Harrison Ford says George Lucas in 'think mode' on another 'Indiana Jones' film

Harrison Ford said Friday that momentum is building for a fifth movie in the "Indiana Jones"  franchise and that George Lucas is already cooking up a suitable plot for a heroic senior citizen with a penchant for whips and fedoras.

"It's crazy but great," the 66-year-old Ford said. "George is in think mode right now."

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" grossed $318 million in the U.S. alone and $770 million worldwide and is expected to be powerhouse seller on DVD and Blu-Ray when it arrives in stores Oct. 14. It was a film that many people in Hollywood assumed would never be made considering the difficulty in finding the right time and the right script to reunite Ford, Lucas and franchise director Steven Spielberg after the 1989 hit "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."

Now, though, the latest success and the fact that the franchise's old machinery was revived has Ford thinking a fifth movie is not only a viable idea, but an attractive one.

"It's automatic, really, we did well with the last one and with that having done well and been a positive experience, it's not surprising that some people want to do it again," Ford said.

I asked Ford who specifically is stirring up the idea of another revival, whether it was Lucas, Spielberg or the star himself? "Really, it comes from the ethos, from the ether. It's natural. It's a way of nature, of course, success breed opportunities ... also we don't stay as closely in contact as have in the last year, that's part of it." 

Ford said, though, he would not be game to making an animated "Indiana Jones" film, a notion that became at least a possible option after Lucas took his "Star Wars" theatrical saga into the computer-generated realm with "The Clone Wars" this summer.

"I'm not philosophically against doing animation roles but not for Indiana Jones," Ford said. "I'd hate to see it reduced in any way from the movies that we have done and the way we have done them."

The iconic star said he had some doubts that his long-gone archaeologist hero would be an automatic 21st century sensation.

"It was never a lead-pipe cinch," Ford said. "It was a calculated business risk but I believe it paid off. I was somewhat surprised and gratified to see it did the business that it did. It was successful in almost every market. The first time we showed it to a disinterested outside audience was at Cannes. That' s a crap shoot of the first order. Not only is that audience sophisticated and film-knowledgable, it's French! And it's their country and their festival and we somewhat expected to be seriously slapped around. But we were not, we were embraced...it was very gratifying."

The action hero long ago became accustomed to seeing his likeness on action figures, but even he was taken aback by the proliferation of his face and fedora this past summer as Indiana Jones became a pop-culture blizzard.

"It was everywhere I turned, I was on a Corn Flakes box or something else. That's what it takes now to do a good job of marketing a movie like this."

Did the star's 7-year-old son like the movie? "He hasn't seen it. It's a little scary for his experience at this point." What about the toy aisle, was he jolted to see Daddy on so many boxes? "He doesn't take it personally. It doesn't mean very much to him." 

-- Geoff Boucher

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Patrick Goldstein: Indy 5? Say it ain't so George

   

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" image courtesy of Paramount and Lucasfilm

Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2008, photo by Christophe Karaba/European Pressphoto Agency

Comments

[Anna]

Yeah, this is a "WTF" moment. Seriously, they need to give Indiana Jones a rest! Spielberg needs to go back to directing war dramas, Lucas needs to let go of Indiana Jones AND Star Wars, and Ford needs to cut down on action movies.

[SteveinNJ]

For God's sake, will someone please attach legislation to the next government bailout bill that will prohibit George Lucas from ever making another movie? Episodes 1-3 killed Star Wars, and "Crystal Skull" was so bad that I would be willing to stare into the Ark of the Covenant to forget having ever seen it. Just stop it, already - PLEASE!!

[Matt]

I'm not going to rant about how CRYSTAL SKULL was a huge disappointment due, I feel, in whole, to Lucas, but one hopes that when (yes, when, because they they more money than God and had fun doing the last one so it's now fun-time pet projects for them) they do 5, Lucas won't be given absolute final word on script or plot. And he can't be lt near a word processor for this one, either!

[jksonny]

Great idea!! Here's your title: Indiana Jones and the Decapitation of Mutt Williams

[Shorty]

How about: Indiana Jones and The Return of Short Round

[kEN dABROWSKI]

Harrison Ford did a great job with "the crystal skull" I would love to see another Indy movie!

