Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

[Escapay]

Originally this was titled "Dammit G-Luc, approve the script already! (Indy 4 stalled)", but after I checked other sources, was puzzled as to why imdb was reporting on old news (Darabont's script was rejected in 2003). More puzzling that Darabont makes it sound like his script was only recently rejected and that the project was pushed further back than it already is. Turns out G-Luc is penning the script himself, with help from Jeff Nathanson and David Koepp. Still due in theatres Summer 2008.

Anyway, here's the rest of the original thread:

From imdb, makes me mighty pissed:

No Redemption for 'Indy 4' Writer
The latest effort to bring back Indiana Jones appears doomed, according to writer-director Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption). Darabont told a movie website that focuses on films in development that although Steven Spielberg had praised his script for Indiana Jones 4 as "the best draft of anything since Raiders of the Lost Ark, " his excitement was not shared by fellow producer George Lucas. In the interview with Devin Faraci of CHUD.com, Darabont said Spielberg's praise "gave me a real sense of accomplishment, especially when you love the material you're working on as much as I love the Indiana Jones films. And then you have George Lucas read it and say, 'Yeah, I don't think so, I don't like it.' And then he resets it to zero." Asked whether he believes Indy 4 will ever be filmed, Darabont replied, "I don't think so. ... I just think it's fantastically bizarre that for a project that people have been trying to crack for ten years and have a writer come in and finally crack it and then ... [for Lucas to] say, 'No, I don't think so...' It's just bizarre to me. I can't get into George's head."

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I've got half-a-mind to personally go down to wherever the hell Lucas is holed up, point a megaphone at his ear, and yell "Approve the damn script!"

Why do I even bother hoping for a fourth film? Harrison Ford isn't getting any younger, Denholm Elliot is gone, Connery's all but retired, and Rhys-Davies likely has better things to do. Might as well just have Sean Patrick Flanery don the fedora once again and do his own movie series.

Escapay

[slave2moonlight]

Ha, Flannery was good as young Indy, though I don't doubt they could have found someone more fitting. The fact that it was a great series helped me get used to the two Indy kids... Neither looked much like Harrison Ford to me (now, what's his name from the beginning of "Last Crusade," he should have remained Young Indy for the TV series!). Anyways, I don't know if Indy can work like Bond, with different actors in the role over the years. Not sure I want him to. But, while I wish him the best (and to get more work), I don't really think Flannery fits the role these days.

[Escapay]

Ha, Flannery was good as young Indy, though I don't doubt they could have found someone more fitting.

River Phoenix.

(now, what's his name from the beginning of "Last Crusade," he should have remained Young Indy for the TV series!).

Again, River Phoenix! He actually turned down the role because he didn't want to be stuck in a TV series.

But, while I wish him the best (and to get more work), I don't really think Flannery fits the role these days.

I guess it's a "to each his own" here. I still think he'd do great in the role, even today.

And if we really think about it, Indy's already had different actors over the years:
Harrison Ford: 1981-1989, 1993 (3 movies, 1 tv episode)
River Phoenix: 1989 (1 movie)
Corey Carrier: 1992-1996 (tv series, re-shoots in 1996)
George Hall: 1992-1993 (tv series)
Sean Patrick Flanery: 1992-1996 (tv series, re-shoots in 1996)

Of course, Harrison Ford is probably the truest Indy, though Phoenix and Flanery tie for second.

If Indy were to be recast today with a bigname star, I'd probably want to give the role to Nathan Fillion (Mal from Firefly and Serenity). He doesn't quite look like Ford, but his acting is amazing.

Escapay

[Disney-Fan]

Turns out G-Luc is penning the script himself, with help from Jeff Nathanson and David Koepp.

Exquise me? He's doing another script? Have people not noticed the forest of woodness that is the Star Wars saga? Please let a professional handle a franchise like Indy. I'm at least hoping he's smart enough to not direct this one.

[Escapay]

Turns out G-Luc is penning the script himself, with help from Jeff Nathanson and David Koepp.

Exquise me? He's doing another script? Have people not noticed the forest of woodness that is the Star Wars saga? Please let a professional handle a franchise like Indy. I'm at least hoping he's smart enough to not direct this one.

"George Lucas" and "smart" really shouldn't be in the same sentence.

Spielberg's directing, and thankfully he can hold his own against George (as opposed to Ron Howard, who basically was director-in-name-only on George Lucas's "Willow").

Escapay

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Coincidence, I saw this old news when it was first "announced" yesterday as well.

I'm up for another and final IJ adventure from the big 3(Lucas, Spielberg, Ford), unfortunately though, it has been delayed so long and has been "reannounced" so many times, until they say they are filming it right now as we speak, it's hard to know if it'll ever see the light of day.

As far as Lucas goes though, we should be just as wary with Spielberg on it though. Just because he said it was the best story since "Raiders of the Lost Ark", doesn't mean he truely believes that 100%, which could be just the media or something because he's stated several times that "The Last Crucade" is his favorite of the three, mainly for the father/son relationship which he is very fond of, and uses quite a bit in his films. Unless this draft had that in it(which I doubt, as it has been rumored that Connery was going to only show up briefly at the beginning and end) I doubt he would consider it better than "The Last Crucade". And like Lucas, Spielberg's reputation isn't as high as it use to, because don't a lot of people say his newer films aren't as good as his older ones?*

Exquise me? He's doing another script? Have people not noticed the forest of woodness that is the Star Wars saga? Please let a professional handle a franchise like Indy. I'm at least hoping he's smart enough to not direct this one.

Well considering this is someone who loves The Little Mermaid(talk about lousy script; and animation) and considers every Pixar film to be better than all of Disney's recent films(most specifically ones about animals that can be found on farms) I don't think we can consider your opinion reliable.

