The Stranger said:
I think that problem with having Mutt carry on is that he simply is not an adventurer
Maybe not by default but his adventurer qualities could be developed further in the beginning of Indy V. He certainly handled a lot of the adventure in KOTCS quite well, especially after the camp sequence concluded.
The Stranger said:
plus he doesn't know absolutely anything about history or archaeology
I agree with you in that Mutt knows virtually nothing about archaeology, much less history, as things stand right now. It would take a while for him to develop a true knowledge. He did gain field experience(if you want to call it that) in KOTCS.
eek
Plus, he now holds the distinction as the son of Indiana Jones. And don't forget that he spent a great deal of time with Oxley growing up. Who knows what he may have picked up in that time. "You're going back and finishing school!" as Indy scorns from the truck in the jungle chase sequence. The "You never finished?" line from outside the psychiatric compound in Nazca. They laid the foundation of developing the idea for Mutt's education in the future. I think it would be interesting if they showed a little bit of his educational progression in Indy V. For example, seeing him in the Marshall library studying for a test or writing a paper only to be interrupted by Indy about a new adventure opportunity. And then we would see them embark on a new quest. Mutt would be second in command behind Indy, of course. He could put some of his new knowledge to the test too. If it goes well, it could make the transition to a non-Harrison Ford Indy movie a pleasant prospect(as much as I hate to think about it). But I don't think LeBeouf could handle this. I hope that I am wrong if this ever happened.
Overall, the Mutt character development ideas are endless, I'm sure.
The Stranger said:
not to mention that Shia LaBeouf is not even a quarter as badass as Harrison Ford, in spite of his age advantage.
Agreed, wholeheartedly. Harrison Ford(as Indy) could go on an expedition with Alzheimer's and in a walker and I would find him more interesting and entertaining than LeBeouf(as Mutt). I'm all in favor of a reboot on the casting of Mutt. I don't care how awkward it would be. LaBeouf just doesn't fit. Period. But I'm afraid we're stuck with him.
As far as a reboot on Indy, I would need loads of time to think about the right actor to continue the legacy. At first thought, Dennis Quaid is an interesting prospect, but he is too old. Out of the few you mentioned, I wouldn't mind Patrick Wilson being considered. As I mentioned, I would need more time and research to come up with a worthy successor for my own vision. It may not be possible!
The Stranger said:
As far as a reboot is concerned, I say no, thanks. There are already enough sub-par adventure films, and many others will be made during the next years. But the Indiana Jones original trilogy is THE DEFINITION of what adventure films should be. I say let them go, and just continue to enjoy them, because they still are possibly the best action films of all times, even with thirty years on their back.
I'm with you on this. I really, really, really wouldn't be upset if Indy V is never made. But if it is, I'd still be very excited for it. Reboot or no reboot. At least the expectation of what to expect for Indy V, as far as quality goes, was lowered with KOTCS.