Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Trailer, News & More!

The first trailer for Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is now planned for a debut in February. While we don't know for sure with which movie it will show, Paramount's biggest film that month is The Spiderwick Chronicles, so keep your eye on that one. Of course, it's possible Paramount will decide to debut footage earlier during the Super Bowl, but we're not sure.

"The new Indiana Jones movie is being shot here in Fresno! They are shooting at Chandler Airport and Dol Palos. As it's a period piece, they're turning the airport into a Mexican airport circa 1950s.

They even brought in a slew of old cars to visually sell the era. I don't have all the facts, but they should begin shooting pretty soon. It's great that Fresno's going to be part of such a huge movie!"

- 10/20/07: Principal photography on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull wraps. And now... we wait!

- 10/10/07: From ComingSoon.net: Production is two days away from wrapping and the Spielberg raved about how great it was to have Ford back and how amazed he was that he did the majority of his own stunts.

- Spielberg said, looking back to the last film, which was 18 years ago, he couldn't tell the difference between the action star from then to now because he's still that good.

- Spielberg also told us that the Russians are the villains in the film and he hired Russian actors to ensure accuracy with their accents.

- Steven went on to say that the fourth installment of the "Indiana Jones" franchise is shot on film and not digital, despite Lucas' encouragements of doing so because he is old-fashioned, and he added that if the people before him, who he considered great directors, did it on film then that's good enough for him.

- 10/08/07: George Lucas boldly states that Crystal Skulls will be the best Indy film since Raiders of the Lost Ark.

- 10/05/07: More solid plot details emerge - The film is set in 1957 with an older Indiana Jones. Hawaii stands in for a South American rainforest. New Mexico stands in for Morocco. Indy will face direct conflict with aliens, or at least the bureaucrats at Area 51.

- 10/03/07:Details from when shooting began June 18, 2007, emerge: shot in a building at the former airstrip in Deming, N.M. The building was painted blue and sported a USAF insignia and "Home of the Fighter Pilot" on an exterior wall, with World War II Air Force vehicles parked nearby.

- 10/02/07: The Yale University scenes include an extensive chase in which Indy rides his bike through the Commons, Yale's dining hall. The scene appears near the beginning of the movie.

- 10/01/07:The biggest action sequences took place in Hawaii, where 20% of the film was shot on private property. Shooting is now based in Downey, Calif., where 50% of the film will be shot.

- 9/28/07: An insider has told AICN.com that on a soundstage in LA the production has built a reproduction of the warehouse from the end of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, and they're staging a sequence there this week.

- 9/12/07: Among other things, Cate Blanchett tells Entertainment Weekly that "Harrison looks f---ing great!" when asked about her role in IJATKOS.

- 9/09/07: Shia LaBeouf took to the stage at last night's MTV video awards to finally announce the official title of Indy4: Paramount will release "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" around the world on May 22, 2008.

- 9/04/07: Sneaky photos from the LA sets provide a fascinating peak into the Indy 4 process. Mild spoilers.

- 8/27/07: The pyramid set is not Egyptian, as one would assume. It is meant to be located in South America - meaning it is of Aztec or Mayan origin.

- 8/25/07: A pyramid set has been built on the LA movie lot where Indy 4 is currently being filmed. Lots of actors dressed as Russians, and vintage Russian tanks have been seen in the area.

- 8/15/07: John Hurt is playing Abner Ravenwood, Marion's father who is mentioned in Raiders. Whether this is in a flashback or if he wasn't really dead remains to be seen.

- 8/15/07: Cate Blanchett is not playing Indy's love interest as many had thought, but an evil Russian character.

- 8/10/07: Area 51 and the quest for alien artifacts feature heavily in the storyline.

- 8/7/07: Crystal skulls, perhaps alien artifacts, are the main prize and what Indy and the Russians are competing to find.

- 8/2/07: The warehouse full of crates from the end of Raiders is involved somehow.

- 7/29/07: Many have speculated that the film comes full circle with Raiders and that the Ark of the Covenant will make another appearance.

- 7/25/07: Ray Winstone's character is named "Mac".

- 7/25/07: Shia Lebouef plays Indy's son, but they don't realize their connection until a very pivotal scene in the film.

- 7/21/07: To prepare for the role, the 64-year-old Ford's fitness routine consisted of three hours a day at the gym and a high-protein diet of fish and vegetables. His co-star Shia LaBeouf spent the same amount of time gaining 15 pounds of muscle.

- 7/21/07: LaBeouf prepared for his role by viewing the previous three Indiana Jones films repeatedly.

