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TheRaider.net News Indiana Jones 4 Archives Early 2007
 

Early 2007

Indiana Jones 4 starts filming this June
02/01/07, 7:50am EST

George Lucas announced on Friday that Indiana Jones 4 is a go for a possible release in May 2008. Soon after that announcement doubts emerged that the news wasn't completely accurate.
But today The Hollywood Reporter made the good news more official as they announced Indy 4 is set to begin production this June!
After years spent in script development, a fourth installment of the famously successful franchise is set to begin production in June in locations around the world and in the U.S.

Although he has been developing other projects, including a biopic about Abraham Lincoln with Liam Neeson attached to star, Spielberg has decided the "Indiana Jones" sequel will be his next directorial outing. Helping Spielberg choose his next directing commitment had been a primary goal of new DreamWorks CEO Stacey Snider (HR 6/23).

"George, Harrison and I are all very excited," Spielberg said. "We feel that the script was well worth the wait. We hope it delivers everything you'd expect from our history with Indiana Jones."

The film will be produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and released worldwide by Paramount Pictures, the parent company of DreamWorks. Although reps from the companies involved did not address the question of financing Monday, Paramount execs have said that the studio expected to co-finance the project with Lucasfilm.

Frank Marshall will serve as producer, with Lucas and Kathy Kennedy joining him as executive producers. Longtime Spielberg associates, Marshall was credited in a producing capacity on the three earlier films, and Kennedy served as associate producer on the past two.

"Working with Steven, Frank, Kathy and the 'Indy' crew is like working with family," Lucas said. "These films are such great fun to make. I'm looking forward to reuniting with the team and starting this new journey."

David Koepp, who has penned such previous Spielberg projects as Jurassic Park and War of the Worlds, wrote the screenplay that finally got the stamp of approval from Lucas and Spielberg. An earlier screenplay by Frank Darabont had been shelved when Lucas turned thumbs down on it.

For the moment, the title of the new film as well as its story line are being kept under wraps. In August, however, Lucas told Empireonline, "I discovered a McGuffin. I told the guys about it and they were a little dubious about it, but it's the best one we've ever found. ... Unfortunately, it was a little too 'connected' for the others. They were afraid of what the critics would think. They said, 'Can't we do it with a different McGuffin? Can't we do this?' and I said 'No.' So we pottered around with that for a couple of years. And then Harrison really wanted to do it and Steve said, 'Okay.' I said, 'We'll have to go back to that original McGuffin and take out the offending parts of it and we'll still use that area of the supernatural to deal with it.'"

Head over to The Hollywood Reporter to read the full report.


Official press release: Indy 4 starts in 2007
02/01/07, 6:33pm EST

The World's Favorite Action Hero is Back! Indiana Jones to Start Production in 2007

In a long-awaited announcement, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg revealed today that the fourth installment of Indiana Jones will begin production in June 2007. Harrison Ford returns in his role as the daring Dr. Jones for the new adventure. The film will be produced by Lucasfilm Ltd., directed by Steven Spielberg and released by Paramount Pictures throughout the world in May 2008.

The screenplay has been written by David Koepp.

Spielberg states "George, Harrison and I are all very excited. We feel that the script was well worth the wait. We hope it delivers everything you'd expect from our history with Indiana Jones."

The film will be produced by Frank Marshall with George Lucas and Kathy Kennedy as executive producers. "Working with Steven, Frank, Kathy and the Indy crew is like working with family," states Lucas. "These films are such great fun to make. I'm looking forward to reuniting with the team and starting this new journey."

The film has plenty of action in store for the rogue archeologist. Harrison Ford comments "I'm delighted to be back in business with my old friends. I don't know if the pants still fit but I know the hat will. "

It will be shot on undisclosed locations around the world as well as in the United States.

For more than 25 years, audiences have been enraptured by the exploits of Indiana Jones. The film trilogy -- Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade --garnered 14 Academy Award nominations, won 7 Oscars, and grossed over $1,182,000,000 at the box office. The films are among the most popular films ever made and have become a legendary part of film history.

Source: Lucasfilm - January 2, 2007


Alexander Witt asked for 'Second Unit Director'?
15/01/07, 5:35pm EST

The first Indiana Jones 4 rumor since the official announcement has arrived. According to Noticine.com (Spanish news) Alexander Witt, a Chilean producer, has been asked to be a Second Unit Director for Indy 4.

Alexander mentioned to the Chilean newspaper 'El Mercurio' that producer Frank Marshall called him to ask if he would be available at the end of the year. No specific dates were mentioned. Here follows Witt's original quote, in Spanish:

Alexander Witt: "El productor Frank Marshall me llamó para preguntarme si iba estar disponible a fin de año, pero tenemos que ver bien las fechas."

Alexander Witt is one of the more popular Second Unit Directors in Hollywood at this moment. He was also Second Unit Director for Casino Royale, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, The Italian Job, Hollywood Homicide (starring Harrison Ford), The Bourne Identity (a Frank Marshall production), Twister (produced by Spielberg & Kathleen Kennedy) and many more action/adventure films.

This article was previously posted at IndianaJones.es a week ago. The reason for this delay is because I tried to obtain more info from an official source first. But with no success. Though more could arrive during the coming weeks.
Consider this a RUMOR until proven otherwise by a more official source!


David Koepp hints about writing on Indy 4
17/01/07, 5:33pm EST

Screenwriter David Koepp dropped a few pebble-sized hints about Indiana Jones 4 during a recent interview with FilmStew. Here follow some highlights:

"It was a lot of fun. The first thing is that you realize this is a beloved character, probably one of the most in film history, and a lot of people are going to be angry no matter what I do. I'm going to get my *ss handed to me on some level, even by my fellow filmmakers or the audience," Koepp explains. "So you just accept all that and go and do the best thing you can with as much love as you can."

Koepp agrees that it would be crazy not to take into account star Harrison Ford's real age for this next installment. In fact, he suggests that if it were not in the script, Ford would likely insist on references to this being added.
Koepp himself was 18-years-old when Raiders of the Lost Ark first hit theaters back in 1981 and says that's the movie that made him want to become a screenwriter.

"It's hard to write when you feel the audience looking over your shoulder, but you just try and put it out of your mind." As much as he is a fan of Indy lore, Koepp says it's essential to discard that point of view when tapping out further adventures. "You can't write a fan script," he insists. "You have to pretend that this movie exists without the other one. The worst thing to do would be to have him make reference to things he said in the first movie, like to pun on lines of dialogue," he argues...

And pray tell, will this indie start with a gigantic set piece? "Now, how would that not be telling you what happened in the movie?" Koepp teases. "I'm not going to tell you what happens. But with set pieces, sometimes it's common sense and sometimes it's a bad idea."

Visit FilmStew to read the full article which includes even more Indy 4 quotes from David Koepp.

Thanks to Daniel Robert Epstein for the news.


Indy on the cover of new Star Wars Insider
20/01/07, 8:09am EST

Indy 4 coverThe first Star Wars Insider of 2007 takes on a decidedly retro tone as it looks back at the formative years of the Star Wars phenomenon as part of the 30th year anniversary of the saga. Little-known facts about the development of A New Hope, early storyboards, vintage collectibles and more fill out the latest issue of Star Wars Insider.

The Indy IV production is finally a go, and the proof is in the print -- with a special Indy cover offered as an alternative to Vader's fearsome mask for this issue.

Click here for more content info on Star Wars Insider #92. And look for this issue on newsstands in February.

Thanks to Jakob for letting us know.


Sir Sean Connery is considering Indy 4
22/01/07, 2:36pm EST

Sir Sean Connery has told Scotsman.com on Sunday that he is considering returning as Dr. Henry Jones in Indiana Jones 4.

Five years after apparently closing the dressing room door on his acting career, Connery has confirmed he is considering returning to the silver screen to reprise one of his most popular roles. The actor says he will read the script for the fourth Indiana Jones movie and, if he likes what he sees, will appear once more as Indiana's father, Dr Henry Jones.

Connery remains one of the world's most celebrated and bankable movie stars and getting him back in front of the camera for Indiana Jones would be a massive coup for producer George Lucas.
The new Indiana Jones film is due to shoot this summer, and after being approached by Lucas, Connery admits he is seriously considering it.

Asked directly if he thought he would be back in front of the cameras this summer as Dr Jones, he answered: "Perhaps."
Choosing his words carefully, Connery then added: "At the moment there's nothing decided. I haven't got the script. Everything depends on the script."

Connery made no mention of financial demands, suggesting money is not his top priority, though he could expect a fee of £10m or more and possibly a share of the gross.

Connery has fond memories of his previous Indiana Jones outing, in The Last Crusade almost 20 years ago.
Steven Spielberg, who directed then, and will direct the new film, once famously said: "There are seven genuine movie stars in the world today, and Sean is one of them."

The third and most recent installment in the action adventure series, Last Crusade was also the highest grossing. Many commentators put its success down to the witty repartee between Connery and Harrison Ford, who played his son "Indy".

Read the full article online at Scotsman.com.

A big thanks to Jayson Crittenden, Dave Weiss, Patrick H., Poncho, Jan Kees for leading me to this exciting news article!


Clint Eastwood offered a part in Indy 4?
24/01/07, 2:55pm EST

The excellent JoBlo.com mentioned two days ago that Spielberg had offered none other than Clint Eastwood a role in Indiana Jones 4. But wait! Apparently this news comes from a "visitor" of their site who heard it on an entertainment program:

JoBlo: And if you thought that was the wackiest INDY IV rumor going around, we also recently got word from schmoe T. Straka that he'd heard on entertainment program 'Extra' that The Beard himself Steven Spielberg had offered…wait for it…Clint Eastwood a part in the film. No idea on who The Eastwood would be playing but it sure does present some interesting possibilities. A villain, perhaps? What do you guys think?

This casting rumor has been on the internet for two days already and this one source mentions he heard it on a public TV program called 'Extra'. If it is true, then how can it be that T. Straka is the only person who reports this? Many more people watching the show should have mentioned such an interesting news item by now. Sounds a little fishy no?

Consider this a big, BIG RUMOR until proven otherwise by a more official source!

Also thanks to Brett Hopkins and David Gruwez for the news link.


Harrison Ford demands a real whip
02/02/07, 2:38pm EST

No idea if there's any truth to this story - as it sounds quite absurd - but this site reports that Harrison Ford has threatened to quit the new Indiana Jones movie, unless he gets to use a real whip.

The 64-year-old actor, who plays the daredevil archaeologist, was told the weapon would have to be computer generated because of new film safety rules.
Harrison branded the rule "ridiculous" and said he would pull out of the film if he couldn't wield his whip.

A source said: "The idea was to take away the risk element the whip carries. Safety laws have changed since the last film and movie makers have to be much more careful. Now they use computer graphics for any dangerous stuff."

Click here to read the full story.

Thanks to Chris Strompolos, Darth_Jambi, mermaid and Brett Hopkins for the news link.


Kaminski is Cinematographer for Indy 4
02/02/07, 3:31pm EST

Janusz Kaminski has confirmed that his next project as director of photography is Indiana Jones. He announced this during an interview with Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza this week.

Kaminski added that he will be lensing the film "all over the world", specifically in jungle locales and the earlier mentioned city of Los Angeles.
It's still unclear if it will be on soundstages or in actual locations in and around L.A. But the revelation that Indy 4 will also be shot in jungles is very inspiring and will most certainly excite many Indyfans!

Remember how beautiful those "too short" jungle scenes in Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom were? Plus now a two-time Academy Award winning cinematographer will be seated behind the camera!!

Janusz Kaminski replaces the beloved British cinematographer Douglas Slocombe who lensed all three previous Indiana Jones films and retired from his five decade long film career with 1989's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Although this was never mentioned before, it comes as no surprise that Janusz Kaminski will be Director of Photography for Indiana Jones 4. He has lensed all of Steven Spielberg's films since Schindler's List in 1993 - for which he received his first Oscar - and Spielberg has said he will not shoot a film now without Kaminski as cinematographer.

Click here to read the interview with Kaminski (in Polish).


UPDATED: Paramount gives Indy 4 release date
06/02/07, 3:06pm EST

Box Office Mojo reported that Indiana Jones 4 is set to be released in theaters on May 22, 2008:

Paramount Pictures has set Thursday, May 22, 2008 for the release of the next Indiana Jones movie, which the studio is now officially referring to as the Fourth Installment of the Indiana Jones Adventures. The picture maintains the Memorial Day weekend release strategy of the last two Indiana Jones movies, and it mirrors the last two Star Wars movies and The Matrix Reloaded with its Thursday launch.

Also currently scheduled for Memorial Day weekend 2008 is Warner Bros.' Speed Racer. Two other event-style pictures have previously staked out May 2008 releases dates: Paramount's Iron Man (May 2) and Buena Vista's The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (May 16).

And I have received official word from DreamWorks who confirmed that May 22, 2008 is not just the USA release date but Worldwide!!