Seriously though, reread Escapay's post, and Jeff Nathanson and David Koepp are writing the script with Lucas. So in other words, he's getting help from other people with writing, so he's taking the advantage of something he didn't do for the prequel triliogy(unless you think the originals have wooden scripts ), so don't call the dialogue cheesy yet, unless of course, you've read the script.

I can't blame Lucas too much for wanting to be involved with the story somehow, as he's the one who created these characters, wrote the main elements of the storylines for all three stories, and was involved in all three movies more than Spielberg and contributed other small things worth mentioning(he was the one who designed Jones' costume, which I think should easily get the award for best costume in film history). So it'd be a little wrong to not have him involved with the story at all, especially when Spielberg is returning to fill his position.

But still I really hope Jeff Nathanson and David Koepp can help quite a bit with Lucas to avoid the flaws in the prequel trilogy.

*For the record, I enjoy most of Spielberg's recent films, and think some of them are very underrated. Although, he was unfortunately responsible for the crapfests known as "War of the Worlds" and "Munich" last year.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

I've got half-a-mind to personally go down to wherever the hell Lucas is holed up, point a megaphone at his ear, and yell "Approve the damn script!"

Well, you can throw that idea out the window.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=18197

George Lucas said Friday that filming of the long-awaited Indiana Jones 4 will begin next year with Harrison Ford set to star again. Lucas said he and Steven Spielberg recently finalized the script for the film...

It looks like the script has finally been completed and filming will begin in 2007 and it'll come to theaters May 2008!

With this news 2007 is already shaping up to be the best year EVER!

[DarthPrime]

I really hope this will be good, if it does get made. I was surprised by Rocky Balboa, but I have some real doubts about Lucas and the Indy franchise. Honestly I would be happy if IV wasn't even made, but since it probably will be eventually I hope it turns out to be great. While I enjoyed the Star Wars Prequels they lacked the "Magic" from the Original Trilogy. I would hate to see this happen to Indiana Jones as well.

[Maerj]

I believe that Harrison Ford is currently busy playing the role of the 'Burger King' in the series of VERY popular commercials. He should be done filming the bulk of them by early next year then he will be off to star in the next Indiana Jones.

[xxhplinkxx]

I believe that Harrison Ford is currently busy playing the role of the 'Burger King' in the series of VERY popular commercials. He should be done filming the bulk of them by early next year then he will be off to star in the next Indiana Jones.

that was hilarious!

[slave2moonlight]

I really hope this will be good, if it does get made. I was surprised by Rocky Balboa, but I have some real doubts about Lucas and the Indy franchise. Honestly I would be happy if IV wasn't even made, but since it probably will be eventually I hope it turns out to be great. While I enjoyed the Star Wars Prequels they lacked the "Magic" from the Original Trilogy. I would hate to see this happen to Indiana Jones as well.

I feel the same about the Star Wars films, and the only other thing I love just as much is the Indiana Jones series (Of course, the one thing I love more than those two subjects is Disney). Anyway, while I too enjoyed the prequels, they did seem to lack the magic. This could be easily blamed on all the CGI or various other things, or a combination of things, but I actually think the lack of Harrison Ford is a HUGE part of what the prequels were missing. Of course, it wouldn't have made sense to have had him in them, but a rogue-like character would have helped greatly, I believe.

Anyway, since the 4th Indy flick WILL have Harrison Ford, I still have high hopes for it. Of course, I have a little concern too.

[Just Myself]

I can already see the title blasted on the marquee...

Indiana Jones and the Hoverround of Destiny

Sounds good, yes?

Cheers,
JM

[MadonnasManOne]

Here is the first official picture of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in the new film. It's the first time he has worn this outfit since 1989! This brings a tear to my eye. I'm so happy!

http://www.indianajones.com/community/n ... 070621.jpg

http://www.indianajones.com/community/n ... 70621.html

[carter1971]

Hell yeah! After years of talking about it, it's finally happening. I can't wait. Thanks for posting the pic and link, MM1.

[Dottie]

I don't quite like the fact that there is going to be a Indy 4, but Harrison Ford is still hot.

[lord-of-sith]

Awesome! This film is going to blow everything out of the water next year (sorry, Batman).

[MadonnasManOne]

Hell yeah! After years of talking about it, it's finally happening. I can't wait. Thanks for posting the pic and link, MM1.

You're welcome, carter1971! I'm so excited about this film! The wait feels like an eternity.

[magicalwands]

Saw parts of the third one and I had to say was really good even with pieces missing. I can't wait to watch the first three and this one will definately be on my "to-see-in-theaters" list. (Let's just hope this doesn't spoil John Williams' chance to return to the Harry Potter series!)

[Disneykid]

(Let's just hope this doesn't spoil John Williams' chance to return to the Harry Potter series!)

To be honest, I don't think John's coming back, which it pains me to say. Nicholas Hooper's scoring Order of the Phoenix right now for director David Yates. Yates and Hooper always work together, and now that we know Yates is coming back for Half-Blood Prince, that means Hooper is, too. Williams' only chance at coming back would be for Deathly Hallows. We'll have to wait and see on that one...

Anyway, going back on-topic: That pic makes me really excited. Harrison still wears the costume well and looks great for his age (65 going on 66). I hope he retains the same kind of humor and cockyness he gave the role in the original trilogy. That's really my only fear about this film, that Harrison will play it too straight-laced and seriously. Still, I won't worry about that until I see evidence of that in a trailer. 2008's already shaping up to be a great year for films.

[Simba3]

Words cannot even describe how excited I am for this movie. From what I hear, Cate Blanchett is going to be in it, and I love her. This next installment of the Indiana Jones series is LONG overdue. This is definately going to be the movie to see next year! I can't wait!