John Rhys-Davies Is Unsure If He’s In Indiana Jones 5

John Rhys-Davies, who played Indiana Jones’ close friend Sallah in two of the four films in the adventure franchise, has said that he doesn’t know if he’s in the upcoming Indiana Jones 5. Rhys-Davies’ uncertainty is just one of many currently unknown elements involved in a sequel that so far has come off as surprisingly disorganized.

Throughout the lengthy history of the Indiana Jones series, numerous friends and acquaintances have come to the aid of Harrison Ford’s intrepid archaeologist. Some might even argue that these characters have often had the ability to make or break the film in which they starred. The likes of Short Round (Ke Huy Quan) or Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) are still being discussed by Indy fans, sometimes for good reasons and sometimes not. However, of all the characters that have crossed Indiana Jones’ path, Sallah is arguably one of the most difficult to dislike. Though not an archaeologist, Sallah was first introduced in 1981’s multi-Oscar winning Raiders of the Lost Ark by Indy himself as “the best digger in Egypt.” Since then, Indy’s called upon the stalwart Egyptian’s skills in 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as well as in numerous comics and novels.

With a new instalment in the Indiana Jones franchise on its way, one of the many questions being asked is who exactly will join Ford for a fifth quest for adventure. Until now there hasn’t really been much indication that Rhys-Davies is a part of the new sequel. But while speaking with Coming Soon recently, the 76-year-old star revealed that although he doesn’t know if he’ll be asked to join Indiana Jones 5, he’s certainly willing to “serve” if asked:

“I understand the film is going to be made, allegedly in May. I have the slightest skepticism that the world will be able to shoot a movie like that in May. I suppose it is possible that I will be asked to be in it. If nominated I will serve! (laughs) But I think we ought to wait a little bit longer and, you know, let our masters actually make announcements and then you can either share my joy or my disappointment. Is that suitably diplomatic?”

Rhys-Davies wasn’t involved in Temple of Doom – perhaps because no actual digging was involved in that film, and he reportedly turned down a role in 2008’s Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It’s definitely been quite some time since Sallah’s services have been required – a fact that makes his potential return all the more intriguing. It’s also interesting that both Ford and Rhys-Davies are only two years apart in age (with Ford the elder of the two), which would make Indiana Jones 5 a suitable place for the two to reunite for one last adventure.

At present it’s unknown just how the Indiana Jones franchise will handle the departure of Ford after Indiana Jones 5. New characters with links to the rich history that the series has built over the years will undoubtedly be brought to the forefront in the film. And though we don’t know who these characters will be, it would be very fitting if a character like Sallah, who has been involved since the start, has some degree of inclusion in this process.

Source: Coming Soon

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Mike Jones
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Mike Jones is an author, screenwriter, world traveller and cinephile. His work has been featured in print and online in a variety of publications, and he’s also a Berlinale Talents alumnus. Cinema has always moved him in a big way and aside from having seen The Talented Mr Ripley more times than any other living person, he maintains a pretty darn healthy physical media collection. His favourite filmmakers include: Jordan Peele, David Lean, Alfred Hitchcock, Mike Leigh, Steven Spielberg, the Dardenne Brothers, Noah Baumbach, Michael Haneke, Barry Jenkins and Andrea Arnold. Often jet-lagged, Mike once turned down a certain A-list celebrity’s offer to join them for a night of partying after a strange encounter in an airport.

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