December 2002

Steven Spielberg talks about 'Indy 4'
Tuesday, December 17, 2002

Cindy Pearlman from Chicago Sun-Times talked to director Steven Spielberg who says that Indiana Jones 4 will indeed feature all of Jones' former babes in various cameo roles.

"I'd like to get Karen Allen back for one soundbite, and there are other Indy girls who had smaller roles who will come back," Spielberg says.
What about his own wife, Kate Capshaw, who starred in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom? "Maybe or maybe not," Spielberg adds. "Frank Darabont, who is writing the script, called me and said, 'I'm not sure we can work her (Willie Scott) into the script, too.'"
Spielberg also mentioned that Sean Connery will be back as well, "Sean Connery as Indy's pop will be back for a few scenes, and it's set in the early '50s. That's all I'm saying, and I've already said too much."

Garth Franklin also posted the following message on his Dark Horizons yesterday:

In an interview to be published here tomorrow, Steven Spielberg dropped the following quote about the next Indy flick and hinted who the instigator of the whole project seems to be - it may surprise you: "It was really Harrison who got me into it. He was the guy that said, ‘I want to do one more,’ and he got George and I interested in working with him again, so the script’s being written, I’m going to shoot it late 2004 coming out July ’05 for the July 4 weekend".

'Indy 4' script is finished and approved
Friday, December 13, 2002

Steven Spielbergs latest masterpiece Catch Me If You Can (the film is receiving raving reviews) will be released very soon and Spielberg already started doing interviews about the film. And of course, every interviewer will ask about Indy 4 at the end of the interview. Who can blame them! Here are the first Indy 4 quotes from Spielberg.

Zap2it.com reported that during an interview for Catch Me If You Can, Steven Spielberg told Pat O'Brien that the new script is written and has been approved, and that he will direct the project himself! Spielberg also confirmed to Access Hollywood that Harrison Ford is on board for Indiana Jones 4 and that production is slated to begin in 2004 for a 2005 release.

Ain't It Cool News has received three Catch Me If You Can reviews that also mention a special Q&A session with Steven Spielberg. Here's a part of what Spielberg said during that Q&A, according to one of the reviewers:

...Spielberg and Tom Hanks have been talking about a "small film" they would make together next fall, followed in 2004 by our favorite whip-cracking archaeologist, for a release in 2005 (and yes, Darabont is sequestered away writing the script as we speak).
Sean Connery does have a small part in the story, though it remains to be seen if they can get him to commit for a price. He wouldn't go into plot but did let slip that it takes place in the 1950's because, "Let's face it. Harrison Ford is no spring chicken."

Click here to read these three very positive Catch Me If You Can reviews.

November 2002

A digital Indiana Jones in 'Indy 4'?!
Monday, November 25, 2002

Ain't It Cool News received a report from a visitor who was in Melbourne at a producer's conference the other week. Lucasfilm producer Rick McCallum was also present and after his speech the AICN visitor got to ask McCallum some questions about Star Wars and stuff. Here's what the visitor reported:

We were talking about film making in the digital age when I asked him about the headscans that the original Star Wars trilogy cast sat for in the early nineties, I wanted to know if Lucasfilm was going ahead with an all digital sequel trilogy (the guy next to me was looking at me like I was a freak). Rick shot that rumor down but said that one of them may get some use in an upcoming flashback sequence. He said they're just adding the CGI fedora and bullwhip to the model now. I was floored "CGI Indy?" Then he laughed and excused himself to go talk with some other people. I can't say I'm not excited but I'm also a little afraid, a computer generated Indiana Jones flashback would be cool but would it work?

Rick McCallum said that they might use a CGI Indiana Jones for in a flashback sequence, not the whole film! Actually this might indeed be cool and with where the CGI technology will stand in 2 years, we might not even notice it. Except that Harrison Ford will look younger in that particular scene. By the way, this is a rumor, not an announcement!

Hit the link above to read the original report. Thanks to Tim Stevens to let us know.

McCallum talks 'Indy 4' release date
Wednesday, November 20, 2002

The latest issue of Star Wars Insider features an interview with Lucasfilm producer Rick MacCallum about Indy 4 and it's status. McCallum confirms that the film will be released in 2005, and that it's production won't interfere with Star Wars: Episode III at all. Here's the interview:

Fans have been abuzz with rumors about the start date of the fourth Indiana Jones movie. When Harrison Ford mentioned a few months ago that filming could start as early as next summer, we asked McCallum.

We could use more problems like that one.

“That’s what the plan is. Hopefully, the film will be completed by 2005.” He noted that the plan is dependent on getting a screenplay that everyone likes.

Fans who worry that second Lucasfilm production might distract from Episode III have nothing to fear. “Steven Spielberg is directing and Frank [Marshall] is producing, so even though George will have written the story for it - the screen play is being written by Frank Darabont now - we’ll be making Star Wars, so we’re locked away, basically, and they’ll go ahead and make Indy.”

Considering the prospect of both an Indiana Jones and Star Wars movie coming out in 2005, McCallum remarked, “I think it would be a wonderful summer for Lucasfilm. They’d be separated by enough time that they won’t compete directly with other.”

This interview and more can be found in the December 2002/January 2003 Issue #64 of the Star Wars Insider.

Darabont on the current status of 'Indy 4'
Monday, November 18, 2002

Ain't It Cool News received a report from a reader who visited this year's 2002 Creative Screenwriting Expo in L.A., which took place this weekend at the L.A. Convention Center. One of the guest speakers present at the Expo was Indiana Jones 4 screenwriter Frank Darabont. Here's Indy 4's current status according to the reader:

Darabont is currently going through the 1st Act and he has weekly/twice weekly story meetings with Spielberg. The two of them are still coming up with the 3rd act, but Lucas has basically handed the ball off to Spielberg. Darabont said that he's trying to be very true to the character, but without being repetitive... he doesn't want to simply give us a rehash of the last 3 films.

Hit the link above to read more about the 2002 Creative Screenwriting Expo.

Ford talks about 'Indy 4' and aging... again
Thursday, November 7, 2002

The Age posted a report in which Harrison Ford talks about playing a Russian commander in K-19: The Widowmaker and about taking up the whip again as Indiana Jones. Here's a part of the report:

"What astonishes me," Harrison Ford says, "is that people can't imagine Indiana Jones aging at all. Why expect any character to be frozen in time? The appeal of Indiana Jones isn't his youth but his imagination, his resourcefulness ... His physicality is a big part of it, especially in the way he gets out of tight situations. But it's not all hitting people and falling from high places. My ambition in action is to have the audience look straight in the face of a character and not at the back of a capable stuntman's head. I hope to continue to do that, no matter how old I get."

The aging of a film or comic book hero has always been hard to imagine for most of the fans. But if there is one hero that will still be able to kick ass as an 'older' man it must be Indiana Jones!

Hit the link above to read the full interview.

October 2002

Ford confirmed 'Indy 4' details on BBC 1
Tuesday, October 22, 2002

Harrison Ford confirmed Indiana Jones 4 details during a half-hour interview on BBC 1's Film 2002 yesterday. Here's what Dark Horizons posted about the interview:

"As Harrison Ford lays it out, the basic ideas have been agreed upon and both he and Steven Spielberg have formally made space in their production schedules for 2004. They are currently waiting on an outline script, which he said is being worked on by George Lucas and Frank Darabont. For those people worried about how the then-sixty year old Harrison will hold up as an action hero, he did say that this was one of the first issues they discussed and the script and film-making will take that into account. However, he did say that he very definitely wanted to be the one looking in the camera during every action scenes, so that the audience would still feel their connection to the character."

Harrison Ford to star in 'Indy 4' next year?!
Tuesday, October 8, 2002

The Z Review reported that Harrison Ford will be interviewed by Jonathan Ross on Film 2002 on BBC1 on the 21st October. The Z Review adds that it is a must watch because Ford will reveal he is considering starring in Indiana Jones 4 NEXT YEAR!

Don't believe this before you actually hear or read it coming from Harrison Ford himself!

Thanks to Dark Horizons for the news.

Ford talks about 'Indy 4' with Total Film
Thursday, October 3, 2002

The latest issue of the excellent British Total Film magazine contains a very good interview with Harrison Ford. Ford talks about his latest K-19: The Widowmaker, his old films, and his future projects... and Indy 4 of course! Here are two questions about Indy 4:

Total Film: Returning to the character after nearly 12 years must be a bit daunting. Will we see another side to Indiana?
Ford: "It's a double-edged sword. I mean, once you've done a character, I think that you're obliged to expand on it in some way, bring more information to the audience, a different experience or a different level of experience. With Indiana, there will be different aspects of his character that we're working on. We'll see him in the 50's in America, or at least for part of the film, and I think that's an interesting opportunity there."

