Indy 4 will be good BECAUSE Ford is old

[fedoraboy]

I was thinking, like a lot of people, that this movie should have been made 15 years ago, say around 1992 the time of the Atlantis game, and continued the series with a younger Ford playing Indy in the 1930's early 40's. We could possibly have had another 2 or 3 movies by now! Now I'm not disputing that having 5 or 6 Indy movies by now have been great, but there would almost certainly have been a drop off in quality. Afterall where would the character go, he's resolved things with his father, there would be an element of been there seen that before and maybe, just maybe, the series would have dwindled out by now with no appetite for any more films.

However, having left the series for over 15 years, Lucas, Spielberg and Ford can approach the character completely differently! Because Indy is older, wiser maybe and feeling the ravages of time (funny in-joke working title btw) we will see lots of new dimensions to the character.

I would like the film to be a little less action orientated then the first three, with more focus on this character as he deals with the fact he isn't gonna be around for ever and looks at the mistakes he's made in the past and the legacy he has left the world.

It's not the mileage, it's the years!

Ford is at the perfect age to play the character again, think Eastwood in Unforgiven, and if done well this could be the most thoughtful poignant and well rounded action movie in the series - instead of just another action run-through.

[fedoraboy]

I agree, the Indy movies SHOULD be action based, but Indy 4 will not be able to keep the action pace of Raiders but this shouldn't harm it. Maybe this film could feature the death of Henry and focus more on how Indy deals with the death of his father and growing old. Perhaps Henry could leave an artifact of some kind to Indy which sets him off on one last adventure.

My point is that if Lucas had gone onto make another 2 or 3 Indy films in the nineties he may have killed off the series, specifically if they hadnt been of the quality of the original three. If that happened then an Indy movie featuring an older, wiser and, in many ways, more interesting Indy would not be being made.

I know that's a lot of 'what ifs' but this movie could be REALLY interesting if handled in the right way and not just be a cash in on the back of a successful trilogy.

[Abe Vayoda]

For a long time now, I've believed that due to Ford's age it would be an easy segue for Ford and Speilberg to slip Indy into an African Queen style storyline. I think that type of movie would have a perfect pacing, style, and character arc for Indy IV.

Though I've loved previous ideas of Indy flirting with his daughter.

[Ray Delark]

...Ford is at the perfect age to play the character again, think Eastwood in Unforgiven, and if done well this could be the most thoughtful poignant and well rounded action movie in the series - instead of just another action run-through.

I think you're right. Yes indeed! There will be plenty of action and relationships to satisfy all. Indy 4 will not just be good. It will be INCREDIBLE:whip: ...because it's in the very, very best of hands - The wonderful, immensely talented folks who love Indy more than anyone, except for me;) I LOVE INDIANA JONES and I DEARLY WANT TO WORK ON THE PRODUCTION CREW of Indy 4. INDIANA JONES IS MY LIFE.

[roundshort]

It will be good if they can get the same people who wrote, directed and starred in POTC, then no problem!

[Abe Vayoda]

Johnny Depp as Indiana Jones
Keira Knightley as Marion Ravenwood
Orlando Bloom as Sallah
Jonathan Pryce as Marcus Brody
Jack Davenport as Rene Belloq
Bill Nighy as Deitrich
Geoffrey Rush as Toht
Lee Arenberg as MonkeyMan/Satipo

[Ray Delark]

I heard that Anthony Hopkins might play the fiend! That would be delicious!

[Finn]

Fresh off from HNA (Horsemen News Agency) I take it?

[Ray Delark]

Guys, I don't know of HNA. Someone from WWAC (Wild West Arts Club) told me this in 2004.

[Moedred]

Finally say Hollywood Homicide. Ford looks good in it, and he does fine in the climactic chase and shirtless sex scenes. His tag line: "If I take my gingko... I can still remember where I put the Viagra."

On the other hand, it was filmed in 2002.

[Violet]

Climatic chase he's ok. I found those shirtless sex scenes, a bit awkward though.

[Rod The Raider]

Originally they wanted to do five pictures. Harrison agreed, to do three and so thats what we got.

