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George Lucas halts Indy IV production due to disagreements with the script

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Originally posted by Quint on AICN: Ahoy, squirts! You folks might remember my report from the Santa Barbara Film Festival a week or so back (if not, read it here!!!) where I had some news from the Q&A Frank Darabont did for his early directorial work, BURIED ALIVE. He talked about THE MIST and the upcoming release of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION in a Special Edition DVD.

Harry ran me through the ringer for not getting any INDY 4 news outta Darabont in the intro to the report, but little did he know that I did have my trusty tape recorder with me and a special little mini-cassette filled with Darabont's voice.

Now, I'm not the kind of asshole to try to grab a quote he tells a fan in confidence, so the below transcription comes from a discussion he had with a local reporter. I figure if he's telling a journalist, then this is cool for the public to know. Here's what he said:

"The short and simple version of the INDIANA JONES 4 situation is that after more than a year of working closely with Steven Spielberg developing the story, I had completed a screenplay that Steven loved and was hoping to shoot in July of this year. However, George Lucas had issues with the script and slammed on the brakes in order to rework the material himself. There is talk of enlisting another writer. Given that George is the producer, but even moreso because of their long and close friendship, Steven is deferring to George in this situation.

It is now up to them to try to find a common ground regarding the film. I wish them luck and hope their efforts result in something they're both excited about shooting. What, if anything, might remain of my work at the end of the process is anybody's guess, assuming the film even gets made at this point. As for me, I'm disappointed, but I'm putting the experience behind me and moving on with my life and my own projects."


If George Lucas wasn't already on the shit lists of geeks everywhere this news would have put him there. What kind of ego must it take to turn a go-picture with Steven Spielberg into a development deal? If it wasn't for my sources telling me that Darabont's script was exactly where the series needed to go, then I might give Lucas the benefit of the doubt...

This is a sad day. George "You killed all those innocent children... God, you're so hot!" Lucas deciding he wants to "rework" Frank Darabont's script... Something's wrong with this picture...

Well, I guess that just means Darabont can get crackin' on the two fantastic story adaptations he has: Ray Bradbury's FAHRENHEIT 451 and Stephen King's THE MIST. Both I'm excited to see... FAHRENHEIT for it's political timeliness and THE MIST for the badass tentacle monsters!
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That does blow. Yeah, like Lucas can claim to have superior writing skills to Darabont. I love Darabont and have for years and am thoroughly upset at this turn of events. Especially when Spielberg was so stoked about it.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
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Kevin A
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Great. They wait much longer and it'll be Indiana Jones and the Quest for the Golden Geritol.
Come join my forum at www.cultofthejedi.com
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Heh heh.

Now that's a script I'm looking forward to.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
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Kevin A
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This movie will never ever get made. And personally I'm glad, because I'm certain it would be awful.

Evenif they had started this summer, it would not be out until summer 2005. That's 16 years since the last crusade. Way too long.

And I think both Spielberg and Lucas are slipping, I can't see them making this movie in a way that will please us. There's no need to go into Lucas because its all be said before, but I'm in the club that thinks Spilberg lost his spark a long time ago as well. The only one of his movies I've liked since Jurassic park (which looking back is a highly flawed and problematic movie, FX aside) has been Catch me if you Can, and even it suffered the same problem that Minority report and AI did which was and ending that just would not end.

As for Darabont, I liked Shawshank, actually loved it. Green Mile not so much and the Majestic was okay. How good his Indy script was, we'll probably never know.

And Ford, don't get me started on him.

Personally I think we've all been spared a sequel that would almost certainly have embarrassed the franchise. Sure I would of lined up opening night to see it, but I can almost guarntee the Indy magic would be long gone, and instead we'd be treated to a lot jokes about Ford's age, a plethora of CGI, and a lot of santized PG violence, and PC values.
And I dance. And I sing.
And I'm a monkey, in a long line of kings.
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I'm really not surprised that Indy 4 has been derailed. It was a BAD idea.

