The current script [for Indiana Jones 4 that] is expected to go into production, still includes a part for Henry Jones Sr, played by Sir Sean Connery... Executive producer George Lucas himself confirmed the news recently during the San Francisco Film Festival, but added that Connery has not yet signed on to reprise his role. Since the character depends entirely on Connery's availability, it might yet be written out.
"We have a script with him in it," said Lucas, according to Cinematical. "If he doesn't do it, we'll do a quick rewrite." It's assumed that since Connery's part could be eliminated with a "quick" rewrite, it's not essential to the film. It would, however, be a major draw for fans and a wonderful way to end the franchise.
Although it was widely reported in 2004 and 2005 that Connery would be retiring from acting, the actor continues to consider film roles and has not ruled out a second Indiana Jones appearance. As he told The Scotsman in January, it all depends on whether the screenplay is worthwhile. "At the moment there's nothing decided," said Connery at the time. "I haven't got the script. Everything depends on the script."
Determining his participation based on the quality of the material sounds like a smart move when one considers that his last feature film, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, has hardly been a fitting finish to a remarkable career. However, does anyone really think that another Indy movie under Steven Spielberg's [direction] could be anything less than great?
Will My Dad Be Tagging Along?
Speaking of the Indy 4 screenplay, several of the writers who've worked hard on it — only to see their work rejected by Lucas — recently gave voice to their feelings. Frank Darabont, who developed much of Lucas's Young Indiana Jones series, worked for an entire year with Spielberg on a draft for the new film, only to have his story scrapped by Lucas. Speaking with MTV.com, Darabont called it one of his career's few bad experiences:
"Indy is definitely in [the 'bad experience'] 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.
"It was a tremendous disappointment and a waste of a year."
Jeff Nathanson... also spent a year on a screenplay for Indiana Jones — after Darabont's was tossed out. He was a little more philosophical on the experience when interviewed by the L.A. Times: "When you're working on a blockbuster-sized film, it's always a struggle. 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."
Nathanson's story remains somewhat intact, but the latest script has been reworked by Spielberg's pal David Koepp....
Darabont sounds mighty bitter about the way he was treated by Uncle George...And while I have great respect for Koepp, knowing what he brings to the table. I'm more than a little curious to know why Lucas rejected Darabont's take in total. How bad could it have been if he was working off of a story idea from Lucas, right?
Then again, Lucas is a true motion picture genius, isn't he? He has a knack for always knowing what will work and what won't...
Check out this excerpt from Fox News. Com's Roger Friedman 411 column on Wednesday (I'm sure ya heard about this...):
[Lucas] told me he has seen all the summer movies since his production company, Industrial Light and Magic, does most of the special effects. The only one they didn't work on was "Spider-Man 3." What did he think of it?
"It's silly. It's a silly movie," he said. "There just isn't much there. Once you take it all apart, there's not much story, is there?"
"Well, it's not "Star Wars."
"People thought 'Star Wars' was silly, too," he added, with a wink. "But it wasn't."
Spidey 3 has it's problems, yes, but it's far from silly....Uh, George--Here's what's truly silly...Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Jake Lloyd in the role of a young Anakin Skywalker, just about every line of dialogue between Padme (Natalie Portman) and the adult Anakin (Hayden Christensen) for both Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, and the ultimate in silliness 1986's Howard the Duck, which you so thankfully helped develop for the big screen--Inspired by the Marvel Comics characters, the film almost completely ignored their source material...Yeah there's a bright idea. Develop a comic book film and then alienate fans by changing everything...Silly indeed.
No comments:
Post a Comment