Indiana Jones 5 - Can it Really Be?

I reviewed Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in a previous article, and I firmly stand by my review. Regardless of how you liked or disliked the film, one thing remains constant: Indiana Jones did return to the screen. Since the fourth film has been released, many have speculated that Lucas and Spielberg want to do more with their old familiar friend.

The character of Mutt Williams stands out as the prominent rumor. He's Indy's son, and he's certainly the adventurer himself. And he's Shia LeBeouf, a popular name these days. But can the son of Indy carry a feature-length film? It would certainly be a bit to accept a NEW Indy, unless the original Indy were around to show him the ropes. They could use a formula not unlike the Last Crusade, where Indy's father appeared and was a vital part of the story, but Indy did all the work. Can Harrison Ford fill the same shoes worn by the great Sean Connery? I admit I will cringe the first time Harrison says, "Junior."

The good news is that Harrison Ford does want to return to play Indy, as long as the film doesn't take 20 years to develop, and as long as it's not animated like The Clone Wars. As for Shia, in a January interview, Lebeouf said he'd love to be the central character of another Indy film, but he thought it was just rumor, not reality. As for Lucas and Spielberg, more recent events suggest they are pursuing the idea. At the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, Lucas mentioned invoking the Last Crusade formula for a fifth film (see above paragraph), and Spielberg was more open to the idea. Lucas already had plot devices in mind. Harrison Ford considered Lucas's idea "crazy, but great."

Isn't that what Indiana Jones is, anyway?

As for the question of age, George Lucas believes it's not a factor, and he's justified. At 65, Harrison Ford still did all his own stunts. He's very fit for a man his age, in some ways more agile now than he was 20 years ago. It was like Indy never left the screen.

So the forces are at work. The big question is can it work? Well, we must remember that above all else, Lucas and Spielberg are men of business. As long as Indy has market value, the franchise will continue in some way or another. If another film never surfaces, you can bet there will be video games. Anyone who's played Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis or Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine will tell you that. After nearly three decades of Star Wars novels, we saw more Star Wars films, and now spin-offs of those film in the Clone Wars, and soon to be a live-action television series. Killing the Cash Cow is the last thing Lucas and Spielberg will do.

As a die-hard Indy fan, you can bet I'll be there will bells on. Even if the film is a terrible idea, and even poorly executed, I want to see it. It's one of my favorite characters on screen. I want more. Let's make it happen.