The Shocking Twist: Indiana Jones 5 Director Reveals the Reason Behind Killing Off a Key Character

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Director James Mangold has addressed one of the lingering questions left by the film: the decision to kill off Mutt Williams, played by Shia LaBeouf.

Bringing back a beloved character for a final adventure comes with high stakes. This was the challenge faced by Mangold when he brought Harrison Ford back as the whip-wielding archaeologist in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The previous film in the franchise, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, received mixed reviews, adding even more obstacles for The Dial of Destiny. However, Mangold managed to make it work with the introduction of new characters, such as Indy's goddaughter Helena, played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Fans were also delighted by the return of beloved characters like Sallah (John Rhys-Davies) and Marion (Karen Allen). Unfortunately, one familiar character did not make an appearance in the film.

After LaBeouf portrayed Indy and Marion's offspring in The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the character tragically perished as a casualty of the Vietnam War. Mangold purposefully wrote this event, as he elucidated to Variety. "This felt emotionally appropriate to me," Mangold pondered, "that a disenchanted hero could find himself amidst this momentous upheaval in world history and -- bereft of his son and wife -- envision himself remaining in the place he holds dearest, which is conjuring these fantastical realms."

Mangold had to make a choice between featuring the relationship between Indy and Mutt (LeBouf) or focusing on the archeologist moving on. He ultimately chose the latter, opting not to force a story that lacked emotional weight. Instead, he decided to kill off Indy's son, which allowed for a more emotionally resonant narrative without the need for an alternative ending to Indiana Jones 5.

Mangold's decision wasn't driven by malice, even though Mutt (LaBeouf) had only appeared in a lackluster film. Mutt's death became Indy's main driving force throughout the movie. It created a rift between him and Marion, causing him to go through life aimlessly. He spent his final years teaching at Hunter College, just going through the motions and losing the passion he was once known for. It wasn't until Helena entered his life and gave him a chance at another adventure that he started to regain his old self. While he still struggled with grief, he and his wife had a long journey ahead of them. However, in the end, Marion returned to him because it seemed like he was working through the tragedy. The lesson Indy needed to learn was to rejoin the world and actively participate in it, and he achieved this without having to die.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is showing in theaters.

Source: Variety