2001

Natalie Portman to play Indy's daughter
Tuesday, January 2, 2001

Dark Horizons wrote yesterday that according to an article in the China Morning Post that Natalie Portman is up for the role of Indy's daughter in the fourth Indy movie. Garth from Dark Horizons said that despite it being in a media publication, this is a rumor.

M. Night - Indy 4 script Decision this week?!
Tuesday, January 16, 2001

The Hindu Times report that M. Night Shyamalan will decide this week whether or not to pen the script to the sequel of his childhood film hero. Here's a part of the article.

Harrison Ford, Spielberg and Lucas want him to write, but he has a problem. `It is a sequel. He always wants to write original stuff''. It is this sheer originality that struck gold for Manoj. Last year, Sixth Sense was a shockingly divine experience to the American audience who had for long been fed on violence and computer animation.

So maybe we might find out more about Indy 4 later this week. Keep your fingers crossed! Hit the link above for more info. Thanks to Harrison Ford Online for the news.

Traffic screenwriter contacted for Indy 4
Tuesday, February 6, 2001

It looks like that M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense) is not planning to write the Indy 4 script. Or, at least it appears this way because of a recent article in the New York Times.
This weekend, Golden Globe winner Stephen Gaghan was interviewed by the New York Times. In the interview, the Traffic screenwriter revealed that he has been offered the Indy 4 screenplay job. A piece from the article:

One day last week he had three things happen to him: Paramount Pictures gave approval for his next movie, Abandon, a thriller based on his own script, which he will also direct; he received a nomination from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts for his Traffic screenplay; and he received a call asking if he was interested in writing the screenplay for the next Indiana Jones movie.

Click here to read the full article with Stephen Gaghan. Thanks to Harrison Ford Online and Kenny C. for the news.

Ford signs for Indy 4 with DreamWorks?
Tuesday, February 13, 2001

Ananova has reported the following news:

Harrison Ford could make more than £30 million if he cracks his whip in a fourth Indiana Jones adventure. Ford will collect a £15 million fee for appearing in the movie being prepared by Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks. And shares in profits, merchandising and book deals could bring him a further £15 million if the film is a worldwide box office smash.

Spielberg has been discussing a spectacular farewell to Indiana movie with Ford to going into production next spring. They are close friends off-set, a senior source told Ananova:

"Steven thinks Harrison is worth every cent. The film would bring a classic end to the series".

The guest star list Steven has planned is amazing with Connery, his wife Kate Capshaw and Karen Allen who was in the first Jones movie.
I think that if this is not a rumor, there's a good chance that Harrison Ford signed on for Indy 4. Thanks to MovieHeadlines.Net for the news.

What's up with DreamWorks helming Indy 4?
Thursday, February 22, 2001

Is it a rumor or a fact? Although nothing is official as of yet but I am willing to bet that if DreamWorks does get involved, it would be overseas distribution. The film being the final installment of the popular trilogy will certainly have a big budget (perhaps) the biggest for a Spielberg film. Perhaps hitting close to $100 million with $20-25 million going to Harrison Ford. One should also consider that this fourth installment comes after the breakthrough in CGI technology. Even though Spielberg uses his Effects carefully, expect more FX than any of the three Indy films. That being the case, two studios financing it seems more appropriate than just one (DreamWorks).

Paramount ready for Indy 4
Saturday, April 14, 2001

Premiere Magazine's 2001 Power List has been announced in their May issue. George Lucas and Harrison Ford have made the list. Lucas on the 18th position and Ford on the 48th. But more interesting is what is written in Ford's info:

Still up for doing a fourth Indiana Jones adventure, which producer Lucas just set up at Paramount.

Does this mean that Indy 4 is finally, after so many rumor years, officially in pre-production?! I hope we will get a confirmation soon!
Thanks to Brian and DreamWorks SKG Fansite for the news.

The latest Indy 4 rumors
Thursday, April 17, 2001

The Indy 4 news you are about to read are only rumors! They are not confirmed neither reliable but are only interesting enough to mention.

Harrison Ford Online has reported that Premiere Magazine's 2001 Power List also includes M. Night Shyamalan. M. Night is still being sought by Spielberg to pen the fourth Indy film, according to the Power List. And Oscar winner Stephen Gaghan (Traffic writer) has been approached to co-write as well.

TheForce.Net posted the report of an attendee of Jedi-Con Germany in which the attendee writes that Rick McCallum talked about Indy 4, it could be 2005/6 till they start but he didn't make the impression as if this ever happens.

