‘Indiana Jones 5’ Crew Member Death May Delay Production Even Further
By Kristin Myers on November 7, 2021 at 12:17 PM EST
Updated on November 7, 2021 at 12:19 PM EST
The production of “Indiana Jones 5” is facing even more delays to the highly-anticipated fifth installment of the “Indiana Jones” franchise.
After enduring multiple filming delays caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, Harrison Ford, 79, injured his shoulder while rehearsing a fight scene last June. He spent three months recovering from shoulder surgery in London and was not able to resume filming until October.
A source on set said, “Everyone’s relieved to see him back and fighting fit. It’s been a long ten-week wait for him and the crew. Filming has been held up but hopefully, now it can get back on track.”
However, the troubled production seems like it might be derailed again, this time due to a crew member’s tragic passing.
Camera Department Crew Member Found Dead
Nic Cupac, 54, who worked in the film’s camera department as a grip on the second unit, was discovered “dead in his hotel room in the city of Fes,” according to the New York Post.
A representative further clarified that his death was “not production-related” and shared their condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Nic Cupac, an incredibly talented colleague and member of the film community who will be greatly missed.”
Cupac traveled to Morocco to assist with the production of “Indiana Jones 5” after previously serving in blockbuster franchises like “Jurassic Park,” “Star Wars,” and “Harry Potter.” More than a hundred crew members had traveled to the city to film a major stunt scene that involved the use of a rickshaw. Cupac was responsible for building and maintaining the rigging equipment to support the cameras.
Although the cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, The Sun reported that “he is thought to have died of natural causes.”
Who Is Going To Appear In ‘Indiana Jones 5’?
Although the plot of the fifth movie in the franchise has yet to be revealed, fans do know that Ford will be reprising his role as Dr. Henry Jones, Junior. Ford first donned the iconic fedora in 1981’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark” before taking on 1984’s “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and 1989’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” Ford is also well-known for his portrayal of Han Solo in the “Star Wars” franchise.
Joining Ford is “Hannibal” actor Mads Mikkelsen and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who is the creator, writer, and star of the BBC comedy “Fleabag.”
Although Steven Spielberg was originally set to return as director, he has passed the torch to James Mangold, who produced the 2020 film “Call of the Wild” in which Ford also starred. Mangold is also the creative force behind films like “Logan” and “Ford v Ferrari.”
The film, which was originally scheduled for a July 9, 2021 release date, had been pushed back to July 29, 2022. Disney has now pushed the movie back even further, with an anticipated release date of June 30, 2023.