We're all kinds of excited about the new Indy 4 flick, and have spent an unhealthy amount of time getting all of the content contained in this lens together for your information and enjoyment. If you found it fun and helpful, please get it in front of more people by linking to it and/or giving it a Squidoo star rating. This lens needs a little fortune and glory, kid. Fortune and glory...

On June 30th, 2007 - the cast and crew of Indiana Jones 4 filmed several interior and exterior scenes at Yale University in Connecticut. A fan was on hand to take the photos that make up this exclusive gallery.

Why do I care?
18 years after the Last Crusade the principals have finally managed to get their schedules in order, and a script they're all happy with. There were half a dozen rewrites and many arguments between Ford, Lucas and Spielberg along the way. I always paid attention to the movie geek rumor sites, and never thought they'd get it underway. That tells me that the pieces are in place for something special, and I'm going to stay excited and optimistic until I'm proven otherwise. If you'd have told me a couple of years ago that the Pixies were going to reunite, and there'd be a 4th Indy film, I think my head would have pulled a Belloq.

Why should you care?
If Indiana Jones 4 proves as popular and as well made as Raiders, Temple of Doom and Last Crusade - we'll be witness to a very cool piece of movie history. I am sick to death of CGI and haven't wanted to go to the theater for many moons. Ford will be 66 years old by the time this is released, and very probably the star of the most profitable summer action movie of all time. Think about that for a second - It's simply fantastic.

You can never get enough Indiana Jones! If you are a member, please join our Indiana Jones 4 Facebook Group! We'll keep the rumors, news and updates frequent, and the discussion threads will cover many aspects of the Indy universe. Get in on the conversation and bring your buddies with you. Join us today!

We're all thinking it - at 65 years old, is Harrison Ford a believable action hero? I am leaning towards "yes!" after reading the following quote from Ray Winstone's godson who visited the set in July 2007:

"When Harrison Ford walked on set - wow! He's quite shy and reserved. I know people are worried about him playing Indy at his age but I can tell you first hand that as soon as Steven yelled 'Action!' Harrison was throwing himself into everything, doing all the stunts they'd let him."


Who else thinks this cartoon is a bit mean?!

In addition to a 65 year old leading man, Indy 4 is being shot on 35mm film as opposed to digital, and very few CGI effects will be employed. The entire production is a loveable throwback - and you need to have faith, people! We're in for something special.

Steven Spielberg jokes around on the set with Karen Allen who is returning as tough-as-nails Marion Ravenwood.

Indy: Listen. Since I've met you I've nearly been incinerated, drowned, shot at, and chopped into fish bait. We're caught in the middle of something sinister here...

Indy: We've known each other for a long time. I don't believe in magic, a lot of superstitious hocus pocus. I'm going after a find of incredible historical significance, you're talking about the boogie man. Besides, you know what a cautious fellow I am.

Indy: Sallah, I said *no* camels. That's *five* camels. Can't you count?

Willie: You're gonna get killed chasing after your damn fortune and glory!
Indy: Maybe. But not today.

Short Round: What is Sankara?
Indy: Fortune and glory, kid. Fortune and glory.

Henry Jones: You call *this* archeology?

* By 3 June 2003, Frank Darabont's script was being reported as being complete. The production crew stated that the film would be shot the same way as the previous three - with stunt men, rather than computer generated effects.

* M. Night Shyamalan and Tom Stoppard were each asked to pen a draft of the screenplay.

* In April 2004, the project was supposedly shelved once more after George Lucas rejected the script by Frank Darabont earlier. Reportedly, Lucas did not like Darabont's handling of the storyline between Indy and his brother (both Indy's father played by Sean Connery and brother, a role for which Kevin Costner was rumored to be considered, were to have roles in the new movie). In media reports Darabont indicated he was "disappointed" with the decision.

* At one point, Calista Flockhart was attached to the project.

* This is the first Indiana Jones film without Pat Roach, who had a role in the first three films. Roach died in 2004.

* The first Indiana Jones film not photographed by Douglas Slocombe.

* Sean Connery was asked to reprise his role as Henry Jones, Sr. from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). But Connery turned it down because he did not want to come out of retirement.

1. Raiders March
2. Call of the Crystal
3. The Adventures of Mutt
4. Irina's Theme
5. The Snake Pit
6. The Spell of the Skull
7. A Whirl Through Academe
8. The Journey to Akator
9. "Return"
10. The Jungle Chase
11. Orellana's Cradle
12. Grave Robbers
13. Hidden Treasure and the City of Gold
14. Secret Doors and Scorpions
15. Oxley's Dilemma
16. Ants!
17. Temple Ruins and the Secret Revealed
18. The Departure
19. Finale

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If you're looking for the quintessential Indiana Jones Costume for this Halloween, look no further. In addition to providing links to costume dealers, this site also provides tips on props, make up and other nuances that will help you recreate Indy's famous swagger to a "t".

