Indiana Jones Action Figures

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Indiana Jones Action Figures - Past, Present and Future

We are so used to the toys being on the shelves before the movies even reach the theater these days. But back in 1981 when Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark was released, things didn't happen quite like that!

Indiana Jones fans had to wait until late 1982 for the toys to be released, even though Raiders of the Lost Ark came out in July 1981.

Well it certainly isn't like that anymore. The new Indiana Jones movie Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has sparked a new interest in the toys and action figures. A whole new range of Indiana Jones action figures has been released for the Crystal Skull and Raiders of the Lost Ark. There are more to come in July with new Last Crusade toys, and September when the Temple of Doom phase is released. Watch out for updates of the new Indiana Jones toys as they become available.

Let us take a look at the Indiana Jones action figures of the past as well as the new ones available right now. And learn more about how the story of Indiana Jones evolved from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Just why did it take so long for the Indiana Jones 4 movie to be made?

Indiana Jones - What's In A Name? 

How did the name for the Indiana Jones character evolve?

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George Lucas named the Indiana character after his dog,an Alaskan malamute. Lucas' dog was also his inspiration for the character Chewbacca in Star Wars.

George Lucas first had the idea that the character would be called Indiana Smith. But Steven Speilberg preferred the name Indiana Jones. Lucas agreed this would be a better name and the story of Indiana Jones began.

Indiana Jones Action Figures - A Bit of History 

Indiana Jones toys were not always so easy to buy

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We are so used to the toys being on the shelves before the movies even reach the theater these days. But back in 1981 when Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark was released movie fans had a long wait for the toys.

Indiana Jones fans had to wait until 1982 for the first Indiana Jones action figure to be released even though Raiders of the Lost Ark came out in July 1981.

The first toys were made by the Kenner company. Kenner had also made the Star Wars action figures.

After the 12" Indiana Jones action figure was released later on in the year Kenner made some carded figures. Initially there were only 4 characters in this 3.75" figure series - Indiana Jones, Marion Ravenwood, Toht and the Cairo Swordsman.

On the cards of the figures of this first phase was a mail away offer for Belloq in ceremonial robes.

This first phase of 3.75" Kenner figures is know as the "4 back card" because the back of the card has the pictures of the 4 figure on it.

Kenner was bought about by Hasbro in 1991. Hasbro is now producing some great Indiana Jones action figures for the new Crystal Skull movie. The new toys which are out now represent the Crystal Skull and Raiders of the Lost Ark movies. Out in July will be ones for Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Indiana Jones Toys

Vintage 1981 Indiana Jones Figure 

The Indiana Jones action figures were produced by the same company as the Star Wars Action Figures - Kenner. The company was later purchased by Hasbro.

The first 12" released at first was this Indiana Jones action figure. As Harrison Ford also played Hans Solo in Star Wars Kenner used the same doll for his Indiana Jones figure. They did not restyle his hair so Indiana Jones has sideburns! This is of course disguised with the distinctive Indiana Jones fedora hat.

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Vintage 1982 Indiana Jones Action Figure 3.75" 

Raiders of the Lost Ark original action figure

The first Indiana Jones action figures were released in 1982 a year after Raiders of the Lost Ark movie came out.

There were only 4 figures released at this time - Indiana Jones of course was one of them.

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1982 Marion Ravenwood Figure 

How did Marion Ravenwood Get Her Name?

The name for the character Marion Ravenwood was the idea of the screen play writer for Raiders of the Lost Ark, Lawrence Kasdan. He wanted a romantic old fashioned name for the character. His wifes grandmother was called Marion and he simply liked the name. One day he drove up Beverly Glen Boulevard and there is a street called Ravenwood Court. So that is how the name for the fiesty expatriate character was found.

Actress Karen Allen played Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Ark and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Marion Ravenwood was the second of the four 3.75" figures released by Kenner for Raiders of the Lost Ark.

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Indiana Jones Toht Action Figure 

The Villain of Raiders of the Lost Ark

Toht is a menacing villain. One of the great moments from Raiders of the Lost Ark is when Toht takes out what seems to be an instrument of torture but actually converts into a coat hanger for his jacket.

The Kenner Toht figure is one of the most easily found of the original Indiana Jones toys.

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Indiana Jones Cairo Swordsman Action Figure 

One of the original Indiana Jones action figures

One of the most memorable scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark is when Indiana Jones confronts the Cairo Swordsman played by Terry Richards. The scene was shot not in Egypt but Tunisia - a location which George Lucas had also used for his Star Wars movie.

