We Named the Dog LaBeouf

Posted by Robert Fure (robert@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 19, 2008

I like to keep my RAGE and Boiling Points related to relatively current trends and there is nothing more current this week at FSR than Indiana Jones. But how can I rage against one of my favorite film series of all time? Simple. I listen to George Lucas talk about the future of the franchise. For those of you who missed the bearded wonder speak about the future, he had this to say:

“I haven’t even told Steven [Spielberg] or Harrison this,” he said. “But I have an idea to make Shia [LaBeouf] the lead character next time and have Harrison come back like Sean Connery did in the last movie. I can see it working out.”

Ok, first off, who didn’t see this coming, raise your hand. Having a young character thrown into the mix is like waving a big flag that reads “passing the torch.” Second, how did it turn out last time Lucas decided to take a beloved franchise and toss someone young into the mix? It was called The Phantom Menace and it dumped all over my love. Third, what fun is an Indiana Jones movie without a focus on Indiana Jones? That’s like watching a Batman movie about Robin. It’s not a Batman movie if he’s not the main character, damn it. And this won’t be an Indiana Jones movie without a main focus on Harrison Ford, who is Indiana Jones.

Ok. I get that people love money. Hell, I love money. Money money money. But there has to be a point where someone grows a set and says “Hey, you know, maybe we make money without urinating all over something that has outgrown us and become a part of Americana.” James Bond is serialized and works with different actors. Indiana Jones has really stayed a Harrison Ford venture. Yes, there are the Young Indiana Chronicles, which were interesting, but at the very least those were Indiana Jones and not some spin-off character. I’m not sure how I’d respond to a new actor portraying Indiana Jones. I think I’d rather just stop it after Harrison Ford hangs up his bullwhip.

So seriously, could we avoid just cashing in on Indiana anymore than they’re already doing? I don’t mind M&Ms (which are delicious by the way) or Burger King deals or anything like that, but moving Indiana to the background and following the adventures of Labeouf - no thanks. I’m all for more Stallone Rambos and Rockys, and I’m super excited for this next Indiana Jones installment, because they keep the original actors in tow. That’s great! What I’m not about is this passing the torch bullshit but still keeping the name attached. Let Indiana Jones go out on top as our main lead, not in some secondary role as an old man. That’s not the Indiana Jones we know.

Hell, if you want to make some more bucks on this, just give us a fifth installment that features Harrison Ford in the lead! As the man himself said: “Till they tell me otherwise, I will continue to be Indiana Jones.”

So maybe I’m jumping the gun on this one or maybe I’m being harsh on Lucas and LaBeouf, but really I just love me the Harrison Ford Indiana Jones character and I want to keep this character, these movies, and these memories, at least a little respectable and a touch pure. So maybe I’m alone on this and maybe no one else cares or maybe others are even excited, but I’m past my boiling point just thinking about an Indiana Jones movie with Dr. Jones in a supporting role, damn it.

Read more articles by Robert Fure