Thompson On Hollywood

Cannes Watch: Indiana Jones

I saw it coming. Ever since Paramount announced that Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Kingdom of the Crystal Skull would not screen for anyone before its May 18 unveiling at Cannes (in advance of its worldwide launch May 22), I felt that Spielberg and Co. might be setting themselves up. The anticipation of this film is too great, the pressure for information is wrecking havoc on the internet. As the NYT reports, several exhibitor screenings have added to the din surrounding this film. So far the PR strategy has been to dole out interviews to press who have not yet seen it; Vanity Fair, EW, the LAT and others have played ball.

And at Cannes, select press are being invited to do interviews before the official press screening at 1 PM on May 18. This will add more pressure to the press conference that day. UPDATE: Paramount is also not throwing a party, instead sticking to a small exclusive film dinner. That's not winning them any popularity contests.

Sony learned the hard way the power of a roomful of 4000 critics waiting to find a movie wanting at Cannes with the Da Vinci Code. Moviegoers ignored their complaints and made the film a worldwide blockbuster. But the filmmakers had hoped to score a prestige win at Cannes. Ron Howard and Brian Grazer left Cannes with their egos badly bruised.

Spielberg, who is staying in one of the big yachts in the harbor, may be hoping to return to the site of his early career triumphs with Sugarland Express and E.T., which was such a huge smash at Cannes that it burnished Spielberg's profile as a star director with a special place in filmgoers' hearts. Indiana Jones is a favorite franchise returning after 18 years. It may fulfill all that is hoped for; it will certainly score a huge global opening. That's not the issue. It will be fascinating to see if Cannes gives back to Spielberg what he may be hoping to get from it.

If the audience skews older, as I suspect it will, I wonder if Paramount might not have lured more of the key younger demo by waiting to open the film after they get out of school. It's early summer days yet.

Cannes Watch: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Hits the Croisette

The official schedule for the Cannes Film Festival will be available online as of May 10. Here's the sked for Indy 4:

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL Out of Competition (USA)

Press screening: Sunday 18 May / 1.00pm / Grand Théâtre Lumière

Photo-call: Sunday 18 May / 3.00pm / Palais des Festivals

Press conference: Sunday 18 May / 3.30pm / Palais des Festivals

Official screening: Sunday 18 May / 7.30pm / Grand Théâtre Lumière

Film-team:
Steven Spielberg / director
Harrison Ford / actor
Shia LeBeouf / actor
Karen Allen / actor
Cate Blanchett / actor
Ray Winstone / actor
John Hurt / actor
Jim Broadbent / actor
George Lucas / producer
Frank Marshall / producer
Kathleen Kennedy / producer

Running time: 125 minutes

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL will be released worldwide by Paramount Pictures.

Cannes has announced its classics program, including Richard Schickel's tribute to Warner Bros., narrated by in-house star/director/producer Clint Eastwood. Early buzz on Cannes competition entry Changeling (Universal), a mystery Eastwood directed from TV writer-turned-screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski's script based on real events unfolding in the 20s, is quite good.

Indy 4 Advance Gossip

Don't believe anything you read about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull based on people who have actually seen it because as far as I know, Steven Spielberg has only shown it to the Cannes Film Festival (read Todd McCarthy's story here). Yes, the movie will show in Cannes, as we initially reported, on May 18. It will screen in the states that same day, just before its global opening May 22. There will be no junket. (Jeffrey Katzenberg will also debut Kung Fu Panda in Cannes, on May 15, in the traditional DreamWorks Animation slot.)

Jeffrey Wells' source for Indiana Jones being 140 minutes is impeccable, he says: composer John Williams. Besides, Spielberg's films have been running long lately. Terminal ran over two hours at 128 minutes; Catch Me If You Can was 141 minutes; and Munich was 164 minutes long. So at least he's going backwards! Slashfilm reports the running times on the Indy films-- "Previous installments ran 115, 118, 127 minutes respectively (and in order from Raiders to Last Crusade)." UPDATE: Wells has run a correction. Producer Frank Marshall has informed Paramount that the movie is just over two hours, including credits.

This amazingly speculative Indy 4 blog post from New York's Vulture fancifully cobbles together the mere suggestion that George Lucas is downplaying the movie, so it must be as bad as Star Wars: Episode 1--The Phantom Menace. This inspires the idea that Shia LaBeouf will prove to be Indy's Jar Jar Binks! Jesus. A headline in search of a story.

By comparison, this item at CHUD is based on actual reporting. The advance buzz on Indy is getting damaging enough that Lucas and Spielberg may want to reconsider the current strategy of waiting until May 18 to show the film to everyone at once. That's a long way off.

Remember, all the controlling behavior on Munich PR only backfired. Spielberg has an old-fashioned view of marketing. He doesn't like how fast-moving everything is now. Saving up for the big reveal can backfire in a huge way, as last year's The Da Vinci Code proved at Cannes. (At least Indy 4 is not slated for opening night.) In other words, you better have the goods. UPDATE: EW talks to Lucas and Spielberg about their take on all things Indy.

Sequels: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Indy 4, Dark Knight

Here's a new photo from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, due in theaters November 21.

Here's more on the final two Harry Potter movie installments and Hollywood's love affair with the sequel from CBS News:

John Hurt gives some scoop on Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

At ShoWest, Christian Bale talks about The Dark Knight and Heath Ledger:

And the NYP looks into George Lucas's move into TV with Star Wars and Clone Wars, which is also going to be an animated movie.

Indiana Jones: Three DVDs on May 13

It's no surprise that on May 13, just days before the opening of Indy 4 on summer screens, Lucasfilm and Paramount Home Entertainment will release all three Indiana Jones pics as special edition individual DVDs in a new box set. The Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) special editions boast new bonus features delving into the making of these classics and showcasing the characters, action and VFX.

