Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

[criterionmaster]

]Darabont Speaks!

From Chud.com


INDIANA JONES AND THE WASTED SCREENPLAY
11.06.06
By Devin Faraci
Hey, remember when I declared a moratorium on Indiana Jones IV stories? If so, you’ll remember I gave myself a little out, saying I would run a story if I got a quote directly from someone involved in the film. And now I have, so here’s an Indiana Jones IV story.

This evening I got on the phone with Frank Darabont to talk about next week’s special edition 2 disc set of The Green Mile. I made sure to ask him about his upcoming projects (look for that tomorrow), but I couldn’t help asking him about his participation in Indiana Jones IV. Darabont had spent a lot of time working on that script, which supposedly dealt with Indy investigating UFOs in the 50s, but his version was eventually scrapped. After that, Darabont announced he wouldn’t be working as a screenwriter anymore but would be directing full time. I had to get the inside scoop.

Q: How difficult is it when someone takes a script of yours and then never makes it? I’m thinking of the whole Indiana Jones thing.

Darabont: That was the most frustrating of all, and that was the straw that broke the back of me wanting to continue in that line of work. That was terrifically frustrating. I worked for over a year on that; I worked very close with Steven Spielberg. He was ecstatic with the result and was ready to shoot it two years ago. He was very, very happy with the script and said it was the best draft of anything since Raiders of the Lost Ark. That’s really high praise and 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 when Spielberg is ready to shoot it that coming year, [which] is a real kick to the nuts. You can only waste so much time and so many years of your life on experiences like that, you can only get so emotionally invested and have the rug pulled out from under you before you say enough of that.

Q: Coming from an insider’s perspective on that whole thing, do you think that movie’s ever going to happen?

Darabont: I don’t think so. I don’t think so. But that’s just my opinion, I could be wrong. 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 have a director who happens to be Steven Spielberg, one of the greatest directors of all time, and then say, ‘No, I don’t think so…’ It’s just bizarre to me. I can’t get into George’s head.

Tomorrow look for more info on The Mist and Fahrenheit 451. The full interview will run next week.

[PTAhole]

Okay, a bunch of Lucas-hating pricks are jumping all over this, but does anyone know what this script was about? Indy chasing down UFO's is not something that sounds all that great. Indy also survives a nuclear test in this script. I am not a Darabont fan (Not even a huge fan of Shawshank) and honestly, I think this is the dumbest controversy this film has ever seen. Look, I don't even think this movie will ever get made, but if it does, I want it to have the best script possible, and sorry, that doesn't sound like the best script. INDIANA JONES IS NOT A SCIENCE FICTION FRANCHISE! It is an action franchise, and I want Indy chasing down biblical relics, or mystical stuff, or whatever, but not UFO's! Sorry, but I'm with Lucas on this one.

[criterionmaster]

www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/Indy_4_To_Film_In_2007_102617.asp

Finally.

[PTAhole]

Yes. I now greatly look forward to it.

[PTAhole]

Indiana Jones 4 Starts Filming in June
Source: The Hollywood Reporter January 2, 2007


The Hollywood Reporter has learned more details about the Indiana Jones 4 production after George Lucas announced on Friday that the project is a go for a release in May, 2008.

After years spent in script development, the fourth installment of the successful franchise is set to begin production in June in locations around the world and in the U.S.

Although he has been developing other projects, including a biopic about Abraham Lincoln with Liam Neeson attached to star, Spielberg has decided the "Indiana Jones" sequel will be his next directorial outing.

"George, Harrison and I are all very excited," Spielberg said. "We feel that the script was well worth the wait. We hope it delivers everything you'd expect from our history with Indiana Jones."

The film will be produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and released worldwide by Paramount Pictures, the parent company of DreamWorks. Frank Marshall will serve as producer, with Lucas and Kathy Kennedy joining him as executive producers.

David Koepp, who has wrote such previous Spielberg projects as Jurassic Park and War of the Worlds, wrote the screenplay that finally got the stamp of approval from Lucas and Spielberg. An earlier screenplay by Frank Darabont had been shelved when Lucas turned thumbs down on it.

For the moment, the title of the new film as well as its story line are being kept under wraps.

