous edge to make you believe they've been through the ringer and loved every second of it.So, who fits the bill? A great Indiana Jones needs charisma that can light up the screen, a physical presence that feels believable in high-stakes chases, and an ability to deliver one-liners with just the right amount of sarcasm. You want someone who can wear a leather jacket and a fedora like they were born to it, someone who can swing from a whip and make it look effortless. Most importantly, this actor needs the acting chops to bring depth to a character who's more than just a swashbuckling adventurer - there's heart, vulnerability, and a sense of wonder beneath all that swagger.
What you'll find here is a collection of actors who voters think have what it takes to pick up the torch.
Christopher Michael "Chris" Pratt is an American actor. He came to prominence from his television roles, including Bright Abbott in Everwood and Andy Dwyer in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. He's the number one choice as far as everyone is concerned, and it's impossible not to see why. He got Spielberg's attention (result: Jurassic World), and after seeing that film, it's even easier to imagine the newly crowned A-list actor in the role.
He's on the top of everyone's list. He is Indy.
It's partly that he has the looks, but also he really reminds me of Ford in the way he's a total playboy kind of idiot, yet he gets the job done.
Edward Thomas Hardy, CBE is an English actor and film producer. Originally a model, Hardy made his film debut in Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down. I don't know why, but Tom Hardy just seems to fit like a hand in a glove for the role. His age is just right, he has a badass, sort of toned-down, mysterious personality. He just seems to fit the bill of a serious, seasoned adventurer who has seen his share of things, with something dark about his personality yet an underlying goodness.
Remember the badass stunts in the original movies. A new Indiana needs to be tough, rugged, and a true physical actor who can carry the anti-hero role. He can also bring the charm and humor, but all the other suggestions are soft, goofy pretty boys who don't have the chops. Hardy is the clear choice if possible.
Michael Fassbender is a German-Irish actor of stage and screen whose career includes roles in both independent and blockbuster films, most notably; Hunger, Inglourious Basterds, Shame, X-Men: First Class, Prometheus, 12 Years a Slave, Frank, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Steve Jobs. I firmly believe he's the one and only who should inherit that role. I wouldn't say I'm a fan of him, but I've been and will be an Indy fan for my whole life. Unlike with all the others, I can't think of a reason why he wouldn't be the perfect choice.
Furthermore, above other requirements to think of, there's one quality I always wanted for the next possible Indy - a quality I believe Harrison Ford had, which is the appropriate balance between looking very handsome and having the right mind for the role. Fassbender has the right sort of good looks in a pleasant, "neutral" way, and he also usually shows elegant sparks of intelligence that could revive the role in the direction I wish for, which is to keep the character interesting due to an educated background.
One thing I love and find most necessary about Indy is his professor side, which brings that idealistic and mysterious conjunction of intellectual knowledge behind a practical approach to things. It's what makes the character really fascinating to me. Fassbender would be perfect. Oh, and he also speaks German (useful, don't you think?).
Since all the hype and buzz is surrounding Chris Pratt at the moment, you're probably not going to hear many people mention Aaron Eckhart and Indiana Jones in the same sentence (except for me, of course). The actor's not too busy these days, so scheduling wouldn't be a problem, and I think he's definitely got what it takes to embrace the challenge of playing a character of this size.
Maybe I'll...
You not only have to be handsome, you have to be cute, you have to be adorable, you have to be funny without trying, and you have to be a believable, slightly nerdy professor. And you still have to be tough and able to do some of the stunts to get good shots. Aaron can totally pull all that off.
Bradley Charles Cooper is an American actor and producer. He has been nominated for four Academy Awards, three for acting and one for producing, and one Tony Award. He was considered to be the most likely choice a number of years ago. With Chris Pratt in the picture, his chances aren't looking quite as good, although he could still surprise us and win the role.
Ryan Rodney Reynolds is a Canadian actor and producer. He portrayed Michael Bergen on the ABC sitcom Two Guys and a Girl, Billy Simpson in the YTV Canadian teen soap opera Hillside, as well as Marvel Comics characters Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity, Wade Wilson / Weapon XI in X-Men Origins: Wolverine,... read more He's a suitable Deadpool, which blends action and comedy well enough together, so why couldn't he be a fitting Indiana Jones? If next year's 'Deadpool' turns into a smash hit (which I figure it will), maybe his name will start spreading across other people's lists.