All three films were originally restored and remastered in 2003. Directed by Steven Spielberg from stories by exec producer George Lucas, the three Indiana Jones movies earned six Oscars and nearly $1.2 billion worldwide. Previously available only in a trilogy box set, the three Indy Jones adventures were restored and remastered with new bonus content from Spielberg, Lucas and others who also hint about what to expect in the new installment.

The NYT breathlessly details the success of the Indy 4 trailer online. Lucasfilm and Paramount are pushing the pic on a younger generation. Boomers are already hyped.

More details on the discs are on the jump:

Indy 4 Goes to Cannes

Word is, Steven Spielberg and his cast will unveil the new Indy installment at the Cannes Palais four days before it opens worldwide.

Trailer Watch: Indy 4: The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

I'm as fond of the Indiana Jones franchise as anyone, and Harrison Ford making fun of his age when he is obviously in superb condition could be a fun running gag for boomers like me. But Lucas and Spielberg are smart enough to know that you have to throw in some new stuff to keep a series like this alive. Bringing back Karen Allen and adding Shia LaBeouf, Ray Winstone and Cate Blanchett is a good start, but....

Indy 4 Photo

Here's a new scene still from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull of Ray Winstone, Shia LaBeouf, and Harrison Ford. The movie opens May 22.

Preview of 2008

Tis the season for previews of 2008.

Here's this weekend's annual LAT sneak preview of 2008.

Reelz Channel.

Jeff Sneider.

The Vanity Fair cover story on Indy 4, plus follow-up blog.

[Vanity Fair photo by Annie Leibovitz.]

Indiana Jones: Comic-Con Live Feed

Here's a clip of the live Comic-Con feed from the set of Indiana Jones 4: this is how Spielberg announced that Karen Allen was returning to the movie, in front of 6000 fans.

Transformers: LaBeouf Does Vanity Fair

He's very good in Transformers. And Harrison Ford is passing the torch to the next generation in Indiana Jones 4. Here's our next every man boy star: Shia LaBeouf. I hope Hollywood doesn't spoil him too much. You have to have a good head on your shoulders to stay above the madness.

Sequels: Lucasfilm Lines Up Indiana Jones Promos

Lucasfilm posted this release on their Indiana Jones website on Monday morning--but they sent it to their mailing list for posting to the outside world:

Upcoming Indiana Jones Adventure to be Backed by Major Companies in Global Licensing and Promotional Program SAN FRANCISCO (June 18, 2007) – Indiana Jones, the world’s greatest action hero, returns to theaters May 22, 2008, and his newest on-screen adventures will be supported by an impressive array of leading companies as part of a broad global licensing and promotional campaign across a wide range of product categories designed to appeal to all ages. In the toy category, Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE-HAS) will develop a broad line of action figures, vehicles and role play as well as games. LEGO, the world’s best-selling construction toy brand, has also come on board as the exclusive licensee for building sets. Hallmark is on board in the greeting cards, party goods and ornaments categories, and Random House, Scholastic and DK Publishing will provide the foundation for a robust publishing program. Following their string of best-selling titles, LucasArts will support the franchise with breakthrough Indiana Jones video games that will allow players to “live” all-new Indy adventures. In addition, the upcoming Indiana Jones movie will also be supported by a strong slate of major promotional partners, including Burger King and MARS North America, with more partners to be announced soon.

Blanchett, Winstone and Hurt Join Indy 4; Connery Doesn't

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have announced official casting on Indy Jones 4 directly via the movie's website. Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone and John Hurt will join Harrison Ford and Shia LaBeouf in the sequel which is set to open on May 22, 2008.

Where's Sean Connery? Lucas was holding out hope that he could lure him with the latest script last time I spoke to him at April's San Francisco Film Festival. Connery must have held out for too much money. Here's how they handle it in the release:

While the man with the hat is back, this time he's not bringing his Dad. Sean Connery, who retired from acting in 2005, said:

"I get asked the question so often, I thought it best to make an announcement. I thought long and hard about it and if anything could have pulled me out of retirement it would have been an Indiana Jones film. I love working with Steven and George, and it goes without saying that it is an honor to have Harrison as my son. But in the end, retirement is just too damned much fun. I, do however, have one bit of advice for Junior: Demand that the critters be digital, the cliffs be low, and for goodness sake keep that whip by your side at all times in case you need to escape from the stunt coordinator! This is a remarkable cast, and I can only say, 'Break a leg, everyone.' I'll see you on May 22, 2008 at the theater!"

Officially retired eh? I guess at age 76 that's allowed.

Disturbia's LaBeouf Hits Big

The sign of a rising movie star is a little movie that unexpectedly opens big on mixed reviews. (Disturbia rated a 62 from Metacritic.) With Shia LaBeouf and Disturbia, some of the credit for a $23 million opening goes to a well-mounted thriller hitting at just the right time. (There's a reason studios love to do genre remakes for young audiences: they don't know the difference between the technologically enhanced new model and the superior original, in this case, Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window.)

And it's no coincidence that Paramount/DreamWorks announced right before the weekend that LaBeouf is co-starring with Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones 4, which starts filming in L.A. in June. (Something Variety reported on March 7.) DreamWorks' Steven Spielberg really believes in this kid: LaBeouf not only carries Disturbia but the summer tentpole Transformers, which opens July 4. (He's also doing voice work on Sony's upcoming animated comedy Surf's Up.) Nora's been a fan of LaBeouf's since 2003's Holes, the Disney Channel's Even Stevens and the Project Greenlight series on the making of The Ballad of Shaker Heights.

And she likes to remind me that Shia rhymes with Maya: see this NBC.com link to April 14's Saturday NIght Live. Here's Access Hollywood's backstage interview before the show: