There has been plenty of speculation and research as to who the villains might be in the next installment of the Indy saga (the Russians, the Koreans, the mob, a fictitious cult, ex-Nazi's, a fictitious cult led by ex-Nazi's, the Klingons, etc.) And now that casting announcements are gradually rolling our way, I want to ask you who you would cast as the ideal foe for our famed archeologist. Raiders, in my opinion, had three of the best villains in the history of the genre. Belloq (my favorite) then Toht and the Boss German, Dietrich. They played off each other brilliantly. Not to mention some of the unforgettable supporting villains: The swordsman, the muscle-bound mechanic, .....even the monkey! The sequels had a few memorables, as well: Mola Ram, Lao Che, Vogel. All of these were played by actors with plenty of experience - but none were ever household names even after the release. One has to wonder if they'll go that route again and cast actors with less fame and more fuel - or if they'll try to get a well known actor/ actress to go head to head with Ford's star power.
Ray Winstone could indeed end up as the sidekick - but none of it has yet been confirmed. I keep thinking he'd be a good villain.
Or someone like Timothy Dalton or his alter ego, Jason Isaacs as a rival treasure hunter. Sam Neil as a Russian Commander or Ian McKellen as an ex-Nazi (both possibly a bit overdone, though) Or maybe they could bring back Remy (Young Indy's heavyset Belgian friend) as a sidekick gone bad. (sorry, maybe not)
Other names that come to mind: Alan Rickman, Christopher Plummer, Sam Neil, Gary Oldman, Jeremy Irons, Rutger Hauer, Sean Bean or Ralph Fiennes (maybe someone younger than Indy for a change)
They could also use names that they've worked with in past Indy's or in Star Wars. Both Lucas and Spielberg seem to wisely make a habit of that. Lliam Neeson, Ian McDiarmid, Paul Freeman, Christopher Lee, Alfred Molina (how strange would that be?)
Or maybe a woman - We don't know yet what role Blanchett has to play in all this. My guess and hope is that she's one of the good guys. But, as in Last Crusade, you never know.
So many possibilities. Let's hear your predictions...
Ray Winstone could indeed end up as the sidekick - but none of it has yet been confirmed. I keep thinking he'd be a good villain.
Or someone like Timothy Dalton or his alter ego, Jason Isaacs as a rival treasure hunter. Sam Neil as a Russian Commander or Ian McKellen as an ex-Nazi (both possibly a bit overdone, though) Or maybe they could bring back Remy (Young Indy's heavyset Belgian friend) as a sidekick gone bad. (sorry, maybe not)
Other names that come to mind: Alan Rickman, Christopher Plummer, Sam Neil, Gary Oldman, Jeremy Irons, Rutger Hauer, Sean Bean or Ralph Fiennes (maybe someone younger than Indy for a change)
They could also use names that they've worked with in past Indy's or in Star Wars. Both Lucas and Spielberg seem to wisely make a habit of that. Lliam Neeson, Ian McDiarmid, Paul Freeman, Christopher Lee, Alfred Molina (how strange would that be?)
Or maybe a woman - We don't know yet what role Blanchett has to play in all this. My guess and hope is that she's one of the good guys. But, as in Last Crusade, you never know.
So many possibilities. Let's hear your predictions...