Although word has circulated that the film would be released "some time in May", it should come as no surprise that Paramount Pictures would take advantage of the 4 day Memorial Day weekend to score huge results at the box office.

A big thanks to the following people for letting us know:
Michal Szóstka, Jayson Crittenden, Maxime Ferland, Jeff Roberts, Antwon and Steven Awalt from SpielbergFilms.com.


Shia LaBeouf in Indiana Jones 4?
19/02/07, 4:29pm EST

Moriarty over at Aint It Cool News is running a story that Shia LaBeouf could be the frontrunner for Indy's son, or at least a role in the fourth Indiana Jones film. Moriarty wrote the following:
Shia LaBeouf
LaBeouf in
Disturbia.
...now that they're getting close to production, I've heard a persistent rumor, a new version of that old familiar. The thing is, I'm hearing this from some pretty reliable places.
So here we go again.

Shia LaBeouf will play the son of Indiana Jones.

The thing is, we know Spielberg loves La Beouf right now. Disturbia became a pet project for The Beard, and it evidently came out well. Transformers is a big deal for the company, and a lot of the weight of that falls squarely on the shoulders of Shia. So as much as I pray that there's no Indy Jr., I'm starting to think that this may in fact be true.

One of these reliable places Moriarty refers to could be a story Latino Review posted a couple weeks ago. But they were forced to take it down after it was online for only a few minutes... until yesterday:

I had a chance to speak to Shia LaBeouf a few weeks ago here in NYC and I asked him what he was working on next now that he's rapped Transformers. Shia replied something like this: "I can't really say because.... put it this way, I'm trying to work something out to be in the next Steven Spielberg movie."

When I pressed him if it was Lincoln, Shia laughed it off. He just gave me a look saying "NO WAY!" Then when I asked him point blank if it was Indy IV. He put on a devilish smile and said "I'm trying to work it out. I don't want to loose the role to another actor so I really can't say much but it will be announced very soon."

A few days later our sources said that Steven loves Shia and that he's up for one of two roles, either Indy's son or a faithful sidekick.

Even though Aint It Cool News and Latino Review seem to be certain that Shia will be in Indy 4, it's best to take this as a rumor till an official source confirms it. Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment has informed me today that "As of now, no casting deals have been made for Indy 4".

The rumor that Indy will have a son or daughter in the upcoming fourth film has reappeared many times over the past 10 years. Some of these rumors even linked Natalie Portman as Indy's daughter.
And many years before David Koepp delivered the final approved script, Harrison Ford once commented "Hey, there's only one son in these movies and I'll always be Sean Connery's little boy!". But that was in 2002 already...

Trivia: In some scenes of The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones TV-series, the 93 year old Indiana Jones had a daughter. But all those scenes got cut out of the most recent video release in 1999.

A big thanks to Maxime Ferland, Jared Barrett, Eric Roth, Tony Santore, Chris Ziegler and Brett Hopkins for informing me.


Indiana Jones 4 starts filming on June 18
27/02/07, 2:58pm EST

While Paramount previously announced that production on the fourth Indiana Jones adventure would commence this June, Steven Spielberg revealed to Fox411 the filming date for Indiana Jones 4 at the Oscars' Governors Ball.
Scorsese's Oscar
Coppola, Spielberg and Lucas with Oscar winner & friend Martin Scorsese.

Roger Friedman from Fox News mentioned this in his Oscars report:
"Spielberg, by the way, tells me that production on 'Indiana Jones 4' begins June 18."

Other than Harrison Ford, no cast members have been officially announced.
The fourth Indiana Jones film will be released across the world on May 22nd, 2008.

Thanks to Jayson Crittenden, Jakob Pedersen, Maxime Ferland, 'Indiana Kris' and Stephen Jared for the news link.


Ford is getting into shape
01/03/07, 4:41pm EST

According to Monsters & Critics Harrison Ford has embarked on an extreme fitness regime for the new Indiana Jones film.

A source close to the actor is quoted as saying: "He's been furiously working out on the treadmills at a Los Angeles gym for about three hours a day to get in shape."

"He's on a strict high protein diet. He's eating lots of fish and vegetables. It's hard but he's already looking great for it. He wants to make sure Indiana is as tough as he always was."

Click here to read the full article.

Thanks to Mike Stevenson for the news link.


Natalie Portman will not appear in Indy 4
06/03/07, 3:31pm EST

Frequent visitors, and especially readers of our Indy 4 Cast Members page, will likely remember the "Natalie Portman in Indy 4" rumor as being old. In fact the first Portman rumor emerged in August 2000 and has resurfaced several times since then and never got confirmed from official sources. On our Cast Members page this Portman rumor was already classified as 'Debunked' for several months.

And now George Lucas directly debunks this rumor during a video interview with IESB.net. When asked if Portman would be a part of Indiana Jones 4, Lucas answered: "No. Absolutely not."

In this same video at IESB.net George Lucas also discusses future Star Wars projects and sends the message to fans that, "Star Wars is not dead."

Thanks to George Lucas for finally clearing this old rumor.


'La Beouf' in Final talks for Indy 4
08/03/07, 9:17am EST

Shia LaBeouf is in final talks to star in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones 4 as the son of the adventuresome archaeologist to be played once again by Harrison Ford, reports Variety.

Spielberg and George Lucas' Lucasfilm, which is producing the fourth film for Paramount, are keeping the storyline under tight wraps. David Koepp (Spider-Man) wrote the script.

Spielberg is set to begin shooting Indiana Jones 4 in June. The film is scheduled for a May 22, 2008 release, taking advantage of the Memorial Day holiday.

LaBeouf stars in two upcoming DreamWorks pics, Disturbia and Transformers. The actor also provides the lead voice in Sony's upcoming animated film Surf's Up!.

Thanks to DreamWorksFansite.com.


UPDATED: LaBeouf not signed on for Indy 4 yet
09/03/07, 5:54pm EST

While dismissing the pervasive Indy 4 casting rumor, Shia LaBeouf told MTV News why, as a fan, he wishes Indiana didn't even have a son at all (he thinks a daughter would work better). Here follow some excepts from that interview Shia LaBeouf had with MTV:

MTV: Variety reported that you're going to play Indiana Jones' son in the series' next flick.

Shia LaBeouf: "It's a rumor, you know. It's a fun rumor, and I hope it comes true. I don't have a deal on the table, I haven't signed up for anything, I haven't signed a piece of paper, and as an actor, you hear those kinds of things all the time. I think part of the rumor comes from the fact that my last two movies have been Spielberg, but before me, they were saying Hayden Christenson was going to be that guy, and then they were going to have a daughter who was Natalie Portman. I'm game. I'd love to. But at this point, it's just a rumor that's been blown into a whole different stratosphere."

MTV: Purely as a film lover, what would it mean to be involved in a project like "Indiana Jones"?

LaBeouf: "Dude, anybody, not just an actor, but anybody on this planet would love to be in "Indiana Jones." It's one of those things that's historical. If it happens, I think it would be amazing. I wish I knew more and was able to tell more. I don't know where the script is, I don't know if they're shooting it. I know Lucas said something about it at the Rose Parade, where they were going to gear up. But what does gear up mean? They've been gearing up for 15 years! I have not been approached, I don't have a contract, nobody's explained the character to me. I know as much as you do. I'm on the blogs too — and I'm fueling it! "Yeah! He's doing it!" But I'm not, so for me to report that I am would be insane."

MTV: A lot of it is wishful thinking.

LaBeouf: "Yeah!"

MTV: Not even from your perspective, but from a fan's perspective, because after Last Crusade, having a son seems like the next step for Indiana Jones.

LaBeouf: "Right, but does it have to be a son? Wouldn't it be cooler if it was a daughter? I think that the interaction between, like, let's say it was Natalie Portman, and Harrison Ford having to deal with a woman. It could be fun to see him taking pointers from a woman. ... As a film lover I'm saying that could be fun to watch. If it were a son, I don't know if that would take away some of the spark of Indy. I would love to be a part of it, but I'm not yet."

MTV: Yet?

LaBeouf: "Yeah, yet. 'Cause you don't know what's happened. If a rumor's gone this far. ... I'm sure Spielberg's read Variety."

Click here to read the full interview with MTV in which Shia LaBeouf also reveals what geeks him out most about his role in the upcoming Transformers movie, and how Surf's Up differs from every other animated movie ever made.

Shia LaBeouf also briefly commented on the latest Indy 4 rumors while talking to IESB.net earlier this week.

Big thanks to Chris Staggs for the MTV news link.


Scotland newspaper talks with Sir Sean Connery
10/03/07, 7:39am EST

Scotland on Sunday - a newspaper up in, indeed, Scotland - has done an interview with Dr. Jones senior himself. Here follows an except from their article on Sir Sean Connery possible return in Indy 4:

Connery has repeatedly insisted he has retired from movies, following a miserable experience on The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen in 2002, when he repeatedly clashed with the film's inexperienced director.

But speaking from his home in the Bahamas, Connery told "Scotland on Sunday" that he had already had discussions about returning to the big screen in the epic adventure series that has grossed £700m in cinemas worldwide.

The new Indiana Jones film is due to shoot this summer, and after being approached by Lucas, Connery admits he is seriously considering it.

Asked directly if he thought he would be back in front of the cameras this summer as Dr Jones, he answered: "Perhaps."

Choosing his words carefully, Connery then added: "At the moment there's nothing decided. I haven't got the script. Everything depends on the script."

Connery made no mention of financial demands, suggesting money is not his top priority, though he could expect a fee of £10m or more and possibly a share of the gross.

Visit Scotland on Sunday to read the full article.

Big thanks to Peter Lally for the news.


UPDATED: Cate Blanchett joins Indiana Jones 4
16/03/07, 7:22am EST

Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett in
The Good German.
Turns out this online article is incorrect. However the print edition of The Hollywood Reporter announces a different and correct version; Cate Blanchett has not signed on yet but she IS in negotiations for a part in the fourth Indiana Jones film!
DreamWork's offices have confirmed this news to TheRaider.net.

Original: The Hollywood Reporter announced earlier today that Cate Blanchett has signed on to star in Indiana Jones 4. With David Koepp's screenplay shrouded in secrecy, it is unclear what character Blanchett will play. But wow, I bet nobody saw this bit of exciting casting choice coming!

Shooting will begin in June in Los Angeles and at undisclosed locations around the world. Paramount Pictures will release "Indy 4" day-and-date around the world on May 22, 2008, with a handful of territories opening the following day.

Blanchett, who is filming David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, next will lend her voice to Wes Anderson's The Fantastic Mr. Fox. In addition to her Academy Award win for The Aviator, she received a supporting nomination this year for her role in Richard Eyre's Notes on a Scandal.

Head over to The Hollywood Reporter to read the original announcement.


Indiana Jones and the City of Gods
24/03/07, 10:20am EST

Empire.co.uk announced on March 16 that the title of Indy 4 could very well be Indiana Jones and the City of Gods. Which actually sounds quite good and would fit well with the other three Indy films... but is it true? It seems unlikely at the moment!
Here follows Empire's original report:

Then an email from an anonymous source dropped into Empire's inbox this morning, which speculates that Messrs. Lucas and Spielberg may have finally settled on a title: it's all very unofficial at this point, but the current thinking is that the movie may wind up as Indiana Jones And The City Of Gods.

But what could they refer to with "City of Gods"? Two interesting possibilities are:
- Jerusalem: A city sacred for three religions; Jewish, Christian & Muslim.
- Teotihuacan: the ancient Maya/Aztec city in Mexico.

Some people claim that Indiana Jones and the City of Gods was the title of the old Indy 4 script written by Frank Darabont. Although I doubt that any of these people know story details of Darabont's denied script, or even had the chance to read it!

Understandable this City of Gods rumor has become a popular topic of debate on online forums, including The Raven.

All intriguing but for now this rumored Indy 4 title lacks the support of credible sources. So don't take this story serious.


Ray Winstone in talks to join cast of Indy 4
28/03/07, 3:25pm EST

Ray Winstone
Ray Winstone
The Hollywood Reporter announced today that actor Ray Winstone has signed on for a major role in Indiana Jones 4. But in reality Ray Winstone still seems to be in negotiations as DreamWorks mentioned to us that no deals are set yet!

Although the film's plot is being closely guarded, sources said Winstone will play star Harrison Ford's "sidekick".
So far absolutely nothing about the film story or characters has been leaked out so Winstone could very well play a major villain instead of a sidekick.
But still, the thought of Ray Winstone playing Indy's sidekick or partner (professionally speaking) does seem very interesting.

Also, Cate Blanchett is NOT on board yet! She's in negotiations. Blanchett and Winstone will be officially on board when the deals are signed. Until that official confirmation comes, both actors - and all other rumored cast members - remain in the Rumored list.
And we may expect many more Indy 4 casting rumors these coming weeks!

