Steven Spielberg's "Indiana Jones 5" Director Change and "The Clone Wars" Discussion

Steven Spielberg Steps Down from "Indiana Jones 5"

• 💔 Steven Spielberg has stepped away from directing "Indiana Jones 5," a decision that deeply disappoints co-host Dan Zehr, who considers Indiana Jones his favorite franchise.
• 🎬 James Mangold, director of "Logan" and "Ford v Ferrari," is set to take over directing duties for "Indy 5," with the release date still slated for July 9th, 2021.
• 🤝 Spielberg will remain involved as a hands-on producer and was instrumental in selecting Mangold as his successor.

"The Clone Wars" Season 7 and "The High Republic"

• ✨ Dan Zehr expresses immense enjoyment for the new season of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," praising its animation, voice acting, and the captivating "Bad Batch" arc.
• 🧐 Jim Hill delves into the history of "The Clone Wars," discussing its origins, the transition from hand-drawn to CG animation, and the initial vision for the series.
• 📚 The discussion shifts to "Star Wars: The High Republic," an ambitious multimedia project set 200 years before "The Phantom Menace," featuring interconnected stories across books and comics.
• ⚔️ The villains of "The High Republic," known as the Nihil, are described as "space Vikings" or "Sid Vicious in space," with a philosophy of nihilism posing a threat to the Jedi's belief in the Force.
• 🌌 The High Republic is seen as an incubator for potential future theatrical films and Disney+ series, with the first wave of content arriving in Fall 2020.

Indiana Jones Franchise Rights and Development

• 💰 Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 but initially only secured partial rights to the Indiana Jones franchise from Paramount, requiring a separate 14-month negotiation.
• 📜 In December 2013, Disney secured distribution and marketing rights for future Indiana Jones films, while Paramount retained rights to the original four films and a financial stake in any new installments.
• 🚀 There was consideration for rebooting Indiana Jones with Chris Pratt after the success of "Guardians of the Galaxy," but Pratt reportedly declined, not wanting to tarnish the franchise or replace Harrison Ford.
• 🤔 Spielberg's decision to step down was influenced by his age (73) and Harrison Ford's age (77), and the realization that recreating the feel of the original films was no longer realistic, leading him to seek a director like James Mangold, who successfully handled older protagonists in "Logan."
• 🗓️ "Indiana Jones 5" has faced numerous delays, with its release date shifting multiple times, and is now expected to begin production in Summer 2020 with Mangold adjusting the screenplay.

"The Mandalorian" and Toy Fair

• 🧸 The conversation touches on the excitement surrounding "The Mandalorian" and the release of "The Child" (Baby Yoda) merchandise, including Chia Pets and animatronic figures.
• 🎁 A promotion for Star Wars Lego sets at Target is mentioned, offering a free $10 gift card with a $50 purchase.
• 🚗 The podcast is sponsored by Carvana, highlighting their online car buying process and home delivery options.