Raiders Redux

Marion: You’re not the man I knew ten years ago.
Indiana: It’s not the years, honey, it’s the mileage.

We’re pretty much Indiana Jones fanatics around these parts. Which is why the news of a last chapter in the series (“Indiana Jones ‘to return in 2008’”) is mighty exciting.

Director George Lucas says the fourth instalment in the Indiana Jones film series will start next year.

Lucas said he and Steven Spielberg had recently finalised the script, and promised it was “the best one yet”.

Actor Harrison Ford will return as the titular star of the film, which is due to hit cinemas in May 2008.

Now, the original movie was released in 1981 and took place in 1936. If the new film takes place 25-30 years after the first story, that would put it in the early 1960s, maybe the late 1950s if they’re trying to get away with Ford being a bit younger than his 64 years.

Lots of potential historical story lines for that time period — everything from postwar Nazis in South America, to the Cold War, to nuclear developments… even the Kennedy Assassination. Should be fun, whatever it winds up being.

Lucas, 62, has now confirmed the script is ready - after more than 10 years in development - and told the Associated Press the film was “going to be fantastic”.

He would not reveal any plot details, but said it would be “a character piece” including some “very interesting mysteries”.

Can’t wait!