London-born Winstone, who played Jack Nicholson's partner in crime in the best picture Oscar winner The Departed, recently also appeared in Anthony Minghella's "Breaking and Entering." Some of his other film credits include The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Cold Mountain and Sexy Beast.

A big thanks to Maxime Ferland, Michael Gerner, Tim Wilson, Colin Smith, Mike Stevenson, Keith McCall, Wil Fraserl, Rob Smart, Jayson Crittenden, Jared Barrett, DarthFett and Ryan from Baltimore for informing us so fast.


First Indy 4 trailer around Thanksgiving
05/04/07, 2:36am EST

George Lucas talked to USA Today about his highly-anticipated Indiana Jones 4, to be directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford and Cate Blanchett. At least it sounds like Blanchett is signed on. Though we're still waiting on an official announcement for her.

Lucas told the newspaper that begins shooting in Los Angeles this June. Then it's on to several top-secret global destinations. Lucas teases that one will include a waterfall.

Jokes have been made about how the franchise will keep 64-year-old star Harrison Ford up and running, but Lucas doesn't see that as a problem.

"He's not running in any of the movies," Lucas says. "He's either on a horse or driving a car or a motorcycle. And he'll play his age in this movie with what's appropriate. The chases are more suspenseful than speedy. Like the rolling ball in the first film — it's not that he's running that fast, it's that there's a giant ball coming at him. And he will get beat up, which is a tradition for us.""

Lucas, who also is in pre-production on a "bare-bones, action-heavy" Star Wars live-action TV series, says there'll still be plenty of action in Indy 4, the official title of which he hopes to keep under wraps until the first trailer hits theaters around Thanksgiving.

Sean Connery has yet to sign on as Indiana's father, Dr. Henry Jones, but Lucas says, "We're still trying."

It wasn't his idea to cast Cate Blanchett as Ford's new leading lady, he says. "That's who my director wanted, and I always bow to the wishes of my director," Lucas says of Spielberg. "I approved it because she seemed like a good idea. When I met her at the Academy Awards, I told her, 'Hey, you work for me now!'"

Visit USA Today to read the original article.


Shia LaBeouf confirmed for Indiana Jones 4
13/04/07, 12:13pm EST

The rumors connecting Shia LaBeouf have been confirmed! Although which character Shia will play in Indiana Jones 4 remains a mystery.

The official press release at IndianaJones.com reads:

Shia LaBeouf, one of the fastest-rising stars in the world of film, has now been set for the new Indiana Jones movie, it was announced today by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

He will join Harrison Ford who returns as the action hero, the man with the hat and the whip.

Production on this fourth installment of the Indiana Jones adventure is scheduled to begin this June in Los Angeles and will also film at undisclosed distant locations.

Produced by Lucasfilm Ltd., directed by Spielberg, and released by Paramount Pictures throughout the world beginning May 22nd, 2008, the screenplay has been written by David Koepp. Frank Marshall will produce the film with Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy serving as Executive Producers.

It will be the third film the charismatic Shia has done with a Spielberg connection, the first two being the DreamWorks Pictures productions Disturbia and Transformers.

"We are excited about bringing Shia into our Indy family," said Spielberg. "His talent has impressed not only his audiences throughout his young career but the directors, producers and fellow actors who have worked with him in his television career and now his film career."

"I was hoping the rumors were true, so I couldn't be more thrilled," said Shia. "To be cast in an Indiana Jones film is like grabbing the brass ring and holding on for the ride. I'll do my best to meet the high standards that Steven, George, and Harrison have set and I can't wait to take that giant step in front of the Indy cameras."

Head over to the official IndianaJones.com to read the full press release.


LaBeouf talks about his part in Indy 4
13/04/07, 7:15pm EST

Shia LaBeouf
Shia in
Transformers.
News of the week is that 20-year-old actor Shia LaBeouf has signed to co-star alongside Harrison Ford in the fourth Indiana Jones film. So ending uncertain weeks of rumors, reports and denials with an official confirmation... Congratulations Shia!

USA Today also announced this news today with interesting extra quotes from Shia LaBeouf himself. Here follows an except of their news report:

"Up until about two weeks ago, it was little more than a rumor," LaBeouf says. "Literally, when I was saying, 'I don't know anything,' I didn't know anything. It was an act of faith. I have not read a script. I don't think anybody has."

Spielberg said in an e-mailed statement: "Shia has extraordinary range. I think of him as 'the young man for all seasons."

Online fans are guessing Indiana Jones will have a son for this go-round, but LaBeouf says he can't confirm such plot points. Even the time-setting for the movie is a secret. "I can tell you I'm sort of the sidekick character, obviously," he says. "I'm sure there are a lot of laughs at my expense, and some kind of creature crawling on me."

LaBeouf adds, "It's not going to be Short Round, all grown up," a reference to the fast-talking little kid from 1984's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

The actor, who was born in 1986, says he first saw the films when he was a little kid in the early '90s after his father bought them on VHS. "We sat down and ran through them in a day."

When he met Lucas recently at Spielberg's offices on the Universal lot, LaBeouf says he brimmed with questions but hit a wall of secrecy, even about the relic Jones will be pursuing.

"Lucas looks at you and says simply, 'I can't tell you that,' " LaBeouf says. "Then when he thinks he is supposed to tell you something but isn't sure, he gets up and leaves the room, goes in to talk with Spielberg and comes back and says, 'Nope. Sorry.' "

Click here to read the full news article by USA Today reporter Anthony Breznican.

Big thanks to Jayson Crittenden, Rob Smart, James MacGregor, Jared Barrett, Mike Stevenson and Brett Hopkins for informing us.


Sallah not to return in Indiana Jones 4
16/04/07, 3:19pm EST

Lucas and Spielberg announced that Shia LaBeouf has been cast in Indiana Jones 4 past Friday. We also know that they are well into negotiations with Cate Blanchett and Ray Winstone. And we're all waiting to hear from Sir Sean Connery, very much hoping that he likes the script well enough to reprise his role as Henry Jones Senior.
But one other beloved name we probably won't hear again during all coming casting news is that of John Rhys-Davies.

Dark Horizons has a scoop who had the chance to talk to Johnathan Rhys-Davies at the Armageddon Pulp Expo in Christchurch, New Zealand over the weekend. And the scoop who calls himself 'deciph3r' confirmed Rhys-Davies Indy 4 non-status:

"Seems he has not been asked to be in Indy 4 or even approached about it.

From the little information he had about the film he had been told through a third party that the character of Sallah had been written out of Indy 4 in favour of a younger cast."

Very unfortunate that we won't get to see John Rhys-Davies reprise his role as Sallah a third time! Indy's lovable best friend Sallah first appeared in Raiders of the Lost Ark and returned at Indy's side in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Source: Dark Horizons

Thanks to 'wfraser76' and 'Rebel Racer' for the news link.


Darabont opens up to MTV about his Indy script
17/04/07, 4:42pm EST

MTV News interviewed filmmaker Frank Darabont just after he finished filming Stephen King's The Mist. Besides chatting about his latest King adaptation Darabont also talked about Fahrenheit 451 and his Indiana Jones 4 misadventure.

MTV: Would you say one of those bad experiences is the time you spent writing the aborted Indiana Jones 4 script?

Darabont: ""Indy" is definitely in that category, topping the list. It showed me how badly things can go. I spent a year of very determined effort on something I was very excited about, working very closely with Steven Spielberg and coming up with a result that I and he felt was terrific. He wanted to direct it as his next movie, and then suddenly the whole thing goes down in flames because George Lucas doesn't like the script."

MTV: Did you ever speak to George Lucas directly?

Darabont: "Yes! I told him he was crazy. I said, "You have a fantastic script. I think you're insane, George." You can say things like that to George, and he doesn't even blink. He's one of the most stubborn men I know."

MTV: Do you know if any remnant of that story lives in the one they're about to start filming?

Darabont: "I have no idea if there's a shred of it left. It was a tremendous disappointment and a waste of a year."

MTV: I would think part of you still wants to share that script with the world.

Darabont: "I would love it, but it's not my material to disseminate. At this point, I don't give much of a damn what George thinks, but I wouldn't want to harm my friendship with Steven."

Head over to MTV News to read the full interview with Frank Darabont.

Thanks to Brett Hopkins for the interview link.


LaBeouf buffs up for Indiana Jones 4
24/04/07, 2:06pm EST

Shia LaBeouf explains to PEOPLE how he has gained 15 pounds just for Indiana Jones 4. The Disturbia and Transformers actor is beefing up to star in the new Indy film alongside Harrison Ford.

"The guy is still in premium shape," LaBeouf tells PEOPLE. "You don't want to be standing next to Harrison Ford and not be jacked also."

To get there, the Los Angeles native, 20, is working out seven days a week for three hours a day. "I'll run for an hour and then I'll do two hours of weights," he says. "I have definitely not trained like this for anything in my life. I'm preparing like I'm going into battle."

PEOPLE: You must be very disciplined to keep up such an extreme diet and exercise regimen.
LaBeouf: "It's not like I'm making the Nutcracker play at my school. This is film history. I don't just owe it to everybody involved in the franchise - I owe it to everybody who's ever been a fan of Indiana Jones. I realize how important this is."

PEOPLE: Do you feel a lot of pressure when it comes to this role?
LaBeouf: "Extreme pressure. You don't want to be the edition that sucks. You want to be in the edition that enhances it, so it's tough. This is 20 years in the making now. The script has been in development for 15 years. It's a huge project and you treat it that way."

Visit PEOPLE.com to read the full interview.

And thanks to Evan Schapiro for the interview link.


Jeff Nathanson comments on his screenplay adventure
02/05/07, 4:18pm EST

With all the buzz on Frank Darabont's rejected Indiana Jones 4 script, one would almost forget that Catch Me If You Can and The Terminal screenplay writer Jeff Nathanson also spent a year working on a script for the fourth Indy adventure film.

Jeff Nathanson recently talked with 'The Los Angeles Times' about his work on Indy 4:

"That's one of those movies [Raiders of the Lost Ark] that got me into the movie business," Nathanson tells the 'Los Angeles Times'. "So I had, like the greatest year of my life. I had so much fun."

"When you're working on a blockbuster-sized film, it's always a struggle," he explains. "It really is like moving mountains. And if it were easy to move mountains, the Swiss Alps would be in Westwood and all the agents would ski at lunch."

iF Magazine adds that while Spielberg blessed the script, as he had with Darabont's draft, it was Lucas who was still holding out for a screenwriting hero to come in a reinvigorate the franchise and passed on Nathanson's draft.

Thanks to Sean Elliott for the news link.


Lucas says Indy 4 script includes Sir Connery
05/05/07, 3:18am EST

The San Francisco Film Society honored George Lucas with an award on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the San Francisco International Film Festival.
Reuters talked with Lucas about Indiana Jones 4 and whether Sean Connery would be back:

In a brief interview, he said veteran actor Sean Connery had yet to agree to reprise his role as Indiana Jones' father.

"We have a script with him in it," he said. "If he doesn't do it, we'll do a quick rewrite."

Lucas said he is ready to begin work as a producer next month on the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones film franchise.

Visit Reuters to read the original article.

Thanks to James MacGregor and Ben Florczak for news link.


Will Karen Allen return to play LaBeouf's mother?
09/05/07, 3:20pm EST

Roger Friedman from Fox News briefly talked with George Lucas at Time magazine's dinner for the 100 most influential people. Friedman's report on the brief chat with Lucas confirms news we have heard before and brings up the question if Marion will be in Indy 4.

Here follows the Indiana Jones 4 related part of Friedman's article:

Lucas is currently preparing "Indiana Jones 4" with Harrison Ford, Blanchett and Shia LaBoeuf. The latter plays Ford's son, which means his mother was possibly the character Karen Allen played in "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

"I can't say," Lucas said when I brought up Allen.

Lucas says that Sean Connery still hasn't signed on, but his character, Indy's dad, is in the script. Other than that, his lips are sealed.

"Steven thinks we can keep the whole thing a secret," Lucas told me. "I explained to him that it's impossible nowadays. We can't live like that."

So then, tell me more about "Indy 4," I suggested.

"Oh no," replied Lucas with a smile.

The most interesting part of Fox News' article is that Lucas is mentioning more Star Wars feature films, and not just TV shows.

Note: Cate Blanchett's casting has yet to be announced officially! That LaBeouf will play Ford's son is still only a fan-favorite rumor. As well that Karen Allen will reprise her role as "mother" Marion Ravenwood.

Thanks to Jared Barrett, Aaron Higgins and 'Ryan from Baltimore' for the news link.


Sir Sean Connery talks about Indiana Jones 4
14/05/07, 2:31pm EST

Brian Pendreigh from Scotsman.com recently interviewed Sir Sean Connery from his home in the Bahamas. The main subject of the interview is UK politics but at the end Connery is also asked about Indiana Jones 4:

BP: Are you going to do Indiana Jones (left) 4?

SC: "I'm still talking with them. I've got their script and they're still working on it."