Just want to add (remind you) that Rick McCallum has been wrong before. TheRaider.net will search for conformation of these rumors and will post it here as fast as possible.

Shyamalan passes on Indy 4
Monday, May 7, 2001

Harrison Ford Web has reported that the new Cinescape magazine special issue, Son of Sequel Mania has an update on whether or not M. Night Shyamalan will be writing Indy 4. Here's what they say:

After spending weeks mulling over an offer to script the next Indy outing, The Sixth Sense writer/director M. Night Shyamalan passed on the high-profile project. That didn't faze Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, however. They quickly extended an offer to Traffic screenwriter Stephen Gaghan. Gaghan had other projects on his plate at the time: Paramount had just given the green light to his thriller script Abandon, which he plans to direct himself. However, it looks like Gaghan has a Jones for the assignment. He recently told The Hollywood Reporter that he hopes to start banging out the new Indy adventure in the near future. Look for it: Summer 2003.

Summer 2003 is still a long way to go and we know how busy Spielberg, Lucas, and Ford can get. Plus there has not been an official announcement that Stephen Gaghan will write the Indy 4 script yet. Stay tuned!

Indiana Jones is coming back soon
Saturday, May 19, 2001

Just received news that the new Star Wars Insider talked about Indy 4. Here's what it said:

Natalie Portman might play Indy's daughter.  Kevin Costner might play Indy's brother.  Just kidding. This joke comes from the Insider.
Here's the real stuff. Harrison Ford told a Magazine "There will be a fourth film." So did Lucas and Spielberg want to do another film? Yes! It's official they are making it? They might be in the pre production area.  They said that there are scripts they all like but just might not be good enough.  But there are in the pre production mode! And as Spielberg said "Indiana Jones is coming back soon."

Thanks to the unknown visitor for the news.

Indiana Jones 4 is waiting for Paramount
Thursday, June 7, 2001

In the most recent issue of Starlog Magazine 25th Anniversary Edition (a must for every moviegoer) features an exclusive interview with Steven Spielberg about Indiana Jones 4 and his future Sci-Fi Project. On Indy 4 Spielberg said "We are all ready and waiting for Paramount".
Spielberg himself said that it is the studio that is holding them back but as soon as them things work out Indiana Jones 4 will go into production. Spielberg also talked about dream future sci-fi project which he developed and his in early development stages. Be sure to get this magazine from your local newsstands. It is a must for every DreamWorks and Spielberg fan. Visit the DreamWorks SKG Fansite for more info.

The latest Indy 4 & Ford news
Friday, June 15, 2001

This appeared in Marilyn Beck's column for June 15th: Ford's Next 'Indy' Looking Iffy By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith.

Harrison Ford, who's wrapping up the film K-19: The Widowmaker in Nova Scotia, won't be making the fourth Indiana Jones as planned next year. Or perhaps ever. Indy 4 was slated to be the star's 2002 starring vehicle. First Sixth Sense filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan had reportedly been enlisted to pen the script, then Traffic screenwriter Stephen Gaghan was in talks to take on the project. However, the word now is that George Lucas has yet to finalize a deal for the picture with Paramount, and until he does, a writer can't even be hired. As things stand at the moment, Ford will be spending the summer, as usual, on his Wyoming ranch with his family. After that, well, it seems his slate is wide open. He likes to limit himself to one picture a year and had counted on "Indy" being his 2002 film, but the way matters look, he's likely open to offers.

The person who reported us this news, Ken, just read the actual quote from Spielberg in Starlog regarding Indy 4. He never said, "We are all ready and waiting for Paramount."
What he said was kind of of the same thing but taken out of context.
He said that believe it or not that Paramount is actually given them a hard time and that it wasn't like this back in the old days when they made the other three films. He said he himself is just standing by an that it's up to George and his people to fix things over at Paramount.  Spielberg said that once he gets the call from Lucas saying the film has been green lit, the film will go into production.

So the question is that why would Marilyn Beck say that no writer can be hired until a deal is done? They have had writers on this script for years. Also, this column said that Ford expected this to be his film for 2002 and that Indy 4 was supposed to film this summer.  But, as rumors say, all 3 principles wanted to shoot this film summer 2002  for a May 2003 release. So what are they talking about? We are looking into this...

Thanks to Ken for the news.