If the fourth film was made ealier and not long after Crusade, they would, as you say, need to make sure it wasn't just a rehash. Its like Temple of Doom. If they didn't make that film then LC would of felt too much like Raiders. Doom gave the trilogy a different flavour. If they made the fourth back in the 90's they would of had to do what they, at least I hope, are doing with it now.

[roundshort]

Fresh off from HNA (Horsemen News Agency) I take it?


HA! Good post Finn! Yes, the HNA reviewed the part and said he did a good job, the dvd had 15 extra mintues of his deleated scenes!

[Bjorn Heimdall]

Whoa Fedoraboy... You are probably the first person in the universe which tackles the age thing from this perspective. I like it. Good post. :)

Maybe this film could feature the death of Henry and focus more on how Indy deals with the death of his father and growing old.

I think I saw this movie allready on Hallmark :p

[HovitosKing]

While there are countless ways in which an older Indiana Jones could be used to present a new angle on the franchise, I don't think that any of them would do the character justice. This is Indiana Jones...and we're trying to think of ways to excuse Harrison Ford's age, telling ourselves that the movie could be just as good as the others, just to hang on to that thread of hope of getting him back on the big screen. I think we're moving collectively through the five stages of grief:

Before Indy IV (observations):

* Denial (Indiana Jones IV WILL be made!!)
* Anger (What's taking so long?)
* Bargaining (It's ok for Indy to be really, really old if they just...)

After Indy IV (predictions):

* Depression (This movie sucks, my life is over!)
* Acceptance (The franchise has a black eye, but I have to move on.)

When the dust settles, I think we're all going to be wishing they had just left it on the shelf.

[Ray Delark]

HovitosKing, there will be a range of opinions between loving and hating it, as there is with the Indy trilogy. I have faith that there will be a lot more people who really love it than don't. I will love it. There are a lot of different expectations about it from fans, but there aren't specific rules necessarily which the film makers have to follow for it to satisfy and to succeed. Be open-minded:whip:

[HovitosKing]

I will love it.

Interesting. Have you seen it yet? I'll never reach the point of loving something because I've convinced myself that I absolutely must love it, for whatever reason. I'll reserve my judgment until the movie comes out (if it ever does)...and being realistic is not being closed-minded.

Look, I don't have anything against pure optimism (annoying as it may be). Sometimes the must-love-no-matter-what attitude just comes across as a bit cult-ish and tired.

[roundshort]

hhmmmm at least the had the decency to shot the dog in Old Yeller at the end . . .

[Ray Delark]

I hope we all love it. Let's toast to that.

[Abe Vayoda]

Well, I honestly think a grizzlier, tired, angrier Indy could work. I've mentioned it before, but I think The African Queen is a perfect example of where an Indy movie could go. I'd wouldn't mind seeing more personal Indy (where the adventure is in the background). Provided it is handled with maturity like African Queen.

[roundshort]

But, do you think that an African Queen paced movie is really fair to be put in the same franchise as the Rotla, TD, and LC, it would be like making a Bond movie with 1 chick, no car, and cheap bubbles. I have no problem with pissed indy or even and old(er) Indy, not an OLD Indy, well, make it good or don't do it, I have said it before and will say it again. I am a fan of African Queen, and loved the homage POTC paid when Kara burnet all the Rum on the island

[Abe Vayoda]

Well, I meant more as a direction for the character. The pacing of Queen is very slow, and I wouldn't want that for the next Indy movie.
I think it could work, so long as the Indy story was there (evil villains, quest for an artifact) and was paced similarly to the other three. I think the pacing of Raiders was perfect, with a great blend of character and action. If they could capture lightning in a bottle a second time I'd be happy. :p. But I'd like to see Indy resolve some problems inside himself. He's bitter about some of his choices maybe... Bogart wasn't playing an "old guy" but a damaged man, still fiesty and wild, with a free spirit, but damaged.

I meant this in response to Hovitos King who says were making excuses for his age. Yes, it is an excuse but I think it can work.

[Goodsport]

I was thinking, like a lot of people, that this movie should have been made 15 years ago, say around 1992 the time of the Atlantis game

      Personally, I think the best time for an Indy IV to have hit theaters would've been in the late-1990's, particularly in 1999, as Indymania was at an all-time high among the Indyfans back then (both because of Indy's fictional 100th birthday in 1999, and because of the George Lucas hype preceding the release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace) - and Harrison Ford was still just young-looking enough to have pulled off the role of a late 1940's - early 1950's Indiana Jones convincingly.