Although a spokesman for Spielberg said Monday that no casting has begun, Lucas and Ford have said that they would like to include Sean Connery, who played Indiana Jones' father, Professor Henry Jones, in "The Last Crusade."

Source: ComingSoon.Net

[criterionmaster]

Here is the Variety article posted today about the same thing:

www.variety.com/article/VR1117956484.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

'Indiana Jones 4' finally has a script
Paramount to begin filming pic in June
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

Fans have clamored for Harrison Ford to return for a fourth Indiana Jones pic.

After years of languishing in development, the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise is finally moving ahead, as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford look to reconnect with their blockbuster roots.
For Spielberg in particular, the project marks a return to the kind of pure entertainment fare on which he built his career before his interests turned to more social-minded fare like "Schindler's List," "Saving Private Ryan" and "Munich."

The trio confirmed Monday that Paramount is set to begin lensing the new Indiana Jones pic in June from a script by David Koepp ("Spider-Man").

Par and Lucasfilm, which is producing, are eyeing a May 2008 worldwide release -- some 19 years after the last film in the action-adventure franchise, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," came out.

Fans have long clamored for another installment in the series, but some questioned whether Ford would be able to keep up with the vigorous physical requirements of the role after the long delay. "I'm delighted to be back in business with my old friends. I don't know if the pants still fit, but I know the hat will," said Ford, who is 64.

Thesp, who will again topline, had always said he would reprise his role as the adventuring archeologist if he liked the script. Several scribes tried their hand at the project before Koepp was brought aboard in 2005.

"We feel that the script was well worth the wait. We hope it delivers everything you'd expect from our history with Indiana Jones," Spielberg said. "George, Harrison and I are all very excited."

Producer is Frank Marshall, while Kathleen Kennedy and Lucas are exec producing.

For Paramount, the greenlight seems to be another benefit of its pricey acquisition of DreamWorks.

The film doesn't yet have an official title. Producers wouldn't disclose the storyline other than to say there would be plenty of action. Pic will be shot in undisclosed points around the globe, as well as in the U.S.

All told, the first three "Indiana Jones" films grossed more than $1.18 billion at the box office.

The upcoming installment is looking to be Spielberg's next directing project. The helmer continues to alternate wider-appeal projects with more serious dramas: He's also slated to helm "Lincoln," with Liam Neeson attached to star, for DreamWorks. He was last in theaters with "Munich."

Project reunites Spielberg and Koepp, who penned helmer's "War of the Worlds" and "Jurassic Park," among other pics.

Lucas was grand marshal of the 118th annual Rose Parade on Monday, celebrating the 30th anniversary of "Star Wars."

[criterionmaster]

Saloon!

Tidbits:

Connery on his involvement in Indiana Jones 4

and JoBlo.com also mentions that on Extra, the TV show, Speilberg said something about Clint Eastwood being offered a role in the movie.

[criterionmaster]

www.inentertainment.co.uk/ford-wants-whip-or-no-indiana-jones/

I am guessing this is fake.

[criterionmaster]

Indiana Jones 4 Set for May 22, '08!
Source: Box Office Mojo
February 6, 2007

Box Office Mojo reports that Paramount Pictures has set Thursday, May 22, 2008 as the release for the fourth "Indiana Jones" movie, which the studio is now officially referring to as the Fourth Installment of the Indiana Jones Adventures.

The picture maintains the Memorial Day weekend release strategy of the last two "Indiana Jones" movies, and it mirrors the last two "Star Wars" movies and The Matrix Reloaded with its Thursday launch.

Also currently scheduled for Memorial Day weekend 2008 is Warner Bros.' Speed Racer.

[criterionmaster]

This is pretty funny.

www.somethingawful.com/d/awful-movie-database/amdb-indiana-jones.php

[criterionmaster]

LaBeouf in Final Talks for Indiana Jones 4
Source: Variety
March 8, 2007

Shia LaBeouf is in final talks to star in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones 4 as the son of the adventuresome archaeologist to be played once again by Harrison Ford, reports Variety.

Spielberg and George Lucas' Lucasfilm, which is producing the fourth film for Paramount, are keeping the storyline under tight wraps. David Koepp (Spider-Man) wrote the script.

