George Lucas On "Indiana Jones 5" And "Star Wars" Rejection

George Lucas tells me it's more than a strong possibility there will be a fifth "Indiana Jones." He says that he and director Steven Spielberg have left the door open for a sequel to "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

Lucas, looking dandy with slicked-back gray and white hair in a snappy tuxedo, was a guest Thursday night at Paramount/DreamWorks's party for "Kung Fu Panda" at the 61st Cannes Film Festival...

"I haven't even told Steven or Harrison this," he said. "But I have an idea to make Shia [LeBeouf] the lead character next time and have Harrison [Ford] come back like Sean Connery did in the last movie. I can see it working out.

"And it's not like Harrison is even old. I mean, he's 65 and he did everything in this movie. The old chemistry is there, and it's not like he's an old man. He's incredibly agile; he looks even better than he did 20 years ago, if you ask me."
....

"Star Wars" continues to thrive. In August, Lucas says, he's releasing an animated 90-minute "Star Wars" movie to theaters via Warner Bros. called "Clone Wars." It will be followed in September by an animated series on the Cartoon Network and TNT.

"No one wanted it," he told me. "Every studio rejected it, including Fox, and I'm very loyal to them. They have right of first refusal. Eventually I brought it to Warners. It's the first time that three components of the studio have acted together. It's very exciting.

"But the story is that everyone said, 'No one gets this. It's just ... 'Star Wars.'' I said, 'That's right, It's just 'Star Wars.' Just like this is ... 'Indiana Jones.''"

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Comments

[Agentlady007]

Just saw the previews of Indiana Jones. They looks as good as the original. I can't wait to see Indy
( That's Indy for Indiana not Andy for Andrea - Meryl Streep you obnocious Devil Wears Prada moron. I can't stand her. - Just venting,)

[Agentlady007]

The previews: They look as good as the original. You have to see these previews in the theater. Just got back from IRON MAN. Good movie. Go see it.

[Agentlady007]

One must really watch what they type before they hit the Post button. I just sounded like Jar Jar.

Sometimes I just wonder what George Lucas is up to? Is he watching the news, does he surf the internet? Wake up and drink coffee and then walk about ? I wonder how he has become such an amazing fim maker....

[heretical_eggs]

It is my opinion that Mr. Lucas should have had help with the scripts. In fact, he should have had a co-writer or writers. The stories were fine, but the scripts were terrible.

Many key lines which occur at pivotal moments simply make one cringe Most importantly several of the characters should have been entirely changed or left out completely.

Also, I think that Mr. Lucas should have found a director or directors for his second trilogy. His direction of Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen was abysmal. His apparent direction of Hayden Christensen to act like a whining child totally befuddled me.

The special effects in these films were magnificent. There is no doubt of that. In fact the one thing he did get right in my own geeky opinion was Yoda kicking ass via the wonderful special effects. I cheered when I saw Yoda's light saber duel in the second film. However, the films remain flawed and ultimately poor filmmaking.

[Tyrione]

Please George. When he shot Raider's he was pencil thin. Drop some weight, we want you around long so we can count on your eye for cinematography and how the art of film making can be enriching and not just special F/X you pioneered. The Star Wars early saga was unforgettable because of the character relationships. The latest ones had absolutely no personality in comparison to books 4-6.

[RoseMerry]

A studio executive turns down a Star Wars movie? Omigawd. it is like a license to print money, with a built-in audience.

Someone is going to be very, very sorry. Keep the suicide hotline handy for this poor soul.

[LA2000]

George Lucas could have shot the entire episode 1 film, finished it with effects, watched it, decided it sucked, shredded it and started over from frame one, and it still would have cost less to make than Titanic. For real.

Star Wars was the most profitable film franchise in history. Titanic was a complete leap of faith.

There is no excuse for how bad the last 3 Star Wars films were. The director apparently just didn't care that they were terrible. He knew he'd get your money no matter what.

[LA2000]

In this day of actors, directors, and producers getting a cut of the money from the first dollar made, it is possible to make an enormously successful movie that is nothing but a money pit for the studio. I would imagine, if Fox passed on a Star Wars picture, someone must have been asking for an gigantic amount/share of the gross that just made it virtually impossible to recoup the investment regardless of how successful the picture ultimately became.

