Amid all the fuss at the VMAs over Britney, Sarah Silverman, and Kid Rock vs. Tommy Lee, a major announcement got lost in the shuffle — namely, Shia LaBeouf’s revelation that the fourth Indiana Jones movie, currently in production, will be called Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. (LaBeouf’s announcement reportedly bucked the objections of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, but the actor, pictured at left, said he felt the time was right because "I’m 21, and we’re in Vegas, baby.") Now, normally, PopWatch is hesitant to lend much credence to LaBeouf’s Indiana Jones-related pronouncements — after all, the Transformers star denied to our face that he was going to be costar in the Harrison Ford sequel until the truth came out — but the Crystal Skull title was one of six possible titles Lucasfilm reportedly registered with the Motion Picture Association of America last month. And today, the official Indiana Jones website confirms LaBeouf’s assertion.
So there it is, PopWatchers. Sounds like the plot will involve the aging archaeologist visiting a head shop before a Grateful Dead concert. Among the six registered titles, I’d really been hoping for Indiana Jones and the Destroyer of Worlds, a title that invokes both the dawn of the atomic age and Hindu mythology (bringing to mind what J. Robert Oppenheimer famously said when the first A-bomb was exploded in 1945). I’ll leave it up to you all to guess what the title means, what possible mystical artifact Indy could be chasing this time, and whether the title (and the forum in which it was announced) bode well for the 2008 film.
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I think it’s an odd choice, but it is perfectly in keeping with the pulpy tradition of the previous adventures’ titles. Though, at first I thought it sounded a bit like 1 of those cheesy LucasFilm-sanctioned Indy novels that started to come out in the early ’90s. Still, with Spielberg at the helm, they could call it “Indiana Jones And The Insurance Seminar Of Tax Forms” and I’d still show up. (And so would you. Admit it.)
I guess it’s better than Indiana Jones and the Destroyer of Worlds.
(I love Shia!!)
The title is as bad as the teenage moustache LaBeouf’s sporting. What’s up with that?
I officially have no idea what the hell the title is supposed to mean and I’m more than ok withthat. I saw the original movies when I was VERY young and I didn’t know what “Raiders of the Lost Ark” meant, or what a “Last Crusade” was, so I don’t place too much stock in the title.
I find it curious that LeBeouf would leak the title if Spielberg and the notoriously secretive Lucas REALLY wanted to keep it a secret. Here’s hoping Shia doesn’t show up back on set and find he’s been replaced by Emile Hirsch.
I’ll be excited only if Joan Collins is playing Crystal Skull.
The new Nancy Drew PC Game is called the Legend of the Crystal Skull. Do you think Indiana Jones III and Nancy hook up?
Snore…zzzz….notice how Shia was all nervous and excited about saying this, yet no one in the audience even cared.
Shia was a bore, and so was the title… I’m catching that one on pay per view.
it’s named after the tokyo disney seas ride that’s been open since 2003. i kid you not.
Yeah, it’s the Tokyo Indy ride. It’s actually better than the one in Cali… but dunno what kind of movie it’d make.
Hey he stole my fuzz!
I actually saw something about the crystal skulls on The History Channel several years ago. There is a lot of myth surrounding them. You can check Wikipedia.
for more than you want to know about crystal skulls: http://www.world-mysteries.com/sar_6_1.htm
A Machu Picchu linkage would be awesome. But I’d settle for Aztec or Mayan.
I have a strange sinking “Temple of Doom” feeling. But that could just be me being culturist, since the Judaeo-Christian artifacts mean more to me than the Hindi ones. Oh well. Since the crystal skulls are a mystery even to the Aztecs and Mayas, maybe we’ll get some Atlantis!
Also, I think people should hold off on facial hair until they reach 30. just cause you can don’t mean you should.
I don’t really care about the title! The cast is amazing and they brought back the character of Marion which was my favorite leading lady of the three! I can’t wait!
Wasn’t there a Stargate episode involving crystal skulls and large invisible aliens?
The title is a little long… couldn’t they have just called it Indy 4?
I personally like Indiana Jones 4: Short Round’s Revenge that one blogger posted several weeks ago. Very funny!
http://amwt.blogspot.com
Awww, ain’t Shia the cutest little thing you ever did see….
I heard tha Shia is dating Rihanna. You lucky dog!!!!!
They should have just called it Indiana Jones 4. Who’s gonna say that long title when getting their tickets? I’m willing to bet people only said Pirates 3.
My friends and I watching the VMAs thought for sure Shia was kidding when he announced that title. Good thing we didn’t put any money on it.
I completely agree with you, mtank. And Ceballos, I think you’re onto something — Emile Hirsch kind of reminds me of River Phoenix, who made a great young Indy.
I don’t trust anyone with so many vowels in his name.
Peach- That was hi- wait for it- larious. Thanks for the laugh
I think they will either shorten it or change it at the last minute … like they did with Revenge of the Jedi in 1983…
I really hope this isn’t the title, is sounds like something out of a Saturday morning cartoon!! If it in fact is then shame on you Lucas & Spielberg you would think two of the most imaginative and visionary minds of our time could come up with something better.