BP: Can you tell me anything about the story? I believe it might shoot in the Bahamas?

SC: "Is it? I don't know."

BP: Can you tell me what Henry Jones does?

SC: "No, I can't. It's all secrecy. You know they're paranoid about it."

Read the full interview online at Scotsman.com.

Thanks to Brian Styron, Brett Hopkins, Marc Stynen and James Bond website MI6 for the news.


Indy 4 to shoot car chase scene in New Haven
15/05/07, 2:31pm EST

New Haven Register
A view looking down High Street towards Chapel Street.
Photo by Jeff Holt.
The New Haven Register announced that some scenes for Indiana Jones 4 are scheduled to be filmed in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, next month! This city is best known as the home of Yale University.

The Indy 4 pre-production crew have apparently chosen the area of Chapel-, College-, Elm- & High Street to film some kind of car chase scene. Crew members also approached several merchants in that area as they want to make the stores look more like the 1950s.

The fourth installment of the hugely popular series, arriving in theaters almost 20 years after the third, will include some kind of car chase on Chapel between College and High streets. A pre-production crew was in the city last week and Monday talking to shop owners on the block.

"I really have no details on it at all, except to say that there will be some filming there," said Marvin Levy, a spokesman for Spielberg, ...
Levy said the filming dates are not set, but one merchant said she was told it would happen June 28 and 30.

Barbara J. Lamb, director of the city's Office of Cultural Affairs, said the production would close down parts of College and Elm streets and possibly other downtown streets as well.

"We are working with them on a plan to minimize those disruptions on the community," Lamb said. "We will ensure the smoothest flow of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic in downtown New Haven."

Lamb said New Haven was chosen because "they like the look of Yale" and added, "I think a lot of it has to do with the film incentives that are now in place ... and New Haven has been an extremely attractive location for filmmakers."

"We've been working with them for several months now on identifying various locations in the city ... and we expect it to have a major (positive) economic impact in New Haven," Lamb said.

Head over to the New Haven Register for the original article and to read some additional comments from local merchants.

Thanks to Brett Hopkins, Jayson Crittenden, Dennis Bruhn, Terry Toland and Peter Balaz for the news link.


More Indy 4 filming info from New Haven
16/05/07, 4:05pm EST

The New Haven Register has published some extra info on the Indiana Jones 4 filming in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, next month. According to them, the New Haven scenes will be shot between June 28 and July 7, but not on Sundays or July 4.

The movie, directed by Steven Spielberg and featuring an older, wiser and achier Indiana Jones, will have lots of thrills and humor, much like Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981, according to location managers who briefed city officials Tuesday.
"Steven very much wants to make this film in the manner of the first movie — wink wink, nod nod," said Michael Fantasia, chief location manager. In other words, action will be over the top, we're in on the joke and we're going along for the ride.

It's complex logistically, with streets closed and street lights removed. Barbara J. Lamb, director of the city Office of Cultural Affairs, said numerous departments, including traffic and parking, engineering, police, fire, health and building, and Yale, must be coordinated.
"These guys have been totally top-shelf professionals all the way," she said of location managers. "At every step of the way there's absolutely no room for screw-ups, no room for confusion."

Location manager Dave Martin said they are still seeking permissions from Yale, and the Board of Aldermen must approve street closings. Michael J. Morand, Yale associate vice president, said "there are voluminous details that have to be worked out and are being worked out."

New Haven Register's new article from today also contains a brief explanation of the scenes that will be shot in the city. In other words; story elements! So the following deserves a SPOILER WARNING.

Set in 1957, the scene will appear near the beginning of the movie. Indy will be chased down a transformed Chapel Street into Old Campus, onto High Street and escape briefly through a gate into Branford College.
Other segments have Ford on York and Elm streets, roaring out of Sterling Memorial Library, flying into Old Campus through Phelps Gate, breaking up a political rally on the way.

Click here to read the article at New Haven Register. But be careful as the spoilers are clearly visible in the original article!

Thanks to JimB and Peter Balaz for the news link.


No, Sean Connery has not joined Indy 4
16/05/07, 4:43pm EST

In the article New Haven Register announced the Indy 4 shooting in New Haven yesterday, they wrote the following:

"I really have no details on it at all, except to say that there will be some filming there," said Marvin Levy, a spokesman for Spielberg, who did confirm the film will be the next in the series starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, set to open May 22, 2008.

The New Haven Register indirectly misquoted Marvin Levy here by alleging that Sir Sean Connery will be in Indy 4. At this moment, Connery does have the script but he has not officially signed on.

I'm mentioning this now as this incorrect story has already been picked up by German film magazine Widescreen and other websites.


Hot new Indiana Jones 4 rumors
21/05/07, 5:18pm EST

CHUD.com has spread some new Indiana Jones 4 rumors onto the internet! These include rumors about new filming locations, possible opening scene and character info!

These are all POSSIBLE SPOILERS! If you want to be completely surprised when you see Indy 4 in 2008, then don't read the following!

The opening scene will take place in Area 51 and will have Indy up against Russian agents.

Shia LaBeouf is going to be playing a greaser, wearing jeans and a leather jacket and riding around on a motorcycle.

Karen Allen will be reprising the role of Marion Ravenwood in Indiana Jones 4, and she's going to be Shia LaBeouf's mom.

Indy and Shia will be thrown together in this adventure but will not learn they're related until a pivotal action scene.

The main storyline revolves around crystal skulls and pulls from "Chariots of the Gods," a book written in 1968 by Erich von Däniken. The book theorizes that technology and religion were given to ancient civilizations by aliens, whom the people worshipped as Gods.

Take these rumors with caution!
CHUD.com claims its sources are legit, but none of them have their hands on the latest script, and there is still tinkering going on. But the project is too far advanced to change this main storyline after today... that is if these rumors and speculation are true!

You can read the original articles of these rumors at CHUD.com here and here. Beware for the SPOILERS!


Another possible Indy 4 filming location
21/05/07, 5:18pm EST

TheForce.net claims that filming for Indiana Jones 4 will also take place in New Mexico. This was first mentioned by CHUD.com who also hinted Hawaii.

An anonymous source who works for a film studio in New Mexico has contacted TFN to say that the fourth Indy film will be shooting in New Mexico just outside of Deming, somewhere in the desert. The source adds this might be happening sometime in June and the set may be faking as Morocco.

You can read TheForce.net's original article here. But beware for other SPOILERS on that page!


New Haven clears path for Indiana Jones 4
22/05/07, 5:24pm EST

The New Haven Independent announced in an article that New Haven cleared the path for Indiana Jones 4.

Aldermen Monday approved closing sections of New Haven's downtown streets to make way for the Indiana Jones 4 chase, as well as for a pre-filming street festival celebrating Harrison Ford's visit. David Martin, location manager for Genre Project's East Coast sector, reported that filming will run June 28 to July 6.

David Martin also described to Alderman the Indy 4 scenes that will be filmed in part in downtown New Haven in coming weeks, and New Haven Independent was so kind to share the scene description with its readers. Also mentioned is what particular scene will be shot on which day.

In the New Haven-shot scenes, professor Ford gets pursued by bad guys in black sedans through the Yale campus, up to athletic fields.

On Monday, Indiana Jones bursts through Yale's Branford College courtyard on the motorcycle, continuing on through Saybrook College. Tuesday, he'll head to a Yale baseball diamond off Derby Avenue, which has a tunnel running under it, according to Martin's research.

"I'm sure they're going to make it try to fly out of the tunnel," Martin told the aldermen. Then Indy "steals a football from practice and uses it as a weapon," he said. (Martin later elaborated the football throw was just an example of a possible moment of lighthearted comic relief, not a guarantee.) Thursday, the chase will hit downtown's Wall Street, then Friday, it'll fly by Yale's Sterling Memorial Library, on to Woolsey Hall, where the film crew hopes to stage the finale.

Ford bursts through Commons, which is set up to look like a study hall. "Books will be flying, students will be running." If all goes as currently planned, a Sedan may flip over outside on Grove Street.

All this excitement will require about 500 extras! Look for announcements soon on where to audition.

And New Haven plans to close Temple Street on the Green for a festival on June 26 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Festivities include projecting an Indy movie onto a screen on the Green!

Click here to read the original article by New Haven Independent. But beware for the SPOILERS!

Thanks to Mitchman710 and Stefan Zwanzger for the news link!


Has Cate Blanchett's character been revealed?
24/05/07, 5:02pm EST

IESB.net announced today that they have received confirmation from various reliable but "anonymous" sources on the Indy 4 plot spoilers/rumors that CHUD posted a few days ago.
And IESB.net also may know which character Cate Blanchett will be playing and what relic will be the center of the plot.

They posted quite a bunch things on Indiana Jones 4 that could possible be true as well as false. But one thing we can be sure of is that these rumors/facts are MAJOR SPOILERS!

The news that Karen Allen would be back as Marion Ravenwood is accurate and truth be told, a few online sites had been sitting on this information for close to a month, no real shocker.

Shia LaBeouf is a teenage motorcycle riding greaser, true.

Shia LaBeouf is the son of Marion Ravenwood and Indiana Jones, true.

Indy doesn't find out about being a daddy until after he and Shia have been teamed up for a while and during a pivotal scene, true.

Movie takes place in the 50's, true.

We will see Area 51 and Russian Agents, true.

South American Pyramids/Temples, true.

Crystal Skulls, true (13 skulls to be exact)

The current script is a hybrid of scripts including Frank Darabont's version, true.

The title of the film is Indiana Jones and the City of the Gods, maybe, it sure is the working title but we have been told the real title may involve something about the 13 crystal skulls.

So who will be a villain in Indy IV? Well kiddies, while most people have been assuming that Cate Blanchett will be Indy's love interest since the announcement of her addition to the cast, several of our sources have revealed that she will actually be the villain in cahoots with the Ruskies.

I have received word from a Spielberg spokesperson (not this week but last month) that Indiana Jones and the City of Gods is "not it". It could be or have been a working title but it won't be the final title.
On the other hand, one thing IESB.net mentions here above could be proof of the supposed current working title an anonymous source informed me about.

IESB.net writes that the the real title may involve something about the 13 crystal skulls. While my source says the current working title is Indiana Jones and the Four Skulls.
So not 13, but only 4?! Those damn rumors eh!

Interesting bit of trivia that could support the Crystal Skulls rumor; Yale University, in New Haven, (one of Indy 4's filming locations) is well know for its secret societies. And Yale's most famous is "The Order of SKULL and Bones".

Click here to read IESB's full article. But beware for the SPOILERS. They are not hidden like on this page!

Thanks to Brett Hopkins for the new support.


Indiana Jones 4 to start shooting next week!
28/05/07, 4:26pm EST

Usually you look for film news in the entertainment section of a newspaper or on one of the many film news sites. The last place were you expect to find such news is a sports site.
And yet, the official Formula 1 website published new info on the Indiana Jones 4 production start date as they talked with race fan George Lucas:

A Monaco regular is movie mogul George Lucas, a long-term Formula One fan. "I caught the racing bug when I was 14 years old - and I have been following Formula One ever since. Probably unusual for an American, but there you go. What fascinates me most is the speed and the accuracy, especially here in Monaco where sometimes centimeters make the difference between do or die. I plan to go to Indianapolis as well - if my schedule permits it, as I start shooting Indiana Jones IV next week. If the production is running as planned you will find me there."

Click here to read the full article at the official Formula 1 website.

In case you're interested in Formula 1; Fernando Alonso won the Monaco Grand Prix this Sunday. His co-pilot Lewis Hamilton was second. And Ferrari's Felipe Massa came in third. Yes, yours truly follows the F1 championship a bit as well.

Thanks to Mark Le Page and Stefan Zwanzger for the Indy 4 news.


Shia's reaction when getting role in Indy 4
28/05/07, 5:31pm EST

How would you react when Steven Spielberg offers you the part of Indiana Jones' sidekick in the next Indy film? Spielberg asked exactly this to Shia LaBeouf earlier this year. And now Spielberg reveals Shia's first reaction while talking to The Morning Call:

For the lucky few, getting the nod can be an exhilarating experience. LaBeouf had no idea why Spielberg had summoned him to his office out of the blue. ''I think he thought I was going to call him in to punish him for something he did in one of the two movies he did for DreamWorks. He walked in my office like he was walking into the principal's. He came in looking all hang dog,'' recalls the director. Then Spielberg offered him the role as Indiana Jones' sidekick. Spielberg describes the youngster's reaction: ''I thought that young man was going to drop dead of a heart attack in my office.''

This is an except from the 'The hunt for new hunks' article written by Rachel Abramowitz for The Morning Call.

Thanks to Stefan Zwanzger for the news link.


DreamWorks talks about the Indy 4 script
04/06/07, 2:12pm EST

The Seattle Times has published an article on the record number (14!) of film sequels for 2007, and asks if we really need this fourth Indiana Jones film adventure. DreamWorks Co-Chairman Stacey Snider answered the question:

Is there anyone besides me who is depressed by the news that Steven Spielberg, a great filmmaker with the clout to get any project he wants off the ground, is going off to make ... "Indiana Jones 4"? ...

