intergamer said:
I said in the other thread...the interview was on June 22.
Ouch. Not exactly encouraging news.
I have a theory about the script for Indy IV, and why there have been so many problems with it. Let me first quote from Lucas' interview in the May 9, 2005 issue of
Time:
You know, I said three's fine. And then I came up with an idea I thought was brilliant, so I told the other guys [Spielberg and Ford], and they kind of flipped out. It's vaguely in the realm of the supernatural. We have to accept the fact that Indiana Jones is an older man. But it's been hell getting a script out of it. Steven is committed to shooting it next year. I just got the latest script yesterday.
I've always regarded Lucas as an idea man, pushing the boundaries of what could be accomplished/depicted on film. When his ideas have been good, they've resulted in outstanding movies that deserve to be immortalized (like ROTLA). I believe, as indicated by this quote, that a good portion of the core idea for Indy IV involves concepts that are rooted in the realm of spirituality and the supernatural. However, I suspect that the concepts in question, whatever they may be, are highly abstract, and that it has been difficult to take the core idea and fit it into a workable story that will translate well to the screen. As well, the concept in question may be difficult to fit into an action/adventure film, especially one that needs to be written in a way that is true to the trilogy of films that proceeded it. One accomplished screenwriter has attempted to do so, but could not produce a product that could pass muster. Now we have a second trying. By Lucas' own admission, it has been hard (bit of an understatement there) to get a workable script out of the idea. I also find his description of Spielberg and Ford's initial reactions to the concept rather telling. My point being, it may be that the core idea is simply too abstract to be compatible with an Indiana Jones film. The idea might more easily fit into a stand-alone project, but simply isn't workable with the Jones franchise. If I'm right (and I'm willing to admit I may be completely off base), it would be best to go back to the drawing board and start with an entirely new foundation, rather than continuing to try to force a script out of the existing idea.