Total Film: So what if Spielberg just decided you were too old for the part?
Ford: "If Steven Spielberg and George Lucas tried to replace me, first I'd tell them to go f*** themselves. Then I'd kill them!"

Look for the November 2002 issue of the Total Film magazine to read the full interview.

Harrison Ford hopes for ageing jokes in 'Indy 4'
Wednesday, October 2, 2002

IMDb.com reported yesterday that Harrison Ford wants to play Indiana Jones again as long as there's jokes about ageing in Indiana Jones 4. One consolation for the 60-year old Ford is that Sir Sean Connery will be reprising his role as Indy's dad at the age of 72. Here's how Harrison Ford said it:

"I can still whip Sean Connery with one hand tied behind my back. We want to preserve the spirit of the original but I hope we have some good jokes in there about getting older. It was always as much fun for the audience to see me get beat up as it was to see me beat somebody up. That's kind of unique."

September 2002

Spielberg & Ford reserve time in 2004 for 'Indy 4'
Sunday, September 8, 2002

Good news! Cinema Confidential posted the news that Harrison Ford told at the American Film Festival that he and Steven Spielberg have reserved time in 2004 to begin shooting Indiana Jones 4.

Hit the link above to read the original news message.

August 2002

Lucas' 'Star Wars: Episode III' & 'Indy 4' schedule
Tuesday, August 13, 2002

Recent Indiana Jones movie news at TheForce.Net.

Preproduction [for Episode III] will head into full swing in fall 2002, with the art department cranking out new ideas and the script being worked on religiously by George Lucas. In an interesting twist, he's working on Indiana Jones 4 at the same time so we definitely expect Jonathan Hales to again help with the writing duties [on Episode III].

Hit the link above to read the complete report.

Spielberg might shoot 'Indy 4' on digital after all
Saturday, August 3, 2002

The Edmonton Journal reports that Steven Spielberg is no fan of digital moviemaking. "I don't want to shoot digital movies," Spielberg says. "I like film."

"I love shooting on film and I love editing on film. I know that digital will do the same thing film will do. It will still use lenses. It will still capture the same images. The difference is that digital is like acrylic paint. It's so photo-realistic that you don't see any flaws. With traditional film, where you have it going through shutters in a film gate, it's alive with grain -- compared to digital, it's like an impressionist painting. I would still rather see a still life painted by an impressionist than a still life painted by Norman Rockwell."

But as a favor to George Lucas on Indiana Jones 4, he might use it. "I'd do anything for George and if George asked me to shoot Indiana Jones 4 on digital, I'd do it. But my duties will always be to shoot on film."

This bit of news was earlier reported by 'jones' at The Raven message forum.

July 2002

Shyamalan talks about not writing 'Indy 4'
Thursday, July 25, 2002

Both Calgary Sun and Cinescape have a short article about filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, whose film Signs will be released on August the 2nd.

Shyamalan wanted to make films since he saw Raiders of the Lost Ark on an early age. An now he is one of the best Hollywood filmmakers thanks to his The Sixth Sense and producer Frank Markshall (who also produced the Indiana Jones trilogy). While working on their new Signs project Frank Marshall approached Shyamalan about writing Indiana Jones 4... That was a year ago and we all know that Shyamalan didn't take the job. Shyamalan told Calgary Sun why exactly:

"I'm a pretty independent person and I sensed Indiana Jones would be a very collaborative project. It would be so difficult co-ordinating everything with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford every step of the way."

Also Cinescape talks about why Shyamalan is not writing Indy 4:

He (Shyamalan) confirmed he sat down, separately, with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford, and talked about writing the film.

“I was asked, but it didn't work out,” Shyamalan said. “(It) didn't work out with everybody. It's a tricky, tricky thing to get four of us together at the same time on the same page. It was just a tricky time. I didn't think it was the right thing for me to do. I mean it was. That's the movie that above everything has affected me and Raiders (of the Lost Ark) was kind of like hey, fulfillment of a childhood fantasy to kind of say, 'God, I'll do that one and in a way childhood will be put aside,' and an amazing circle would have come. But, it didn't work out. Frank Darabont's doing it now.”

Thanks to The Indy Experience and Coming Soon for the news.

Ford says Indiana Jones won't have a son!
Monday, July 22, 2002

Good Indy Franchise news! Harrison Ford debunked the rumor that Indy will have a son in Indiana Jones 4 while talking to Chicago Sun-Times. Here's what Cindy Pearlman reported:

Indy's no daddy: Don't call it "Indiana Jones: The Babymaker". Harrison Ford Told this column that the much-awaited next installment of "Indiana Jones" will not feature him training his screen son to take over the franchise. The 60-year-old Chicago native gave us a look of mock horror and said, "Hey, there's only one son in these movies and I'll always be Sean Connery's little boy!"

Ford didn't say Indy won't have a daughter so there's still a chance that the old "Natalie Portman playing Indy's daughter" rumor can become reality...

Will Elsa be featured in 'Indy 4'?
Saturday, July 20, 2002

I have received an email from 'a visitor' who has heard a bit more about the scene in Indy 4 where Indy's ex-girlfriends show up. Here's what he has told me:

I heard a rumor saying that during the scene where lots of Indy's ex-girlfriends show up , the woman who played Elsa in Last Crusade will be featured in an exclusive remembering sequence. Take the news with a grain of salt, though, as Allison Doody refused to comment the rumor.

Frank Marshall talked about 'Indy 4'
Saturday, July 20, 2002

Sci Fi Wire posted a short article in which producer Frank Marshall talks about Indy 4. Here's what it said:

Indiana Jones producer Frank Marshall told USA Today that the notion of reviving the film franchise became a reality only after the series' key players gathered in 2001 at an American Film Institute dinner to honor Harrison Ford. "[We] all saw each other backstage in tuxedoes, and it was a nostalgic moment where we got to talking, and we found how much fun we had on these movies," Marshall said. "But these days it takes us all a while to clear our schedules."

Marhsall, who also produced the upcoming Signs, added, "It's going to be the same team: George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Steven Spielberg and me. We are working on the film as we speak. I think production will start in 2004 for release in the summer of 2005. There are certain elements that are in all three movies that we will strive to maintain: the archaeology aspect, the fun of the movies and a little bit of the supernatural."

Ford cracked the whip during Leno
Thursday, July 18, 2002

Harrison Ford was on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno past Tuesday. At one moment Jay Leno offered Ford a whip... Here's what 'Indy Riddle' posted about the Show at The Raven:

Jay Leno had Harrison crack a whip on the show. Harrison's first attempt wasn't good. When he cracked the whip it went flying back and knocked Jay's mug over off his desk. Ice cubes went all over the chair. Harrison cracked the whip two more times. He did much better those times, yet he didn't make a popping sound. And there was no talk about Indy 4, just K-19.

An Indyfan nicknamed 'Rundquist' took or found 7 pictures of Ford cracking the whip and placed them online at the Indyfan.com forum. Click here to view the large versions. Enjoy!

Ford interviewed by Ebert
Thursday, July 18, 2002

Harrison Ford has been interviewed by Chicago Sun-Times' film critic Roger Ebert on his latest K-19: The Widowmaker. Ford and Ebert also talk about The Sum of all Fears and Indy 4, of course. Here comes the part on Indy 4:

It is possible that Ford's movies have grossed more than those of any other actor in Hollywood history. If you add up 'Star Wars' pictures and the 'Indiana Jones' pictures and all the others, it makes a nice pile. And now, he said, he and Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are talking about returning to Indiana Jones for a fourth episode.

"We've had story meetings and a writer is assigned and scribbling away, and if we get a script we like, we've all held a slot in 2004. I'd love to do it again."
The Indy series has held up, he thinks, because "we complicated the character a little more every time we went back to him. And the ambition to make a good film never wavered; that has a lot to do with Steven taking the obligation of directing every time as well."
Ford just turned 60, which worries him not at all: "The roles are just as interesting, maybe more interesting. Look at Sean Connery. He's only 12 years older than I am, even though he plays my father from time to time. So I think I've got at least 12 more years of useful shelf life."

Hit the link above to read the full interview.

More Ford talking 'Indy 4'
Wednesday, July 17, 2002

Here's an other article which mentions Indy 4. You may expect more such articles now that K-19: The Widowmaker gets released. It's just part of the show.

USA Today has an article written for the release of K-19 with the title: 'At 60, Ford still far from retirement'. That title should say enough what it is about. Here's the part of the article that mentions Indy 4:

He (Ford) and Steven Spielberg are cooking up Indiana Jones 4, with a planned release in 2005. But Ford says of the script, "We've only just begun." He adds confidently enough, "We'll get there." He'd like Kate Capshaw and Sean Connery to turn up again. Might Indiana have a son himself? Ford says that's never been discussed.
Although he'll be past 60 when shooting starts, Ford expects this Indiana Jones to be as physical as the others. "It's just running, jumping, falling down. I'll get as sore as I ever did."