So why would Spielberg, who sees every great script that circulates in Hollywood, want to go back to the "Indy" well? It obviously isn't for the money; Spielberg and "Indy" producer George Lucas have enough loot to last a hundred lifetimes. According to DreamWorks Co-Chairman Stacey Snider, David Koepp's "Indy" script made all the difference.

"It was the best script we saw all year — by far," she says. "To me, it's not so much a sequel as an affectionate reprise of a beloved character and his story. It has much more in common with the feeling you had when the 'Star Wars' movies were coming back than what you feel about a lot of sequels, which is, 'How do I wring one more dollar out of the franchise?' "

Other Spielberg watchers say that the idea of bringing "Indy" back to life one more time — with soon-to-be 65-year-old Harrison Ford as the aging hero — must have an emotional resonance for Spielberg, who is 60 himself. Spielberg has never apologized for being an entertainer; ...

Click here to read this full article written by By Patrick Goldstein for the Los Angeles Times.

Thanks to Stefan Zwanzger for the news link.


Open Casting Call for Indiana Jones 4!
04/06/07, 2:14pm EST

If you always dreamed about being an extra in an Indiana Jones film, now is your chance! Billy Dowd Casting will be organizing an open casting call for Indiana Jones 4 on June 11 and 12.

If you're over 18 and want to get paid for possibly standing in the background on New Haven's Chapel Street as Harrison Ford is filmed on his motorcycle, go to the Omni Hotel at Yale between 1 and 9 p.m. on either day.
And don't forget to bring a publicity photo of yourself to the casting call! Your photo is not returnable so make sury you keep a copy of the photo for yourself.

The New Haven Register tracked down some big Indyfans who want to breathe in the excitement of the production and have come out of the woodwork since it was announced last month that they will be filming for Indy 4 in New Haven and, possibly, West Haven.

"I could be scenery that moves. I could be the tree that breathes or anything in the background," said Mitchell Hallock of Trumbull, who met Ford years ago.

One would-be minor cast member would even fly from Bologna, Italy, to be an extra. "A single frame in the whole flick would be enough, even if you can't see me at all," wrote Antoni Conteddu in an e-mail he hopes will get to director Steven Spielberg.

"My concern is: can I get there on time (for the casting call)?" Conteddu wrote. "I'm half the world away, you know. What if I take the first plane to New Haven and then miss the casting calls? That would be a little frustrating."

"Oh wow! I've been obsessed with 'Indiana Jones' since I was a kid," said Andrew Bonia, who lives in New Haven's East Rock neighborhood and once worked at Long Wharf Theater. "It's just weird that it's happening right under my nose."

Blair Ribeiro of Stratford said she's not looking for a big role. "It's basically wanting to be a part of the film because I have the whole DVD collection. If there's my foot in it, I'll be happy."

Russell Stepan of Oxford is going to film school and has posters of all three "Indiana Jones" movies on his walls. When he heard the fourth would be filming in New Haven, "I jumped up and down," adding, "If only I was joking."

So don't forget:
Open extras casting call for Indiana Jones 4
- Monday June 11 & Tuesday June 12
Between 1 and 9 p.m. on either day.
at the Omni Hotel at Yale:
155 Temple Street - New Haven, Connecticut 06510

And be sure bring a headshot of yourself!

Good luck if you're planning to attend the casting call! And be sure to let us know how it went or share your casting experience with fellow Indyfans at our forums.

Read the original announcement online at New Haven Register.

Thanks to Stefan Zwanzger, Mitchell Hallock and Brett Hopkins for the news link.


Indiana Jones' quest for vintage vehicles
05/06/07, 3:04pm EST

Yesterday we announced the open casting call for extras in Indiana Jones 4. Now it seems we have already missed one casting call; one for vintage 1950's vehicles at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven.
The New Haven Independent published an article about this vintage vehicles casting call that took place on Saturday. And according to reporter Linda Cuckovich, car collectors were decidedly more wary.

The steady trickle of car owners who passed through the high school parking lot spent as much time interrogating the filmmakers as they did asking about the movie.

One Hamden resident brought his father's 1956 Ford Fairlane and a long list of questions. A props department worker who would identify himself only as Bobby offered reassurance. "The cars will just sit, parked, for 12 hours." His colleague, a young woman answering to the name Sarah, concurred, "Your car might roll across an intersection three blocks from the action. There's no risk."

According to Bobby, none of the cars being cast would participate in the high-speed chase. "Those cars will just be classic bodies combined with 1980s Chevy Caprice Chassis. The old cars' engines just aren't reliable enough to run all day."

There's more in the full article by the 'New Haven Independent'. Including photos of some attending vintage cars.

Thanks to Stefan Zwanzger for the news link.


Indy 4 to be present at Comic-Con next month?
05/06/07, 3:34pm EST

Comic-Con International has announced its preliminary list of films and TV shows that will be present during the 2007 Comic-Con, in San Diego from July 26 till 29.
And the list includes a certain film called Indiana Jones 4. Could this mean there will be a panel on the fourth Indy film at Comic-Con?

Here follows the list, so far:

Alien vs. Predator 2: No Peace On Earth, American Gangster, Babylon A.D., Balls of Fury, Beowulf, The Bourne Ultimatum, Coraline, Fred Claus, Get Smart, The Golden Compass, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, I Am Legend, The Incredible Hulk, Indiana Jones 4, The Invasion, Iron Man, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Resident Evil: Extinction, Speed Racer, The Strangers, Stardust, Star Trek, Sunshine, Sweeney Todd, 30 Days of Night, Trick 'r Treat, Wanted, Where the Wild Things Are, White Out

Important to note is that this part of Comic-Con programming is worked on up to the last possible minute, so we can expect changes.

Thanks to Jonesy for the news link.


The Indiana Jones 4 cast expands
07/06/07, 1:50pm EST

After many months of rumors we can finally say with absolute certainty that Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone & John Hurt will star in Indiana Jones 4!

Which characters they will play remains a mystery. Although rumors do circle about Cate Blanchett's role.

The official press release at IndianaJones.com reads:

Several stars have thrown their hats into the ring to join Harrison Ford and Shia LaBeouf in Indiana Jones' latest whip-cracking adventure. Next year, when the new Indiana Jones movie opens worldwide on May 22, Indy will share the screen with Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone and John Hurt.

Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett has established herself as one of the preeminent leading actresses in film today, earning her first Best Actress nomination for her title role in Elizabeth, for which she received a BAFTA and Golden Globe Award. She continued to draw acclaim for significant roles in The Talented Mr. Ripley, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Notes on a Scandal and Babel. In 2005, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator, and this year was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. Cate is currently filming The Curious Case of Benjamin Button costarring Brad Pitt and directed by David Fincher.

Known for his layered and nuanced performances of tough guys, Ray Winstone drew international praise for his role as Gal Dove in Jonathan Glazer's Sexy Beast. His recent screen credits include Martin Scorsese's The Departed, Antoine Fuqua's King Arthur, and Anthony Minghella's Breaking & Entering. Winstone's voice can be heard as Mr. Beaver in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Ray will next be seen in the title role of Beowulf opening November 16, 2007, directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Academy Award nominee John Hurt, whose career in film spans more than 40 years, has played memorable roles in movies both big and small. His impressive body of work includes such films as V for Vendetta, Elephant Man, 1984, Midnight Express, Contact, and Alien. On television, he won world-wide acclaim for his role of Caligula in I, Claudius and Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant.

Head over to the official IndianaJones.com to read the original press release.


Sean Connery won't be back for Indy 4
07/06/07, 2:31pm EST

After many months of speculation Sir Sean Connery announced today that he won't return for Indiana Jones 4.
Sir Connery won't take a break from retirement to play Indy's beloved father one more time. "Retirement is just too damned much fun." Sean Connery added.

Here follows Sean Connery's full comment added to today's press release:

While the man with the hat is back, this time he's not bringing his Dad. Sean Connery, who retired from acting in 2005, said:

"I get asked the question so often, I thought it best to make an announcement. I thought long and hard about it and if anything could have pulled me out of retirement it would have been an Indiana Jones film. I love working with Steven and George, and it goes without saying that it is an honor to have Harrison as my son. But in the end, retirement is just too damned much fun. I, do however, have one bit of advice for Junior: Demand that the critters be digital, the cliffs be low, and for goodness sake keep that whip by your side at all times in case you need to escape from the stunt coordinator! This is a remarkable cast, and I can only say, 'Break a leg, everyone.' I'll see you on May 22, 2008, at the theater!"

But we should not mourn as Lucasfilm has also given us good news today! They have announced in the same press release that Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone & John Hurt (!) have signed on for Indiana Jones' latest cinematic adventure!

Head over to the official IndianaJones.com to read the original press release.

And thanks to Stephen Jared, David Gruwez, Brad Schweid, 'Fuzzyfoot', Jared Barrett, Jack, RYAN OC, Bryan Babich, Dennis, Mike Stevenson, 'scifiwolf', Jayson Crittenden & Stefan Zwanzger for the news links.


Shia LaBeouf talks more Indiana Jones 4
07/06/07, 3:24pm EST

These are busy times for actor Shia LaBeouf. New interviews with him appear everywhere to promote his latest films Surf's Up and Transformers. And luckily for us, them interviewers also try to get some Indiana Jones 4 info out of LaBeouf.

LaBeouf told MoviesOnline that the film is ready to shoot, and that at this point he has not yet read the script. They asked him if there was anything specific he was looking to do in this film.

Shia LaBeouf: "Well, you don't make any demands from Steven Spielberg. You just go, 'Yeah? Alright, great. That sounds like a good thing to me.' [George] Lucas isn't as involved as Spielberg with the actors. I mean, it's all Steven, but I mean I don't imagine that I would be questioning anything that he says.
Of course you have to find your voice as the artist. You're the tool and you have to have some say, but I don't imagine that it's going to be very easy to say, 'You know what, Steven, I don't think that's correct. I think that I should do it this way.' So, I don't know. We're still trying to figure it out.
We haven't gotten into any rehearsals. It's just been a lot of stunt rehearsals and a lot of weapons training and things like that.
"

Also ComingSoon.net tried to get Indiana Jones 4 info out of Shia LaBeouf. But Shia was pretty tight-lipped about it. When asked what he thinks about playing Harrison Ford's son.

"I mean I don't know what I'm going to be. I could be playing a train conductor. Who knows? Well let's see you have Sean Connery and Harrison Ford. Chances are you're going to be in trouble. I'm imaging there will be some sort of creature crawling on me throughout the movie", LaBeouf said.

Obviously this interview was taken before today as LaBeouf assumed Sean Connery will be on board as well.

Thanks to Stefan Zwanzger for the news links.


Two more Indiana Jones 4 filming locations
08/06/07, 3:57pm EST

We have info on what looks like two more Indiana Jones 4 filming locations. Deming in New Mexico. And the Mexican port of Veracruz.

Las Cruces Sun-News reported earlier this week that the Indy 4 production crew will film some scenes near Deming, New Mexico. An area nearby Deming will be transformed into a Morocco setting.
Crew members of the fourth Indiana Jones film have been working in Deming for weeks. A building at the former air strip in Deming has been painted blue, with a USAF insignia and the words "Home Of The Fighter Pilot" painted on an outside wall. In addition, WWII Air Force vehicles are parked nearby.

New Mexico reportedly is the first filming location, but no filming dates have been announced. And it is also unclear if any of the lead stars of the film will be on location in Deming.

This is not the first time that Deming, New Mexico, has been hinted as possible filming location for Indiana Jones 4.

Spanish news agency Terra.es has reported that they may also be filming for the fourth Indy film in the Mexican port of Veracruz in October.

Film commissioner Próspero Rebolledo, the head official for attracting movie business to the state of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, indicated in an interview that negotiations with the Indiana Jones 4 producers are underway, that they are scouting and hiring locations in Veracruz and that shooting is set for October.

Thanks to Stefan Zwanzger and Rogelio for the news links.


LaBeouf confronted with rumor about his character
10/06/07, 5:29pm EST

Collider.com had the chance to ask Shia LaBeouf some questions about his latest film Surf's Up and slipped in one question about Indiana Jones 4.

The question referred to a recent rumor that LaBeouf will be playing a greaser, wearing jeans and a leather jacket and riding around on a motorcycle in the fourth Indy film.
Frosty from Collider.com asked Shia LaBeouf: "Have you, yes or no, been perhaps training on a motorcycle?" Shia said "No" with a priceless smile... and then added "You know far too much dude. How do you do this? Very smart my friend. I can't confirm nor deny."

And coolest of all; you can view Shia's reaction yourself as Frosty placed the video online on Collider.com.

A special thanks to Johan at The Raven for the this great find.


