I was planning on finally catching up on the site today. The last few weeks have been very busy for me as I just got back from a personal trip with my family, a film project I’m involved in that is getting some great traction (more on that when I have something official to say) and of course episodes of Benview on Spielberg to record.

To say that the month of February got away from me is a bit of an understatement and I’m hoping the rest of March will be me playing catch up and getting right back on track here. I was originally planning on doing another lumped together post to share both the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade episode of Benview on Spielberg and the recently released episode of the show in which we talk about the film Always.

That was the plan…until Disney announced that Spielberg ,Ford and  Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy are returning to the franchise once again in Indiana Jones 5 (and it should come to no shock that George Lucas is not involved with this one too)! Lets look at the official announcement from Walt Disney Chairman Alan Horn….

“Indiana Jones is one of the greatest heroes in cinematic history, and we can’t wait to bring him back to the screen in 2019,” Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said in a statement. “It’s rare to have such a perfect combination of director, producers, actor and role, and we couldn’t be more excited to embark on this adventure with Harrison and Steven.”

While I understand the excitement, is it ok for me to say that I’m honestly a bit hesitant on this? For one….Harrison Ford will be 76 when they make this movie. While he did a great job in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it’s pretty clear he’s no spring chicken anymore. SW:TFA had the luxury to have the new generation take up most of the action, but he can’t do that here since he’s the title character. Hell, need I remind you that Ford got injured making SW:TFA?

Two, what’s the story with this new film? Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls kinda left us with a new status quo that I’m not sure they wanna explore anymore. When we last left Indy he’s now married to Marion Ravenwood and has a son in the form of Shia TheBeef. Do they still wanna put Marion in this film,  or are they going to do what Stallone did with Rocky Balboa and have Marion die off camera Adrian style. Here’s hoping they don’t as I feel Karen Allen deserves another chance to play Marion. Will Mutt be written off and be explained way (he’s on another dig etc.)? Will Mutt join the new adventure but be recast since I’m sure TheBeef burned his bridges with Spielberg.

I ask these questions because I’m not sure I entirely know what I want from a new movie, story-wise. If you listen to our episode of Benview on Spielberg about The Last Crusade, you can clearly hear what me and Matt like and dislike about that film and our own personal taste on what we wanted concerning other adventures starring Doctor Jones.

There have been a ton of interesting pitches I’ve been reading from fans and other film critics (my personal favorite is returning the much beloved Short Round to the series, now as an adult).

While talking about this new film on Facebook, I asked my friend Zoe Gulliksen (aka @bookishbelle on Twitter) who should be the screenwriter for the new film. Her answer was so damn obvious I’m a bit ashamed it didn’t hit me as quickly as she said it.

Lawrence Kasdan.

Kasdan’s writting on SW:TFA was fantastic. It’s clear the main reason Han Solo SOUNDED like Han Solo in the new film is because Kasdan worked on the script.

Lawrence’s script to Raiders of the Lost Arc is pretty much perfect, and the fact that he’s only written the first film is just a damn shame. While I’ve liked each of the films in one way  or another, Kasdan’s writing might be the main ingredient that was missing in the follow up Indy movies.  Even if they already had a script in development with another writer, it wouldn’t hurt to have Kasdan do a draft.

My one suggestion for the film? Don’t have the film finale echo Raiders in ANYWAY PLEASE.

Honestly, give our episode on The Last Crusade a listen. I feel a lot of our issues with the film should be things they should avoid with the new movie.

Listen to our episode about Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade right HERE.

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While I may be hesitant about another movie, I understand Spielberg feeling the need to right a wrong. He wants audiences to have a good finale memory on Dr. Jones and his adventures. I get that. Here’s hoping that they can deliver.

SOURCE: Deadline