Ford to return as Indiana Jones
Although Harrison Ford was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille career achievement award at last week’s Golden Globes, the actor’s film career seems far from over.
Ford, who will turn 60 in July, is apparently itching to break out his trusty whip and reprise his role as movie hero Indiana Jones.
Fox News’ Roger Friedman caught up with Ford and director Steven Spielberg at a post-Golden Globes party on Sunday, January 20, and both men admitted another chapter of the legendary archeololgist’s saga is in the works.
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” hit theaters in 1989, and rumors of a fourth “Indiana Jones” film have been floating around since 1993.
Spielberg, who directed the three previous “Indiana Jones” films, wrapped this summer’s “Minority Report” with Tom Cruise, and will go to work on the Tom Hanks/Leonardo Dicaprio thriller “Catch Me If You Can,” due in theaters in December.
However, Spielberg told Friedman that “Indiana Jones 4” will be his top priority after he wraps “Catch Me If You Can.”
When asked for details about “Indy 4,” Spielberg remained sketchy,
“We have a title, but we’re not ready to announce it,” he said. “I will give you one clue, though. Kate is in it.”
‘Kate’ is Spielberg’s wife Kate Capshaw, who co-starred with Ford in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.”
As for “Indiana Jones” producer George Lucas, Lucasfilm has not confirmed Lucas’ participation in the film.
Lucas is helping out with the story, but the filmmaker has his own responsibilities to deal with, namely writing and directing the upcoming “Star Wars” prequels.
Ford is currently shooting the submarine thriller “K-19: The Widowmaker,” but his schedule is wide open once the film is complete.
Despite Ford’s and Spielberg’s committment to the project, the highly anticipated sequel’s future is still uncertain.
“They have a story for ‘Indy 4,’ which George Lucas, Harrison and Steven have been working toward,” Spielberg’s publicist Marvin Levy told E! Online on January 22. “They don’t have a script…They do have a story they like and they have a title, but it’s not been revealed.
Lucas and Spielberg also talked with “The Sixth Sense” and “Unbreakable” writer-director M. Night Shyamalan about writing the script for “Indy 4,” but there has been no word on whether Shyamalan will be involved with the latest installment.
While the film’s status is far from certain, University students seem psyched for the archeologist’s possible return to the screen.
“I’d like to see another one, but Harrison Ford is kind of old,” said mechanical engineering freshman Nick Dejohn. “But I think it’s still believable that he could do the stunts.”
Psychology junior Michael Seale said his loyalty to the movie franchise will motivate him to see the film.
“It may be lackluster, or it may be great, but I’ll watch it anyway,” Seale said. “‘Indiana Jones’ is one of those movies that you just have to see.”
While Ford’s age may prove to be an issue, many students think no other actor could possibly fill the superstar’s sizeable shoes.
“It’s not like they can get anyone else to play [Indiana Jones],” said journalism sophomore Lynn Paul. “He’s a good looking guy and [he’s] in good enough shape [to play Indiana Jones]. I would definitely go see it.”
J. Colin Trisler