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1982 Belloq Figure From Raiders of the Lost Ark 

The British actor Paul Freeman was cast as Frenchman Belloq for Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The original Kenner Belloq doll is difficult to find. It was produced originally as a 'send away' offer for those who bought one of the original Indiana Jones Kenner action figures.

It was later reissued with the second issue of Indiana Jones Kenner figures.

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Kenner Indiana Jones Play Sets 

Collectable Indiana Jones Toy Sets

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Kenner also released 2 play sets in 1982. The Well of Souls and The Map Room.

These original Indiana Jones play sets are much sought after by collectors. They are very detailed. They all came completely unassembled in the box.

There are still available as collectors items.

Indiana Jones Well Of Souls 

Boxed Kenner Well of Souls Play Sets are very rare - you may find one on eBay. The unboxed sets are much more readily available.

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Indiana Jones Kenner Second Release of Toys 

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After the success of the first toys more of the same, and some new ones were released.

There were a total of 9 figures in this phase. This is known as the "9 Back" as there were pictures of all the figures on the back as well as the play sets.

The new Indiana Jones action figure toys added to the Raiders of the Lost Ark range were Sallah, Indiana Jones in German Uniform, German Mechanic, Arabian Horse, and a different version of Belloq.

More Indiana Jones Kenner Action Figures. 

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Kenner Indiana Jones Map Room 

One of the original Indiana Jones Kenner play sets the map room is available either as used, and more rarely boxed.

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Indiana Jones Sallah Action Figure 

Steven Speilbery had wanted Danny DeVito for the part of Sallah, but budget considerations caused him to have to look elsewhere. British actor John Rys-Davies was cast as Sallah and takes a memorable role in Raiders.

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Indiana Jones in German Uniform 

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Indiana Jones Arabian Horse 

This is the Arabian Horse to match the 3.75" Kenner Indiana Jones action figures.

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Indiana Jones German Mechanic Action Figure 

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Which is Your Favorite Indiana Jones Movie? 

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Indiana Jones Toys McCoy 

Indiana Jones action figure released in 1999

There are only 3000 of these Indiana Jones toys McCoys action figures in existence so they are one of the most sought after Indiana Jones collectible action figures.

The Toys McCoy Indiana Jones was released in 1999. The figure is extremely detailed and is a great collectible.

An Arabian Horse was also released by Toys McCoy but these are even more difficult to find than the Indiana Jones figure.

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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 

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Temple of Doom was the eagerly awaited sequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark. It is really a 'prequel' as it is set one year before Raiders. It did not open to great reviews due mainly to it's dark theme and violence. But the movie was still a commercial success.

The action figures were produced by LJN. Only 3 were produced for Temple of Doom Indiana Jones, Mola Ram and Giant Thuggee Guard.

Indiana Jones Temple of Doom Figures 

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Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 

Amazingly there were no toys produced for the Last Crusade movie

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Released in 1989 to critical and popular success the Last Crusade is probably my favorite Indiana Jones movie.

We live in a world now where the toys get to the shops way before the movie gets to the theater. But the big surprise here? No toys were produced for the Last Crusade movie. We will have to wait for the September 2008 release of the Hasbro toys. Keep checking back for details.....

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 

Why did we wait so long for the Indiana Jones IV movie?

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Indiana Jones Pictures

We had to wait a long time for the fourth movie - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade had been released on May 24th 1989. We had to wait until May 2008 for Crystal Skull.

After the Last Crusade George Lucas felt that the story of Indiana Jones was perhaps complete. Steven Spielberg was interested in doing another one and so was Harrison Ford. George Lucas had the idea of setting the next movie in the 1950's and he first spoke to Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg about his ideas in 1992. But neither Ford nor Spielberg felt happy about the alien concept underlying the story. George Lucas convinced them both to let him try a draft of the story and he completed this in September 1993.

It took until 1996 for both Lucas and Spielberg to be happy with the script. The next step was to convince Harrison Ford. The script at that time was named Indiana Jones and the Saucermen.

But in July 1996 along came the movie Independence Day which was a huge success. Steven Spielberg did not think it was the right time for another 'flying saucer movie'. Lucas didn't want to change the concept, so Indiana Jones IV had to wait. George Lucas became heavily involved in Star Wars projects again and the years went by.

