Lucas ponders Indy 5

[ninepinejones]

I think Spielberg would like to continue to make the Indy films like the Bond films were made,saga after saga,each one being a bit different in tone and dimension yet staying true to the basic character elements,Lucas pushed KOTCS in a direction that "octo*****" went for with roger moore swinging through the jungle yodeling out the tarzan yelp where as Spielberg would like to bring the Indy films back to more of the original Raiders theme of more gritty realistic action like "casino Royal" was going for.

Still in Lodi Moedred?

 

[TheMutt92]

I think Indy V, while staying w/ the Raiders feel, should be more mythological (fantasy is too strong a word) than previous installments. I've always felt it would be interesting for Indy to take on some Greek artifact (which is what I thought would happen when I heard the "City of Gods" title).

 

[DIrishB]

I honestly can't think of anything that hasn't been done already in novels/comics/video games. Atlantis is a great idea but it technically has already been done.

Something the audience identifies with (as a MacGuffin) is obviously out of the question now since most really good ones have been used. TOD did not do this but "I" personally find that movie to still be very good. I really don't think what Indy is going after is nearly as important as how he gets there. I mean, they were just lame rocks most people never heard of with some lines on it. Ford has that voice that SELLS any "legend" they come up with.

I agree.

I also think it needs to be darker. KOTCS' trailer makes it seem like the movie is going to be dark but it really isn't all that dark. I know they don't want to go as dark as TOD, but darker than KOTCS is a must IMO.

I disagree here, though. The trailer(s) I saw for Crystal Skull didn't seem that dark in tone at all. In fact, I'd argue the trailer for Crystal Skull is noticeably lighter in tone (like the movie) than the first three. The trailer showcased a fair amount of the Indy humor and adventure, but not in a threatening or over-powering sense. I don't know, I guess its subjective, but going back and watching the old trailers on DVD for the first three definitly seems to show they had a darker tone than even just the Crystal Skull trailer.

Maybe this is another reason I was less disappointed in the final product...I think I had a pretty good idea of what I was in for merely by the trailer alone. Sure, a lot of things not addressed in the trailer stood out as let downs compared to the original trilogy, but a lot of it was also expected (which in itself is probably a bad thing when describing seeing an Indy movie for the first time).

To be honest, I kind of felt the amount of Indiana Jones merchandise created for KOTCS was overkill for a franchise starring a 60-something actor as the hero that hadn't been around in nearly 20 years. It was borderline embarassing and risky considering they didn't even know if it would sell as well. I know many of you guys in here are collectors and bought much of the merchandise... but what about the kids?

How many kids are buying into it? Or is it not working as well as they hoped?

I agree, but the over-done merchandising wasn't a surprise. Its almost a requirement anytime Lucas has involved himself in a film over the past thirty years.

I'm all for an Indy V. Any Indy is good Indy. Indy V would mean more merchandise for the fans to buy...more videogames...etc. And more importantly, a reason to go see another Indiana Jones on the big screen at midnight!

Isn't that what we want? I know I do.

Definitly. I'm not holding my breath, but I'm extremely hopeful we'll get a fifth Indy.

What's funny about all this is that Lucas gives the impression that he can churn out another story in a relatively short time! If that's the case why did KOTCS take 19 frickin' years to make? If Indy 5 does indeed happen in the next two years or so I'm gonna be pissed! We waited 19 years for the lackluster KOTCS, because apparently coming up with an interesting story that every one could agree on was just soooo difficult. But now that everyone's wallets have been fattened tremendously, a fifth film could be on the horizon in the next few years?! Come on...what a bunch of crap!!!

Money has always been a great motivator for Lucas. Maybe seeing that after a 20 year hiatus Indy still could bring in the bucks, it won't take him 20 years to hammer out a script, OR he might be willing to compromise with Spielberg and Ford moreso than he did with Crystal Skull (unlikely, I know).

But it seems like SO much of that 19 yrs. time was wasted on the two of them hassling over the alien element. Now that Lucas got that out of his system, maybe he'll let Spielberg steer the ship more (which was the case with Last Crusade)

Thats what I'm hoping, anyway...