Rumors about John Hurt's character have begun!
12/06/07, 2:06pm EST

Although the character John Hurt is rumored to play is highlighted in news titles on plenty other websites, I have descided to hide it for those who don't want to be spoiled. And besides the following is only a rumor. (So we assume.)

/film reported a spy contacted them to say that John Hurt (who was announced this past week) will be playing the charachter of famous german theoretical physicsm, Albert Einstein. /film added that they have no way to confirm this information.

/film: Einstein was supposedly included in the infamous Frank Darabont draft of Indiana Jones 4, which has now been scrapped. Some people say that some of the ideas and plot from that draft made it into David Koepp's current draft of the film.

This would not be the first time that a historical figure would be on screen in the Indiana Jones series. Heinrich Himmler and Adolf Hitler both made a brief appearances in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

The big flaw in this rumor comes from historical data: The shop owners on location in New Haven, CT were told that the film was set in 1957. And the window dressing and sign-age would reflect that year. However, Einstein died on April 18, 1955 at the age of 76. John Hurt is 67 years old, and could probably play Einstein in the last 15-20 years of his life, realistically. May-be Einstein didn't die in 1955 according to the proposed storyline. Or may-be the Einstein parts are included in flashback or prelude, as has been used in the other films of the series.

Garth Franklin from Dark Horizons added another name to the rumor mill. A character name some fans have certainly been thinking about before.

Garth: speculation is turning rife that John Hurt's role will be that of the 'thought dead' Abner Ravenwood, who's technically also the Shia LaBeouf character's grandfather.

It's best to consider these as rumors as they can't be confirmed or denied at the moment.

Thanks to Brett Hopkins, Basti, Stefan Zwanzger and Dr.Sartorius at The Raven for the news links.


Thousands line up for Indy 4 casting call
12/06/07, 5:40pm EST

Yesterday and today were big days for Indiana Jones fans from around New Haven, Connecticut, as Billy Dowd Casting organized an open casting call for Indiana Jones 4 in their city. And not just people from Connecticut answered the open casting call!

Barbara Lamb, director of the city's Office of Cultural Affairs, who has been coordinating the details, said to Connecticut Post Online that she can't say for sure how many people will line up for the casting call.

Barbara Lamb: "I can only say that I have received more phone calls and e-mails than I care to respond to, so I am anticipating a huge crowd, but I really don't know."

Fans coming from all over USA and even as far away as Italy were among the over 1.000 people waiting in line on Monday while, according to the New Haven Independent, the Casting agency only needed 400 extras initially:

Early reports called for 400 extras, but casting director Billy Dowd (pictured) said he wasn't sure how many people he would end up needing.
"We're going to shoot a lot of scenes," he said. "We don't know how many or how many extras we'll need."

The New Haven Register reported that Billy Dowd's casting agency is now looking for 900 extras to be hired for the New Haven scene. And after noticing people already lined up hours before the casting call was scheduled to begin, Dowd decided to open early.
Ed Stannard from New Haven Register reports:

People were so excited to be extras in the fourth "Indiana Jones" movie that when casting director Billy Dowd drove into the city Sunday evening and saw people already camping out on Crown Street, he knew he couldn't wait till 1 p.m. Monday to open his casting call.

So, at 7:30 a.m., the door opened and the first hardy hopefuls started traipsing through a back door of the Omni New Haven Hotel, their fortitude earning them the reward of not having to wait for hours in the midday sun.

Indyfan Mitchell Hallock headed out early and was ready to wait for
hours. Big was his surprise when he was one of the first to arrive at the casting call line in the morning.

"It had a red carpet and was outside the hotel on Crown Street at 8:10 am, and found that I was number 7 in line. There were folks from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and some locals." Mitchell explains.

"Before 5 minutes passed the door opened, and all of us were taking to a room and filled out our information on forms for something called "GENURE productions" contact, measurements, and if we had a dog, could play football and would get 50's style haircut... After that it was a quick photo, and a brief meeting with the casting people and that was it. I was out by 8:40am!"

A friend of Mitchell, who went down at 1:00 - the time it was listed at starting, said the line was stretching around the block and down the street.

Mitchell Hallock's full story will be published on TheRaider.net later this week together with reports from other attendees.
If you have also attended the open casting call in New Haven and would like to talk about your experience, you may always contact us and we'll make sure it gets online here. Photo's of the casting call are also welcome!

You can read many more comments, and view photos, from people attending the open casting call at the Connecticut Post Online, the New Haven Independent, New Haven Register and Courant.com.

A big thanks to Stefan Zwanzger and Mitchell Hallock for the heads up.


UPDATE: No Indiana Jones 4 set photos today
13/06/07, 1:57pm EST

Update: Those National Treasure 2 set photos have been removed from Filmpub at the request of Indy 4 production company Paramount Pictures. Our own contact at Paramount was unable to comment.
(Thanks to ChewieDC for the Filmpub update.)

Original: Earlier today Czech film site Filmpub published four photos of, what they believed, was a set being built at Universal Studios for Indiana Jones 4. But these are not what they appear to be.
A Spielberg spokesperson has let us know that this is NOT a set constructed for the fourth Indy film but for National Treasure 2, which is also in production at this moment.

An understandable mistake as this film starring Nicholas Cage is a sequel to the successful adventure film National Treasure from 2005 which could best be described as a mixture of The Da Vinci Code with the Indiana Jones Trilogy.

Thanks to Brett Hopkins, Maxime Ferland and ChewieDC for the heads up.


John Williams confirmed for Indiana Jones 4
13/06/07, 2:18pm EST

The Gorfaine-Schwartz Agency recently confirmed that John Williams' upcoming projects include composing the music for the next two Steven Spielberg films: Indiana Jones 4, to be released on May 22, 2008, and Lincoln (2009).

Multiple Academy Award winner John Williams has also composed and conducted the famous Raiders' March and the soundtracks of all three previous Indiana Jones films.

Source: John Williams Fan Network


Indy 4 open casting call reports
16/06/07, 9:25am EST

You can now read an 'Indy 4' Casting Call Report collecting new accounts from people who answered the open casting call in New Haven on June 11 and 12.

Longtime Indyfan Jonathan Burdick has also published an article on his experience of deciding to go to and finally going to the Indiana Jones 4 extras casting call. You can read Jonathan's article online on his weblog. It's an excellent article worth checking out!

In addition, here follow a few related videos. The first is from a local news station in New Haven and the second is a video slideshow made by a fan and placed on YouTube.

Thanks to Jonathan Burdick, Mitchell Hallock, Jeff from Massachusetts, Ray E. and Gail Bugeja: for their account reports.


A Deming filming location rumor
17/06/07, 4:35am EST

Moriarty from Aint It Cool News posted an interesting Indy 4 story related to the Deming, New Mexico, filming location. He received the following e-mail:

I am working on a Warner Bros film right now. [Someone else on the film] is from New Mexico. I said to him "hey they are filming Indy 4 there right?" He said, "My friend is [working on] the film and they are prepping the New Mexico site to be a
WWII atomic test site, like in the old videos you would see in school".

Apparently Moriarty can verify that this sequence exists in the Indy 4 screenplay. Or at least, it has at a prior point in the development;

Moriarty: It sounds to me like they've taken several different incarnations of the Indy 4 script and cobbled them all together to come up with the version we'll see in theaters next summer...
I got this e-mail in, and it seems to confirm that there will be a sequence early in the movie that takes place on a site in the desert that both Jeb Stuart and Frank Darabont are rumored to have included in their takes on the story.
And, no, I'm not talking about Area 51. All I'll say is that if this is the sequence I think it is, it starts the story off with a bang. A really... big... bang...

Head over to Aint It Cool News to read the original full article.


Cate Blanchett grew up watching the Indy Trilogy
17/06/07, 5:10am EST

The Herald Sun spoke with Oscar winner Cate Blanchett during a rare afternoon of downtime at her Sydney home on the eve of shooting for the next Indiana Jones film.

"It's funny because I grew up watching all the preceding movies, so to be now in one will be quite strange," she says.

"When I got the call from Spielberg I just couldn't pass it up."

Cate Blanchett- who was named one of the world's most infuential people by Time magazine last month - also talked about her love for her family and baking.

Click here to read the original article.

Thanks to Stefan Zwanzger for the article link.


Indiana Jones 4 begins shooting today!
18/06/07, 12:49pm EST

Today marks the start of principal photography on Indiana Jones 4. Unconfirmed rumors say that the production is currently filming on locations in New Mexico. At Deming maybe?

The official IndianaJones.com announced the start of production today & recently caught up with Shia LaBeouf before cameras rolled. LaBeouf shares his thoughts about joining Indiana Jones 4 in a great Quicktime video.

Today director Steven Spielberg will shout "Action!" marking the return of the character who redefined cinematic action as cameras roll on the first day of principal photography on the new Indiana Jones adventure. Spielberg reunites with executive producer George Lucas and star Harrison Ford to bring the classic hero back to the big screen. It's the trio's first collaboration since the last film in the Indiana Jones, series, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Shooting will continue throughout the summer before the film goes into post-production to be ready for its May 22, 2008 release. The new Indiana Jones film is a Lucasfilm Ltd. Production distributed by Paramount Pictures. Frank Marshall returns as producer with Kathleen Kennedy joining Lucas as executive producer.

Head over to IndianaJones.com to read the full announcement and to view the video with young star Shia LaBeouf.


UPDATE: Jim Broadbent has a role in Indy 4
19/06/07, 4:09pm EST

Update: Jim Broadbent has officially joined that cast of Indiana Jones 4 today. You can read the announcement at IndianaJones.com.
Jim Broadbent
Jim Broadbent

During a recent interview with BritFilms British actor Jim Broadbent let it slip that he was going to be starring in Indiana Jones 4.

"I'm doing a good cameo in the next ‘Indiana Jones', so working with Mr. Spielberg should be an experience. I'm going to Yale - I'm a professor." said Jim Broadbent.
And when suggested that he could be the new Marcus Brody character, Jim replied: "That would do for me (laughs)"

Jim Broadbent is now the third British talent taking part in Indy 4. Already announced are Ray Winstone and John Hurt. Cate Blanchett is from Australia.

Dr. Marcus Brody, a museum currator and friend of Indy, is a character who appeared in both Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Brody was played by late British actor Denholm Elliott who passed away in 1992.

Thanks to Brett Hopkins, Ryan OC and Dr.Sartorius from The Raven for the heads up.


No National Treasure 2 set photos either
20/06/07, 5:52pm EST

The mystery surrounding those rumored Indy 4 set photos (or are they from a National Treasure 2 set?) continues as TMZ.com asked around trying to find confirmations from producers:

We called Jerry Bruckheimer Films, the production company for National Treasure, and it turns out the Nic Cage pic is wrapping production next week outside of L.A., so clearly Universal needs to update their tour guides.

Our staffers thought the giant Aztec set could have something to do with the long awaited Indiana Jones sequel, and questioned the tour guides, who had no clue. Later, we contacted Universal Studios Production, which denied any link to Indiana Jones, saying, "We do not reveal the details of our shooting locations." Details about Indy 4 have been under wraps for a while, but filming reportedly began this week.

You can read more and view a photo of this set at TMZ.com.
Either way, this Aztec set looks beautiful!

Thanks to Ryan from Baltimore for the heads up.


The Man with the Hat is Back!
22/06/07, 3:03am EST

click for hi-res version
Click on the photo for a high-res version!

For the first time since 1989, Harrison Ford dons the familiar costume on Thursday, June 21, 2007, as the upcoming Indiana Jones adventure begins production under the direction of Steven Spielberg. The new Indiana Jones movie is set in the 1950s and stars Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, John Hurt, Ray Winstone and Jim Broadbent .
The Lucasfilm Ltd. production will be released by Paramount Pictures worldwide on May 22, 2008. Photo by Steven Spielberg. Courtesy Lucasfilm Ltd.


Indy 4 to film at Hamakua Coast, Hawaii
23/06/07, 5:21pm EST

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that scenes for Indiana Jones 4 will be filmed at the Hamakua Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii for three weeks in August.

Location shooting will take place along the Hamakua Coast and Lucasfilm has opened a production office in Hilo. There is no word yet on any casting call or other local production hires.

Filming on the project, to be released May 22, 2008, started Monday in Deming, N.M., where part of the town has been decked out to resemble Morocco during World War II.

Security surrounding the yet-to-be-titled film, which has been dubbed "Project X" by those close to the production, has been even tighter than around past film projects on the island.

Deb Wuliger, a publicist for the project, said Wednesday from New Mexico that she cannot release details about the story, or much about the production itself.

"Everybody's excited about the project and we're really excited about going to shoot on location, and we also want to be able to preserve a bit of surprise when people plop down their -- I don't know what ticket prices are in Hawaii, but in L.A. it's $12 -- come next May. So we're really trying to keep everything to a minimum," she said.

