Keeping Up With the Indianas

When he asked for his whip, Calista would come running.

I absolutely love Indiana Jones. Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of my all time favorite movies. The latest chapter in the famed franchise has been in development for years. Shawshank Redemption director Frank Darabont took a whack at the screenplay (for whatever reason, George Lucas rejected the script) and even M. Night Shyalaman was approached about doing a draft (he turned the assignment down). For a while there, it looked like the film languish in Limbo forever. But now, it's official. After an eighteen year wait, the next Indiana Jones adventure is finally on the way. How certain are we? Well, the movie is actually in production as we speak. It started shooting in Los Angeles on June 18th. Spielberg, Lucas, and Ford are all on board and the yet-untitled movie (it's rumored to be called Indiana Jones and the City of the Gods) boasts an awesome roster of supporting players (including Cate Blanchett, Jim Broadbent, John Hurt, Shia LaBeouf, and Ray Winstone). Rumors continue to swirl that Raiders heroine Karen Allen might also appear. Sean Connery will not be returning and it doesn't look like John Rhys-Davies will be back either. While these glaring omissions are disappointing, the rest of the cast list more than makes up for it. As for what artifact Indy is going after, that remains a secret. (I'm rooting for the "Fountain of Youth.") Although from what I've seen the old Ford is still running like a champ. Allegedly the film will take place in the 50's and it has been heavily rumored that one set piece in the film might revolve around Area 51 (Indiana Jones has a Close Encounter sounds like a bizarre mix). Whatever the case may be, the idea of a new Indiana Jones movie terrifies and excites me at the same time. I want it to be amazing and I have the utmost faith in Spielberg. However, the idea that Lucas turned down Darabont's screenplay has me a bit worried (the shooting script by David Koepp is said to include many elements from Darabont's draft) and Ford hasn't exactly lit it up as of late, but still, this is an Indiana Jones movie! It's gotta be great, right? We'll find out Memorial Day Weekend, 2008.