Phoebe Waller-Bridge lined up ‘to replace Harrison Ford’ in Indiana Jones

The next Indy? (Picture: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is being lined up to replace Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones franchise.

The Fleabag star will appear opposite the veteran actor in his upcoming fifth outing as the adventurer, and it’s been claimed producers are keen for her to take over the famous hat and whip and lead the next movie in the series as a female version of the archaeology professor.

A source told the Mail on Sunday that producer Kathleen Kennedy wants to make ‘big, bold changes’ to the franchise.

They added: ‘It would be a huge statement, and a great role for Phoebe.’

It will be interesting to see how bosses let this play out when it comes to their characters in the upcoming film.

As well as creating, writing and starring in Fleabag, the 36-year-old actress also adapted Killing Eve for TV and has appeared in the likes of Goodbye Christopher Robin and The Iron Lady.

Harrison won’t play Indy forever (Picture: Lucasfilm/Paramount Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock)

Filming recently resumed on the highly anticipated film with Ford back on set after sustaining a shoulder injury in a choreographed fight scene at Pinewood Studios back in June.

He had been out of action for almost three months as a result, and a source recently told The Sun: ‘Everyone’s relieved to see him back and fighting fit. Filming has been held up but hopefully now it can get back on train.’

The movie – which sees James Mangold taking on directing duties from long-time lead Steven Spielberg – has had its share of setbacks after shooting was previously pushed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, Ford is said to have undertaken a gruelling exercise regime for the film by walking and cycling up to 40 miles a day and eating energy bars to keep himself in shape.

Filming had to take a break earlier this year when the leading man got hurt on set (Picture: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock)

A source said: ‘It’s incredible. He seems to live a very strict routine. You can set your watch by the things he does at the same time every day.

‘It’s clockwork, very regimented. It’s wake up, lunch, a very long bike ride, then he’s at the film set from 6pm.

‘He then arrives back at the hotel around 5am. That exercise and work regime would be punishment for a man half his age. It’s real dedication.’

More: US Showbiz news

Ford is known for doing his own stunts on set and Spielberg once confessed he was an ‘idiot’ for letting the star take on risky scenes, such as the boulder run in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The legendary filmmaker said: ‘A double would have cheated his head down, so Harrison volunteered to do it himself. There were five shots of the rock from five different angles – each one done twice – so Harrison had to race the rock ten times.

‘He won ten times – and beat the odds. He was lucky – and I was an idiot for letting him try it.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Harrison Ford ‘resumes filming Indiana Jones’ three months after his shoulder injury

MORE : Phoebe Waller-Bridge quits Mr & Mrs Smith TV series with Donald Glover over ‘creative differences’