In today’s Weeks of Geek: Indiana Jones entry, we take a look at the future of the Indiana Jones film franchise as envisioned by executive producer George Lucas.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is set to make its debut tomorrow at the 61st Cannes Film Festival with Lucas in attendance. While at the festival this weekend, Lucas told Fox News that he and director Steven Spielberg have left the door open for a fifth Indiana Jones movie, which would be a direct sequel to Crystal Skull.
The catch? Harrison Ford, aka Indiana Jones, might not be the star of the film — that distinction would go to Shia LaBeouf, who plays Indy’s new sidekick Mutt Williams in Crystal Skull.
LaBeouf’s character is rumored to be Indy’s son with his Raiders of the Lost Ark love interest Marion Ravenwood, the role Karen Allen reprised for the upcoming fourth film. Lucas’s statement to Fox about a fifth movie seems to inadvertently confirm the rumor.
“I haven’t even told Steven or Harrison this,” he said. “But I have an idea to make Shia [LeBeouf] the lead character next time and have Harrison [Ford] come back like Sean Connery did in the last movie. I can see it working out.
Connery played Indy’s estranged father Henry Jones, Sr. in the third film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. While Connery had spent years playing one of the world’s most famous screen heroes James Bond, in Last Crusade his character was an umbrella-toting scholarly old gentleman, not the physical action hero like Indy was — and at 65 years old, still is.
In this summer’s third Mummy film, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperior, it’s said that franchise star Brendan Fraser’s role as adventurer Rick O’Connell has been relegated to make room for a younger hero, Rick’s now-adult son Alex. Apparently, Lucas would be downgrading Ford similarly for a future Indiana Jones movie.
But what does Ford think about that? He evaded the question when MTV asked him this weekend at Cannes.
“I have no cheeky answer for [that]. I just work here. I’m glad to work here … Till they tell me otherwise, I will continue to be Indiana Jones.”
That sounds like Ford will play Indiana Jones as long as they want him to, whether it’s as the headline star or in a supporting role.
While some people have criticized Ford’s age in relation to him being an action star, are people really ready for him to hand the reins over to a younger actor? Or would moviegoers be willing to see Ford back in action in full-force in a fifth movie?
LaBeouf let MTV know his thoughts on the subject:
“I know Harrison would love to,” LaBeouf countered, smiling. “I know that Harrison, when he’s 80, will still be jacked. Is there going to be an 80-year-old Indiana Jones? No one can say never.”
Fans of the Indy movies have waited over two decades for a fourth adventure, but will they take a fifth movie any way then can get it? Or, if the Indiana Jones character won’t be the main focus of next film, should the franchise just end with Crystal Skull?
What do you guys think?
Indiana as a “supporting” character in his own franchise so that flavor-of-the-month-LaBeouf can be handed the reins as the new star? You’ve gotta be kidding me!
Comment by Movies At Midnight — May 18, 2008 @ 1:23 am
Leave it to George Lucas to take a great movie series and run in straight into the ground. Only he would think that would work.
Comment by WordSlinger — May 18, 2008 @ 1:43 am
I hope this never happens. Leave it alone after this one.
Comment by Jerry — May 18, 2008 @ 11:44 am
Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones, and if you remove Indy then the franchise is no longer Indiana Jones is it.
No matter how great it may be without Indy it would NEVER be an Indiana Jones film, and if they play it up as Indy 5 then the only thing they will do is annoy and disappoint Indy fans.
Make the next movie a distant spin off. One that feels like an Indy movie, but is minimally related and new. Or simply stop at 4.
Comment by jc — May 20, 2008 @ 4:03 pm
Is George Lucas hell-bent on ruining all of his movies by making crappy sequels?
Comment by Dave — May 22, 2008 @ 9:24 am
Please, Shia is at some point a good actor, but not a leadrole actor…certainly not taking over the indiana jones franchise..indiana jones is harrison ford en vice versa..although indy 4 wasn’t the movie i was hoping for, it has its indy moments..story was lacking though..liked all the action, but the tarzan piece was over the top..just like the ants..but i enjoyed the movie and at the same time felt a bit empty at the end..next time more focus on the story please..but i will defenitly watch indy 5 with harrison as the lead role..i will also watch shia but in another movie please or tagging alongside side indy..not the other way around ;)
gr.
Comment by boeboelaas — May 25, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
only harrison is exceptible shia would ruin no offense to him he was brilliant in indy 4 i wouldn’t mind him being the side kick but thats it i dont care if indy is 80 aslong as its harrsion itll be good
Comment by go harrison — May 26, 2008 @ 2:03 am
What perverse reason exists to foist upon us this untalented Shia as a leading man? Sure, he is ok as an ugly sidekick to a main character (like the leading man’s ugly best friend, etc). BUT A LEADING MAN? He already needs a hairpiece…and how old is he? A 5’10” Mutt Jones and the Hairpiece of Doom?
Comment by Joey Diggs — May 29, 2008 @ 8:47 am
i luv shia… i mean he is hott… but mr.ford is indy… and i think it would be ruined if shia became the lead… i LUV him!!!
Comment by TAYTAY — June 6, 2008 @ 10:01 pm
Is George Lucas smoking something? To me, it looks like his ideas match those expected from someone who has fried his brain! The JarJar Binx upheaval–and even more relevantly, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles should be enough of a clue to this man that the talents of his imagination rest within brining others’ ideas alive on film. Otherwise, his imagination alone is left with much to be desired.
For me, it’s Indy as the main character or nobody. Besides, for me Shia Lebouf just doesn’t fit the “Indy†mold. I think Zachary Quinto has the right look and attitude for the part, but he was busy with Star Trek. Besides, since I’m not a highly paid professional, my opinion probably doesn’t matter anyway.
Still the same, I absolutely do want to see an Indy 5. I’d love to see more adventures in writing, too. I know it may not be with Ford, but who knows? Someday, it’d be great to see Indy on the small screen — a tv series and not something stupid like that Young Indiana Jones bit that failed to meet the mark for the audience.
Comment by Don't take away my Indy! — June 9, 2008 @ 12:33 am
Like a lot of you, I wasn’t excited about Shia either, but he was perfectly cast in the role; a greaser. Shia is the epitome of city-punkness americana. Grease, The Fonz, Bill Haley, Richie Cunningham and the Wild One rolled into one.
Children often take a sharp turn from their parents. No one can replace Indy, so why try? I for one will be their opening night to see “Mutt Williams and the Garden of Paridise” or whatever fancy musings enter Mr. Lucas’ noodle. You know you’ll be there too with Blu-Ray, T-shirt, poster and the beach towel ta boot. Props to Senor’ Lucas Maximus. Peace Out.
Comment by Ned Flanders — July 27, 2008 @ 4:41 pm