[DJ]

Personally, being a person who was raised watching 50's B movies because of my dad, I understand what Lucas was trying to emulate. His originals where based on 30s serials and that transition to B movies is drastic. Most people don't care about the concept, but for all intents and purposes, Lucas accomplished what he set out to do.

But I would like to see more soviets, maybe a radioactive ant colony like "Them". Most of your complaints about this movie is that it didn't follow the guidlines of the original movies. Lucas changed his concept. Should he have done this project with a different character? Maybe not. 10 years from now, boys & girls who saw this movie and the next one that comes out will have the same emotional response as most of us who saw it as kids. At least he didn't make it like a Bing Crosby and Bob Hope movie. Indiana Jones and the Road to New Delhi. Singing, dancing, harrison ford being felt up by a 300lb Indian woman with a unibrow.

Thats entertainment.

[cm]

It wouldn't be hard to improve on the 4th movie since it was so bad.

Ford could be 70 by the time they shoot another Indy movie and in the last movie his character was literally along for the ride -- a passenger on "Mutt's" motorcycle. And yet the whole serial cliffhanger formula sort of requires an active lead character, no? This Indy no longer dodges big boulders or swims on to u-boats or climbs Egyptian statues to break through brick walls.

If the old action hero forumla no longer applies then at least try to find the humor in the situation. It might be funny to watch an aging Indy annoyed that he's no longer the action hero, constantly having to convince his friends to trust his judgement.

[Reason]

Will someone PLEASE hit Lucas and Spielberg about the head and neck with a lead pipe? Crystal Skull was atrocious! Honestly these two have lost their minds. Need I remind anyone about episodes 1-3 of Star Wars? How about digitally changing the guns into walkie talkies in the ET re-release? Please. Just stop ruining the icons of my generation.

[JSL]

Let's face it, guys. Indy4 was about a middle-of-the-road film, at best. Considering the high quality of the other three, this represents a significant downturn. Shia LaBeouf and Karen Allen were beyond awful. And yes, Raiders is in my top five.

As much as it pains me to say so, please just let it die.

-J

[Ryan Lofton]

God no!!! Leave Indy alone! You screwed up the 2nd and 4th. Dont make a 5th. In my world the only Indiana Jones movies were Raiders and The Last Cruasade. I abhored the Crystal Skull.

[JLCRUZ]

I loved it! Make another one , it was a childhood dream to finally get to see Indy on the big screen(since i missed the first 3 because we never went to theatre when i was a kid) and it was great! I understand what lucas was going for in the movie and everyone needs to stop comparing it to the first 3. Now for all who didn't like the 4th installment do us a favor and save the seats for the real fans then and don't go if they make another one. I had the same argument with my friend who didn't like it ,but he went in with the attitude that he wasn't going to like it anyways and guess what he didn't. So if thats the kinda attitude your gonna have, which I'm sure almost all who didn't like it already knew they weren't going too and just wanted to complain, then pretend their are only 3 and be done with it. Some of us still want to see Indy and I hope they do make another one. The way i see it is if the dvd sales do good then that tells me their was enough people who seen it and like it enough to watch it again

[Sunny]

Please, trust your fans...make number five.
My family and I thank the three of you and your production teams for the many unique
emotions your films have given us. Even though we are loyal fans, you are still obligated to deliver and we believe you will. What a trio...thanks again.
PS: Have you ever thought of reprising Indy Jr. with La beouf? Of course you have.
Thanks again, Sunny and family

[Shannon]

I think if they make another Indiana Jones movie; then please let it be the LAST one.... I mean the character has been all over the world except.. Ireland!! I'd love to see him try and unearth some Irish folklore.. we have some great characters.. Queen Maeve, the faeries, leprachauns, Brian Boru... list is endless... I'd love a small part in the film, better still, I'd love to compose the music for the love scenes.. who ya kidding.. there's always love/romantic scenes...

We have the great Connemara Pass, Achill Island that you have to visit in summertime to see the lovely pink and purple wild rhodendenrons in full bloom.. reminds me of Hawaii!

So come on over to Ireland, Indiana and bring your captain & crew with ye!