Hit the link above to read the article. Thanks to Ain't It Cool News for the link.

'Indy 4' domain registered
Tuesday, July 16, 2002

Surprised or not, Paramount Pictures Corporation has registered the domain name indianajones4movie.com which will be the future home of the Official Indy 4 Website due in July 2005.

You can search this domain name at NetworkSolutions under 'WhoIs' section. Or you can just click here.

Thanks to 'StarWars3'.

More quotes from Ford on his age in 'Indy 4'
Monday, July 15, 2002

It's not Harrison Ford's fault, the interviewers just keep asking him questions about Indy 4 and Ford's age during his K-19: The Widowmaker publicity tour.

Harrison Ford was interviewed Sunday evening on a local Chicago TV showed entitled 190 North. Much of the interviewed focused on his latest movie K-19 however, the status of Indiana Jones 4 was presented to Harrison late in the interview. Harrison confirmed that there is a slot available in 2004 to start filming if the script meets everyone expectations. The last questions was the best. When asked "If this was it for Indiana Jones or will there be a fifth, sixth or seventh", Harrison responded "Well, never say never".

The following quotes come from The Calgary Sun interview with Harrison Ford:

"It still amazes me that we've strung Indiana Jones out this long. I've agreed to do Indy 4 on the condition we get a really good script. If and when that happens, I'll get excited about reviving the character."
If Indiana Jones 4 begins filming in 2004, Ford will be 62.
"Indiana Jones has never been defined by his age. Personally, I don't think about aging. I think about how I feel on any given day, but, for me, that's not a question of age or aging."

Here are some of Ford's Indy 4 quotes from an interview with the Washington Post:

"I still feel capable of jumping and falling down. That is not the issue," he says, his tone a little stern.
"In those cases when you play a character more than once, you have an obligation to bring something different to the audience," Ford says. "I always feel the character has to learn something. We have done that successfully in the past, through devices like the introduction of his father."
But does it bother him that the entertainment pundits are joking about the Social Security Indy? "I'm only too old if Indy is too young," he says, his eyes twinkling a bit. "There is a movie about the young Abraham Lincoln, there is a movie about the older Abraham Lincoln. Why can't there be a movie about the older Indiana Jones?"

And Nesday.com also interviewed Ford about his latest K-19 and of course had to mention Indy 4 and the aging problem:

Ford shrugs. "You can bring up the 'O' word," he says. "Well, what's too old any more when you have Jack Palance doing one-armed push-ups? Anybody want to ask Regis Philbin if he's too old? I wouldn't. It's all a reflection of life."
"What astonishes me," he says, "is that people can't imagine Indiana Jones aging at all. Why expect any character to be frozen in time? The appeal [of Indiana Jones] isn't his youth but his imagination, his resourcefulness ... His physicality is a big part of it, especially in the way he gets out of tight situations. But it's not all hitting people and falling from high places. My ambition in action [movies] is to have the audience look straight in the face of a character and not at the back of a capable stuntman's head. I hope to continue to do that, no matter how old I get."
"Besides, the chance to work with Steven and George again is certainly something I look forward to."

U-Film has an Indy 4 article that is worth checking out. Here are some Ford quotes taken from the article:

"In the case of Indiana Jones, there's a looser structure and concept," Ford says. "They're more about the movies than they are about anything else, like a mythology. They're about the conventions of the movies, and they're fun because we all sort of know the shape that they're going to come in."
"At this point, it's not anything that anybody's thinking about," Ford says. "We're just trying to come up with the most imaginative circumstances to put him in. I don't think there'll be much limiting of the action because of the reality of my age -- we're not talking about reality with these movies, after all."
"But you know, there are lots of 60-year-old cowboys breaking horses and falling on their asses and rodeoing. So the potential, the possibility to give physical expression to these moments is still there."

We may certainly expect more Indy 4 quotes from Harrison Ford about his age this summer. Unless the interviewers can come up with some new questions. We all know by now what Ford's point on playing Indy at the age of 60 is.

Thanks to Brett Hopkins, Coming Soon and The Indy Experience for letting us know.

Darabont talks about writing 'Indy 4'
Friday, July 12, 2002

Sci Fi Wire talked about Indiana Jones 4 with it's screenplay writer, Frank Darabont. Here's part of their short but interesting article:

Not surprisingly, Indy won't be facing down Nazis this time around, Darabont said. "We're going to give you some good villains, let me just put it that way," he said.
Darabont added that producer George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg are allowing Darabont to bring his own ideas to the script. "It winds up being a pretty good collaboration, a good exchange of ideas," he said. But, he added, "at the end of the day, I'll be writing what they ask me to. I'll be giving them the story that they want, so in that sense, I'm an employee. But a very excited and engaged employee. And what a fun project to work on."
When probed for specific details—such as the rumors that Indy will have a son—Darabont said, "If I told you, they'd kill me. I wouldn't leave here alive. I'm sworn to secrecy."

Hit the link above to read the article.

Lucas talks 'Indy 4' with Swedish newspaper
Wednesday, July 10, 2002

A Swedish newspaper, Aftonbladet, conducted an interview with George Lucas a few days ago, let's just say it brings about even more official confirmation. Here's a rough translation from a part of the interview:

(GL) "I wanted to see a movie such as Raiders of the lost Ark, but I didn't want to make it myself. So I asked Spielberg, and those kind of movies are what he likes to direct."
(JP) "I understand you are starting the next Indiana Jones?"
(GL) "All I need to do with Indy is to create the story and select the script-writer. I have come up with a plot that both Steven and Harrison like, so now I just have to get the writer going and then I'm done."
Writing Episode III Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford are now waiting for Frank Darabont to write the script based on Lucas's story. When you are reading this, George Lucas is sitting at his desk at the Skywalker Ranch.
(GL) "I am writing both Episode III and Episode IV in two different series. The third 'Star Wars' and the fourth 'Indiana Jones'."
They are both scheduled for release in 2005.

There you have it, Star Wars III and Indy 4 are both "full steam ahead" right now. We'll see which one crosses the finish line first.

Thanks to TheForce.net for the news and translation.

John Williams signed on for 'Indy 4'
Monday, July 8, 2002

The Orange County Register got the honor of interviewing our favorite composer, John Williams. And while the interview itself is very fascinating, what gets my attention the most is this line hidden at the very end:

Williams is already signed up for Indiana Jones 4 and Star Wars Episode III with Spielberg and Lucas, as well as Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, projects taking him into 2005.

Yet more confirmation that Indy will be on the screen at least one more time. Hit the link above to read the interview.

Ford talks with Playboy about 'Indy 4'
Sunday, July 7, 2002

The August 2002 issue of Playboy magazine contains a good interview with Harrison Ford about Indiana Jones 4. Here's an except from the interview:

Playboy: Why has it taken you, Lucas and Spielberg so long to do the fourth Indiana Jones?
Ford: "We've all been busy, that's most of it. Then there were the concepts we didn't all agree on. It has to be the best damned Jones we ever made or its going to get tarred and feathered."
Playboy: Given the time that has passed, will you make concessions for the fact that Indiana Jones is getting older?
Ford: "I'll make concessions for the fact that I'm 15 years older."
Playboy: How is Indiana Jones aging?
Ford: "As you can see, very well. I can still whip Sean Connery with one hand tied behind my back. We want to preserve the spirit of the original, but I hope we have some good jokes in there about it. The character is still Indiana Jones, and it was always as much fun for the audience to see me get beat up as it was to see me beat somebody up. That is kind of unique. Part of the appeal of Indiana Jones is that he was always in over his head. He was always hurt. As he said in the first film, "Its not the years, its the mileage."

For a complete look at the 7 page interview get a copy of the August 2002 issue of Playboy.

Spielberg talks Ford/Indy's action in 'Indy 4'
Friday, July 5, 2002

IMDb.com posted the following about Harrison Ford's age in Indiana Jones 4:

Steven Spielberg is convinced Harrison Ford's advancing age won't be a barrier to the upcoming Indiana Jones sequel. The Oscar-winning moviemaker is teaming up with pal George Lucas to make the new adventure flick - over 20 years after the franchise began in 1981 with Raiders Of The Lost Ark and over ten years since the last flick, The Last Crusade (1989). By the time the movie hits theaters in 2005, Ford - who was 38 when the first movie was made - will be 63, but Spielberg isn't worried about the star reprising the swashbuckling role; he has some decidedly low-tech plans to conceal Harrison's advancing years. Spielberg says, "Harrison won't act his age: he'll run: he'll swing, he'll leap, he'll fight. None of that's gonna change. He might 'ooh' and 'aah' a bit more and there might be a few more scenes where he's having Vicks Vapor Rub applied to all the sore spots."

