Though rumors he was being replaced by a younger actor for an upcoming Indiana Jones 5 movie have been continuously refuted, a recent injury sustained during another film shoot could indeed put Harrison Ford's return to the franchise in jeopardy.

Harrison Ford Wanted Han Solo To Die?

The 71-year-old actor was filming a scene as Han Solo for Star Wars: Episode VII at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England June 12, when he reportedly hurt his ankle.

A statement by Disney, which is producing the J.J. helmed film, confirmed the news.

Harrison Ford Giving Robert Pattinson Advice?

"The injury happened on the set of Star Wars: Episode VII Thursday. He was taken to a local hospital and is receiving care. Shooting will continue as planned while he recuperates," the statement read.

Rumors have flown for some time that Disney was considering replacing Ford in their rumored new Indy film, for various reasons including concerns that the actor was getting too old to reprise the role. Actors including Bradley Cooper and, most recently, Robert Pattinson, have been among the highest-ranking rumored replacements.

However, Ford reportedly refused to sign on again for Star Wars unless he was guaranteed to reprise his Indiana Jones role as well.

According to a Market Saw report from February, he refused to sign on to Disney's J.J. Abrams-helmed Star Wars: Episode VII until the company agreed to let him reprise his role as Indiana Jones as well.

"Regarding Harrison Ford, two more Indiana Jones features are in the negotiation stages as per Ford's contract clause on Star Wars, which is the primary reason he didn't 'publicly' or 'privately' commit, or so I'm told," a source said at the time.

If Ford did have such a clause in his contract for Star Wars, then this new round of rumors concerning Pattinson will eventually be proven false. However, if no such clause ever did exist, the role of Indiana Jones could very well be up for grabs, especially in light for Ford's recent injury.

Tags: Indiana Jones 5 Disney Movies