Indiana Jones Saga

Indiana Jones

If something has been questioned in cinema in its more than 120 years of history, it is its lack of originality. A large percentage of their arguments come from the literature. The same is true of popular culture and oral traditions. Characters born from the movies are few. Indiana Jones is one of those rare examples.

It was created by George Lucas in 1973, in the same period in which he was building the initial plot of another no less popular film franchise: Star Wars.

The definitive form to the character would be given by Steven Spielberg in the late 70s. The director, who was on the crest of the wave thanks to Shark (1975) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), he found in the "Indy" what he was looking for. A kind of James Bond but instead of gadgets he uses a whip.

The Indiana Jones saga comprises four films and nearly $ 2 billion in worldwide gross. In addition, according to Empire magazine, he is the most important character in the history of cinema.

Disney acquired the rights in 2012, along with Lucasfilms. Since then, the possibility of a fifth filmdirected by Spielberg and starring Harrinson Ford. Both have stated that they are excited by the idea. Although Ford himself has joked that given his age (75 years) he may need to carry a cane.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Indiana Jones' debut on the big screen would come in 1981. One of the points that generated more discussions during the pre-production work was the selection of the leading actor. Spielberg always thought of Harrinson Ford for the role. However, Lucas did not want to repeat the casting in his films. The idea of ​​having a fetish actor like Martin Scorsese with Robert De Niro really disliked him.

Tom Selleck was chosen. But he had to give up the film due to scheduling problems. (I had a contract to record the series Magnum). Three weeks before filming began, Spielberg would insist on recruiting Ford, who was eventually hired. And all despite the resistance of Lucas, who was also afraid that his new character would die under Han Solo's shadow..

The cast was completed by Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lancey, John Rhys-Dacies, Wolf Kahler and Alfred Molina.

Indiana Jones and the Lost Temple (1984)

Overcome the huge wake produced by ET the alien y the original trilogy of The Wars, Spielberg, Lucas and Ford prepared for the second chapter of Indiana Jones.

 George Lucas chose to develop a prequel, since he did not want the Nazis (the villains of the first installment) to be the antagonists again.

Of the initial trilogy, it is the most questioned film. Set in India, it must have been shot in Sri Lanka. The authorities of the Asian giant dismissed the story as contrary to the interests and culture of the country. Perception that ended up taking hold once the film was released.

Lawrence Kasdan, a friend of Spielberg and Lucas, as well as the scriptwriter of the first installment, refused to develop the new plot. In this regard, he said years later that the story was "really bad."

The film was another huge box office success. However, critics were divided on the result.

Spielberg later acknowledged that perhaps the film was too dark and violent.

Indiana Jones and the last crusade (1989)

After a five-year hiatus, the trilogy was finally completed.

Spielberg approached the film as an apology to fans of Raiders of the Lost Ark who ended up disappointed with the result of Temple of doom.

The tape almost completely erases the dark tone of its predecessor, while picks up on the frenetic adventure of the opening movie.

 The Nazis will regain their position as enemies of Indiana, while the plot also addresses a family conflict: the reconciliation of Indy with his father.

One of the most important news was the addition of Sean Connery to the cast. The Scotsman played Professor Henry Jones, while River Phoenix played 13-year-old Indiana in the opening sequence.

Indiana Jones and the last crusade became the highest grossing in the saga, despite the stiff competition represented by the premiere, during the same season, of Ghostbusters 2by Ivan Reitman and Batman by Tim Burton.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

After a hiatus of almost 20 years, Indiana Jones finally returned to movie screens in 2018. After the success of The last crusade, George Lucas began to work on a new plot. However, the idea did not convince Spielberg or Ford and the project was suspended indefinitely.

At the beginning of the new millennium, the idea was taken up again. Spielberg said that computer-generated special effects would be avoided., to maintain visual coherence with the initial trilogy.

Harrinson Ford, obviously aged, maintained the inertia of his tireless character. Karen Allen reprized her role as Marion Ravenwood, Indy's lover (she hadn't appeared since the first movie). Shia LaBeouf played Mutt Williams, who is discovered mid-story as an Indiana scion.

The Second World War has already been overcome and the world is experiencing the tension of The Cold War. This is why the Soviets replace the Nazis as the bad guys. Cate Blanchett was selected to play Irna Spalko, a ruthless and unscrupulous Russian agent.

Despite the huge box office success, the film ends up betraying the character's founding spirit. Lucas, while constructing the plot of Raiders of the Lost Ark, I didn't want a story full of science fiction elements. Which in the fourth installment, ends up happening.

Indy's future

Indiana

With George Lucas as executive producer, Steven Spielberg as director and Harrinson Ford again as the protagonist, The premiere of Indiana Jones 5 is scheduled for July 10, 2020.

After this future installment, Disney is expected to restart the franchise. Rumor has it that Chris Pratt has already been hired to take on the character.

Image sources: eBillboard


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