Indiana Jones is coming back soon
Monday, June 18, 2001

First Rick McCallum said that everybody's too busy to start working on Indy 4 and that they can only begin working on it after Star Wars: Episode 3. Then George Lucas admitted that there still was no good script for Indy 4, one that they all liked.
What then followed was the rumor that M. Night Shyamalan and Stephen Gaghan were contacted to write the Indy 4 script. We don't know for sure what their answer on that request is but it's rumored that M. Night passed the Indy 4. And last week Spielberg said something like that they are all ready and waiting for Paramount. Does he mean that the Indy 4 script is also ready?!

Now everybody starts hoping in a fourth Indiana Jones film and some think that they will shoot Indy 4 next year, because Harrison Ford doesn't know which film he will do in 2002 and as far as we know, Steven Spielberg is also free next year.

And today, producer Kathleen Kennedy has said the following to AssignmentX:
"I just have to tell you, I wish there was a script and everybody could get excited that we're about to shoot the fourth Indiana Jones, but we don't have a script. It could happen. Everybody would like to see it happen, but until there's a script that everybody's happy with it won't happen."

Now they are back to where they have started the rumor mill. I hope this doesn't mean we will have to wait another year before we hear a new, more original, excuse. Or maybe the truth for a change. We have come a long way, and we shouldn't give up now!

Thanks to MovieHeadlines.Net for the news.

The END of Indiana Jones?
Tuesday, July 3, 2001

News just keeps getting worse for Indiana Jones 4. While talking to Chicago Herald, producer Kathleen Kennedy said that it may take long time to make Indiana Jones 4. Aside from not having a script, she added today that "we don't even have a screenwriter yet". Does this mean Indiana Jones 4 is going to be dead. Based on the recent reports, I won't be surprised but I hope for the sake of the fans, I am wrong. Click here to read more.

Indiana Jones 4 green lighted!
Thursday, July 5, 2001

Well, the reports apparently put out by Paramount President Kathleen Kennedy (see July 3rd news) about there not being any scripts is being debunked by inside sources at Paramount and in fact, this project is further along than people have expected. Here's the entire article that ran in Page Six today:

Twelve years after the last picture in the series, Paramount Pictures confirms it's "given the green light to look at scripts," a spokesman for the studio said. In fact, sources tell Page Six the project is actually much farther along.
"Paramount had meetings last week about the movie," says our snitch. "They want the original credits - George Lucas producing, Steven Spielberg directing and Harrison Ford to star." Unfortunately, landing all three would cost the studio a fortune. "Harrison wants at least $25 million plus some of the back end and George and Steven have said they will work for a lesser fee than usual, but want a big portion of the movie's proceeds."
"The entire movie is going to cost them $150 million and Paramount can't figure out how it's going to make any money with all three of the big names demanding money off the back end."

There are also script complications. Industry gossips have pegged the plot as being everything from Jones' search for the lost city of Atlantis to his quest to find his long-lost brother. "They already have three scripts that they think are acceptable, but now George and Steven say they want to have writing control," an insider adds. But a rep for Paramount said, "There is no budget yet because there is no script. Harrison Ford will most likely get $25 million because that is what he is getting for some of his other movies."

Ford set records as the priciest star earlier this year when it was confirmed that he would make $25 million for K-19: The Widowmaker, due out early next year. Some industry execs laughed when they heard about a new Indiana Jones.

"What are they going to do? Put Harrison Ford in a walker?" said one industry insider - referring to the fact that Ford turns 59 next month. The previous Indiana Jones movies were all made in the '80s, when Ford was in his late 30s and 40s. Raiders of the Lost Ark burst onto the scene in 1981, followed by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in '84 and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in '89 - when Ford was a sprightly 47. Even at his current ripe age, however, Ford isn't likely to be the oldest face in the flick. Sean Connery has recently expressed his interest in returning once again as Indy's father.

This news Originally appeared at PageSix.com. Thanks to Harrison Ford Web for letting us know.

Paramount denies positive Indy 4 news
Saturday, July 7, 2001

The latest news said that Paramount had meetings last week about the Indy 4 movie. However, a spokeswoman at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles told BBC News Online: "These rumors come round every couple of months. It's idle gossip."
Asked if it was likely that Harrison Ford and Sir Sean Connery would work together again, she said: "You never know."

Thanks to MovieHeadlines.Net for the news.

Indy 4: the impossible sequel?
Monday, July 23, 2001

I have just found out, thanks to a TheForce.Net visitor, that Film Threat has a 4 part feature on Indiana Jones 4, The Impossible Sequel as the feature writer likes to call it. Here's a part of the feature:

Every once in a while George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford pop their heads up and reassure us with pro-Indiana Jones IV vox pops along the lines of: "We all want to do it; we're really keen; we will do it, but we're all busy right now, and we're waiting for the right script." They'll be waiting a long time -- I personally don't think there's any writer in the world that could write it, and it has nothing to do with the fact that Harrison Ford is nigh on sixty.

