[IMG:L]We’re not going to fault Indiana Jones for not making it to San Diego for Comic-Con.
After all, it took the archeologist-adventurer 18 years to finally get back to whip-cracking in front of the cameras, and we think even the most dedicated Indy fans were happy to keep him there until filming is finished.
But taking a break from filming all of the big screen blockbuster action audiences are dying to see, director Steven Spielberg, star Harrison Ford and other members of team made sure to deliver an early thrill to fanboys and fangirls at the Con, appearing live via satellite directly from the set.
With the famous Raiders of the Lost Ark march playing, Spielberg kicked off the on-screen set visit with, in the tradition of the Con, what promised to be a major revelation, the proper name of the new adventure. “Indiana Jones and….,” he teased, playfully muting himself as if the audio had dropped out, “is the title of our film.”
“I am just extraordinarily pleased to be able to tell you that after 18 years, we actually have completed 25 days of shooting,” he continued enthusiastically. “I never thought this day would come, to actually be able to sit here and say we are finally making another Indiana Jones movie. It’s thrilling and we are having a great time.”
“For the last 10 or 12 or 13 years I made a lot of different kinds of movies,” Spielberg continued. “Many of them were films that I really passionately needed to make first, for myself. This picture, I promise you, I am making for you guys and girls. This is really all for you and for all the fans of the series. We are back and all in good form.”
To prove, it, Spielberg made a sudden announcement: “Here is Indiana Jones, ladies and gentleman.” The camera angle widened to reveal Ford sitting next to the director in full Indy regalia, looking as though he had barely aged a day in the two decades that have passed since he last donned the fedora.
[IMG:R]”It is a great pleasure to be back with Steven,” Ford told the fans. “Back in the sweaty, dirty clothes that Indy always wears. I’m glad to be making a dynamite movie. I am so happy about this movie and the people we have in it.
“I want to introduce my sidekick,” Ford continued as the angle widened again to add another castmember, character actor Ray Winstone (The Departed), who looked nearly as scruffy as Ford in full costume. “I’m glad to have the comfort of his companionship.”
“I play the good-looking one in the film,” quipped Winstone.
[IMG:L]”That’s the good looking one,” said Ford. The shot expanded once more to reveal young actor Shia LaBeouf, looking like a James Dean/Marlon Brando wannabe in black biker leathers from the ‘50s. Rumor has LaBeouf playing Indy’s unknown son, but Ford coyly referred to him simply as “my other side kick.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing in this movie,” LaBeouf said, looking convincingly humbled by the experience. “It’s happenstance. I don’t know how I am here sitting in front of you – It’s insane.”
“Well, you have a modicum of talent in you,” Spielberg assured him. “And you had a huge hit movie called Transformers, although we cast you before it was a hit…We took a big chance on this kid.”
Then suddenly Spielberg jumped up and brought out a black paneled directors chair emblazoned with a name that was shockingly familiar to fans of the franchise. “Ladies and gentleman…Marion Ravenwood!”
Karen Allen, who played Indy’s equally tough ex in the original 1981 film, bounded into view, embraced by Spielberg. “It is great to be here on the set of this next Indiana Jones adventure,” she told the crowd. “Great to be back in the boots of Marion Ravenwood and I am just thrilled to be working with Steven and Harrison and Shia and Ray. So, Comi-Con is getting the first peek at us all together as a…” She suddenly hesitated, as if concerned she might spill a spoiler.
“… Family,” finished Ford.
“Family,” Allen giggled.
“We are a family,” agreed their director. “A little older, and a lot wiser. We are really happy to be here and, like I said before, this is all for all of you. We are making this picture with every single one of you in mind. Every single shot, I am always thinking ‘How are you going to respond? What is the audience going to think?’ So thank you very, very much and we’re out of here!