"The attempt is to preserve the integrity of the story and to preserve the experience with the audience. It really is. We're going through a period of time where information travels so fast and people put things together so quickly that before a movie can be released, people are reading about it. ... The thing about the Internet is that when there are spoilers, at least they announce it, so people can choose how to look. But the (mainstream media), that's not how they do news. ... The problem is that there's no longer any such thing as a 'local story.' People piece them all together and it's a different world and we're trying to learn how to deal with that."

You can read the full article at the Hawaii Tribune-Herald website.

Thanks to ComingSoon.net for the news link.


New Haven prepares for Indiana Jones 4 shoot
24/06/07, 1:26pm EST

The New Haven Register published more info on the upcoming Indiana Jones 4 shooting in a few days.

Because of the probability of changes in the filming schedule, the production crew will post the next day's schedule each night on the city's Web site, www.cityofnewhaven.com.

The dates are reasonably certain at this point, barring weather delays or other unforeseen events. Shooting will start as early as 6 a.m. Thursday and run through July 7, except for Sunday and the Fourth of July.

The New Haven Register also says that changes have been made to the original shooting schedule to film a new (or edited) scene:

One change the Paramount decision-makers have made is that they will not use a Yale practice field in the scene. "Their creative team decided that they're not going to use Derby Avenue for the chase scene," said West Haven Police Chief Ronald M. Quagliani.

Lamb said that part of the schedule will be filled with something new. "They're creating a new scene, which hasn't even been confirmed yet, so that's going to go in there," she said.

Another article about the Indy 4 shooting preparations in New Haven can be found at Wtnh.com.

Thanks to Stefan Zwanzger for the heads up.


A day in today's 1957 New Haven
25/06/07, 5:49pm EST

Mitchell Hallock, a big Indyfan who lives near New Haven, went to the city this weekend and came back with extra casting information, to set dressings and the big chase scene. New Haven was a buzz with activity.

Mitchell also got confirmation that Football practice during the chase scene is out. Billy Dowd also mentioned to him that all extras casting was done. And Mitchell has a little spoiler about the chase too.

Here's what Mitchell's day in New Haven was like:

Extra casting info from the man himself:
I was waiting for a friend who went to the casting call of the new Martin Lawrence/Raven film called "College Road Trip" soon to be filming in Connecticut, when out walks Billy Dowd, who was the gentleman in charge of the casting for extras for Indy IV. I introduced myself, and mentioned the Entertainment weekly, "Fan of the Week" and how I was at the extra casting call. Mr. Dowd said all casting was done (sorry everyone waiting for a call). He also confirmed that the football practice that was mentioned as part of the chase scene was out, and that they had already picked folks, had wardrobe ready - but that's Hollywood - things are in constant change. I mentioned to him all the films coming to CT and how it was a great time to be a fan of the movies. I said goodbye and reminded him if they need and chubby extras - I will be waiting by the phone.

Welcome to Chapel Street circa 1957 or Raiders of the Lost "Adult Toy Store"?
WoolworthsChapel Street is already being transformed with store windows and facades that give the appearance of 1957. There is now a Woolworths store with vintage toys, Brillo pads, and the most unusual gags or practical jokes collection - see photos of Italian Nuts, Polish Nuts - and other weird "International Gags" - I know you will never see these close-up on the screen - but these are the items in the window - I guess folks weren't Politically correct back in 1957. I know they say R2 and 3PO are on the wall in the Well of the Souls in "Raiders" but that's nothing compared to the French Bikini Set at Indy's local Woolworths!

magazinesSpeaking of 1957 - all indications are that is the year - but judging by the dates on the magazines in the window - who knows when. Just when is a mystery as the photos I took of the magazines in the "Village Book Store" aka News Haven, have authentic magazines from 1957, but a Time with JFK on the cover is December 2, 1957. While the TV Guide with Lawrence Welk is September, 1957 - Hard cover titles like "The Day That Christ Died" are in the window to - you can see the photos on my MySpace gallery - myspace.com/mitchellhallock.

FedorasThe clothing store was the biggest hoot - especially the hat rack - The Man with the Fedora is back- and he brought extras! There are several mannequins in men's clothes from the 1957's at Enson's Menswear - but I got a kick out of the hat rack that had about 10 fedoras - must be where Indy gets his when they come when he is being dragged under a truck or falling out of a plane! It was like seeing where Superman gets his capes!
There is also a jewelry store and an art supply store that have been redone with more on the way.

Filming has begun!
According to folks around the area, there was a chase scene filmed on Saturday, or maybe a dress rehearsal for the big one that is coming up. Some folks said filming was being done last week, but the big stuff with the actors is still to come. Including the demolishing of a huge set of newly created wooden doors that lead out of Yale's Calhoun College onto Elm Street. They took out the old Yale iron gate and put these wooden doors, complete with wood carvings up and are varnishing them tomorrow and then Indy will drive a truck through them! There are two shots of the doors as well on my site.
The dining hall/motorcycle chase rehearsal has started to take shape as well.

A big thanks to Mitchell Hallock for his report! Andd be sure to view his photos from New Haven at Mitchell's MySpace page.


Celebrating on the set of Indiana Jones 4
25/06/07, 6:04pm EST

ET announced today that they will be airing exclusive behind-the-scenes footage on the set of Indiana Jones 4 tonight!

New to the cast is Shia LaBeouf, who admits to being a big fan of the actor behind the iconic movie character.

"[Harrison's] the man," he tells ET. "I haven't met a more manly man than that. He's the most manly man I've ever known," Shia joked, adding, "He's THE man! The man!"

Continuing the saga has been an on-and-off proposition since the release of 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.' Last year, Ford said he was thrilled and eager about an impending fourth chapter.

"I'm delighted," he said at the time. "And they're so much fun to make, so no problem there."

Director Steven Spielberg revealed it was his kids who talked him into creating a new addition to the movie franchise, telling ET, "My kids are the ones that say, 'Dad, go back to making the Raiders movies. You can make those [other] movies for Mom, but go back and make the Raiders movies for us.'"

You can read the full article online at ETonline.com and don't forget to watch the exclusive behind-the-scenes footage on the set of the new 'Indiana Jones' on tonight's ET!

Anyone here who will be recording this behind-the-scenes clip at ET tonight?!

Thanks to Stefan Zwanzger for the heads up.


First day of shooting Indy 4 video
26/06/07, 2:06am EST

Monday, June 18, 2007 marked the first day of principal photography of the new Indiana Jones film. Director Steven Spielberg shares with us a brief video from that day at IndianaJones.com.

The new Indiana Jones movie is a Lucasfilm Ltd. Production, directed by Steven Spielberg and distributed by Paramount Pictures. Frank Marshall returns as producer with Kathleen Kennedy joining George Lucas as executive producer. It is planned for worldwide release on May 22, 2008.

Click here to view the great video online and watch Spielberg directing a schene with US army vehicles and other vintage cars at what appears to be Deming, New Mexico! Very exciting stuff!

Thanks to Steven Spielberg & Lucasfilm!


Indy in New Haven article by The New York Observer
27/06/07, 4:10pm EST

The New York Observer published an article by Spencer Morgan about Paramount Pictures' take over of Yale University's campus to shoot Indiana Jones 4 the coming days and talked with people who got cast as extras in the film.

"They've transformed a whole block of storefronts to make them look like 1957," reported rising senior Lauren Dunn, an English major, by phone the other day.

Construction along Chapel Street began late last week, and the production team has also set up shop in Yale's main dining hall. "I peeked my head into Commons but I got into trouble," Ms. Dunn said. "Someone said, ‘I'm sorry you can't go in there; we have a confidentiality agreement.'"

Ms. Dunn, who was cast as an extra after waiting in line for four hours along with what she called "thousands" of other aspiring movie stars, is now also proudly bound by a confidentiality agreement. She did divulge that she would be playing a student, and will be wearing "period clothes."

Film extra Lauren Dunn also added some possible spoilers about the scenes to be filmed in New Haven. Although it more sounds like rumors she has heard from others. So take the following with a grain of salt at the moment.

"It's the opening scene of the movie," Ms. Dunn burbled excitedly. "(Harrison Ford) is teaching a class and he hears some noise outside, which turns out to be an anti-Communist rally, and he goes out to investigate and he recognizes one of his old rivals from one of the other movies and he jumps on a motorcycle and ends up being chased by some guys in a car."
That's not all. "I've heard rumors that the archeological artifact that they're looking for is the fountain of youth," Ms. Dunn said. "But I don't know."

You can read the full article online at The New York Observer website.

Thanks to Jayson Crittenden and Maxime Ferland for the heads up.


More Indiana Jones Street Festival reports
27/06/07, 4:30pm EST

The New Haven Independent published a report, with photos and 2 video fragments, about the Indiana Jones Street Festival yesterday:

As a crowd celebrated with a music- and movie-filled outdoor party on the Green thrown by the city's Office of Cultural Affairs Tuesday night, Chapel Street traveled back in time 50 years to double as the set for chase scenes in the next Indiana Jones movie. Shooting begins in town Thursday.

In preparation, the stores along Chapel from College to High streets have been remade to resemble the era — helped by a previous historic renovation of the district that preserved the original buildings. The original Woolworth's was further east on Chapel, but no one was quibbling as a mock storefront emerged.

Another report comes from the New Haven Register who also interviewed the acrobatic fire-eating female duo that entertained the crowd in New Haven yesterday.

All over the Green and up Temple Street, people were talking about how Chapel Street has been gussied up to look like 1957 and how New Haven will be in the spotlight.

The Aerial Angels, Isabella and Spike, were having fun with the audience, climbing all over Chris Stewart of New Haven and snapping a stalk of celery in half after having a man hold it between his legs.

"This is my real job," Isabella assured the audience. "Forty-three thousand dollars of student loans ... and I'm in the streets of New Haven wearing spandex and bullwhipping celery out of a man's groin."

Shooting for Indiana Jones 4 on location in New Haven, Connecticut, starts tomorrow and will end on July 7th.

Click on the links above to read the full articles.

And thanks to Mitchell Hallock for the links.


Set report of Untitled Genre Project at Yale
29/06/07, 3:17pm EST

Indyfan Mitchell Hallock is back with a report from the first day of filming Indiana Jones 4 on the streets of New Haven!

Here follows Mitchell's new report:

June 28th - Well, maybe not up there with World War II or the moon landing, but for us locals, this is historic; the first "Official" day of Indy IV filming in New Haven is here! I say official as there have been many dress rehearsals and filming here and there, but today it was the real deal. The boys, Spence, 9, and Owen, 7, headed out early and got to New Haven (or maybe the town of Bedford, located in Michigan - as one wild rumor was said by a local) around 7:30. The boys and I woke up early and headed out to as grabbed a great scrambled egg breakfast at the Bedford Grill (again, the modern day Copper Kitchen), which like many of the retail shops has been transformed to 1957. Now added to the scenery were stamp machines, scale/fortune telling machines, a Bozo the Clown - "fun-phone", shoe shine station, and a few new shops. All the shops are still open behind their Indy IV, (or The Untitled Genre Project, as it is called on all the flyers around town - a PG Rated action-adventure set in the Golden Age of 1957 - see no City of the Gods or Raiders of the Lost Dentures) window dressing - so it is like stepping into The Twilight Zone as you travel back 50 years in time at every corner.

Extras walking aroundA glance down College Street shows vintage cars and trucks from the late 1940s and early 1950s, and then small groups of authentically dressed extras, being led across the green start to appear. One really has to take a moment and soak in the amount of exquisite craftsmanship and detail that has been poured into the sets. The professionalism of the crew, not to mention the local Yale and New Haven Police, who are keeping a watchful eye and making sure that the normal business life in New Haven, goes on amidst the action of Indiana Jones. And yes, oddly enough, a lot of would-be Indiana Jones walking around in costume - kind of like the guys at football games who paint themselves in the color of the team as my son, Owen, pointed out.

Lights, Camera,. Wait..and..Wait...Wait
We look down the street to see a familiar baseball capped, bearded gentleman walking down College Street framing the scene with his thumbs and forefingers - no, it couldn't be. but it is, the one and only Steven Spielberg! There he was walking down the road, seeing how the forthcoming chase scene will look in his mind.

Now after they cleared the real local traffic, and washed down the streets, and waited for local traffic, again. The scene started. After a few practice runs, and now that the street was "locked down".. here it was; ready... lights, camera, ... ACTION! If you didn't think Hollywood hadn't arrived to
the Elm City, the black sedans, being pursued by a motorcycle being driven by a 50's hipster, with an older, scholarly looking professor hanging on for dear life was the clincher! Yes, Indiana Jones was here! Well, his stunts double anyway.

Now, amongst the spectators were cheering fans from around the area, locals who were just trying to get to work around the closed streets, and being the mini-New York it is, a lot of ticked off, New Haveners who could care less! NOTE TO GENRE PRODUCTIONS - When hiring Production Assistants and Day Laborers, get ones who know the area - I helped give directions over three dozen times to lost pedestrians and confused production personnel, and in one somewhat scary situation, calmed a very irate bicyclist who was a little "angrier than normal" when told he couldn't cross College, due to the filming.