You know what also just dawned on me is that Lucas refers to the Indy films as a franchise!!! That speaks volumes! A franchise you say George...like owning several of your own Mcdonalds, or an NBA or NFL team like the Lakers or Giants?

Um...you do realize that movie series, tv shows, novel series, comic series, etc and anything spun off from them are all referred to as "franchises", don't you?

Why should that be any different in this case?

And it IS a franchise...any movie that has spawned as much spin-off material as Indy (or Star Wars, etc), most certainly qualifies as a media franchise.

Seriously, now you're just picking at things without reason.

 

[deckard24]

I agree.
Um...you do realize that movie series, tv shows, novel series, comic series, etc and anything spun off from them are all referred to as "franchises", don't you?

Why should that be any different in this case?

And it IS a franchise...any movie that has spawned as much spin-off material as Indy (or Star Wars, etc), most certainly qualifies as a media franchise.

Seriously, now you're just picking at things without reason.

I see what you're saying, and I do realize that the series with all its spin-offs does constitute a name brand, but it's still sad in my opinion that it's all become just a business endeavor instead of an artform!! It still is art for those who work behind the scenes, but for the big guns pulling the strings this is all about making money and tons of it!! At one time Lucas was a serious artist, and a rising film star with so much potential. Then the money started rolling in, and all things changed! I'm not naive and I do realize that's a big motivator for those entering the film industry, but it's a shame when those who had integrity trade it in for piles of money!

 

[DIrishB]

I see what you're saying, and I do realize that the series with all its spin-offs does constitute a name brand, but it's still sad in my opinion that it's all become just a business endeavor instead of an artform!!

Completely agree with you on that point. There's a fine balance between putting out a critically and commercially successful film.

It still is art for those who work behind the scenes, but for the big guns pulling the strings this is all about making money and tons of it!! At one time Lucas was a serious artist, and a rising film star with so much potential. Then the money started rolling in, and all things changed! I'm not naive and I do realize that's a big motivator for those entering the film industry, but it's a shame when those who had integrity trade it in for piles of money!

So true. You'd think that now that he has more money than God, he could focus less on raking more in and concentrate on his artistic pursuits. Doesn't seem to be the case, unfortunately.

 

[No Ticket]

You know what also just dawned on me is that Lucas refers to the Indy films as a franchise!!! That speaks volumes! A franchise you say George...like owning several of your own Mcdonalds, or an NBA or NFL team like the Lakers or Giants?

Yeah... I kind of don't like that. The way he refers to it. As just a business.

And to clarify on why I thought the KOTCS trailer seemed "darker" than the movie. It was mostly Ford's speech taken out of context (in the diner) applied to creepy images of the interior with the line "Protected by the living DEAD." ... it sounded cool. Wasn't as cool as it sounded though. I think I would have liked it more if the natives were actually ghosts/living dead/whatever. That element added to a better/creepier designed temple would be cool. I mean, hey, this is just ideas that were going through my head due to the trailer.

Instead the living dead were just some natives who yelled a lot, ran around and then were all shot. Not really fighting or doing any harm to Indy. They raised a very short-lived threat.

 

[Moedred]

Still in Lodi Moedred?

Yes, thereabouts... landlocked.
Still accupuncturing on the high seas?

 

[Cagefighterkip]

premise for Indy 5 (imo) should be Indy and some new sideKick racing against the Skull and Bones Society to find several keys that would unlock Atlantis, the Garden of Eden or some Pyramids or something like that. No more Nazis, Russkies... as good as they are, do something like the Thugee again...

 

[weaponx24]

"Yet we still have the issues about the direction we?d like to take. I?m in the future; Steven?s in the past. He?s trying to drag it back to the way they were, I?m trying to push it to a whole different place. So, still we have a sort of tension."[/B]

I hope to GOD, Spielberg has his way if they make INDY V and doesn't listen to Lucas' lame ass ideas. I think that they should DEFINITELY go back to the way they were, more real stunts, LESS CGI, real rodents/reptiles/bugs, etc. Plus, it would be nice to have a story where Indy is chasing something that HE WANTS...not something hes just guiding a bunch of different people to. Just my $.02

 

[The Man]

Just my $.02

Watch your wallet! Lucas will claim those two cents if your ideas prove correct...