[sufi66]

These people never know when to quit. They don't need the money so it must be ego. The first Star Wars film was excellent. The first Indiana Jones was good. They should have quit while they were ahead.

[Passenger57]

I disagree,sufi66...this is their "job",and they happen to lo-o-o-o-ove what they do AND get paid big $$$ to do it.
Having said THAT,I think Star Wars Episodes 1,2, and 3 were jam-packed with crappy,repetitive dialogue and wooden acting from Christenson,Portman,and Jackson.Lucas,for some reason,must have TOLD them to act like that...Oh well.

[ktano0]

I think Shia has great potential. He kinda reminds me of Jack Lemmon when he was younger, or maybe Matthew Broderick.

[sssteverrr]

Man, the guys spent his whole life on two comic book movies and American Grafiti. I'm more impressed with Diablo Cody

[RoseMerry]

I like Diablo Cody. And Collide. And Star Wars. And "Closer". My tastes are rich and ecletics and life is good.

Life is not a zero-sum game.

[Agentlady007]

From what I hear through the grape vine, Harrison looks buff and hotter than before.

I'm going to wear my sexy safari outfit to this movie.

[Agentlady007]

Then if my intuitions are right I am supposed to jump out a window. Give my modern portait of Lucas and Speilberg to the proper authority. Snakes are out there, never fear, and always beware.

[GayIthacan]

Actually, the actor who could pull off a 'new' Indiana Jones is Aaron Eckhart.

[Agentlady007]

Ewan McGreggor.

[StanDaMan]

It's about the cash, isn't it George?

[RGKahn]

And, your point?

[StanDaMan]

Ok, I'll 'splain it to you. The entertainment biz gives us comedies with laugh-tracks so we can giggle and guffaw reflexively (like Pavlov's dog) irrespective of whether they"re funny, and TV shows and movies with nonsensical or simplistic plots or special effects in lieu of any plot, clichéed dialog, one-dimensional characters, and a lot of blow-'em-up, crash-into-'em, shoot-'em-up, punch-'em-up kinda action. It's a veritable feast of mediocre crap that's lapped up by an eager American public with glazed-over stares, without discernment or criticism. But it's big bucks for the purveyors of that crap. Lucas is interested merely in serving-up his particular brand of crap and running to the bank with his pockets full of cash.

[Agentlady007]

I don't think so. I last heard he is worth over 250 million in cash.

[TurgidCaterwauling]

George, you've gone to the well too often. I have no idea where we are in the Star Wars saga. You lost me with Attack of the Teddy Bears. And the last three films were just plain dopey. The Indy movies were based on old time serials. There are a lot of others out there that could be introduced to modern audiences with young characters who aren't descendants of Dr. Jones. For God's sake man, hook up with a bright young writer/director and do something new. Seeing your characters become T.V. shows and cartoons is painful.

[richmanpoorman]

Someday the fans will calm down are re-watch episodes 1-3 and appreciate them for what they are. They actually tell a much more sophisticated story than the original trilogy while at the same time delivering tons of fun for an entirely new generation of kids. Sure the acting and dialog is really bad in some places... but take off the blinders of nostalgia and you can find as bad or worse in the originals.

These are, an have always been, movies for kids. It isn't George's fault that so many adults seem to have arrested development.

[Agentlady007]

The Original? Yes, and when you see movies like "Jaws" again - people don't relate this to Steven Speilberg's other movies at all. With George Lucas, he is all future story telling. I personally think he is the most outstanding furure story teller of all time. Like Einstein created relativity. E=MC2 ( squared). He makes sense. Speilberg also makes sense, and yet he is more of a good dream coming true on filmmaker - or a story you need to see filmmaker, and George is more of a " forget your troubles come on get happy " kind of guy -AHEM, MOVIE MOGUL.

[chromodynamics]

It must be wonderful to be so delusional, but the reasons why the last three Star Wars films were so bad were because they sucked. It's that simple. There is no other spin you can put on it; they just sucked. No real story, no charters to care about, and no respect for plot continuity. Just bad, bad, bad...