Never doubted that Harrison Ford will still be able to do it. Actually, these 'ooh' and 'aah' moments might even add some extra fun and suspense to the action scenes!

Steven doesn't know if 'Indy 4'is the last one
Tuesday, July 2, 2002

Sun-Times Columnist Cindy Pearlman mentions Steven Spielberg and Indiana Jones 4. Here's what she wrote about it:

The director of the hit film Minority Report says that keeping up with the Joneses isn't easy. Steven Spielberg admits that the upcoming sequel to "Indiana Jones" wasn't first on his "to do" list. "There was a little nagging," he says, laughing about the much-awaited sequel starring Harrison Ford. "George Lucas nagged me a little bit on it. But the deal is that George, Harrison Ford, Kathleen Kennedy and I built a family in the '80s. It was a wonderful family. A nine-year family. We made three films in nine years. Now, I would like to go back and have some fun. I'm kind of saving the candy for the last one," Spielberg says.

Hello, the last one? "Oh, I don't know," Spielberg adds. "Of course, I said the third Indy would be the last one. And obviously it's not. So I can't even comment whether the fourth will be the last one or not." As for plot secrets, Spielberg says, "I'm not looking to redesign the wheel. I just want to continue the saga." The film is due out in 2004. Yes, Spielberg's wife, Kate Capshaw, has a cameo.

Now be careful. Spielberg didn't say that there will also come a fifth Indiana Jones film. He simply says that you just never know what will happen next in Hollywood.

Click here to read Cindy Pearlman's column.

June 2002

Ford confirmed "Indy 4" will be set in the 1950s
Wednesday, June 26, 2002

Cinescape posted more on their interview with Harrison Ford on his latest K-19: The Widowmaker. Cinescape asked Ford about the time frame for the new Indiana Jones adventure and Ford confirmed that the film would be set in the 1950s.

“It is, yeah,” Ford confirmed. What else did he have to say? He confirmed there have already been meetings with writer Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) and that coordinating everyone schedules still seems to shake the project.

It’s not like aligning planets to get Ford, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas free to do the project, Ford laughed, “It’s more like getting the Supremes back together. Everybody has there own separate projects and the main thing is time. Everybody’s got separate projects and we have a date and we have an idea and we’ll see how it happens… You know there are three players here whose expectations have to be met. George, Steven, myself. So if we can all agree on something I hope we’ll be able to do it.”

“The projects that we’ve done together have been very good for me and we are friends and it’s always a pleasure to work with people you have a long relationship with,” he told Cinescape. “I certainly have an understanding of how seminal those projects were in the development of my career.”

You may expect to see more Indy 4 quotes by Harrison Ford now he is on a promoting tour for K-19: The Widowmaker.

Spielberg and Lucas talk about "Indy 4"
Tuesday, June 25, 2002

The Official Star Wars Website posted news about Frank Darabont writing Indiana Jones 4 along with the following from George Lucas:

Frank Darabont has been selected to write the screenplay for a fourth Indiana Jones movie, based on a story by George Lucas. Steven Spielberg will once again direct, Lucas will be the executive producer, and Harrison Ford will star in the film. Frank Marshall will again serve as producer.

"I'm excited to be able to revisit a character I created a generation ago," Lucas said. "Steven, Harrison and I have wanted to do this for some time, and this feels like the right moment."

In Starlog #300, George Lucas was interviewed and had the following to say about the film:

"I've got a story that (Steven Spielberg and Harrison) want to do. I've got a writer, and I'm going to get him started. I'm going to get him pushed off and then I'll write Episode III. Then, Steven takes over. So that's one of those perfect jobs where all I have to do is get the script in order and have everybody be happy, and they go off and make it. I just show up and wave."

Steven Spielberg is also interviewed in the same Starlog issue. Here's what Spielberg told about Indy 4:

"That is happening. We have a writer, but I'm not officially allowed to announce the writer's name until the trades get it. I cannot wait to make this film. I think it's going to make all of us feel like kids again. To be able to get Harrison Ford, George Lucas and me back together again is a dream come true. I was happy just making three. It was Harrison who really wanted to make another Indiana Jones movie, and he was very tenacious wherever we were together about reminding me that there were wonderful stories we hadn't told. So he lit the fire under both George and me, and that's why we're making it. It's thanks to him."

It's already officially announced that Frank Darabont will write the Indy 4 script so I guess that the interviews with Spielberg and Lucas in Starlog are a bit dated, news spreads faster on the Internet than in magazines, but it's still great to read that Indy 4 is becoming a fact.

Thanks to Coming Soon for the news.

Ford said that the Calista rumor is not true
Tuesday, June 25, 2002

Seems like last weeks rumor that Calista Flockhart would be in Indy 4 is false. I asked you to not believe the rumor until someone of the big three confirms it and Harrison Ford just debunked the Indy 4 casting rumor. Here's what Harrison Ford Web received:

Thanks to JimB for posting this in the forum. "Speaking on Access Hollywood, Harrison said that the Calista rumor is not true. Billy Bush asked him again if he would like to see her in it, he said no. He also said that he will do Indy IV if they get a script that they all agree on."

Never believe a rumor until it gets confirmed by Steven Spielberg, George Lucas or Harrison Ford! Never!

Does Tom Hanks want his son in "Indy 4"?
Monday, June 24, 2002

Ain't It Cool News received an interesting e-mail today. The mail came from a New Zealand reader who saw an interview with John Rhys-Davies on TV.
Here's what he reported:

I have a small piece of news on the new "Indiana Jones" movie. Did you know, Colin Hanks will have a role in the film. Yes, Tom's son. The larger than life, Jonathan Rhys-Davies is here doing some reshoots for Lord of the Rings and told our TV station Prime this week that a new Indiana Jones movie is in the works, which by the sounds of it, he has a role in... I remember he had a role in one of the other films?? Now, he says he knows nothing of the story - but that some of his Indy's old girlfriends will appear in the film, as will Sean Connery as his Dad and Spielberg's pal, Tom Hanks, has talked the director into putting young Colin in the film too. As yet he doesn't know... but I read somewhere Indy had a son???

First there was the rumor that Harrison Ford wants girlfriend Calista Flockhart in the fourth Indiana Jones film and now - if we may believe this - Tom Hanks wants his son to be in Indy 4... maybe even to play Indy's son. Hmmm, I won't say if these two would be a good addition to Indy 4 but I believe that whatever Spielberg decides to do with Flockhart and Colin Hanks he's making the right decision. Spielberg is know to choose the right actors for the right part.

Ford again talks about "Indiana Jones 4"
Friday, June 21, 2002

Strange things are going on. It all started with the Spielberg vs. Lucas clash on shooting Indy 4 digitally or not. Yesterday Cinescape reported that Harrison Ford isn't sure about Indy 4 at the moment. Earlier today IMDb.com posted the rumor that Ford demanded to add Calista Flockart to the Indy 4 cast or he wouldn't do a fourth Indy films?! And now E! Online reported that Ford said that the project is not waiting for his script approval, since he hasn't seen a script.

"It's a question of what our collaborative capacity is, working with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg," says Ford. "It's (about) all of us working together with our combined ambition to make a film which is as good as the ones we made before." As Whoopi once said, "Let me try it in my own way: It ain't on yet, girl."

Are Spielberg and Ford trying to distract us from something more important? Unlikely but you never know what's really going on around Hollywood. I've got a feeling this is only the beginning. Stay tuned!

Ally McBeal actress to join the "Indy 4" cast?
Friday, June 21, 2002

Here's some interesting celebrity news that IMDb.com posted today:

Actress Calista Flockhart is apparently planning to team up with boyfriend Harrison Ford in the next Indiana Jones movie. Filming on Indiana Jones 4 is due to begin in May 2004, with the film looking more adult than its 1980s predecessors. A source says, "Harrison Ford had only one demand when he was approached about doing a fourth Indiana Jones movie - that Calista be written into the new movie. Luckily, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas loved the idea. They think Calista will be a perfect romantic interest for Indiana." And having the ex-Ally McBeal star on board solved one problem for the filmmakers. The source says, "The Indy team had no idea what to do with Indy for the fourth movie. Bringing Calista on board gave them inspiration and they dreamed up the whole story in just a few hours. Getting Calista into the movie was the kick-in-the-pants the guys needed."

Consider this is a rumor! We don't know who this source is and if he's reliable. Just wait with telling everybody how much you would love or hate to see Calista Flockhart in Indy 4 until Ford or Spielberg, or someone else officially involved in Indy 4, confirms this.

Thanks to Roger Close for letting us know.

Harrison Ford is not sure about "Indy 4"
Friday, June 21, 2002

Doing the press rounds for his upcoming submarine drama K-19: The Widowmaker last weekend, Harrison Ford suggested that while he’s enthused about the progress on the fourth Indiana Jones film, it’s not exactly time for the fans to start lining up at theaters.