The feature is very interesting and it will also let you think about if Indy 4 is such a good idea. Click here to read the feature and Judge for yourself.

Shyamalan on Indy 4 script idea
Wednesday, August 2, 2001

Dark Horizons has a spy who announced an interesting quote by M. Night Shyamalan (writer and director of The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable) about the Indy 4 script rumors. This quote already fell in some people their hands before it appeared on Dark Horizons so please take it with a grain of salt.

Shyamalan: "I was never contacted formally to do the project, I did publicly express interest, but nothing really ever came to fruition. I have talked with all of them besides George (Lucas), and it sounds exciting. They have their ideas and I of course as a fan, have ideas of how they should do it. They will get it done, I just don't think it will be completed for some time. It will probably be the biggest film ever made, I think it would even topple Star Wars and Titanic at this point."

M. Nigh Shyamalan's supposed quote sounds very exciting though. Let's all cross our fingers and hope we will hear some official, and trustworthy, news that Indiana Jones 4 will get made soon.

No Indiana Jones 4 before 2006?
Tuesday, September 4, 2001

Bad news for the Indyfans. In an interview with Télé 7 Jour, Lucas said that up to 2005 his mind is focused on the Star Wars episodes.

Lucas: "I don't know how I can manage to find time for Indy before 2006. Steven and Harrison agreed for a new adventure but due to other projects, we are very busy. The most difficult thing will be to block on our schedule a whole year to focus only on Indy 4. Steven is not afraid on working on several projects in the same time, as writer, producer and director. I cannot do that."

The year 2006 has been appeared in rumors before but this comes directly from George Lucas his mind! So it must be true! Anyway, it could be worse...

Visit TheForce.Net for the full interview in English.

Problems with Paramount about Indy 4
Thursday, October 25, 2001

Empire's Special Collectors Edition magazine dedicated to Steven Spielberg is a must own! It contains a detailed Spielberg biography, a very informative filmography that covers all his films, interviews  with co-workers and Steven Spielberg himself (and more features). The interview with Spielberg is very good. It's a rather short interview but they talk about his whole career. And of course the interviewer had to ask about the fourth Indiana Jones film. Here's a copy of Empire's questions and Spielberg's answers:

Empire: What is the likelihood of another Indiana Jones film?"
Spielberg: "We're having problems with Paramount in getting this movie launched. They are, believe it or not, giving us the kind of tsuris they never gave us back in the old days. That's up to George and his people to straighten out. I'm just standing by. When George says, "It's clear and we're greenlit to make this movie," we'll make the movie."

Empire: What aspects of Indiana Jones haven't you explored yet?
Spielberg: "I haven't dealt with his ageing process. I think there's a lot to be explored in the way that there was a lot of interesting exploration in Robin and Marian, with an older Marian (Audrey Hepburn) and an older Robin Hood (Sean Connery). Harrison Ford is a number of years older since the last Indy film came out in 1989. I think that will benefit his humanity and I think we're going to be riffing on what it's like to be Indiana Jones, archaeologist and grave robber at 59."

Premiere Magazine mentions Indy 4
Monday, December 17, 2001

Premiere has reported in it's January 2002 issue what has happened with Indy 4 so far. Spielberg and Lucas both have to free up their schedules and no script has been chosen yet. They also recap Spielberg stating that Indy's age would be a factor in the story. they also add this footnote on The Sixth Sense director M. Night Shyamalan being approached to write Indy 4:

Apparently, The Sixth Sense writer-director M. Night Shyamalan won't be one of those pitching story concepts any time soon. (Producer Kathleen) Kennedy, who has also worked with Shyamalan, confirms that he was at one point approached by Lucas and Spielberg, partly in a bid to jump-start the project before last year's anticipated writer's strike. "There was interest, but it just felt like they were trying to throw mud against the wall and see what stuck," says a spokesperson for Shyamalan, who's since moved on to the supernatural thriller Signs.

Thanks to MovieHeadlines.Net for the news.

Latest Indy 4 Rumors
Thursday, December 20, 2001

SuperShadow.com says that "Lucasfilm is now working on the development of Indiana Jones 4." But don't believe a word what SuperShadow reports, knowing his reputation!

And Loris C. has let us know that an Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, reported on November 24th, that Ford will start working on Indy 4 in June 2002.