Chase sceneAnyway, watching the chase scene, again, and again, and again, and again. you realize movie making is done by folks with the patience of Saints! A lot of standing by to stand by. Oh well, there is only so much the boys could take. We walked around, had a bite at the Yankee Doodle Diner - great cheeseburgers - and looked around the familiar streets where I grew up, to see what else was going on. Going by Naples Pizza on High Street, we bumped into a few extras and readers of these "Raiders Ramblings" who recognized me
and the kids. Another thing about movie-making, especially for extras, is they need to supply air-conditioned pants and skirts - it was about 88 degrees today, but the costumes looked a little warm for summer. I wish I could have got some shots of the gang with the kids, but we didn't want to get any of these fine folks in trouble.It was nice to talk with actors and fellow fans, lucky enough to get picked - and yes, I agree with you guys - the "Entertainment Weekly - Obsessed Fan of the Week" - may have put me in the reject/fanatic bin - maybe I should have said it was the Obese Fan of the week and I could have got something like Chubby Guy at Bus Station extra. However, the kids were excited, because to them everyone was a famous movie star and it was a treat to say hi to these 1950s looking Indy extras. After we walked away they told me they forgot to ask for autographs! Fedoras off to you guys and gals - keep cool and don't upstage the leading men and women!

Dr. Jones, The famous archeologist?
Speaking of the lead, the man himself, Harrison Ford, was around the corner in a university building rehearsing a classroom scene with Spielberg. There were lights and reflectors outside the windows and a lot of folks hurrying around. My son, Spencer, who has had Bill Murray wish him "Happy Birthday" when he was 5, and met and received Bruce Springsteen's guitar pick, waited to see if Harrison Ford was going to come out and shake his hand and sign his Indy action figure he picked up a Disney World last year. I had to gently tell him, that Mr. Ford was a little busy at the moment.

Headless statueAs we walked around the chase scene was going on and on. There was a weird sight in the Yale Commons is a new statue of 10th Yale President Theodore Dwight Woolsey that was being put together near the real one - except this one was missing a head. In fact, he had about 7 heads that were being put together by the craftsman from Paramount. No doubt to be blown up or some devastating event that awaits, similar to the fake Iron Gate on Chapel Street and new wooden doors on Calhoun College.

It is now raining out and they have done the chase scene a zillion times, no doubt it will be jam-packed few of celluloid scene magic next May.

That's all folks!
As we sit at the table in 1957 McCurry's Seafood Restaurant on Chapel Street (known as Starbuck's Coffee Shop in 2007) to write this and take a much need break from the heat, all we can say is "Wow"! Owen wants to go home and make a movie in our backyard with the video camera. He is telling Spencer that he can ride his wagon with our dog, Indiana, in the back and pretend to be chased by the bad guys. That being me - the baddest bad guy Dad in Connecticut!

There are some new pics of the Chapel Street scenery and construction the fake statue on Mitchell Hallock's MySpage page.

Thanks to Mitchell for this first New Haven set report.


Articles on the New Haven shoot are poring in
29/06/07, 4:15pm EST

Let's begin with an article from the New Haven Register titled Star Harrison Ford arrives for 'Indiana Jones' shoot. Here follows an except of that article:

Marshall said the decision to look at Yale was based on brief exterior scenes shot for Raiders at the University of the Pacific in California, a school often chosen for its resemblance to Ivy League schools.
Fantasia said Yale's classic architecture made it Spielberg's first choice for filming that will require 10 to 15 minutes of Ivy League-looking footage.
"Steven always said Yale is the most iconic-looking Ivy League college," Kennedy said. "It was his first choice."

There will be classroom shots, exterior shots and the prerequisite chase scene that includes the Old Campus, Phelps Gate and Yale's library.
The shooting schedule allows two days for rain, scenes Kennedy said will be the last to be shot if the weather holds.

Kennedy said the impetus for a fourth movie came in 2000 at the American Film Institute tribute to Ford.
"We were all backstage, the entire family," she said. "Somebody said, ‘Wouldn't it be great to do this again?'"

And Marshall acknowledged that they were unsuccessful at coaxing Sean Connery, who played Ford's father, Dr. Henry Jones in the last movie, out of retirement.
And unlike the James Bond series, which has been handed off to a succession of five actors since Connery originated the role, they believe Indiana Jones will pass into cinema history once Ford decides to hang up the bullwhip and tattered fedora for good.

"We rode off into the sunset last time, and now we're back," Marshall said.

Kennedy concurred. "I think Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones," she said.

There are many more news articles reporting about the first day of shooting Indy 4 in New Haven. Here's a full list of what I have found so far:

Indiana Jones and the Ivy League Campus of Doom + photos
This Modern World


On location with Indiana Jones + all photos
New Haven Register


Hollywood comes to Yale + all photos
sweet lil' bunny's Flickr gallery


"Indiana Jones" filming starts in New Haven
Boston.com


Indiana Jones Begins the Chase + photos
New Haven Independent


Raiders Of The Elm City + video
Courant.com


Downtown filming creates problems
New Haven Register


The Chase is On
New Haven Register

Thanks to Mitchell Hallock, Brett Hopkins, Terry Toland, Greg, Jim Mower, and all the members at The Raven!


First pictures of the cast in action on the set
29/06/07, 5:09pm EST

Very exciting for the fans - very unfortunate for the crew - but the first "spy" pictures of the leading men in action on the set of Indiana Jones 4 are a fact!
by Just Jared
A close-up from the first photo of Ford & LaBeouf together on set.

The credit goes to 'Just Jared' who has published photos on their website in which we see Harrison Ford and Shia LaBeouf dressed in character and ready for action.

But before you go to 'Just Jared' to view the photos I must warn you that they reveal much about Shia LaBeouf's character. Some rumors/spoilers are now confirmed. But not all!

And out of respect for the fans who are trying to avoid spoilers at all cost; the image here above is only a non-revealing close up of one of these photos. Only added to this article as it's a nice close-up of Harrison Ford. He is definately still lookig good for this film!

Do the Indy 4 filmmakers a favor and don't visit Just Jared to view the photos! And otherwise; BEWARE because they contain SPOILERS!
You have been warned.


Indiana Jones 4 in New Haven: Day 2
30/06/07, 1:46pm EST

Indyfan Mitchell Hallock is back with a report from the second day of filming Indiana Jones 4 on the streets of New Haven!

Indy IV in New Haven Day 2

Well, today was interesting in New Haven for many reasons.

I did a solo today, as the kids have been totally turned off to movie making - I believe that they think it is up there with watching paint dry (extremely expensive paint - but boring nonetheless). I watched huge trucks and cranes, setting up lights. I saw the trucks marked Panavision unload equipment and was still pinching myself that these city streets were the
same ones I grew up on and used to argue with my friends on what would make a great movie, never thinking I would watch the making of one take place in front of me. A film made by one of the industry's legendary directors and one of its biggest stars, nonetheless. If you have read my other blogs, you will know by now that I have a special spot for the town I grew up in. I always saw it as diamond in the rough, a well kept secret that out-of-towners never really noticed.

Now, I know I mentioned that my kids found it all boring, but I grew up watching those nerdy "making of" documentaries. The ones where they would show the model makers move the AT-AT Walkers in The Empire Strikes Back, or the mine car chase in Temple of Doom, one frame at a time - again and
again. Months of work for 7 seconds on screen - that was always an example of true professional craftsman and patience beyond imagination. It still doesn't change watching Indy IV being put together. I asked a cameraman if those were digital cameras they were loading and he said no it was real film - and only about 4 minutes of it in the canister. I found that simply astounding! Maybe this a little redundant to any film experts out there, but watching them load the cameras - I must admit I was floored. When you watch all the preparation, the labor force involved, the attention to detail, the hours of takes and retakes, to see it all done for such a brief snippet of time - FOUR MINUTES - it's no wonder that it takes take after take, months, and years to produce a film! So when you watch a film being made and think it looks easy - you are sadly mistaken!

Today was nicer in New Haven, the weather was cooler, even a bit cloudy, but everyone seemed to get used to having the Indy IV film in town, and traffic - both vehicular and pedestrian flowed smoothly. Chapel Street still had more detailing to the shops, such as gumball machines, shoe shine stands, and pamphlets posted all over, giving it a more authentic feel as the town where the 1957 Marshall College is located.

Old cars went up and down College Street, nothing new. I was hoping that it wasn't going to be a dullfest, as the kids had experienced the day before, and after an hour I was heading home. On the way back to my car, I saw a bunch of folks gathered around and asked what was happening and they said that Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg were there. But it really looked like a lot of trucks, cables, lights, and folks hanging around drinking coffee at the food tents. Then everyone was pointing at the food tent and sure enough there was the star of the film! Everyone was chattering, "he looks taller than I thought", "I have to call my wife/husband/kids", "where's my camera". But after a few seconds, he headed off down the street. People were still buzzing, amazed that one of the most successful stars in movie history had just walked by. I started talking with a tall fellow who was watching the excitement and we both agreed it was cool. We started to chat, he told me he was from Boston and in town for the summer - and how he came down to see the action. We walked and talked and turned the corner and stopped in our tracks to see Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford - wow that
was cool times two. Like tourists' kids at Disney World who just bumped into Mickey and Donald, we took out our cameras. This was really cool, I thought, wait until I tell the kids, they missed it, and I really did see the real Indiana Jones /Han Solo and the man who made E.T..

Then I realized that everyone was dressed in 50s clothes around us, and we weren't.

Hmm, that was strange, I hadn't seen all those extras before, and where were all the people we were just standing around a second ago. I may be a little slow on the uptake, but as my old boss used to say, even a blind squirrel finds the occasional nut. And at that moment, I felt really, embarrassed. It was one of those moments in life that you slowly look around and realize that you just did something was not right. I turned to this new acquaintance and said, "did we take a wrong turn", and before I could get an answer we found out that we did.

Now, at this point in the story, I have to say that all of this blog writing, and reports, have been a great way to share all the excitement happening in New Haven and what a time it has been watching all of this take place. It has introduced me to a huge network of fellow fans, from all walks of like, ages and around the world! Truly, this has been an amazing experience, in just a matter of weeks. As a Marketing Director, I am also
well aware of the influence and reach of communication, and have been careful not to reveal anything that would ruin the surprise that awaits fans next May when the go see Indy IV on the big screen. It would be like waiting for a Christmas present for 17 years and have your friend tell you what you are getting months before you open the package - it takes the fun out of it.
The foolishness of leaking storylines only hurts the fans in the end. How mad would you be to know that Luke Skywalker's father was Darth Vader a year before you saw the movie - pretty disappointed, huh?

Further, after reading the emails and comments that I have received, it has been a really eye-opener to see the devotion folks have for these films, to many it is a huge part of their life, similar to Star Trek and Star Wars fans (no offense, to anyone). I always considered myself a big Indy fan, I remember going to see the films fondly, but its not my life - I also like the Yankees, Giants, blues and jazz, the works of Saul Bellow, Raymond Carver and John Steinbeck and more than anything else, spending time with my family. What I have seen from others is far beyond my few posters and trinkets.

I say all this in this blog, because, after I walked away from the street where they were filming, myself and the gentleman I met, were asked to delete the pictures we took, which we fully complied with, immediately.
Feeling foolish and realizing how difficult it must be for the production crew on location. For every honest mistake, like ours, there must be a constant set of bozos interrupting them. Hopefully, I am not in that category now - Look gang, the production company is there to work. End of story. You wouldn't want someone walking in to your place of work and interrupting you all day. They are professionals at work and should be treated with respect. We all enjoy the final product, so let the craftsman work, and don't get in the way!

Afterwards when we left, we talked to each other realizing how foolish we felt. It was then that my friend called and said the local news crew was looking to do a feature on local fans who had come down to the filming. We waited for the reporter and when he came up he asked us a bunch of questions and asked if we had any stories, if we had seen anyone famous, etc. We went on to talk about what a huge thrill it was to be in New Haven, and see all this, the old cars, the 1950's storefronts, the fellow fans, and how we had seen some big names.

Do you know what they used to tell that story on the news that evening? How we were told to delete our photos.

None of the good stuff, the positive, just the negative was there. Whenever I conducted print interviews at my job, I always asked for a final review before it hit print - to make sure I wasn't taken out of context. What was used that evening on the news was exactly what I didn't want to see - instead of Indy fans rejoice - it was Indy fans bitch about deleted photos.
If you watch the link on WTNH.com and look at the Day 2 filming story, you can see that I wasn't even aware we were really taping, as I casually leaned on the wall, expecting that it was a just a run-through of the questions. I talked about the importance of set secrecy - and why film companies need to protect themselves - and they blended it all together with my glib response.

To say that Day 2 was not what I thought it was going to be - is an understatement.

Oh well.

Special thanks to Mitchell Hallock for for this set report.

 

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