George Lucas’s dog Indiana was the inspiration for both Indiana Jones’ name and the Star Wars character Chewbacca, fans are discovering
Samantha Bartlett Assistant Editor, Social News
14:36, 25 Dec 2025
Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade(Image: Getty Images)
The Indiana Jones films are hugely popular amongst cinema-goers, but it appears some folk are only now discovering a quirky link between the movies and Star Wars – and it involves a dog. Indiana Jones follows archaeologist-adventurer Dr Henry ‘Indiana’ Jones Jr, portrayed mainly by Harrison Ford, as he pursues ancient relics, confronts villains, and encounters supernatural enigmas. The franchise combines action, archaeology, humour, and pulp-adventure flair.
The debut film in the series is Raiders of the Lost Ark, which came out in 1981, helmed by Steven Spielberg. The storyline was crafted by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman, though. The narrative sees Indy racing against Nazi forces to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant, thought to possess supernatural powers.
Yet despite the film’s widespread appeal, some cinema enthusiasts hadn’t realised where Indiana acquired his memorable name. George Lucas, who also brought us the legendary Star Wars saga, owned a dog called Indiana, who actually inspired both Indiana Jones’ name and the character Chewbacca.
One enthusiast posted the revelation on the r/todayilearned Reddit forum, leaving some viewers stunned by the unusual detail.
One commenter exclaimed: “The dog? He’s named after the dog?!”
Whilst another remarked: “That’s awesome. Now, whenever I see those videos of crying huskies, I’m going to think of Chewbacca.”
A third joked: “Omg dogs are evolved wookies confirmed” As fourth person chimed in: “Yup, hence the joke he was named after the dog.”
Another viewer also raised a query, writing: “Why hasn’t anyone ever asked George why he named his dog Indiana? Everyone talks about Chewbacca and and out Indy being named after him. But why did George choose Indiana?”
The dog also inspired the Star Wars character Chewbacca(Image: Publicity Picture)
Reports suggest George Lucas said he named his Alaskan Malamute Indiana simply because he liked the name for a large, powerful dog. According to Lucas and those who knew him back then, the dog was big, fluffy, and commanding – the sort of dog that deserves a heroic-sounding name.
Alongside Raiders of the Lost Ark, Spielberg also helmed Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) marked the first film in the franchise not directed by Spielberg, with James Mangold taking the reins. The film also served as the final chapter for Harrison Ford’s Indy.
The studio behind the series, Lucasfilm (under Disney), and the film’s director have similarly indicated that the fifth movie wraps up this chapter of the franchise. So – at least in its classic form with Harrison Ford as Indy – there are no further Indiana Jones films currently in the pipeline.