[Agentlady007]

THE LAST THREE DID NOT SUCK IN MY BOOK.

[CharlottesvilleVA]

Wow - did you get do too well when you auditioned for Mr. Lucas or something?

[Agentlady007]

If you break up Speilberg and Lucas as a team, life will end as we know it.

[LiberalBuzz]

I hate to break it to George, but Shia could NEVER take up the Indiana franchise. He just doesn't have that special rugged and totally good looks that Harrison has.

I've been watching Transformers on Cinemax this past week a couple of times and the kid just is NOT the person to replace Harrison. He would come across more as someone who belonged on the Disney Channel after Hannah Montana.

The best person to replace Harrison would be NATHAN FILLION. If you haven't seen him work you absolutely have to. I had never heard of him until I watch a science fiction show called FIREFLY and he channels Indiana/Han Solo better than anyone on Earth.

In fact if you want to catch him he is on the SCIFI channel RIGHT NOW (It's Friday 11am)

I was just floored when they picked Shia to be on Indy when Nathan is just such a better person to take the reins.

George hasn't been wrong....well except Howard the Duck but in this case I think he would be sorely disappointed in the response by trying to put some kid who acts like Shia does.

[luckyoldson]

Keep in mind, the next flick wouldn't even be filmed for at last two-three years and people do mature, especially at his age. Did you also feel Downey was wrong for Iran Man?

[situationcritical]

Hey, just checked Nathan F. out. Thanks, but no thanks.

Shia LeBeouf rocks way harder!

[LiberalBuzz]

Not even close. He's just a kid with no chin and no chops.

He belongs in B horror flicks and as the KID in other movies.

Nathan would be the best person to take the reigns; he is the total package. Shia? Not this kid..

[desthmoneses]

There both fine

[protagonia]

George, fear not. The force will be with you always.

[Agentlady007]

If they can replace Darth Vader and use a completely different look for the young Darth ( Hayden Christensen)actor - then Indiana Jones will go on forever. Who's worried?

As for Star Wars, the special effect are without a doubt the most amazing in cinema history and always will be. The dialogue in these films however is annoying to me sometimes, so I won't be feeling anxiety until the next one comes to the theaters.

At any rate, it's nice to see George and Steven remain as loyal friends. Indina Jones movies were always my favorite edge of the seat don't close your eyes or get up or you might miss something movies.

[protagonia]

newbie08 See Profile I'm a Fan of newbie08
Mmmmmm, not his fan. By just saw his profile and photos on millionairedatingsite "W e a l t h yR o m a n c e.c o m" last week. It seems he is single again
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Poor newbie. It's like this all day for you, isn't it? Nobody goes to that site anymore because it is a bad thing. You sell something bad and nobody is buying it.

[WilliePilgrim]

Great news, Mr Lucas. The rejection by the majors for your further explorations of the Star Wars mythology is in many ways good news as it will free-up the options for where it can travel and take us along for a wonderful and rewarding ride. I don't absolutely love everything, every character, and every story in the continuing saga, but then I realize that there are a number of audiences being addressed and to your credit and the credit of those who work with you, and even to the credit of the audiences, it is never insulting and always encouraging.
Likewise, I have much praise for the Indiana Jones series and look forward to seeing its continuance in whatever form and in whichever direction you take him...and us. Additionally, I see that the History Channel is once again ganging up Young Indiana Jones episodes and you can rest assured I will be watching and enhancing my viewing enjoyment and learning quotient by keeping my laptop connected to wikipedia and searching for more interesting aspects to the subjects glanced upon in the series. In just one example, I was truely gratified by the exposure to which we were treated regarding Krishnamurti and Theosophists of the late Victorian times. Very very interesting and bordering on the enlightened. Thanks for the high level of production and historical values inherent in your works. I could be no prouder of you for your accomplishments in this than if you were myown family.

[MarkyM]

Keep on George! When Star Wars is played out....I'll take care of you! "Out of Hand"
Click here . http://revver.com/watch/780240 Copy and paste then pass it along to everyone in your address book

[phoffman]

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE STOP!
Please, please, please stop. Dont further destroy my childhood.

[CostaMesaJoe]

I'm with you on that....some franchises should be considered sacred.......