The only Indiana Jones movie I ever saw I theaters was Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. A close friend of my family, someone who is family to me, took me to go see it. I loved it in all of its weird extraterrestrial glory, but that is not to say it was a great movie, but it was fun.
Similar to how I was introduced to Star Wars, my mother also thought it best that I and my sister both see all three original films. We loved the character of Han Solo, so how could we also not like Harrison Ford’s lovable history teacher/archaeologist?
Now, per recent announcement, it warms my heart to know that I’ll be able to see another Indiana Jones in theaters with Harrison Ford as the character I love and remember.
Disney announced the return of the franchise, along with the key players. The story has been kept under wraps, which is no surprise. What we do know is that Spielberg alum David Koepp has been hired as a writer and that Steven Spielberg himself is return to helm it. For those of you who don’t know. Koepp is responsible for dinosaur classic Jurassic Park.
George Lucas was also involved in the previous four films, but there has been no word as to whether he will be a part of the creative process this time around. As a devoted Star Wars fan, George Lucas was instrumental for that series, and the same could be said for his involvement in the original Indiana Jones films. To plainly say it, I would be against him being a part of this upcoming film.
I’m not saying this because the Star Wars prequels were disliked, because I personally loved them, but because he seems to lose his grasp on what made his original works good. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was something he was apart of, same as Koepp. The ending was one of the more disappointing aspects, and even though it has been years since I actually watched it, I can still remember how awful it was. However, unlike Koepp, Lucas is very vocal and rude when someone has a better idea than him.
And simply put, he's lost my respect because of it.
Now, I may be alone in saying this, but I want Shia Labeouf back. His character was one of my favorite parts of the latter Indiana Jones film. Harrison Ford is 77 years old, so he is not as spry as he once was. It was hinted at Lebouf taking up his mantle, but as we know, nothing ever came of it.
I’m not counting Ford out though, because look at him in The Force Awakens. He still can still command the screen in roles that made him a household name. He was our lovable rogue once more, so I have no doubt that he can bring it again, if not for a last time as Indy.
