Rising Horror Director Has Officially Proposed an R-Rated Indiana Jones Movie
Barker’s darker adventure idea
Barker told Gold Derby that he would like to make a “really f–ked up, rated-R version” of Indiana Jones. He said he and Cooper had discussed the idea, but offered no plot details.
Barker described wanting a wild adventure about an ordinary man whose journey takes a crazy turn. He said pushing the genre’s boundaries would appeal to him.
A franchise built around PG-13
Harrison Ford first played Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981 and returned for four sequels, ending with 2023’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Every film in the series has been rated PG-13 or lower.
The PG-13 rating did not exist when Raiders was released. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom arrived as a PG film in 1984, but its dark themes and violence, including a heart-ripping scene, helped prompt the creation of the rating.
A difficult moment for Indy
Dial of Destiny received a lukewarm response from critics and grossed $384 million, against an estimated budget of more than $400 million. The article describes the film as a box-office bomb.
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull also struggled with critics, while The Last Crusade is widely regarded as the last truly good Indiana Jones film. A darker reinvention could offer a new direction, though it might depart too far from the family-friendly appeal of the franchise.
Why a change remains uncertain
Barker’s Obsession was a critical and box-office hit. Made for less than $1 million, the R-rated horror film grossed $524 million worldwide, making Barker a potential choice to bring a darker style to the franchise.
The article says a new version would presumably need a younger actor, given Ford’s age of 84. But Disney controls the character and franchise, and a move into very dark material seems unlikely; the company may keep Indy on ice for now.
Barker’s next film is Anything but Ghosts, starring Bryce Dallas Howard and Aaron Paul, and due in theaters next year. Indiana Jones’ future remains unclear.
Key points
- Curry Barker says he can envision an R-rated Indiana Jones adventure.
- Every Indiana Jones film so far has been rated PG-13 or lower.
- Dial of Destiny grossed $384 million against an estimated budget above $400 million.
- Disney’s control of the franchise makes a very dark reinvention uncertain.