“Well, it’s official that we have an ambition to make the film, but unless we get a script that we’re all happy with, I don’t think it’s sure that will happen,” Ford told the reporters. “So, I’m very happy about the fact that we’ve all committed to a certain idea, and we’re developing it and hoping it will be fruitful.”

Harrison Ford turns 60 next month and the reporters asked if he had any concerns about the audience accepting a version of Indiana Jones who is getting up there in years?

“No, not really,” Ford replied. “The audience will understand and appreciate that Indiana Jones has grown older, but he’ll still be Indiana Jones -- finding himself in the same kind of dilemmas, using the same strengths to prevail over those circumstances. I don’t think it’s a problem. I personally don’t think growing older is very much of an issue.”

Read the full report at Cincescape.

Star Wars Magazine UK talks "Indy 4"
Wednesday, June 19, 2002

In the newest issue of the UK fan club Star Wars Magazine (issue #39) there is an interview with George Lucas. Who, of course, talks Star Wars, but he also talks about "the prospects" of Indiana Jones 4. I, for one, wonder what he will say.

For more information on what else will be contained in that issue or to read the entire article head on over to here.

Star Wars Magazine #39 goes on sale in the UK on June 20, 2002.

Spielberg says Connery will be in "Indy 4"
Tuesday, June 18, 2002

JoBlo.com had a chat with Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise about Minority Report. To close the interview JoBlo asked Steven about Indiana Jones 4 and if Sean Connery will be onvolved. Here's what Steven answered on the Connery question:

"Uh…there's a huge bunch of spoilers I don't want to give away now but…yes."

Hit the link above to read the full interview.

Harrison Ford talks "Indy 4" delay
Tuesday, June 18, 2002

While talking to Sci Fi Wire Harrison Ford discussed the constant delays of Indiana Jones 4 now due July 2005. Here's what he said:

"It's not a question of my input, it's a question of what our collaborative capacity is, working with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg." The 60 year old actor adds "It's not a question of obtaining control over the situation, but all of us working together with our combined ambition to make a film which is as good as the ones we made before."

Spielberg expects digital battle with Lucas
Monday, June 17, 2002

The Houston Chronicle had an interview with Steven Spielberg about Minority Report. There's one moment in the interview in which Spielberg talks about filming Indy 4 digitally. Here's what he said on that:

"My friend George Lucas is trying to get me to do Indy 4 digitally," he said of the adventure film, to be set in the 1950s to keep pace with Ford's age (almost 60).
"But I don't want to shoot digitally. There's a mystery, a magic and a chemistry in film. Digital isn't chemistry. It's unfailing technology."

I absolutely agree with Spielberg on this. Films recorded digitally look very good but it doesn't fit into the Indiana Jones spirit. The Indy films have been made, in the first place, to bring the mystery and magic of the old adventure serials back to the big screen. The cinematography of the original Indy Trilogy is based on that and that's also how it should be for Indy 4!

Hit the link above to read the interview with Steven Spielberg. Thanks to Aaron for letting me know.

No more sequels for Spielberg?
Sunday, June 16, 2002

Steven Spielberg told SCI FI Wire that aside from the next installment in the Indiana Jones series, he does not plan to produce sequels to many of his most popular films. "There'll never be another Back to the Future," Spielberg told reporters at the Saturn Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. "There'll never be another E.T. . I won't do another Close Encounters."

As for the sequel, Spielberg was characteristically mute on the details of the fourth Indiana Jones film. He did, however, disclose a proposed time frame for the project. "I can only tell you that our best estimate of production on this picture is May of '04 to start shooting and late June to 4th of July for the release in '05," he said.

Nothing new on Indy 4, except that Spielberg mentions the starting date of the production again. And about the other films that will never get an other sequel, it might be best because I don't think it'll do the original E.T. or Close Encounters any good.
Oh and I guess Indy 4 isn't Spielberg's only exception, he has recently told that they are working on the fourth and final Jurassic Park film! Apparently, Spielberg has found such a good story that he couldn't resist to produce another JP film. One to unlearn the Jurassic Park sequel habit?!

Hit the link above to read the full report and thanks to Adam R. for letting us know.

"Indy 4" could start shooting later this year
Friday, June 14, 2002

Cinescape reported today that Paramount Pictures president Sherry Lansing told at the Saturn Awards that Indiana Jones 4 could start shooting later this year. She really said that but it's not definite! Here's what Lansing said exactly:

While talking exclusively to a Cinescape reporter at the 28th annual Saturn Awards, Lansing said, “It looks like it’s real. As you know, we concluded our deal with Steven (Spielberg) and George (Lucas) and they have a writer writing… As soon as their happy with it, along with Harrison (Ford), I’m sure we’ll be happy too. I certainly hope it’s within this year we get to start making this movie. I don’t know if it will be, but I can hope. We’re really, really excited, and I know they’re excited. They’re keeping it very close to their vest.” She said it would still be a 2005 release. But if it did start shooting this year? “Well you know. I live in hope,” she said.

Sounds very exciting indeed but we still have to wait and see if it will really happen this fast. My fingers are crossed, what about yours?

Spielberg talked "Indy 4" at Oprah
Thursday, June 13, 2002

Ken reported at The Raven Bar that Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise were on Oprah this past Monday, and all though it wasn't features on the show Spielberg did talk about Indy 4! Here's what Ken reported:

Cruise and Spielberg did a ten minute Q & A segment and without even being asked he said, "I am going to do my fourth Indiana Jones film in 2004." The crowd went nuts!! "With Harrison?" Oprah asked. "Yes with Harrison.", said Steven. And this is the best part, he said, "Remember that great line from Raiders were Harrison said its not the years honey, it's the mileage? Now he is going to have to say it's not the mileage it's the years." That's soo cool!!
Then Oprah asked, "So it's coming out in 2004?" Steven said, "It's coming out in 2005 and I am going to make it in 2004."

Visit Oprah.com and check out the 'After the Show' video clip for yourself. Certainly worth checking out, and not only because of Indy 4 but because they also answer a lot of questions about Minority Report.

Paramount Pictures president talks "Indy 4"
Tuesday, June 11, 2002

After accepting the Dr. Donald A. Reed award at the 28th annual Saturn Awards, Paramount Pictures president Sherry Lansing talked about her hopes for the newly announced Indiana Jones 4:

“We just concluded the deal with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas (for Indy 4),” she recounted about the deal everyone’s been talking about for the last week. “They’ve picked the screenwriter they want (Frank Darabont) and as soon as they have a daft they’re happy with, I’m sure I’ll be happy. I think we all will. They’re playing it very close to the vest, so I don’t know much about where the plot is going. I’m lighting candles every day, hoping that this film will be made sooner rather than later.”

Source: Cinescape

Frank Darabont talks about "Indy 4"
Monday, June 10, 2002

Cinescape had an interview with the official Indiana Jones 4 screenwriter Frank Darabont, better known as the screenplay writer and director of The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. Darabont confirms—and elaborates on—his new job writing for Lucas and Spielberg:

“That was a great call to get,” Darabont told Cinescape last week. “George called about a month ago and said, ‘Would you be interested in doing this, we’re looking for a writer.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, George, I’m there.’ It’s the only gig I’ve taken sight unseen.”

Now everyone can stop waiting for producer George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg to tell us “when” (the movie incidentally has a tentative July 2005 release date) and now start wondering “what.”

For Darabont, that “what” is still even a mystery to him.
“I have no idea at this point what the movie is about,” says Darabont. “I’m putting my faith in Steven and George – I will be their writing vessel.”

Click here to read more interesting quotes from Darabont. There's one quote that simply proves that Darabont is the best choice to write Indy 4. Here it is:

“The first film is a classic,” admits Darabont, who’s looking forward to the assignment. “Raiders of the Lost Ark is the one film that would be on a desert island with me.”

Frank Marshall confirms "Indy 4" plans
Monday, June 3, 2002

Chicago Sun-Times found producer Frank Marshall saying that that plans are progressing nicely for another installment of Indiana Jones:

"We're definitely going to do it," he says. "We're setting a 2004 production date." As for star Harrison Ford getting a bit long in the tooth to play Jones, Marshall says that Indy will still wear the hat proudly, but perhaps with a few aches and pains. "We will deal with the age issue," Marshall says.

He adds that the plot "will be set in the 1950s and that's all I'm saying on that front."

One wonders if huge salary requests is the reason why this next Indy has taken so long to get off the ground? "No, we're all part of the Indiana Jones family. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, me, Harrison and Kathleen Kennedy. The deals are already worked out."

He adds that rumors Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) will pen the new film are not exactly true. Marshall says, "There is no script yet and no one has been hired regardless of what has been reported." No word either on whether Sean Connery will return as Indy's pop, although for years Connery has insisted, "Just show me where to show up. I'd love to do it."