The New Indiana Jones Movie Is Made 

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

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The rumors that another Indiana Jones movie would be made went on for years. The idea of an Indy IV movie found new life in February 2000 at the American Film Institute tribute to Harrison Ford. The main players all realized once again how much they enjoyed working together. But they needed a script that everyone liked. So Lucas, Spielberg and Ford met for a script conference on April 12th 2000. The aliens were still the sticking point.

Some time in 2002 a compromise was reached. The aliens would be in the story but the flying saucers were out. Lucas had the idea of incorporating the mystical powers of Crystal Skull and Indiana finding the Lost City of the Gods. This is the point when the movie concept became something that all the participators could agree upon - and after all those years of speculation and rumor the Indiana Jones IV movie was going to become reality.

Frank Darabont was chosen to be the screenwriter and the first draft of Indiana Jones and the City of the Gods was completed in May 2003.

But there will still difficulties in putting everything together with a script that everyone agreed upon. Jeff Nathanson was brought in to produce a script. This script went backwards and forwards between Spielberg and Lucas and it was always just a step or two away from being something that each could agree upon. Spielberg once said "Working with George is still the same. We still argue, we still compromise, and we still deal with each other like the brothers that we are".

David Koepp was then brought in to produce a script. Both Lucas and Spielberg wanted someone who could act to bring their creative ideas together and finally get Indiana Jones IV into movie theaters.

David Koepp incorporated several of the previous drafts into Indiana Jones and the Destroyer of Worlds dated July 28th 2006.

By late 2006 Harrison Ford, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg were all happy enough with the script to announce that they had give the green light to the Indiana Jones 4 project.

New Indiana Jones Action Figures for 2008 

New toys to celebrate the release of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

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Indiana Jones Pictures

To celebrate the release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Hasbro is releasing a new range of action figures and 3.75" figures.

This will be in 4 phases and the first 2 phases are already released.

The already released figures are from Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Crystal Skull. In July 2008 the Temple of Doom and Last Crusade figures will be on sale.

They are split into basic and deluxe figures. There are also play sets and vehicles available.

Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark 2008 Launcher Figure 

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Indiana Jones Marion Ravenwood 2008 Raiders of the Lost Ark Figure 

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New Raiders of the Lost Ark Cairo Swordsman 

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Deluxe Indy With Horse From Raiders of the Lost Ark 

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Who is Mutt Williams? 

Mutt Williams in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

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When it was decided that Marion Ravenwood was going to return for the Crystal Skull movie the idea was that she would have had a daughter that Indiana didn't know about. But the idea evolved that Indy should have had a son. The character idea connects to Indiana Jones own father. Henry Jones senior is disappointed in his own son Indiana. In turn Mutt Williams represents the things which Indiana Jones doesn't like.

The name Mutt Williams is also a connection to the way in which Indiana's name was chosen - he of course was named after George Lucas' dog so the tradition is upheld with the name Mutt.

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Indiana Jones 12" Talking Figure 

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Indiana Jones 12" Mutt Williams Action Figure 

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The look and attitude of the character of Mutt Williams is very much based on the Rebel Without a Cause. Doesn't this picture make you think of the James Dean classic movie?

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Indiana Jones Crystal Skull Whip Figure 

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Indiana Jones Russian Soldier Action Figure 

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Indiana Jones Sallah Action Figure 

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Irina Spalko Figure 

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Colonel Dovchenko Figure 

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Indiana Jones Sets of Figures 

You may want to buy a set of Indiana Jones figures. Some sets have duplicates for you to resell.

As we have seen some of the old Indiana Jones toys do become collectibles but to get the very best prices they have to be boxed and in mint condition.

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Want To See Even More About the Indiana Jones Movies? 

featured lens Indiana Jones Toys

A big topic of conversation at our house for weeks has been the new Indiana Jones movie Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The wait is now over and the new Indiana Jones Crystal Skull movie has been released. Does it live up to expectations? You bet it do...

Will There Be An Indiana Jones 5 Movie? 

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George Lucas has been quoted as saying that an Indiana Jones V movie is a strong possibility. Would Mutt Williams take over the lead role with Harrison Ford in more of a Sean Connery Last Crusade role?

Do You Have Any Original Indiana Jones Action Figures? 

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by EverythingMouse

Alison Meacham aka EverythingMouse is a little obsessed with Disney. Alison is proud to be a Squid Angel,Rocket Mom and Giant Squid 100 Member. She is... (more)

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