 

[Zorg]

I think I would have liked it more if the natives were actually ghosts/living dead/whatever. That element added to a better/creepier designed temple would be cool. I mean, hey, this is just ideas that were going through my head due to the trailer.

Instead the living dead were just some natives who yelled a lot, ran around and then were all shot. Not really fighting or doing any harm to Indy. They raised a very short-lived threat.

Yeah, exactly!

That is probably the movie's weakest link. The absence of real danger from the last 30-40 minutes or so. Where there should have been the race to reach the prize, there's basically just a walk in the park for Indy & co. I bet that could've been improved a lot by tighter editing and by adding a real "danger" element to the temple.

 

[ninepinejones]

Yes, thereabouts... landlocked.
Still accupuncturing on the high seas?

Yep,Im in Alaska right now and then I set sail for New Zealand in a month,it will take us 32 days to sail from here to there.

 

[PhantomStranger]

Here's the plot for "Indy 5":

http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20080810&mode=classic

 

[QBComics]

Dear, Mr. Speilberg,

Please make an Indy 5. Although I loved the 4th installment a lot, I think you should take over. Please make it in the 50's, more blood, and a whole lot darker! Please make it and awesome Indiana Jones movie just like the other 4.

Thanks,
QBComics

P.S. Lucas isn't as good as he was 30 years ago, but you are, so I'm hoping you agree.

If only I had his email. TOD & KOTCS are defined the lacking Indy movies. They tell us what kind of things can happen in the movies (voodo, aliens ect.)
so are discrimaged because of their events. I think they are fine but if Speilberg took over for 5 it would probably be, more or a win (in peoples vision) like LC and ROTLA. So mabey that can happen. I respect Lucas, i do, but just think what could've happened if Lucas didn't have Steven at his side.

 

[The Man]

Dear, Mr. Speilberg,

Please make an Indy 5. Although I loved the 4th installment a lot, I think you should take over. Please make it in the 50's, more blood, and a whole lot darker! Please make it and awesome Indiana Jones movie just like the other 4.

Thanks,
QBComics

P.S. Lucas isn't as good as he was 30 years ago, but you are, so I'm hoping you agree.

If only I had his email. TOD & KOTCS are defined the lacking Indy movies. They tell us what kind of things can happen in the movies (voodo, aliens ect.)
so are discrimaged because of their events. I think they are fine but if Speilberg took over for 5 it would probably be, more or a win (in peoples vision) like LC and ROTLA. So mabey that can happen. I respect Lucas, i do, but just think what could've happened if Lucas didn't have Steven at his side.

Lucas seems to be a man impervious to advice - friendly or otherwise...

 

[weaponx24]

i would LOVE it if Spielberg would tell Lucas that he is going back to the "old" way of doing things for this next go around and that there isnt a thing Lucas can do to change his mind. Lucas needs to open his eyes and see that the fans aren't really digging his new approach to his movies...I didnt hate KOTCS, but I do think that it was the weakest of the 3 films...So hopefully they do another one and can return to form!

 

[tastethecourage]

i would LOVE it if Spielberg would tell Lucas that he is going back to the "old" way of doing things for this next go around and that there isnt a thing Lucas can do to change his mind. Lucas needs to open his eyes and see that the fans aren't really digging his new approach to his movies...I didnt hate KOTCS, but I do think that it was the weakest of the 3 films...So hopefully they do another one and can return to form!

Problem with that is that Lucas could easily just say, "Then we're not doing another one," and that would be that. Lucas owns the copyright.

 

[Belloq]

Why continue digging up an old grave? Indy has been dormant for almost 20 years and following the last concoction I am not too excited for the next movie!

Which there probably will be in the future when Lucas runs out of money again. Except it probably will only star Shia (if hes still alive) than Harrison (if hes still alive).

 

[The Man]

"We're only doing a fifth to honour Harrison's memory..."

 

[indyrcks]

Oh please give it up George Lucas you really not going to make into a masterpiece are you the fifth one please make a miracle happen and make it as interesting cliff hanging like the originals please