Jeremy Lee Renner is an American actor (born 1971) best known for his role as Clint Barton / Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His rough-around-the-edges look seems pretty fitting for the role, doesn't it? I think so. He's tough as well as funny, and those two things are essential for playing Jones.
Jeremy Renner would be a great Indiana Jones!
Idrissa Akuna "Idris" Elba OBE is an English actor, producer, musician and DJ known for playing drug trafficker Stringer Bell on the HBO series The Wire, DCI John Luther on the BBC One series Luther and Nelson Mandela in the biographical film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Why not? They're considering him to be a viable candidate to play a potential future 007. Why not Indiana Jones? Once you move beyond the skin color debate, you have a terrific actor for the role. I'm definitely okay with this idea.
Matthew David McConaughey (born November 4, 1969) is an American actor. He had his breakout role with a supporting performance in the coming-of-age comedy Dazed and Confused (1993). After a number of supporting roles, his first success as a leading man came in the legal drama A Time to Kill (1996)... read more He's a little on the older side to be taking over the role, I think, but that doesn't mean I can't imagine him playing Indy. He'd need to mask his accent, of course, to pull it off. He'd probably need to gain a few pounds, too.
Thomas William Hiddleston is an English actor. He is best known for his role as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in Thor, The Avengers, and Thor: The Dark World. He can play a grizzled action hero. Just watch "Kong: Skull Island." Also, he can wear a darn good cowboy hat. Just watch "I Saw the Light."
I photoshopped him into an Indiana Jones picture, and it is absolutely perfect!
The Newcomers
Shia Saide LaBeouf is an American actor, performance artist, and director who became known among younger audiences as Louis Stevens in the Disney Channel series Even Stevens.
If you don't believe me, watch Grown Ups 2 when he dresses up as Indiana Jones. He fit perfectly in the costume.
Robert Douglas Thomas Pattinson is an English actor, producer, model, and musician. He started his film career by playing Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, a 2005 fantasy film. I added Robert due to an unconfirmed report released a few years back suggesting that he was being scouted for the role. I'm not sure why Lucasfilm wanted him, but if they saw something in him, then maybe there's something that I am missing.
James Geoffrey Ian Norton is an English actor best known for playing Reverend Sydney Chambers in the ITV period crime series Grantchester and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky in the 2016 BBC mini series adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's novel War and Peace. Certainly more worthy than Chris Pratt!
Christian Charles Philip Bale (born 30 January 1974) is an English actor. Known for his versatility and physical transformations for his roles, he has been a leading man in films of several genres. He has received various accolades, including an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. Forbes magazine... read more I guess Christian Bale could pull off the role. I'm not sure he really has the look for it, but getting the characterization right is the main thing, and I'm almost certain he'd be able to do it.
Taron David Egerton is a Welsh actor best known for starring in the 2015 film Kingsman: The Secret Service and the 2016 film Eddie the Eagle.
Richard Madden is a Scottish stage, film, and television actor best known for portraying Robb Stark in the HBO series Game of Thrones and Prince Kit in Disney's Cinderella.
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian American actor, comedian, impressionist, screenwriter, and producer. He is well known for comedic roles in films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask , Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, The Cable Guy, Liar Liar, How the Grinch Stole Christmas,... read more What if they made an Indiana Jones spoof? This would be the number one role.
John Burke Krasinski is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, and director. He is the recipient of a number of accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Award nominations and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018. Indy should be a little nerdy, a little understated sexy, like John.
George MacKay is a British actor best known for his role as Davy Henshaw in the 2013 musical film Sunshine on Leith (which featured songs from The Proclaimers) Sunshine on Leith crooner MacKay is the British version of Chris Pratt.
Nathan Fillion is a Canadian actor and voice actor best known for his role as Richard Castle on the ABC series Castle, as well as his earlier portrayal of the lead role of Captain Malcolm Reynolds in the television series Firefly and its feature film continuation, Serenity. If I could be so bold, watching Nathan's portrayal of Captain Reynolds in Firefly and especially Serenity, all the qualities of a perfect Indiana Jones are expressed in perfect fashion. Intensity, humor, and physicality are true to form. I truly hope he could be considered.
Kevin Guthrie is a Scottish actor. Among his best known roles are Ally in Sunshine on Leith and Ewan in Terence Davies's 2015 film Sunset Song.Alex Pettyfer was born on April 10, 1990. Known for Magic Mike, Stormbreaker, Endless Love, etc.