Sure, every fan has probably considered it. But it’s extremely rare when an entertainment journalist issues a long editorial admitting that he may not have dug deep enough for a giant scoop, and Vanity Fair contributing editor Jim Windolf has done just that. Regarding his Feb. ‘08 cover story on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Windolf goes so far as to offer an apology to fans for not pressing director Steven Spielberg and producer Frank Marshall on their plans for a new post-Crystal Skull Indiana Jones trilogy. Windolf sounds so convinced that the franchise will continue with Shia LaBeouf’s still-unnamed character dropping his greaser ‘do and silly switchblade to pick up Jones’ fedora and five o’clock shadow that I wonder if he’s received fresh intelligence about the production, on top of his rumbling gut intuition.
When I asked [Spielberg] why he hadn’t gone forward with the Indy IV script written by writer-director Frank Darabont, he said, “In this case George [Lucas] was passionate that this was not the story he wanted to tell at this point in the Indiana Jones saga …” Noting that he had used the magic phrase “at this point,” I followed up by asking him, “Is that leaving room open for another one?” To which Spielberg replied, “Oh, I don’t know. I haven’t even thought about that. I’m still in the cutting room. I can’t even think beyond the next cut.”
After the increasingly strong box office and clear hunger for the National Treasure adventure franchise-which Lucas seems to allude to as not on Indy’s level in the original VF feature-and Spielberg’s growing stock in LaBeouf (whose prior three films and this summer’s Eagle Eye gleam with Spielberg’s fingerprints), I’d say the arrows start pointing in the “hell yeah” direction once the first trailer hits, when the excitement of fanboys’ reaches boiler room intensity.
January 5th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Please no.. lets have Indy rest in peace after this..
January 5th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
But with Shea’s character, the adventures would have to be set in the 50’s and 60’s yeah? And Lucas said he dropped the 30’s serial tone for Crystal Skull and went for 50’s (sci-fi) B-movie instead, right? So, Shea’s 50’s movies, would share the new tone?
So, future Indy movies wouldn’t have the star of the originals, the 30’s action/adventure tone of the originals, or be set in the same era as the originals????
January 5th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Well lets wait and see because who knows lets see the Crystal Skull first and maybe then we might think Dr. Jones has some life left in him?
I wouldn’t be surprised if there was and if thats the case I would love to see more. I think there could have been a tone of Indiana Jones films without ruining the franchise because he was an adventurer which is not the case in most movies and thats why they are ruined when they stretch the material and they are actually sequels not follow ups of different characters.
I think Crystal Skull will be a huge success and then will decide that there are more adventures and its just to damn fun working on these films and that Lucas gets working on a new idea for the next Indy film and one that will pass the torch if they want to continue the franchise with Shia.
January 6th, 2008 at 2:41 am
But how can the ‘Indy’ franchise continue without the man himself?
January 6th, 2008 at 2:57 am
Say it ain’t so….Can no franchise die a peaceful death…
Whats next a goddamn Back to the Future remake/sequel (and don’t doubt it, I’ve already figured out how it could be done fairly easily…and it scares be terribly)
Steven, George, Harrision…hell even Shia, please realize that this series really just needs to end after this 4th film. THATS IT. we don’t want anymore. please just let me hold on to the fond memories of the originals without having to conjure up thoughts of a knife wielding greaser of a LaBeouf (whom I hate) running around searching for treasure in the 60’s. ……just read that sentence…that sounds awful.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let this be Indy’s last adventure!!!!!!!
…fingers crossed for a cameo by Sir. Conery
January 6th, 2008 at 9:46 am
@Owen
If the franchise is later handed over to Shia, I’d speculate that Ford would appear as his mentor (or father, if that’s the case with Crystal Skull) in a more prevalent role than Connery. I’m not against the idea of the Indy franchise living on as long as it’s done tastefully, and given that this is Spielberg’s true franchise, he wouldn’t throw it to the dogs, but maybe give a shot to an upcoming director like DJ Caruso…
All spec. We’ll see.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
matt ravenwood and the something that has a ring to it
cool
January 6th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
zach…I too have thought about the logistics of a BTTF remake…it’s possible…and i’m sure once Nightmare on Elm Street 19: Back to Miami is made…it will turn into a probability…I think I’m going to start crying…
honestly though, if they’re going to continue the franchise with this new idea of the 50’s sci-fi B-movie, Spielberg needs to direct it. I’m sure there’s a lot of people questioning the integrity of the new storylines, but ultimately, in creation and thinking about the mythological aspects of creation, aliens are decently plausable…but if fucking DJ Caruso directs it, I’m not going to watch a second of it.
if they are going to make more, and drop Harrison and bring in Shia, the ‘Berg better do them or he’s going to lose a substantial amount of his audience. (including me…sorry Mr. Caruso.)
January 7th, 2008 at 9:01 am
COMING NEXT! E.T.2 The Return!
January 7th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I sure hope they aren’t planning a new trilogy. I think its time they let Indy die a dignified death. Besides…Harrison Ford is getting old…I don’t know how much longer he’ll be able to play Indy.
January 8th, 2008 at 5:47 am
wow. Lucas has finally corrupted spielberg.
on the other hand ,
im cool with a new trilogy if it’s about Ford, not shia le douche!!!
i dont care about Fords age!! it be cool to see him do three more indy’s, provided he gets frozen like hansolo by the villains at the end of the 2nd one so Indy can be thawed out for his finale in 2012… otherwise to me a “shia” trilogy is nonsense.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:13 am
i WANT to see an indina jones movie with atlantis like plot of the story! do you want it?