Jonesing for more Indiana? He's Back!

With Harrison Ford pushing 65, there has been conjecture that the hat itself will be performing a lot of the stunts and even some of the tougher dialogue.

THE MAN WITH THE HAT IS BACK! INDIANA JONES TO RETURN IN 2008!

After years of development, it appears that Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Harrison Ford are finally ready to get the cameras rolling on a new Indidana Jones adventure. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Last Crusade came out way back in the summer of 1989. Many fans are curious as to whether or not this powerhouse team of film makers can really pull it off. Ford has been slumming a bit as of late (Firewall was completely dull) and certainly, he isn't getting any younger (he's 64), but I'd still like to see him back in the hat. Meanwhile, George Lucas finally has Star Wars out his system, and while the prequels were box office gold, the films were met with hostile reaction in many circles. Of the group, it is Spielberg who has grown most, both as a cash cow and a competent artist, so with him at the healm, I think we can rest easy.

A few years back, Spielberg and Ford allegedly approved a screenplay by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption), but Lucas turned it down. That makes me a wee bit nervous. After all, Lucas isn't what he used to be when it comes to dialogue and story structure, so the idea that he turned down a screenplay by Darabont, is a little...scary.

Whatever the case may be, the latest draft was written by David Koepp who Spielberg has worked with many times (see Jurassic Park and War of the Worlds) so we'll see what happens. Like most Indiana Jones fans around the world, I want to see the franchise end gracefully, and I have to believe Spielberg wouldn't have it any other way either.

No word on plot or casting but details should be coming in shortly as the film is slated to go into production in June. I suspect several tidbits will be unveiled at July's Comic-Con event in San Diego.

One note of interest, summer 2008 is shaping up to be one hell of a movie release season. A new Indiana Jones adventure and a new Batman flick! We'll be partying like it's 1989!

Check out this story on Indy IV over at Hollywood Reporter.