Filmstalker: Lucas and Spielberg talk Indiana Jones 4

George Lucas is continuing to talk about the Indiana Jones film with huge amounts of excitement and forward motion, but his words are far from encouraging and I'd prefer to hear something from Steven Spielberg on the subject.

Lucas has said over at Yahoo News

"It's going to be fantastic. It's going to be the best one yet"

Wow, and all I'm thinking is Star Wars. The original three films still outshine the new three, so are we looking to the same treatment? I have to say everything is pointing that way, although I really want them to pull it off and give us another strong story just like the original Indy, but I can't help but think this is going to be an introduce a new young Indy story, then we'll see Lucas continue his trend of TV sequels.

Wait though. Later on there's a quote from the man himself:

"We feel that the script was well worth the wait. We hope it delivers everything you'd expect from our history with Indiana Jones," Spielberg said.

Okay it's not delivered with strong emotion and conviction, but surely that's a much better sign? Surely it is, especially as last word had it that Spielberg was directing and Lucas was staying back in the "co-writing" role (I use that term loosely).

I'm really not so sure though, I'm still worried that this is going to turn out a poor match to the previous films, or a vehicle for spin offs. I know some of you disagree, but is that hope more than anything?

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I appreciate your apprehension, rich, considering how the SW prequels turned out. I personally like the new trillogy more than the original because of personal reasons, but that's my own gripe, and I conciet to you that they ARE inferior movies from the original. But check this out:

The SW prequels sucked for most folks because of a chemistry between the stars. The new trillogy had no chemistry between the male and female leads, which hampered them dramatically. But for me, the weaknesses ended there. The action was intense, the set pieces were downright fantastic, and the presentation was acceptable. This point brings me to my feelings about the new Indy film:

Indy has always been about adventure. All three films had a certain chemistry between Indy and different characters, most notably for me between him and Marion from the first film...but the films didn't RELY on this solely.

That said, they really COULD screw it up if they wanted to. Or if they got too cockey and liberal with their story ideas ( ie: outlandish plot devices beyond what we'd want to expect from indy films ) ...

...my hopes are that they practice some personal constraint in sculpting this piece. The indy movies have been sort of good about not being so in your face. I don't want to see this last one get out of hand with CGI action and chase scenes and such.

my point is too long and has probably watered itself down at this point, so I'll stop.

just trying to stay positive, man. Now to hold my breath. : )

Posted by: mogulus | January 2, 2007 9:18 AM

I am beginning to think that last year's guessing game of who takes on the new Bond role will happen to Indy 4- in this case, whether it will be done or not. And I am one of those who firmly believe that it will be done. Maktub.

Mogulus, I also loved the SW prequels and I know many hated The Phantom Menace but I thought it was way better than Return of the Jedi.

Posted by: Simone | January 2, 2007 10:19 AM

I think it will be made as well, but whether it's as good as the original or not is a different story.

I don't agree. The new SW films have some great moments, but overall they do not touch the first three, and there are many reasons that are layered in there. The originals are tied to a time in the audience's lives, and the sequels are filled with effects shots that do ramp up the films. Loads and loads of reasons why.

Posted by: Richard Brunton | January 2, 2007 11:02 AM

Different times, different movies. O tempora o mores, Cicero said.

It´s unrealistic to pretend that a movie made in the 70s can be the same as one made in the 2000s.

And it doesn´t need a change of quality, but of other things. Time will put things in place.

Posted by: Peter | January 2, 2007 11:50 AM

Obviously not the same, but as good as isn't a lot to ask for. Styles and methods change but storytelling is always the same, and if that isn't right...

Let's hope that the storytelling in this really is good. That's going to be a huge part of it.

Posted by: Richard Brunton | January 2, 2007 12:01 PM

If not the essential part!

Posted by: Peter | January 2, 2007 12:46 PM

It is definitely happening!

LucasFilm did a press release that production will start in June 2007.

Yahooooooo!

Posted by: Simone | January 8, 2007 6:37 PM