Spielberg is set to begin shooting Indiana Jones 4 in June. The film is scheduled for a May 22, 2008 release, taking advantage of the Memorial Day holiday.

LaBeouf stars in two upcoming DreamWorks pics, Disturbia and Transformers. The actor also provides the lead voice in Sony's upcoming animated film Surf's Up!.

[captainofbeef]

Shia is a good actor, I can't wait to see how this turns out.

[malicious32dll]

meh, this movie is prolly gonna suck.

[criterionmaster]

I am surprised you like Shia beed; I actually like him as well, ever since I saw him on Project Greenlight, but Jones has a son now? I don't know if this will work.

[malicious32dll]

criterionmaster said:

I am surprised you like Shia beed; I actually like him as well, ever since I saw him on Project Greenlight, but Jones has a son now? I don't know if this will work.

hence my last comment

[captainofbeef]

Well, it will make a great trio, Connery as the grandfather, Indiana as the father, and Shia as the reluctant son. I bet it will be good.

[PTAhole]

Yeah, I don't know why everyone is so down on this flick.

[criterionmaster]

Blanchett on crusade to 'Indiana Jones 4'
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
By Tatiana Siegel
March 16, 2007

Cate Blanchett has signed on to star in the fourth installment of the "Indiana Jones" adventures.

Harrison Ford already has boarded the project, which will be produced by Lucasfilm and directed by Steven Spielberg.

With David Koepp's screenplay shrouded in secrecy, it is unclear what character Blanchett will play. However, sources said the Oscar-winning actress has landed a starring role.

Shooting will begin in June in Los Angeles and at undisclosed locations around the world. Paramount Pictures will release "Indy 4" day-and-date around the world on May 22, 2008, with a handful of territories opening the following day.

Frank Marshall is producing, with George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy executive producing.

[criterionmaster]

Some sweet news from the hollywood saloon:

George Lucas on Indiana Jones 4!
Source: USA Today - April 5th, 2007

Indiana Jones 4 producer George Lucas talked to USA Today about the highly-anticipated film, to be directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford and Cate Blanchett.

Lucas told the newspaper that shooting begins in Los Angeles this June and then it's on to several top-secret global destinations. Lucas teased that one will include a waterfall.

Lucas said that Ford's age (64) won't be a problem. "He's not running in any of the movies. He's either on a horse or driving a car or a motorcycle. And he'll play his age in this movie with what's appropriate. The chases are more suspenseful than speedy. Like the rolling ball in the first film — it's not that he's running that fast, it's that there's a giant ball coming at him. And he will get beat up, which is a tradition for us."

Lucas, who also is in pre-production on a "bare-bones, action-heavy" "Star Wars" live-action TV series, said there'll still be plenty of action in "Indy 4," the official title of which he hopes to keep under wraps until the first trailer hits theaters around Thanksgiving.

Sean Connery has yet to sign on as Indiana's father, Dr. Henry Jones, but Lucas said, "We're still trying."

It wasn't his idea to cast Blanchett as Ford's new leading lady, he added. "That's who my director wanted, and I always bow to the wishes of my director," Lucas said of Spielberg. "I approved it because she seemed like a good idea. When I met her at the Academy Awards, I told her, 'Hey, you work for me now!'"

End or Article.

[criterionmaster]

Frank Darabont says Indiana Jones 4 was a Tremendous Disappointment
Posted on Tuesday, April 17th, 2007 at 4:08 pm by: Peter Sciretta - SlashFilm.com
Source: Hollywood Saloon

Frank Darabont has written (and directed) some of the best movies of all time: The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. He’s currently in post production on his latest Stephen King adaptation The Mist. The writer has started to speak out about the disasterious experience that was Indiana Jones 4. His comments are sure to anger Star Wars director George Lucas. Darabont, who also worked on The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, says that his time working on Indiana Jones 4 “topped the list” of his worst writing experiences of all time.

“It was a tremendous disappointment and a waste of a year,” Darabont told MTV. “It showed me how badly things can go. I spent a year of very determined effort on something I was very excited about, working very closely with Steven Spielberg and coming up with a result that I and he felt was terrific. He wanted to direct it as his next movie, and then suddenly the whole thing goes down in flames because George Lucas doesn’t like the script.”

Spielberg had acclaimed the screenplay as the best since Raiders of the Lost Ark. Darabont claims he confronted Lucas directly:

Remember the prequels? Remember when Lucas said Empire Strikes Back was the WORST Star Wars movie? Lucas’ sensibilities have been really wrong for twenty years. But here is the kicker, Darabont’s screenplay supposedly dealt with Indy investigating UFOs in the 1950s, after the demise of the Nazi regime. [Update: We have been informed that the accuracy of this claim has been debated.] The script also featured Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) and Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw) in one scene, and it does not have Jones’ son.

So may-be George Lucas was in the right (for once). Remember, even a broken clock is right twice a day.

End of Article.

[criterionmaster]

John Rhys-Davies (aka Sallah) Written Out of 'Indy 4,' Source Says
Posted Apr 16th 2007 6:32PM by Chris Ullrich - Cinematical.com
Source: Hollywood Saloon

According to a recent report that surfaced over at Dark Horizons, stalwart Indiana Jones sidekick Sallah, played by John Rhys-Davies in both Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade will not be appearing in the fourth installment of the franchise. I'm not sure if this exactly qualifies as a "travesty" or not, but it is a little disappointing, especially as Sallah was a very important part of Raiders and provided the film with some of its best lines, like: "Snakes, you go first" and the classic "Bad dates." So, why is he reportedly not being included in Indy 4?

According to the site, Rhys-Davies was asked about his appearance in the film at a recent Sci-Fi convention in New Zealand. He answered that, through a third party, he was told his character was written out of the script in favor of "a younger cast." If that's really the reason he was given for not being in the film, I have to wonder a little about it. And, if his character was "written out," could it be that at one point it was "written in?" Not to be a nit-picker but according to IMDB, Rhys-Davies is actually two years younger than Harrison Ford. Although, I guess you can't really have an Indiana Jones movie without Indiana Jones. Plus, Lucas and Spielberg probably decided that one old guy running around getting into fights, swinging from a bullwhip, shooting bad guys and protecting antiquities was enough for one movie. Thinking about it like that I guess I can't really blame them. Still, what's next, no Short Round either?

End of Article.

[criterionmaster]

The Darabont's expanded interview...

Darabont Angry at "Wasted Year" Over 'Indiana Jones 4' Script
Source: Hollywood Saloon

The Shawshank Redemption filmmaker Frank Darabont has hit out at movie mogul George Lucas for preventing Steven Spielberg from shooting his script for the upcoming Indiana Jones sequel, claiming his efforts were "a waste of a year." Darabont wrote a screenplay for the highly-anticipated movie, which is still known by its working title of Indiana Jones 4, and insists director Spielberg was happy with it. However, producer Lucas didn't think it was good enough. Darabont tells MTV.com, "It showed me how badly things can go. I spent a year of very determined effort on something I was very excited about, working very closely with Steven Spielberg and coming up with a result that I and he felt was terrific. He wanted to direct it as his next movie, and then suddenly the whole thing goes down in flames because George Lucas doesn't like the script. I told him (Lucas) he was crazy. I said, 'You have a fantastic script. I think you're insane, George.' You can say things like that to George, and he doesn't even blink. He's one of the most stubborn men I know." He adds, "I have no idea if there's a shred of (my script) left. It was a tremendous disappointment and a waste of a year." And Darabont has no plans to reveal what his Indiana Jones script contains: "At this point, I don't give much of a damn what George thinks, but I wouldn't want to harm my friendship with Steven."

End of Article.

[criterionmaster]

Indiana Jones 4 Starts Filming This Week
Source: Formula1.com May 29, 2007

The official Formula 1 website caught up with George Lucas at the Monaco Grand Prix late last week. He said Indiana Jones 4 starts filming this week:

I plan to go to Indianapolis as well - if my schedule permits it, as I start shooting Indiana Jones IV next week. If the production is running as planned you will find me there."

Lucas is executive producing the fourth installment, hitting theaters on May 22, 2008.

End of Article.

[criterionmaster]

Indiana Jones IV Villain Revealed![/b]
Written by Robert Sanchez
Thursday, 24 May 2007

With all the Indiana Jones news flying around we were feeling a little left out so we decided to share some news that has come across our desk. Spoiler Warning!

First, let’s confirm some details that Crud.com and other sites have posted.

