Indiana Jones: Another do-over

Oct 27, 2004 by  

Indiana Jones won't be looking like this in the next movie...It looks like the trinity of Lucas, Spielberg and Ford did not all like Frank Darabont’s screenplay for the 4th Indiana Jones film.

Instead Jeff Nathanson has been tapped to give the screenplay a shot. Nathanson is the writer of such gems as Rush Hour 2 and Speed 2, but to be fair, his more recent efforts have been much better as evidenced by The Terminal and Catch Me If You Can.

I’m curious what it was that wasn’t agreeable about Frank Darabont’s script. He’s penned a number of episodes of the Young Indiana Jones TV series and such excellent films as The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption.

I guess the main problem I see with these continuing delays is that by the time the movie finally makes it to the big screen, Harrison Ford will be in his late 60′s. Also, if they stick to their earlier premise of real time transpiring between the last movie and the next, it will take place in the mid-1960′s.


This is complete and pure speculation on my part, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a younger actor appear in the film, to whom Ford could pass on the old whip and hat to continue the franchise. Seems like something similar to that is going on in the upcoming Blade: Trinity, where they’re bringing in a couple of twenty-somethings as Wesley Snipes’ proteges.

Source: Variety

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5 Comments - Comments are closed.

  1. Brian    7 years ago

    I agree; it’s a little strange that a great writer such as Darabont could have his script rejected, but that’s the biz, I guess. As I recall from an interview with Darabont, Spielberg liked the script, but Lucas did not. Lucas has some nerve criticizing scripts, considering that he wrote the crapfests that were Star Wars episodes I and II. Personally, I don’t understand why this movie is even under consideration. It’s not even a good idea on paper. People might go to see it out of morbid curiosity, but why can’t everyone just be happy with the decent trilogy that already exists? Of course, if this movie does end up being made, I think Indy should pass his hat to Jack Black. :-S

    Brian

  2. TRENT    7 years ago

    I GUESS LUCAS’S GREAT WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE ALLOWS HIM TO TRUMP SPIELBERG. RIGHT, WHATEVER. AS A DIRECTOR ONLY, WHAT HAS HE DONE? A 1970′S ERA BREAKFAST CLUB IN AMERICAN GRAFFITI AND A 30 YEAR OLD FRANCHISE? AS A DIRECTOR, THAT’S IT! INDY FANS WOULD BE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE WITH SPIELBERG-ONLY SCRIPT APPROVAL. BESIDES, FORD NOW LOOKS OLDER THAN HIS FRANCHISE FATHER..CONNERY.

  3. Screen Rant    7 years ago

    I don’t know… does Lucas own the rights to Indy? That could be the reason.

    Gotta say I agree with you. I’d much rather see Spielberg at the top of this thing than George “CGI” Lucas.

    Vic

  4. Dale    7 years ago

    I don’t think Luca$ owns Indy to the extent he does Star Wars, but do believe Lucasfilm owns the rights that would prevent Paramount from running out and making a movie without his blessing.

    My understanding has always been that a fourth film was dependent on a story and script acceptable by all of “the big three”–Lucas, Spielberg and Ford–and, of course, on their schedules meshing.

    As much as I love Indy as a character and Ford as an actor, he’s past the role. I’d prefer they let the trilogy rest at this point. I don’t want to see Indy past his prime even if it’s to pass a torch to someone else. Michael Jordan never should have put on a Wizards jersey after his (second) retirement, it diminished the magic that was there. Let’s not do the same to the world’s greatest archeologist.

    Dale

  5. Screen Rant    7 years ago

    Dale,

    I’ve gotta agree with you. Indy 4 is probably one of those things that looks much better on paper than it will on the big screen.

    Vic