      Conversely, the early-1990's (particularly 1991-92) suffered from too much political-correctness in the air for a proper Indiana Jones film (it's no coincidence that there were no James Bond films during that era either), while the last few years have had Harrison Ford looking older than ever before. :(

      I'm still enthusiastic for an Indy IV, though, and am sure that it'll be fun to watch. :)


-G

[James]

I think the best time for an Indy IV to have hit theaters would've been in the late-1990's

Yes, I've always thought `97 would've been around the perfect time, and a better project for Spielberg than JP2.

The problem with Indy 4 is that, should they set out to make a "final" Indiana Jones film, or should they simply make "another" Indiana Jones film? The former seems more fitting at this point, but you also don't want to see it turned into, "Indiana Jones, This is Your Life!" I also hope they avoid the Lethal Weapon 4 trap of trying to bring too many characters back.

Personally, I think an older Indy story would be great. But instead of making it a bunch of old age jokes, just make it a story about an older character. After all, Allan Quatermain was already an 'old man' when he went on his adventures. And those books are still regarded as having lots of action.

This doesn't have to be a slow-moving film like African Queen. John Wayne was still making some violent, entertaining westerns late in his career- and he was down to just one lung!

There's also a large audience of fans who are now in their 50's or 60's, and would probably love to see an older hero onscreen. Spielberg shouldn't feel a need to make Indy slow down. Hell, the joke should be that he's the only character who can still keep up the pace!

[Canyon]

Firstly, I do wish that that people would stop referring to Harrison as old! :(

Yes, Harrison is no longer the 'younger man' he was in Raiders of the Lost Ark, but the beauty of the character is that he is human and has a vulnerable side to him. You can see this in the movies, when Indy tumbles out of the Chachapoyan temple, when Indy is on the Bantu Wind with Marion, when Indy has taken the Sankara Stones and is about to enter a dangerous situation...

I believe that everyone wants to see this new Indy movie, and everyone wants to see Harrison in the role. Why? Because even after all this time, Indy is an iconic movie character and everyone knows that this is thanks to Harrison's performance. Also, I believe that people will accept seeing an older Indy as they are aware of what the character has gone through in the last three adventures and I can definately see people being enthusiastic about seeing Harrison return as Indiana Jones. ;)

[indyt]

I agree Canyon, well said.

[IndyBuff]

Firstly, I do wish that that people would stop referring to Harrison as old! :(

Yes, Harrison is no longer the 'younger man' he was in Raiders of the Lost Ark, but the beauty of the character is that he is human and has a vulnerable side to him. You can see this in the movies, when Indy tumbles out of the Chachapoyan temple, when Indy is on the Bantu Wind with Marion, when Indy has taken the Sankara Stones and is about to enter a dangerous situation...

I believe that everyone wants to see this new Indy movie, and everyone wants to see Harrison in the role. Why? Because even after all this time, Indy is an iconic movie character and everyone knows that this is thanks to Harrison's performance. Also, I believe that people will accept seeing an older Indy as they are aware of what the character has gone through in the last three adventures and I can definately see people being enthusiastic about seeing Harrison return as Indiana Jones. ;)

Those are some great points Canyon. I'll admit that Harrison doesn't have the young and energetic look that he used to but that's only natural. Indy is a human character who does age and face problems similar to that. It's part of what makes us identify so well with him because he's just like us in many ways.

I think a story revolving around Indy's older age could work very well but I don't know that I want it to be the only part of the story. With the right pacing and story I think we can still get another great Indy movie that features amazing action, a deep story and interesting characters.

[Gobi-1]

Conversely, the early-1990's (particularly 1991-92) suffered from too much political-correctness in the air for a proper Indiana Jones film (it's no coincidence that there were no James Bond films during that era either), while the last few years have had Harrison Ford looking older than ever before. :(

-G

The reason why there wasn't any Bond movies in the early 90s was becasue MGM was going through the process of being sold to another company and legal issues held up the release of any more movies.