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Harrison Ford's 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' turns 30
Thirty years ago on Sunday (June 12), Harrison Ford's most most iconic character, Indiana Jones, made his debut in 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark."The role put him on the map. Or more on the map since he was an integral part of the original "Star Wars" trilogy. Ford ended up reprising the Jones role three times -- in 1984, 1989 and 2008.
And, stay tuned Indy fans, because Ford (now 68) may be making a fifth appearance as Jones. According to Shia LaBeouf, who co-starred with Jones in "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," Ford recently hinted that he's staying in shape because he fully expects a call from George Lucas.
"I talked to [Harrison Ford]," LaBeouf tells MTV News. "He said he's staying in the gym, he said he's heard no word, but he does know that [George Lucas] is out there looking for a MacGuffin. He said he's staying in the gym, so it means [the movie is] not so far off."
In "Raiders of the Lost Ark," Ford played Indiana Jones, a mild-mannered archaeology professor who -- for kicks -- took a sabbatical to save the Ark of the Covenant from falling into Nazi hands. The character had swagger to spare and more than a little skill with a whip. He was smart, funny, vulnerable and -- at times -- a total idiot. We loved him.
The movie was a watershed moment for director Steven Spielberg, whose previous movie -- "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" -- was respected, but hardly a cultural phenomenon. Spielberg teamed with "Star Wars" creator George Lucas to rekindle the genre of adventure serials, a staple of their cinema-going youth. Hence the big-time music score, the map with dotted lines tracking the action as Jones ping-ponged around the globe and, of course, the larger-than-life premise.
It worked. "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was a smash hit at the box office and snagged a Best Director Oscar for Spielberg.
What do you think? Are you up for a fifth "Indiana Jones" installment or should we all just rent the classic "Raiders?"
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Photo/Video credit: Paramount Pictures/Getty Images
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Spielberg did NOT win an Oscar for this film; he was nominated only.
He will do a perfect job, he could never get to old for this, he's great, and I wish him well
I'm up for it.
I'd like one more, if nothing else then to just even out the series - 81, 84, 89... 08, 13
Has a much better ring to it, also it would seem more appropriate for Kingdom Skull to exist if it had a brother film. Lets just hope they do a better job this time. Though I don't hate Crystal Skull
bring on the 5th the 4th was ok the first time i watched it..then it grew on me and i put it up there with the other three...Dr. jones is the man
DR. jones 4ever
Don't forget that Spielberg directed Jaws in 1975, pretty much inventing the summer blockbuster. I'd see a new Indiana Jones in a heartbeat. There were a few scenes in KOTCS that made me groan, but it was a lot better than people give credit.
Mr. Ford also appeared as a middle-aged Indy (age 50something) in the episode of the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV show entitled, "Young Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the Blues," which aired in March of 1993.
Go Harrison!!! We are all getting older. Embrace your Indiana Jones!
You call him Dr. Jones Lady