Thanks to Westford for letting us know.

Spielberg confirms "Indiana Jones 4"
Sunday, June 2, 2002

Just when Coming Attractions, Variety and Paramount announced Frank Darabont as the long-awaited choice to write the Indy 4 screenplay, Cinescape got some quotes from Steven Spielberg himself about the project and Harrison Ford’s skills as maybe the ultimate action hero:

“The status is that Frank Darabont is starting – he’s writing the screenplay,” Spielberg told us about The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption writer/director. Darabont also wrote for the now-defunct Young Indiana Jones series and just did an uncredited rewrite on Minority Report. “We just made Frank’s deal two weeks ago. We have the story, which is a story George Lucas wrote. It’s a wonderful story. We have Harrison Ford, who’s approved the story. He’s ready to perform in the movie.”

He also confirmed the timetable for shooting the fourth chapter of the action-adventure series, “The movie’s going to be shot probably in May of 2004. When I say probably, it could be April or May of 2004 and the movie’s going to come out probably for the July 4th weekend of 2005, because the last Star Wars is going to come out the week before Memorial Day 2005. So we’re coordinating this to be a one-two punch with the last Star Wars coming out in 2005 in May and Indiana Jones 4 coming out 2005, probably June 29th or July 4th.”

“Harrison Ford can still kick the s**t out of most people half his age,” Spielberg told us. “I think he’s in great condition to put the fedora and the hat and the leather jacket back on and crack that bullwhip a few more times.”

God bless Cinescape! For the full interview with Spielberg pick up the July issue of Cinescape magazine which will be on sale soon.

May 2002

Writer and release date officially announced
Friday, May 31, 2002

Yesterday's Indy 4 writer and release date news has been confirmed by Variety today. Here's what CNN.com wrote about it:

Variety reports Frank Darabont, the writer/director of The Majestic, has been offered the job of writing the fourth installment of the "Indiana Jones" franchise and a deal is expected to be signed imminently. Paramount insiders say the picture will be aimed at a July 2005 holiday weekend berth.

Although Variety has been proven wrong before, they're not the only ones who have reported this. The very reliable Coming Attractions announced the same news yesterday. About the "July 2005 holiday weekend" release date: It can't be Memorial Day because of Star Wars: Episode III so that leaves us with July 4 weekend. Sounds like we can finally sleep on both ears from this night on!

Hit the link above for more info on Darabont's relationship with Lucas, Spielberg and Indiana Jones. Thanks to Iridium and J. Charles Holt for letting us know.

They have the Indy 4 writer and a release date
Thursday, May 30, 2002

Coming Attractions reported the following news on Indiana Jones 4:

Here's the news we've been waiting for to snap us out of these "too good to be true" blues. Some developments behind-the-scenes at Lucasfilm have resulted in two important developments. First of all, Frank Darabont has now signed the dotted line and will write Indy 4. Expect the announcement to break any day now, but we know it to be official already. Also, the studio has selected a release date we can also tell you is solid. The legacy of Indiana Jones will continue on July 4, 2005.

This information comes to us from one of our most reliable sources and we do not have any doubts.

So they have found the writer for the Indy 4 script, good old Frank Darabont, and already selected the release date. Great! Now let's wait for that official announcement, you can never be certain enough with news related to Lucasfilm. Stay tuned!

Thanks to Captain Katanga for letting us know.

Indy 4 to start shooting in 2004?
Monday, May 27, 2002

In a recent interview with MTV.com George Lucas said the following about the progress of the fourth Indiana Jones film:

In what will surely be joyous news to the legions of fans long yearning to hear the crack of Indy's whip, George Lucas put a decade of rumors to rest by conceding that yes, there will definitely be another Indiana Jones film.
"I'm working on a story right now," Lucas told onetime MTV Movie House reporter Master P at his Skywalker Ranch . "I've got something that both Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford like."
"We're in the process of hiring a writer," Lucas said, "and hopefully we'll be able to start shooting ... not next year, but probably the year after. It'll take a while to write the script and all that sort of thing."

This somehow clarifies last week's news that Darabont might write the Indy 4 script, but contradicts the recent location scouting, prop searching and Indy's son casting talks. Plus it might be that Samuel L. Jackson was jumping the gun with saying that Indy 4 is Ford's next film...

Thanks to Dark Horizons for letting us know.

Lucas on Indy 4 release and Indy's son
Thursday, May 23, 2002

Ken has let us know that the news about Indiana Jones having a son in the 4th film wasn't complete. There was a small but important detail left out. Ken contacted the guy who runs Vara magazine and he translated the Indy 4 part:

Translation of the the part about Indiana:
"Indiana Jones? Spielberg directs, and Indiana gets a son. Yes, I know who. But I won't tell you yet."

Yours sincerely,

Olivier Heimel
VARA TV Magazine

Sounds like Lucas knows who he is going to cast in the role of the son. We guess that the preproduction is in full gear with all the location scouting and prop rumors, and this. Sounds like we may expect Indy 4 to be released around 2004... but then why did George Lucas say in an interview with his own Star Wars Insider magazine (issue 60) that there won't be any Indy 4 until after Star Wars: Episode III - 2005!? Here's what he said exactly:

After Episode III, Lucas said, there's still a chance he would reunite with Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg for a fourth Indiana Jones feature for Paramount Pictures. "I don't think it will ever be too late," he said. "We are trying to come up with a writer now. If we can get a script that Harrison and Steven both like, then there will be a movie. But it won't be for a few years."

Thanks to Ken and Aaron Gantt for letting us know and stay tuned!

Will Indiana Jones have a son?
Monday, May 20, 2002

Coming Attractions reported today that the Dutch TV magazine Vara had a brief interview with George Lucas discussing his latest Attack of the Clones. Vara's interviewer couldn't resist asking about Indiana Jones 4 and George said this: "Spielberg is directing, and Indiana will have a son."

This isn't the first time they mention offspring for Indiana Jones in the fourth film. In January 2001 the China Morning Post spread the rumor that Natalie Portman would be up for the role of Indy's daughter in Indy 4 and if you remember the old Indy in the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV-series had a daughter! But now, according to the interview in Vara, George Lucas says Indy will have a son. Let's just wait and see if other interviews with Lucas, Spielberg or Ford say the same. Until then, consider this a rumor!

Thanks to Aaron Gantt for letting us know.

Pat Roach most likely back in Indy 4
Saturday, May 18, 2002

Pat Roach, the only actor who appeared in all three Indy films besides Ford, has said that he would most likely be in Indy 4. Ain't It Cool News received a mail from visitor John who has met Pat Roach:

"On Saturday 11th May, I met Pat Roach signing his autobiography, in Wolverhampton, UK. If you are a keen Indiana Jones fan, you'll remember Pat from the awesome airfield fistfight (Pat was the bald German beefcake) in Raiders, and he also played the big, bad Indian warrior dude from the unforgettable conveyor-belt fight in Temple of Doom. Pat has done a lot here in the UK, from a wrestler, to an actor in one of the most successful UK drama series' ever made (Auf Weidersehen Pet) as well as appearing in Conan, Bond, etc.
Pat was a very polite guy, friendly, and came across as a gentle-giant type of guy. Anyway, I was chatting to him about his Indy days, nearly getting his head chopped off by Arnie in Conan 2, among other things. Pat said he would most likely be in Indy 4, if indeed it goes ahead with Harrison managing to keep the role (he and Pat have kept in touch). Yay! Hopefully, we will be treated with yet another incredible climatic fight, that will remain imbedded in cinematic history."

It would be great to see Pat Roach fighting with Indy once again! Thanks 'Indy 256' for letting us know.

Will Darabont be writing the Indy 4 script?
Saturday, May 18, 2002

IGN FilmForce has reported that reliable sources have advised them that director Steven Spielberg and producer George Lucas may have found the scribe they want to pen Indiana Jones 4: Frank Darabont. The Oscar-nominated writer-director of such films as The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption is no stranger to scripting the adventures of the whip-cracking archaeologist. Darabont was one of the writers on the TV series The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones.
Here's what IGN FilmForce reported:

"IGN FilmForce contacted Darabont's agency who immediately referred us to Lucasfilm. When pressed for an answer regarding Darabont's involvement, Lucasfilm spokeswoman Jeannie Cole would not confirm or deny it, saying only that "it's just rumors." "Rumors," mind you, that have not been reported anywhere else until now. Then why not outright deny it if it isn't true? This response fits Lucasfilm's modus operandi. (I.e., if it really wasn't true, they'd just say it's not true.)"

Read more about this Frank Darabont rumor at IGN FilmForce. Thanks to Stax Flixburg, Aaron Grant and Aaron H for letting us know.

