Why Harrison Ford decided to return for Indiana Jones 5

Harrison Ford has revealed the key reason why he decided to return one last time as Indiana Jones.

The Indiana Jones franchise is one of the most popular of all time. Starting with Raiders of the Lost Ark, which was followed in the original trilogy by The Temple of Doom and then The Last Crusade.

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After a 19-year hiatus, Ford returned to the role for a fourth instalment, 2008's Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Even though critical and fan reception was mixed, the commercial success the movie gained meant that further entries in the series was inevitable.

Eventually, James Mangold was selected as directed and Ford confirmed that Indiana Jones 5 will be his last time donning the famous hat and whip.

He says it was important that any new movie addressed Indy's age.

"I just thought it would be nice to see one where Indiana Jones was at the end of his journey," he told Empire.

"If a script came along that I felt gave me a way to extend the character."

Mangold elaborated on this aspect of the movie.

"It became really important to me to figure out how to make this movie about a hero at sunset... The issues I brought up about Indy's age were not things I thought were being addressed in the material being developed at the time," the director explained.

"There were 'old' jokes, but the material itself wasn't about it.

"To me, whatever your greatest liability, you should fly straight towards that. If you try to pretend it's not there, you end up getting slings and arrows the whole way."

No 'passing of the torch' in Indy 5

Mangold recently denied reports that there would be a 'passing of the torch' sequence in which a new Indy-like character would be created.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge will play an ally to Indy in the next movie, and rumours circulated online that she might take up his mantle to potentially lead the series going forward should Jones perish or retire.

However, Mangold has outright rejected that idea.

"No one will ever replace Indiana Jones," he Tweeted.

"Not in any script. Not in any cut. Never discussed."