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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It's all for the best, anyway.
"May the force be with you!"
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Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
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Kevin A
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man cant they just leave the classics alone....

i hope this never gets made... its just another way to bring the trilogy out again with new stuff on it...
lol
"Never. I'll never turn to the darkside. You've failed your highness. I am a jedi, like my father before me."
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I'd still like to see it.
Come join my forum at www.cultofthejedi.com
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Well we'd all go see it, I just think it would likely dissappoint.

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Originally posted by: PSYCHO_DAYV
INITIALLY I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO INDY 4. NOW, I COULD CARE LESS.


You mean back in 1995 when it was suppose to come out?

This movie has had more delays then the new superman.

If anything I'd rather they just start over and either remake Raiders or doa new series about Indy with a younger actor.

Personally I've always thought Edward Norton would make a cool indiana Jones.

And I dance. And I sing.
And I'm a monkey, in a long line of kings.
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I think the only way a decent indy 4 could be made is if someone( and it would have to be someone very good) were brought in to replace Ford as Indy,(I know that is heresy but he is just too old for the part) and if George (holyer than thou) Lucas has not say in the making or the movie as he has cracked
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Originally posted by: Warbler
I think the only way a decent indy 4 could be made is if someone( and it would have to be someone very good) were brought in to replace Ford as Indy,(I know that is heresy but he is just too old for the part) and if George (holyer than thou) Lucas has not say in the making or the movie as he has cracked


there I go again, that should have read "Lucas has no say in the making of the movie"
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Originally posted by: Rebel Scumb
If anything I'd rather they just start over and either remake Raiders or doa new series about Indy with a younger actor.

Personally I've always thought Edward Norton would make a cool indiana Jones.

No remakes. No no no no no. Evil.

Younger, perhaps. However, the best actor to cast as a younger Indy was already cast and played the role and is dead of an OD. RIP River. He was great in his bit part in Last Crusade.

Personally, I'd rather not see it happen. If it does, yes, I will go see it. But I'm going to bottom out my expectations like I did for AOTC. Found myself enjoying it that much more because of it and maybe the same will go for IJ4.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
-------------------------
Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
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True.

In any event, I don't see this movie ever happening.

Then again, maybe we should write it and send the script to Lucas. It could deal with an aging Indy trying to locate the mythical "Skywalker ranch" to find the ultimate in lost artifacts, the original negs of the non-special edition versions of the SW trilogy.
And I dance. And I sing.
And I'm a monkey, in a long line of kings.
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Hmmm... sounds eerily similar to a certain South Park episode.

New sidekicks for Indy? The second, third, fourth, and fifth coming of Short Round? Heck, they're all already short and round (especially Cartman).
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
-------------------------
Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
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that southpark episode is so awesome. I wonder if GL and SS ever saw it.
And I dance. And I sing.
And I'm a monkey, in a long line of kings.
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yes they did they wrote them something like what a honor to be on your show and up yours
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Originally posted by: sean wookie
yes they did they wrote them something like what a honor to be on your show and up yours

Seriously?
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
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Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
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Yeah is that for real? If so thats awesome.

Do you have a link to the info?
And I dance. And I sing.
And I'm a monkey, in a long line of kings.
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This movie will never ever get made. And personally I'm glad, because I'm certain it would be awful.

I'm a big Indy fan, so I'll say this with a hint of guilt: I agree with this statement and the ones following it. Indy 4 would ruin the already perfect Trilogy. Leave classics alone.

"It... is... to late... my son."


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No remakes. No no no no no. Evil.

Aaaaaaiiiiieeee!!! Heathens on the forum!

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that southpark episode is so awesome.

That's my fav one. And I guess it's also the only one you can watch without feeling guilt for wasting time on South Park
I saw the original theatrical release of the Old Trilogy on the big screen and I'm proud of it...
How did I accomplish that (considering my age) is my secret...