Indiana Jones is one of the most iconic movie characters of all time. Brought to life by the legendary Harrison Ford, the American archaeologist discovered many legendaryancient artefacts, from the lost Ark of the Covenant to the Holy Grail. However, Indy’s story didn’t end with his ‘Last Crusade;' Ford would return to the role for 2008’s Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, though some wish he didn't.
While the first three movies were set in the '30s, Crystal Skull was set in the '50s, pitting Indy against the might of the Soviet Union as opposed to the barbarism of the Nazis. While the fourth film isn’t considered to be as good as the original trilogy, it is still more than watchable.
Harrison Ford Didn’t Recognize Cate Blanchett Without A Wig
Cate Blanchett played the villain of the piece for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and her time as the Russian psychic expert Irina Spalko is often regarded as one of the movie's few good points. Often, the naturally blonde Blanchett wore her black wig and Soviet uniform when walking around set in order to save on costume and makeup time.
One day Harrison Ford saw a blonde woman on set and asked who she was. He was told that it was Cate Blanchett, but Ford didn’t recognize her without Irina's black hair.
Nazis Were The Original Villains
One of the central tropes of an Indiana Jones movie is how the American archaeologist will frequently clash horns with some kind of Nazi villain. However, in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, he goes up against the Soviet Union for the first time. While this fits the movie's time setting (i.e. the '50s and sci-fi pulp), there's a more personal reason for this change.
Originally, the plan was to have Indy fight a resurgent band of Nazis but Steven Spielberg felt as though he couldn’t treat the Nazis in a light manner after his work on the Holocaust drama Schindler’s List. As a work around, George Lucas suggested that the more period-accurate Soviet Union be the enemy.
Steven Spielberg's Daughter Punched Shia LaBeouf
Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) was a divisive character in the Indiana Jones fanbase, with many not enjoying the character at all. But for all the hate Mutt got, one of his more memorable scenes saw a woman punch him in a diner when Indy told him to cause a distraction.
Some may be surprised to learn that the girl that punched Mutt is the daughter of Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, Sasha Spielberg. For those who may have forgotten, Kate starred in Temple of Doom as Indy's main love interest, Willie Scott.
Sean Connery Turned Down A Cameo
Originally, there was a plan to have Sean Connery reprise his role as the father of Indiana Jones. However, Connery turned down the role as he was enjoying his retirement from acting far too much.
While this may initially be disappointing for fans to learn, George Lucas said that this may have been a blessing in disguise as audience would’ve been disappointed if an incredibly aged Sean Connery didn’t join the adventure. In the movie, it's said that Henry Jones Sr. died of natural causes.
Harrison Ford Performed His Own Stunts (Again)
By the time that filming started on The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Harrison Ford was 64 years old. While some may have thought this would slow him down, he actually did more work on this movie than any of the others.
Due to the safety increases in stunt work since the '80s, Ford was able to actually do most his own stunts in this movie, showing just how great shape he was in for someone in his '60s.
Mutt Williams’ Name Is A Homage To John Williams
Mutt Williams was one of the central characters in the movie, with it later being revealed that he is the son of both Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood. This came as a big surprise among the Indiana Jones fan base.
An interesting element behind the creation of the Mutt Williams character is that he was named after legendary film composer (and Indiana Jones composer), John Williams.
Cate Blanchett Was Inspired By A Classic Bond Villain
Cate Blanchett was a huge fan of the Indiana Jones movies and took her time as Irina Spalko very seriously. In order to prepare for the role, she learned both how to fence and karate.
Additionally, she took inspiration from the SPECTRE operative Col. Rosa Klebb in the James Bond film From Russia With Love when formulating Irina's mannerisms and personality. Col. Rosa Klebb is considered to be one of the best Bond villains of all time, making her influence on Indiana Jones all the more fitting.
Harrison Ford Was In Really Good Shape
Despite being 64 years old during the filming of The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Harrison Ford was in incredibly good shape. Producer Frank Marshall said that Ford would spend three hours a day in the gym and eat a special diet to stay fit for the movie.
This allowed Ford to perform his own stunts and fights just like he did in the past. Furthermore, Ford was in such good shape that his costume sizing from The Last Crusade (filmed way back in the '80s) didn’t need adjusting for this movie.
Harrison Ford Had To Fight To Use A Real Whip
It should be said that Indiana Jones without his whip would be like Batman without his Batarangs, or Luke Skywalker without his lightsaber. However, this terrifying thought almost became reality, with studio executives wanting Harrison Ford to use a CGI whip in the movie.
Harrison Ford, though, was incensed by this suggestion and insisted on using an actual whip that he could swing around in the movie. While a CGI whip would've given Indy more spectacular stunts, it would've robbed the movie of a sense of realism.
Harrison Ford Wanted More Old Man Indy Jokes
Indy’s age is one of the central plot points of this movie, with the character clearly having learned from his past escapades and using these past experiences to teach, not only Mutt, but also his archaeology students.
What is interesting is that Harrison Ford had to push the producers to include more jokes and references about Indy’s age into the movie in order to ‘reduce the American paranoia about ageing’.