comment #1

JD says ...

But you assume Darabont is correct. He wouldn't be the first writer to believe that something he wrote was great, while others disagree. Happens all the time. Personally, I don't understand why Darabont took this job in the first place. The Majestic notwithstanding (I actually liked it more than The Green Mile), he must have enough clout to write whatever he wants and get it made. If you're in that position, why make yourself a slave to someone else's artistic whims?

comment #2

Craig Kennedy says ...

He probably figured he was untouchable. I don't know. I like Shawshank and I agree Lucas is insane, but Darabont comes off a little arrogant here. He's in love with his own words as any writer is, but because he's had success as a director he expects he won't be treated the way most screenwriters are treated.

comment #3

D.Z. says ...

JD: He'll be correct if Shia ends up being this generation's Shortround.

comment #4

jeffmcm says ...

JD: the answer is, he no doubt figured that he would succeed where others had failed, and could make a hefty paycheck and be part of a much-beloved franchise at the same time.

I'm really anticipating The Mist, by the way.

comment #5

Josh Massey says ...

I pray Darabont's Indy script leaks somehow. Just not to MTV.com.

comment #6

Craig Kennedy says ...

I'm looking forward to The Mist too. He seems to have keyed in on the things that make it a good story but it'll be interesting to see how he handles the more horrific elements. I'd like to see the Indy script too. Arrogant or not, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that he's right.

comment #7

JD says ...

Me too, Josh. In fact, I'm surprised there isn't more of a market for unproduced scripts. If Darabont wasted all that time writing something he can never make, he should at least be allowed to publish it. I'd pay $15 to read a book with that script and maybe an intro with Darabont's account of the experience.

comment #8

DavidF says ...

Word is that Darabont's script was great and everyone loved it but Lucas. On the one hand you have to side with the majority on this one. I mean, are we going to trust Lucas to recognize great writing at this point?

And yet, Indiana is his baby and you can't really blame him for getting what he wants.

When the movie comes out it will either be good or shit and then people will either wonder "what if..." or be satisified with what they got.

Personally I can't believe they're actually making it (and I'm not sure if that's good or bad). I admire Darabont and have to think it was a great script; but that doesn't mean it was the right script.

It's not really Lucas' style but I would LOVE to see a DVD that includes a couple of the rejected scripts. They must have had at least 5 or 6 complete scripts by A-list writers over the years this has been in development. I can't believe how they haven't all leaked...

comment #9

MASON says ...

I've heard the Darabont script was great.

I've also heard that for a long time Spielberg and Lucas didn't want to make the movie because Ford had become such a drinking, pot-smoking mess.

And I've heard that Paramount told Spielberg they wouldn't make Lincoln unless he made Indy IV first.

I've heard lots of things.

comment #10

DavidF says ...

So many rumours...and yet that Ford thing is the best explanation I've heard of why he wouldn't do something like Traffic (short of just being a chickenshit who has settled into a persona). He's almost Eddy Murphy-like in his fear of actually putting his talent to good use.

And do studios actually have the power to tell Spielberg shit like that? I find it hard to imagine at this point. Especially since the decision was clearly up to Ford and Lucas as well (and Lucas definitely wouldn't do something because a studio wanted him to).

comment #11

MASON says ...

It was more of a window thing. Spielberg was ready to go make Lincoln and then Paramount told him they wouldn't because of the cost.

comment #12

Rich S. says ...

I know, I've only heard it mentioned on fanboy sites. So why won't this "Indiana Jones and the Fountain of Youth" thing quit buzzing around my head? Everyone assumes Shia will be Indy's kid. But what if it turns out he's Indy? Maybe Darabont's script couldn't be morphed into a reboot. I hope I'm wrong.

Speaking of former Indy writers that once had promising careers, did anyone else see that Lawrence Kasdan is going to do a remake of Clash of the Titans? Ye gods (no pun intended) how the mighty have fallen. Lucas pumped out all three of those sucky prequels himself when it turns out one of the co-writers of The Empire Strikes Back might have done it for union scale...

comment #13

PanTheFaun says ...

Everything I've read has indicated Darabont's Indy script is on par with the best stuff he's ever done.

comment #14

Rich S. says ...

AICN just posted info on Indy 4. It's supposedly called Indiana Jones and the City of Gods. AICN also has a preliminary cast list. Get cracking, Jeffrey!

comment #15

MASON says ...

What a great scoop by AICN -- they listed the cast members that have already been announced. Man, what happened to AICN? It's seriously a step behind Variety now when it comes to breaking news.

comment #16

jeffmcm says ...

Which is where it naturally belongs.

comment #17

Jeremy Smith says ...

Actually, if the Rhys-Davies thing is correct, than that is a scoop, as it was reported the other day that he's out. Also, there's been no official confirmation of Allen's or Connery's involvement.

We'll see if it passes muster.

comment #18

D.Z. says ...

It's nice to know Rhys-Davies hasn't been dropped after all.

comment #19

Jeremy Smith says ...

"then that is a scoop"...

comment #20

Movie Watcher says ...

How do you know Darabont's script is any good? It's just another shot at Lucas. Maybe he's pissed off he was rejected. I mean, don't give Lucas the benefit of the doubt.

comment #21

Craig Kennedy says ...

Movie Watcher, I think the point is Lucas has squandered much of the good will so many people used to have for him. Fairly or not, it's easy for people take the other side.

comment #22

The Movie Man says ...

I think Darbont is a little overrated, and extremely uneven (especially THE MAJESTIC) but he brought that kind of Lawrence Kasdan from RAIDERS vibe to the proceedings, a guy who likes the genre, but who seems to favor warm, multi-character movies. Pairing Darbont and Indy seemed promising. But Lucas picked David Koepp, a wildly successful screenwriter who might as well be a computer program he's so impersonal. Koepp does Syd Fiel structure and nothing else.

This is not a rhetorical question, why does Spielberg always defer to Lucas on this series? Spielberg is possibly the most powerful director of all time, and his artistic sense is undoubtably superior to Lucas's.

comment #23

christian says ...

darabont is one of the coolest, most genuine guys in this town and it would have been a great team up, assuming the script was worthy...