Lucasfilm Prop Department calling for Indy 4 items
Thursday, May 16, 2002

Walt "Sergei" Rybinski contacted me today with some very interesting Indy 4 information. Rybinski moderates the bullwhip section at IndyGear, as well as help provide content for the whip section of that site. Here's his first hand account about Indy 4:

"Well this is certainly good news. I have verified from a direct source that took the call from the Prop Department. The prop department is in full action stocking for the necessary items for Indy 4. They were pretty clear who they were and what they wanted as far as quantity and pricing for the quoted gear.
In addition the prop people did disclose that they have enough whips with cables (stunt whips), but are totally out of regular whips. No surprise there since some of these whips went to Spielberg, Lucas, Ford and the various other stunt guys. Also the prop people mentioned that there will be more scenes that call for the whip. Woo-Hoooo!!!
In addition to film locations here in desert southwest, they are also looking at jungles in either South America or Southeast Asia.
One other tidbit is that they are looking for a whip coach due to the amount of whip scenes and stunt people involved. Leading candidate is Alex Green but there could be issues with his Canadian citizenship."

Based on recent reports, Indy 4 seems in pre-production stage. Earlier this week, you read about the location scouting rumors and now the prop report. Personally, I became very excited when I read that there will be more scenes in Indy 4 that call for the whip. Always wanted to see more whip action and I think they now have a very good reason to use it more often in Indy 4; Ford/Indy is getting older and will have to be more careful in hand-to-hand combat... using the whip more often is perfect thinking for an old adventurer.

Stay tuned, there's more info coming!

Indy 4 location scouting started?
Wednesday, May 15, 2002

Dark Horizons has received an interesting 'location scouting' story from a certain Paul today. If this rumor is true, it proves that Indy 4 it's pre-production is moving indeed faster than everybody thinks. Here's the story:

"I spend most of my afternoon up in Sedona, AZ -- beautiful red rock country where they shot many westerns in the 1940s and 1950s. Anyway, I was hiking through and along Oak Creek Canyon, when my friend and I came across six people with digital cameras and notepads. They were pretty friendly people; as we took a break nearby, I noticed they were talking about film speeds and aperture settings and stuff. I then asked them why they were taking so many notes. They said that they're location scouts working on the new Indiana Jones film. Apparently, they were around the Mogollon Rim earlier in the week (southeast of Sedona, closer to Phoenix), and will be heading up and around the South Rim of the Grand Canyon tomorrow morning. They're looking for "remote, yet somewhat populated desert settings" for a part of their movie, we were told. I wasn't even really aware that production was moving on this, but it appears that they're at least looking for settings. Anyway, the crew was quite nice -- we only talked for about two minutes in all. They need to have areas that can easily double for the American Southwest in the mid-1950s. They said that they'd be back to Oak Creek Canyon in late August or early September, if they ultimately decided to choose that location. The crew is heading up to Utah and Joshua Tree National Park too, if I remember correctly"

Also, it is now certain that Tom Stoppard is not writing the Indy 4 script as he's engaged on other projects.

Thanks to Jim B for letting us know.

Connery returning in 2004 for Indy 4
Wednesday, May 8, 2002

I knew it couldn't be right: Lucas, Spielberg and Ford won't start production one Indy 4 next month but most likely next year.

Why? First, they have the Indy 4 storyline, which is being set out to top all previous Indy stories (M. Night Shyamalan already mentioned it). Second, they have a writer (yet to be confirmed who) who will need the time to write a perfect script . Third, Spielberg is going to take one year vacation, as he is used to do after making 3 films in a row. And last but not least, according to AICN they are looking to see Indy 4 coming about July 4th, 2004 (as previous rumors have mentioned also) and if there are delays, same date 2005.

Ain't It Cool News also reported today that we may expect to see Henry Jones, Sr. again in Indy 4. Sean Connery told yesterday (while receiving an achievement from the Italian television) that he will probably play the role of Indy's father again.

Hit the links above for more information.

Indy 4 to start production next month?
Monday, May 6, 2002

TheRaider.net staff member Aaron H announced last month that Indy 4 will be filming in 2002. Aaron said it's a fact but after many responses from visitors I renamed it to a rumor... but it looks like it might turn out as a fact anyway.

A certain Buster contacted Ain't It Cool News to say that Indiana Jones 4 is set to start production this June. Here's what he said:

Came off the set of Catch Me If You Can this past week and I can't say who, but someone very very up there did indeed reveal that Indiana Jones 4 will not be happening as everyone thinks in 2004. It goes before camera this June! When you think about the hints, it makes sense... George Lucas saying, "if I finished episode two this week I have to start on Indy 4 next week". There is Spielberg's free time. Plus Ford not yet signed on anything for the summer. Trust me on this one, Indy 4 starts shooting soon.

Also good to know is that Spielberg, Lucas & Ford have open schedules at the moment. Spielberg's latest film, Catch Me If You Can finished production last Saturday.

May is going to be an exciting month, stay tuned!

April 2002

Lucas and Ford reveal one Indy 4 scene
Monday, April 29, 2002

In the May 3rd, 2002 issue of Entertainment Weekly magazine is a little article on page 14 about the upcoming Indiana Jones 4 film that tells of bringing back Karen Allen and Kate Capshaw for one scene.

"After years of starts and stops, the Indiana Jones empire seems to be shaking off its cobwebs. Producer Kathleen Kennedy says a new writer will begin penning a script in June, with a first draft due by the fall. (Her office denies a report that it could be Oscar-winning Shakespeare in Love scribe Tom Stoppard.) The fourth chapter in the Indy saga will be based on a story recently written by co-creator George Lucas, who tells EW that the biggest challenge facing Harrison Ford's Dr. Jones this time may not involve snakes or sword-weilding heavies. "There is a scene where a lot of Indy's ex-girlfriends show up, but they are not major characters," says Lucas, hinting that both Karen Allen (Raiders of the Lost Ark) and Mrs. Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw (Temple of Doom) might cameo. So what does Indy himself think of a reunion with his former flames? Says Ford with a wink: "It's probably going to be the best scene in the movie."

Kate Capshaw's rumored cameo role has been revealed sooner than we could expect and it sounds even better now that Karen Allen will be in the scene also. Sounds like we may expect to see a new female lead in Indy 4. Will she be Indy's next girlfriend, wife or his daughter?... Only time will tell.

Thanks to Coming Soon and Joe for the news.

Tom Stoppard to write the Indy 4 script?
Tuesday, April 23, 2002

According to Variety, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Harrison Ford and Paramount have begun to move forward on Indiana Jones 4. They are getting Tom Stoppard to write the fourth chapter so that it can be put into production in 2004. Stoppard has previously worked on projects like Enigma and Shakespeare in Love.

The trio has been sidetracked by other projects, and it took time to come to terms with Paramount on the budget of the film, but Lucas hatched a story the other two liked. The participation of Tom Stoppard, who just worked with Ford on rewrites of his upcoming film, K-19: The Widowmaker, is subject to his availability, as he is simultaneously negotiating to reteam with Shakespeare in Love director John Madden on the DreamWorks film Tulip Fever.
And by the way, K-19: The Widowmaker isn't Stoppard's first rewriting job. He previously worked on scripts rewrites of Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - which he got no credit for!

Tom Stoppard might be the best choice yet! Stoppard is an award winning esteemed British playwright who has written teleplays and many screenplays for a wide and eclectic group of world-class directors. He also wrote Terry Gilliam's Brazil and Spielberg's Empire of the Sun (for some Spielberg's best film ever) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - thanks to IMDb.com for revealing that!

Harrison Ford talks about Indy's aging
Tuesday, April 23, 2002

Harrison Ford spoke with Empire magazine this month and denied that he was getting too old in the tooth for the action hero role.
"There is no barrier to Indiana Jones growing older," he told the magazine. "It's not an age-based character." However Ford did concede that there may be limitations. "We can't bang him up as much as we used to, maybe. But I guess I can pretend to have the capacity as well as I pretended before."

You can read the full interview with Harrison Ford in the June issue of Empire magazine which will be out on 26 April.

Things you need to know about Indy 4
Friday, April 19, 2002

This just in from one of our contacts, who has been proven reliable many times over: "Pretty much Indy 4 is on track. Why else did Mr. Lucas start penning the script for Star Wars Episode III a bit earlier this time around?"

Here are some other Indy 4 RUMORS:

• Indy 4 will be filming in 2002.
• Indy 4 may have something to do with Eden, however the script is being kept hidden from everyone except the Big Three, so that is an unknown.
• Everyone from the Big Three have all stated the same fact: They have a script, title, people, and all they need is the time.
• Lucas has said that he is starting work on Indy 4. (new as of April 16, 2002)
• Rick McCallum doesn't know anything about the Indy 4 project.
• Lucas may be in talks with Paramount to do Indy 4, however he will not hesitate to go elsewhere to get this project done.
• Indy 4 will be on the big screen in 2003.

