There have been many surprising information about the film, cast and character that some further immortalize Indiana Jones as the symbol for action and adventure. Considered to be one of the most influential character and films that had spurred new life into the action, sci-fi adventure style films like Lara Croft (Tomb Raider), Ben Gates (National Treasure), Rick O’Connell (The Mummy) and Sydney Fox (Relic Hunter). Do you know that the movie started the collaboration just as Lucas was releasing the first Star War’s Films, and that the film’s main character wasn’t initially conceived to be Indiana Jones but “Smith” which Spielberg disliked so much he agreed to a random suggestion from Lucas which was to become the legend that is Indiana Jones.
The movie has very nicely done climactic endings which were complemented by memorable moments when Indy always won and made his mark. In the one of the most memorable movie scenes, he is being chased by a big round boulder as he runs for his life in the Temple of Doom as he ducks, jumps as he tries to escape being rolled to death. The next scene has the greedy Germans melting as they stare into the Ark of the Covenant which contained the wrath of GOD which killed all who saw it. The Ark of the Covenant is stored in a warehouse, assigned a code then placed with the other relics in storage. In Raiders of the Lost Ark again, the sword fight that ended before it began with a shot expert swordsman which is recognized to be one of the most hilarious scenes in all the movies.
Not in the Archaeologist sense that is, for the actor has been in Hollywood for so long that he just had to survive. His first stints with acting ended in flops which led to him getting into another profession – carpentry. He was so good that he was well sought after in Hollywood. When his break finally came, he pissed off his own agent when he turned down role after role as he picked them so carefully. He made his mark with the Star Wars series and again in the Indiana Jones series of films which were all box office hits along with several other roles which showed off his versatility. From action, adventure, comedy, suspense and even taking on the roles of the villain, he’s done it all. The man who represents and plays Indiana Jones has the makings of one indeed. His adventurous nature as to his doing most of his own stunts along with his temper and one liners, he has indeed become the legend who is Indiana Jones.
The first choice for the main character was a little known actor at the time, Tom Selleck but he was not allowed by CBS to do so for his TV series Magnum P.I. was starting to show improvements in the TV ratings. Lucas had Harrison Ford as his choice but didn’t want to become another Martin Scorsese who regularly cast Robert De Niro. After Selleck turned down the offer, Lucas finally agreed with Spielberg to get Ford, which turned out to be the best decision they had ever made. Well before any film was recorded, the figure of the main character was already set and decided on by Lucas, Spielberg and the costume designers which is to become the distinctive silhouette that is still recognized today.
Another icon of the film and the character was the whip which is considered to be one of the most recognizable/popular movie weapons ever and it is on display at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum due to its great influence on American culture. The film started out as a treasure hunter who was out for glory and money with their loot out to the highest bidder, but ended with Jones reversing that and insisting that these precious relics belong in Museums and not in the private collection of the rich. These are some of the best trivia regarding the movie, character and the legend that has become Indiana Jones. More would be added soon for a much awaited sequel is scheduled for release this summer, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
The fedora hat had become so much a symbol of Indiana Jones that if it ever fell off the head of Ford during a take, all work stopped so it could be returned to his head. The significance of the fedora in Indy’s character was so great that the film crew had to come up with jokes or other mischievous stuff just to get it off. Alas, an urban legend was born, that Indiana Jones had stapled the fedora to his head which is why it was always seen to be there on all the films. Well, all that is just another tall man’s tale for it all began when during an interview, Ford deliberately and of course jokingly held an empty stapler to his head with the fedora to make it look as if it were indeed stapled onto his head which gave birth to the said Urban Myth.
There are some real facts behind the movie but since they have been adapted for the big screen, they have overshadowed facts and twisted them as far as the eye can see. The true nature of the main character is loosely based on true archaeologists but on a lower note, for the work of one is often done in the field and laboratory. Real Indiana Jones of today are still out there discovering our past as well as the secrets they hold. Imagine the Egyptians on how they created the pyramids, there have been tons of suggestions but no solid proof of their construction. This is what draws us to them, the mystery and allure of the unknown and the adventure of discovery.
Many of the world’s archaeologists have in fact provided us with the best insights on long lost civilizations that gave way to our modern lives. The adventures of the ever-bearing Indiana Jones has even been attributed to the career choices of people who were so mesmerized by the movies they themselves have turned into their own Indy’s in their own right. The world may never know much of the secrets our ancestors have brought with them to their graves, only these laboring researchers and their innate inquisitiveness get them to light, modern light that is.
The length of period it took for the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull to come out was more or less 20 years and that length of time had seen a lot of changes in the movie industry. Some amazing facts about the movie, Harrison Ford had to gain a few pounds for his aged role(many say he’s a health buff) and needed not much changes to the movie’s wardrobe sets. Harrison had put on some of the original suits he wore in previous films without much adjustments needed in terms of the size of his clothes.
There was also an interesting fact that came up wherein Indiana Jones wasn’t allowed much to play with his trademark bullwhip which was part of his persona due to stringent safety measures of today. The physical demands on the actor was still high and Harrison Ford being a man of pride, still did most of his stunts (with the help of modern safety rigging of course which he says greatly improved his performance) as he did with most of his films.
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Frank Marshalluse, the film’s producer planned the shots to be the same way as the previous three. Meaning, with all the stunt men and using CGI only when it is necessary. Spielberg had the same plans too. But when the filming began, the decision was handed down that they needed to during filming the decision was made to employ more CGI. They did not anticipate this citing they would only use around 30% CGI in the film.Steven Spielberg wanted Janusz Kaminski, who shot all his films starting from the Schindler’s List in 1993, to replace the newly retired cinematographer, Douglas Slocombe. He had worked on all three of the previous Indiana Jones’ films. Spielberg did not want to modernize the photography. He retained the comic book style.This proves to be a much harder work for Kaminski since he had to watch all the three films over again to study the retired cinematographer’s style and technique.Several other titles were considered and registered before finalizing on “The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”. Some of which were, City of Gods, THe Fourth Corner of the Earth, The Destroyer of Worlds and The Lost City of Gold to name a few.
Trivia: The girl who punches Mutt in the diner scene is Sasha Spielberg, Spielberg’s daughter.
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Before ‘The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ was selected as the title, several other titles were considered and even registered with the MPAA in August 2007, including ‘The City of Gods’, ‘The Destroyer of Worlds’, ‘The Fourth Corner of the Earth’, ‘The Lost City of Gold’, and finally, ‘The Quest for the Covenant’.
This is the first Indiana Jones film without actor Pat Roach, who had a role in all the first three films. Roach died in 2004.
In 2006, Harrison Ford stated that if this film was not completed by 2008, then the filmmakers should drop the idea altogether. This alerted Steven Spielberg looking for a good script immediately.
The poster art for the movie was drawn by Drew Struzan, the same artist who also created the poster art for the previous two Indiana Jones films. He took over from original Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) poster artist Richard Amsel who died in 1985.