Contacting various sources from different levels of access to this film we can confirm most of the recent news that has hit the web.

The news that Karen Allen would be back as Marion Ravenwood is accurate and truth be told, a few online sites had been sitting on this information for close to a month, no real shocker.

Shia Lebeouf is a teenage motorcycle riding greaser, true.

Shia LeBeouf is the son of Marion Ravenwood and Indiana Jones, true.

Indy doesn’t find out about being a daddy until after he and Shia have been teamed up for a while and during a pivotal scene, true.

Movie takes place in the 50’s, true.

We will see Area 51 and Russian Agents, true.

South American Pyramids/Temples, true.

Crystal Skulls, true (13 skulls to be exact)

The current script is a hybrid of scripts including Frank Darabont’s version, true.

The title of the film is Indiana Jones and the City of the Gods, maybe, it sure is the working title but we have been told the real title may involve something about the 13 crystal skulls.

One major question remains, who’s the villain? Let’s take a look at the villains from the past Indiana Jones films before we blow our load. Spoilers Ahead!

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark we had Dr. Rene Belloq and those pesky nazis.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom we had Mola Ram and his followers.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade we had Walter Donovan and, again, nazis.

So who will be a villain in Indy IV?

Well kiddies, while most people have been assuming that Cate Blanchett will be Indy’s love interest since the announcement of her addition to the cast, several of our sources have revealed that she will actually be the villain in cahoots with the Ruskies.

Can these details change? We have been told that all major story beats have been locked and only minor changes can be made at this time.

I would stay close to the web during the next upcoming week as I have a feeling that more of Indy’s secrets will be revealed.

No time for love for Dr. Jones this time around! Well at least not with Cate Blanchett.

Stay tuned to the IESB as we bring you the latest news.

www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2564&Itemid=99

End of Article.

Oh man, I don't know if I should read it, tell me if I should? I might want to go in blind.

[criterionmaster]

No Connery in Indy 4
Sean Connery bows out of the 4th Indiana Jones movie.
Editor, CraveOnline
June 8, 2007

The next ''Indiana Jones'' flick will not be another father-son affair. Sean Connery says he will not return to play dad to Harrison Ford's globe-trotting adventurer Indy.
Connery played Indy's father in 1989's ''Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,'' the third installment of the franchise directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas.

''I get asked the question so often, I thought it best to make an announcement,'' Connery, 76, said in a statement posted Thursday on Lucasfilm's ''Indiana Jones'' Web site. ''I thought long and hard about it, and if anything could have pulled me out of retirement it would have been an 'Indiana Jones' film.''

''I love working with Steven and George, and it goes without saying that it is an honor to have Harrison as my son,'' he said. ''But in the end, retirement is just too damned much fun.''

The fourth ''Indiana Jones'' film, not yet titled, is again directed by Spielberg and produced by Lucas. Shooting begins this month, and the movie is due out May 22, 2008.

Lucasfilm also announced Thursday that Cate Blanchett, John Hurt and Ray Winstone will be joining the cast, which along with Ford, includes Shia LaBeouf.

Connery who played the bookish Henry Jones Sr. in ''The Last Crusade'' and affectionately called his son ''Junior'' did have some words for the 64-year-old Ford.

''I do, however, have one bit of advice for Junior: Demand that the critters be digital, the cliffs be low, and for goodness sake keep that whip by your side at all times in case you need to escape from the stunt coordinator!'' Connery said. ''This is a remarkable cast, and I can only say, 'Break a leg, everyone.'''

End of Article?

Oh man, thoughts?

[captainofbeef]

Yea, I was so disappointed when I read that in the paper earlier this week. Connery is just lazy...

[Clark Nova]

captainofbeef said:

Yea, I was so disappointed when I read that in the paper earlier this week. Connery is just lazy...

or 80...

but it was probably just gonna be a cameo anyway. I would've loved to see Dr. Jones Sr. in Indy 4, but oh, well...can't win 'em all.

[PTAhole]

I LOVE the news that Marion Ravenwood is in the movie. She always had the best chemestry with Indy.

[PTAhole]

As you can see, a title has been decided.

[Clark Nova]

ptahole said:

As you can see, a title has been decided.

where did you hear this from?