Steven Spielberg makes a promise about Indiana Jones’ fate in the fifth film

Warning: Spoilers for Star Wars: The Force Awakens follow.

Yes, Harrison Ford will be 77 years of age when Indiana Jones 5 hits cinemas on July 19, 2019. Yet he and Steven Spielberg are barreling ahead with the film, with both actor and director excited for the new movie – and speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Spielberg made a certain promise about everyone’s favourite archaeologist-adventurer.

‘The one thing I will tell you is I’m not killing off Harrison [Ford] at the end of it,’ Spielberg said unprovoked. Phew – after the particular twist in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, we were kind of ready to see both Ford and Indy throw in the towel. But just like at the end of The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, his last outing in 2008, Dr. Jones snatches his hat back from his son (Shia LaBeouf) with the very visual promise that we haven’t seen the last of him just yet.

Spielberg also added that ‘I think this one is straight down the pike for the fans,’ which is a slightly anachronistic turn of phrase for saying that the movie will please long-time fans of the franchise. Basically, if you’re a movie lover, it’s hard not to be a fan of Indiana Jones – and we’re glad that Spielberg isn’t killing him off just yet.