What fans do want to see:

* The reluctance. There was always a bit or reluctance with Indy. While he always wanted the prize, you always got the feeling that he felt there were things he'd rather be doing. Or at least doing those things a different way. When Indy goes after his "fortune and glory" in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, it's because he feels cornered by his own conscience to do so. With the Holy Grail, it was parental guilt that sets him on his way. It was this trait that made Indy more accessible to his audience.
* Nazis. Okay, let's face it: when Indy wasn't facing down the Nazi Regime in the Temple of Doom, audiences got a bit antsy. Despite the fact that Indiana Jones 4 will take place in an era in which the Nazi occupation of Europe is no longer a threat, it just won't feel like an Indiana Jones film without Indy's hatred for said foes.
* A touch of mysticism, but not too much. The Indiana Jones films have always carefully bridged adventure with fantasy. This film should not fail to do so. It's the foundation of what Indiana is made from and a film without it will seem like just another cookie-cutter Hollywood adventure flick.

What fans do not want to see:

* Indiana romancing a much, much younger girl. Woody Allen did this for awhile, but soon it just got downright creepy. There's no reason for a twenty-something actress to be cast opposite Ford when there are plenty of sexy, vibrant and amazing actresses over forty working (or not working) in Hollywood.
* A kid. This is probably a moot point at this juncture, but throwing a kid into the mix where there wasn't one before is almost always the death of a series. Luckily, with Shia Lebouf playing his older son, this seems to be a worry that is null and void.
* Key characters being played by new actors. No one wants to see anyone other than Sean Connery as Indiana's father. The comparisons that would be made between the two would be constant and annoying, distracting from the overall enjoyment of the film. Same goes for Denholm Elliot. Fans will only assume that, like Mr. Elliot, Dr. Marcus Brody has passed away as well.
* Bad age jokes. No Danny Glover type, "I'm too old for this.." jokes. No plays on how Indiana is constantly wishing he was younger. Fans realize that Indiana is older. There's no need to remind us.

"I was sent along these pictures from a friend who recently flew over Hawaii, the pilot came over the speaker and said that that they were flying over the sets for Indy IV. This was before filming wrapped there. Looks like some military vehicles, Russian perhaps?"

It's been a long, long.... LONG road, Indy.

1994: Harrison Ford says at the Venice Film Festival that he's considering playing Indy one last time. Sandra Bullock is rumored to be on tap as his sidekick.

1995: Variety quotes one Indy screenwriter as saying that Spielberg wanted to shoot the film in L.A. and Honduras. Plot points alluded to in the piece include an attempt by Indy to foil a Soviet plot to establish a missile base on the moon, and something involving a UFO crash at Roswell, N.M.

1996: Spielberg says the script has nothing to do with Atlantis, but rather Adam and Eve. A Paramount source says "Indiana Jones and the Garden of Life" was tossed around. Kevin Costner and Tom Selleck are rumored to play Indy's "bad seed' brother.

1997: Chris Columbus takes a crack at an Indy script with "Indiana Jones and the Monkey King." A rumor floats that George Lucas has told Dutch TV that Indy will have a son. A Paramount source mentions Indy will have a brother. "Garden of Eden" script is said to have a religious tone. Aintitcoolnews.com spreads a rumor that Indy's in his 50s and is searching for Noah's Ark.

1998: Mark Hammill is rumored to have been cast as a villain. Lucas says an Indy IV script is complete. Another script surfaces on Cinescape that deals with a "race to harness the power of the ancient device which was responsible for the destruction of Atlantis." A legitimate script is released titled "Indiana Jones and the Saucer Men From Mars," concerning an alien artifact that passes among Indy, Russians and aliens.

1999: An "Indiana Jones and the Red Scare" script treatment, set in the early 1950s with Indy seeking artifacts retrieved from Hitler's bunker by the Russians, surfaces on the Web. No one claims it.

2000: M. Night Shyamalan tells Howard Stern he's in talks to write the next script. But Lucas says he can't commit to the project until 2005.

2002: Spielberg says Kate Capshaw is in the film and that he wants to shoot in 2004 with a 2005 release. The story is said to be set in the 1950s and involve no Nazis.

2003: Producer Frank Marshall says there will be no son for Indy.