FOLLOWING the fan frenzy when Disney bought the rights to Star Wars, a certain whip-wielding adventurer was forgotten about.

While every tiny detail of Star Wars: The Force Awakens' development has been charted in the run up to its release this December, what many people did not realise is that Indiana Jones was included in the $4billion deal.

So it has been really interesting to read the recent rumours that Disney are eyeing Chris Pratt for the role in either a reboot or other adventures to run alongside Harrison Ford's portrayal of the character and his hunt for fortune and glory.

Ford made the role his own as the globe-trotting archaeologist in the beloved original trilogy of the 1980s.

But, for many, when George Lucas and Steven Spielberg revisited the character for 2008's Kingdom of the Crystal Skull it was as disappointing as the Star Wars prequels.

So what makes the talk of Chris Pratt as Indiana Jones so refreshing is that it has largely been welcomed by fans.

Usually new castings for iconic roles are greeted with a large dose of cynicism. Just ask Ben Affleck after he was cast as Batman.

On top of that, Ford, who is reprising his role as Han Solo in Star Wars, is a hard act to follow.

But I think Pratt could step into those shoes, leather jacket and fedora.

Making his name on the American sitcom Parks and Recreation, Pratt showed he could handle a starring role in another Disney production, Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy.

In that offbeat sci-fi comic book adventure, he showed that he is not only hugely likeable but had that roguish quality which is essential for Indiana Jones.

Pratt's main role in Jurassic World, set 22 years after the events of Jurassic Park, is likely to only further cement his position as a leading man.

The only downside is that Pratt will need to consider the risks of typecasting. With his current roles, he is fast forging a name for himself as a sort of quirky action hero but I doubt he could resist such a role and nor should he.

Everything is just hearsay at the moment but I could see it happening, especially when Disney start to see the dollar signs from Star Wars cinema goers, and Pratt has said it would be an 'awesome opportunity'.

But saying that, seeing a different actor portray Indiana Jones will be strange for those who grew up with the character and I should know.

He was my childhood hero and – confession time – I used to dress up as him in a fedora and torn shirt and hunt for treasure with a map I'd lovingly stained with a cup of tea and singed in the grill.

But bringing the character back for another generation more than justifies that.