We will keep you up to date... stay tuned!

Lucas and Ford say that Indy 4 is coming!
Tuesday, April 16, 2002

Both George Lucas and Harrison Ford have said this weekend that there is still a lot of work on Indy 4! And that it will happen before Star Wars: Episode III?!

Here's a report from one of Harrison Ford Web's visitors:

I was watching Entertainment Tonight last night and both Harrison Ford and George Lucas were asked about Indy 4 by Leonard Maltin. For people who didn't know, Lucas was being awarded a lifetime achievement award by Bafta/La. Here's what they both had to say:
Harrison Ford: "It's going to happen. It's going to happen. We have what we all believe to be a good idea. There's a lot of work ahead of us, but we are all looking forward to it."
George Lucas: "If I finish up with Episode 2 this week I have to begin work on Indy 4 next week."

You may be certain that we will hear more good news from Spielberg, Lucas & Ford in the near future! We will keep you up to date, stay tuned!

Thanks to Josh Langston and Harrison Ford Web for the news.

February 2002

Producer Frank Marshall talks about Indy 4
Tuesday, February 12, 2002

In an interview with Cinescape's Eric Moro about M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs, Raiders of the Lost Ark producer Frank Marshall added to the fever of anticipation for the long in gestation Indiana Jones 4.

“Well, I’m very optimistic; we all want to do it,” said Marshall. “There was a time when we felt that three movies was enough, but now Harrison (Ford), Steven (Spielberg), George (Lucas), myself and everybody else involved feels like, ‘Yeah, it’d be fun to do one more.’ So, obviously, it’s a complicated deal and it’s complicated to come up with a good story. We’ve had like four or five ideas that have reached the working point, but I think now that everybody has agreed to go forward and really try to flesh out a story, it’s going to happen in the next three or four years.”

How does this jibe with George Lucas’s famous resolve not to do it until he’s finished with the Star Wars prequel?
"It may happen at about the same time,” says Marshall. “Whether it’s after Episode III or not, I don’t know because we all have to find the window. Steven is booked up pretty solidly, too. But Harrison keeps saying, ‘You know, I’m not getting any younger."

Thanks to Ken for the news.

Can Harrison Ford resurrect Indiana Jones?
Friday, February 8, 2002

Spielberg and Ford announced, at this year's Golden Globes, that they have the Indy 4 story and title. But the big question now is if they will have to make changes to the successful Indiana Jones recipe to make the 21st century Indiana Jones 4 as exciting as the the Indy Trilogy back in the 1980s. Entertainment Weekly's EW.com talked to industry experts to determine what it will take to keep the 20-year-old franchise fresh in a post-"Matrix" world.

Here's a part of Entertainment Weekly's article:

Oldie can be goodie Though the ancient relic/AARP jokes have already begun, the consensus is that, even at 60, Ford is capable of filling Indy's shoes. ''Harrison Ford, like Al Pacino, Anthony Hopkins, and Sean Connery, is on this short list of actors who audiences buy as leading men well into their 60s,'' says one Hollywood development executive. ''He can be old as long as the story isn't. And Ford has held steady at the box office since his last Indy stint. The Jack Ryan movies, Air Force One, and The Fugitive have only built his audience,'' says media analyst Adam Farasati of ReelSource. ''He could be a million years old and on crutches, and people will still pay to see him.'' Unless, of course, it involves Sabrina.

Hit the link above to read the article.

January 2002

John Rhys-Davies talks Indy 4
Thursday, January 31, 2002

In an exclusive interview with TheOneRing.net, John Rhys-Davies (who played Sallah in Raiders and Last Crusade) spoke about the possibility of a fourth Indiana Jones film.

"I would love to do (another Indy), the thing is, all these great men, Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford and George Lucas, would need to come together and really want to make a great film. These guys don't need to work for money, they work to increase their already amazing careers and they work for pride. If there was any chance that they would even consider making a fourth Indy, they would all have to think they could make one of the best films ever made."

We don't know when this interview with John Rhys-Davies was taken. It could very well be before Steven Spielberg announce that Indy 4 will get made. So it's "possible" that John already knew more but was not allowed to share it with us... yet.

Look for the full John Rhys-Davies interview online soon and only at TheOneRing.net.

More Indy 4 comments from Spielberg
Wednesday, January 30, 2002

Ain't It Cool News has received some more info on Indy 4 today. The news came for some folks who were present at Steven Spielberg's appearance at a class at USC. Here's a part of the report:

Spielberg also commented on Indy 4 saying that they do not have a script, but do have a story. Harrison has in fact agreed to star. And despite rumors, Lucas is involved just as much as he was with the other films. It's Lucas' story idea, and they just need a screenwriter to develop it even more. He does have a title but will not give it out.

When will it be made? No comment. Lucas is busy with the prequels ofcourse. But don't let any rumors go around that Lucas will not be there with Steven just as he was with the original Indys. Spielberg laughed and stated, "The guys my best friend and this is his character... ofcourse he's involved!"

Visit the link above for more info on Indy 4 and Goonies 2!

Willie Scott will be just a cameo
Wednesday, January 30, 2002

This will be a relief for the fans who were not very excited about Steven Spielberg's wife, Kate Capshaw, returning as Willie Scott in the fourth Indiana Jones film.

While talking to Variety, inside sources at DreamWorks say that Kate Capshaw will be making a cameo in Indiana Jones 4. Anonymous individual said, "actually, there is no 'Jones' script, only a storyline. And Capshaw's involvement? Limited to a cameo".

All Spielberg said about Willie's appearance in Indy 4 was: "I will give you one clue, though. Kate is in it... She'll be in the present." So Spielberg didn't lie or anything, he just fooled us. Then who will be Indy's next female sidekick? Karen Allen's Marion from Raiders of the Lost Ark?

Thanks to Jon McDevitt and DreamWorks SKG Fansite for letting us know.

Lucas still looking for a "super idea"?
Friday, January 25, 2002

The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera published an interview with Harrison Ford about the Golden Globes on Wednesday, January 23. They asked Ford about Indiana Jones 4 and here's what he said about the project: "Yes, I'm very ready, so is Spielberg and there is a script with a title. But Lucas still wants to find "a super idea". But it will be done soon."

Thanks to Loris from Milan for the news.

Indy 4 story finished but no script!?
Wednesday, January 23, 2002

While talking to E!, Spielberg spokesperson Marvin Levy spoke about the statement made by the director at the Annual Golden Globes on Friday night. Levy says,

"they have a story for an Indy 4, which George Lucas, Harrison and Steven have been working toward but they don't have a script." He also added "It's not his next picture. We don't know what his next picture's going to be. Right now, Steven's been described as being in development heaven. They do have a story they like and they have title, but it's not been revealed."

Of course, this official news is a bit discouraging for Indiana Jones fans but I am quite certain that the film will get made and most likely be released after Catch Me If You Can (slated to hit theaters this December).

Indiana Jones 4 confirmed!
Monday, January 21, 2002

This is the breakthrough news we have all been waiting for! And for all the people who can't wait to read the part here below: They finally have the Indy 4 script finished!! Indy 4 will be Spielberg's priority when Catch Me If You Can is finished! And Kate Capshaw will return as Willie Scott! There you have it. Now let's have a look what our source FOXNews.com wrote about this:

At the end of a wild night of partying and celebrating for the 2002 Golden Globes, I (Roger Friedman) had the rare opportunity of talking with Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw and Harrison Ford. They were sitting together in a small booth in the basement of Trader Vic's at the Beverly Hilton Hotel at the combined party thrown by DreamWorks, USA Films and Universal Pictures.

This threesome is pretty much it in Hollywood. After all, between Spielberg and Ford they've made some of the highest grossing and best loved films of all time. Capshaw, who's Mrs. Spielberg, co-starred with Ford in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

So what's the story, I wanted to know — with this trio finally in one place, and relaxed enough to talk, will we ever see Indiana Jones 4?
"Yes," they all said, and confirmed that once Spielberg films Catch Me If You Can with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, Indy 4 will be his priority.
"We have a title, but we're not ready to announce it," Spielberg said. "I will give you one clue, though. Kate is in it." I asked if he meant that Capshaw's character would appear via flashbacks, and he replied: "No. She'll be in the present."
Ford said he's ready to take on this last chapter. "It was always about getting the right script, and now we have it," he said.

This is fantastic news but let's stay calm. Hopefully we will hear an announcement from Lucasfilm in the coming days. You may also expect to hear more comments on Indy 4 from Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford around June this year, when Ford's new film K19-: The Widowmaker and Spielberg's Minority Report get released.

Hit the link above to read more. Please stay tuned as we get more information in the near future.