Disney Acquires Rights to 'Indiana Jones'

Credit: Paramount

Is Disney doubling down on film franchises starring Harrison Ford? Looks like it.

After first acquiring Star Wars, Disney has now obtained the rights to the Indiana Jones franchise. The Walt Disney Studios announced on Friday, December 6, that it has reached a marketing and distribution agreement with Paramount Pictures for future Indiana Jones films.

This acquisition required a lot of finesse from Disney, as the company already owned Indiana Jones production rights since 2012 after the studio acquired LucasFilm, but lacked the marketing and distribution rights possessed by Paramount. Now, with all the rights under one roof, new Indy films can move forward, although Paramount will still receive “financial participation on any future films.” In addition, Paramount will retain the distribution rights for the first four films in the franchise.

No announcements have been made concerning new Indiana Jones films just yet, nor are any announcements expected until a decision on the franchise's direction can be decided upon. Either way, it's clear that Disney still sees dollar signs in the big-screen action-adventure serial.

Via: EW