Still against it

I got so excited there, I forgot the point of my rant! So, to quote the Cos, I told ya that story to tell you this one.

My more recent 'anti' Lucas conversations surround a proposed movie: 'Indiana Jones 4'. For some time now I've been of the opinion that this movie will never get made or if it does Harrison Ford won't be in it (he is a little old now, he won't last forever). Some retort that the movie is greenlit and that means it'll get made. I recall hearing that the movie was greenlit in 2000 and it would be released in 2001. So, it being greenlit doesn't phase me.

Last week I read a clip from an interview with George Lucas where he noted that he and Steven Spielberg were still working on getting a script in place. To be fair, this could have been a misquote or it might have been old information resurfacing again but, most everytime I see a quote about Indy 4, it's followed with 'we're still looking for an idea'.

Don't get me wrong here. They should take their time if they need it. Movies can be expensive and the last thing I think they should do (or should have done) is to crank out movies for the sake of cranking out movies. My attitude here is not 'you guys stink and should never make another movie' but is rather 'make a movie when you're ready but if you're not ready, don't'. I'd rather there be no Indiana Jones 4 than have another movie emerge from George Lucas that is received poorly. Of course, I'm not that big an Indiana Jones fan either so I guess it's no skin off my nose in that respect either.

The problem with George Lucas now is that people have expectations. With the original 'Star Wars', there were no expectations. Everything was bright and shiny and new. Then he waited. And waited. Books sprang up and comics and games and cartoons and people had time to figure out what 'Star Wars' was so that, when he did say 'It's time' people had expectations of what was going to happen. They'd dissected the movies, determined the history, they 'knew' what had happened and what they were going to see.

And it wasn't what they'd expected.

Whether it was good or not beyond the expectations, well, I've already said I thought they were 'okay' and Pete's all for 'great' but a surprisingly high number of my 'Star Wars' friends turned on Lucas for some period of time. They found fault, they found hypocrisy but, more often than not, they didn't find the joy they wanted. The joy they expected.

Many of those who turned away turned back for 'Revenge of the Sith'. I remember discussing the third movie as it approached and one of Henry's friends, Chris I think, likened the situation to a physically abusive relationship. 'Maybe this time the movie'll be good' he said, comparing that statement to 'Maybe he won't hit me this time'. Over the top? Certainly. Did it have some truth in it? I think so, maybe just a little.

So, George Lucas, don't rush Indiana Jones 4 just to make another movie. Wait until it seems right, feels right, comes together like it should. If it doesn't, don't continue.

...and if you don't start making it by the end of 2007, I'll win my bet with Dave and he'll owe me dinner. Take your time George! :)