Since 1981, the Indiana Jones series has been winning hearts. There are five installments, and filmmaker Steven Spielberg has played a significant role in establishing Indiana Jones‘ legacy over the years. He knew exactly what Indiana Jones fans wanted to see in the film because he had been involved with the franchise since the first film, Raiders of the Lost Ark.
George Lucas had also been an integral part of the franchise, but a few of his decisions for the fourth installment of the movie were reportedly one of the reasons why the film didn’t get a lot of approval from the audiences.
Indiana Jones screenwriter called George Lucas crazy
Frank Darabont, a screenwriter, and filmmaker, once stated that Lucas was dissatisfied with the script he had developed for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The Green Mile filmmaker shared his thoughts on how Lucas’ inputs frustrated him at times. He also stated that Steven Spielberg had approved of the script he had for the film and that it was only Lucas who wasn’t on the same page as everyone else. While talking about Lucas, Darabont said in his statement,
“It showed me how badly things can go. I spent a year of very determined effort on something I was very excited about, working very closely with Steven Spielberg and coming up with a result that I and he felt was terrific. He wanted to direct it as his next movie, and then suddenly the whole thing goes down in flames because George Lucas doesn’t like the script,”
He further added,
“I told him he was crazy. I said, ‘You have a fantastic script. I think you’re insane, George.’ You can say things like that to George, and he doesn’t even blink. He’s one of the most stubborn men I know.”
Darabont also mentioned that the script he had penned for Indiana Jones 4 was much different before Lucas got involved in it. The fourth Indiana Jones adventure garnered $317.1 million in the United States and $790.6 million worldwide. Though it was a hit at the box office, the movie is regarded as one of the weakest Indiana Jones movies, because many fans and critics weren’t happy with the storyline.
Harrison Ford thinks the critics were harsh on Indiana Jones 4
When fans and critics declared Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull a flop, the filmmakers found it hard to believe. When asked about the fourth installment of Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford, the face of the story for years, said he didn’t think Lucas or Spielberg were to blame. While talking about the film, Ford said,
“I mean, the critics were harsh on it, but what are they doing now? I understand. But those were their rules — not director Steven Spielberg’s and co-writer George Lucas’ rules. They were imposing their rules on what the movie should be. I don’t feel it’s necessary to address those issues. I think that everyone has a right to their opinion.”
He further added,
“The film was not as successful as we wanted it to be, perhaps. But it didn’t create an attitude or a behavior that carried over into this film.”
One of the main reasons why many disliked the fourth feature was the excessive use of CGI, the insertion of Shia LaBeouf’s role as Indiana Jones’ son Mutt, and the introduction of aliens to the franchise.
