Unrealized Screenplays
About Indiana Jones, the legendary archaeologist portrayed by Harrison Ford, five films have been made so far. However, over the years of this series’ existence, there have been scripts in the works that ultimately were not brought to fruition. This article will delve into some of these ideas.
Indiana Jones in the Haunted Castle
The third installment of Indiana Jones’ adventures was supposed to take place in a haunted castle. The screenplay idea was conceived by George Lucas and handed over to Diane Thomas for development. Thomas, who had previously written the script for the film “Romancing the Stone” (1984) while working as a waitress, managed to draft the initial screenplay proposal but unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 39.
The concept was ultimately rejected by Steven Spielberg, who was not interested in directing such a spooky film. However, the Austrian castle (where Jones rescued his father, portrayed by Sean Connery) did eventually appear in the third film.
Indiana Jones and the Fountain of Youth
Another concept for the third installment was once again devised by George Lucas. In this plot, set in 1937, Indiana Jones was supposed to encounter a murderous ghost in Scotland before being sent by Marcus Brody to Africa. There, he teams up with zoologist Clare Clarke and student Betsy. The heroes embark on a quest to find a lost city with the Fountain of Youth.
They are aided by a dwarf named Tiky, but once again, Nazis enter the scene. Indy was meant to be killed but revived in the Garden of Immortal Peaches. The film was also supposed to feature a chess match against the Monkey King (with people as chess pieces) and a massive tank.
In this case, the search for suitable locations was already supposed to begin, but the entire concept was ultimately rejected due to its significant unrealistic nature and high costs. Spielberg himself stated that he felt a bit too old to direct such a film.
Indiana Jones and the Lost Continent
There were once rumors circulating about this film, which is conceptually linked to the 1992 game “Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis,” a story that fans consider excellent. Allegedly, this concept never materialized due to creative differences. The film was said to feature Jones’ brother and Sandra Bullock as a student.
Indiana Jones and the Saucermen from Mars
In 1993, George Lucas worked on a concept somewhat similar to the fourth film. At the beginning, Indiana Jones was supposed to get married in the presence of his friends, but during the ceremony, his fiancée Elaine McGregor mysteriously disappeared. Jones would find her at a secret base in New Mexico, where she had joined a research expedition on the remains of a flying saucer.
The group discovers a cylinder with mysterious markings, attracting the attention of extraterrestrials who eventually seize it and depart. However, the film never materialized, also due to the production of the movie “Independence Day” (1996).
Indiana Jones and the City of the Gods
In June 2004, the filming of a movie based on Frank Darabont’s screenplay was supposed to begin. The film was set in 1954 and revolved around thirteen crystal skulls. In the City of the Gods, these skulls were supposed to awaken aliens, who, in return, would promise to fulfill the wishes of Indiana Jones and his companions. However, those who chose selfishly were destined to die.
Filming movies like Indiana Jones is associated with the creation of numerous screenplay variations and many ideas that ultimately don’t come to fruition. In the case of some, it is certainly a pity.
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