Indiana Jones Returns In 2008 With New Movie,...

Indiana Jones Returns In 2008 With New Movie, Games etc.

All our hopes to play a new Indiana Jones game this year have now officially gone down the drain, as Lucasfilm announced today that the next Indy movie will premiere on May 22, 2008. And we certainly don't expect them to ruin any surprises in advance. As expected, the latest cinematographic adventures of "the world's greatest action hero" will be accompanied by all sorts of money-milking products, via new licensing agreements with all sorts of companies, the most important one (for us) being the LucasArts gaming division.

The communique mentions that LucasArts will continue the franchise with "breakthrough Indiana Jones video games that will allow players to 'live' all-new Indy adventures" - such as the next-gen Indiana Jones game for the PS3 and Xbox 360. Some of the other companies involved include Hasbro (for action figures, vehicles and other "real-life" games), LEGO, Hallmark, Burger King and MARS.

"It's been 19 years since the last film and we are sensing a huge pent-up demand for everything Indy", said Howard Roffman, President of Lucas Licensing. "We're delighted that blue chip companies like these want to be part of the incredible experience of bringing Indy back to the big screen and introducing him to a whole new generation."

"The people who grew up with Indiana Jones have become today's parents", Roffman continued. "If our experience with Star Wars is any guide, we think they'll want to introduce their kids to Indy and share this great new adventure together."

The new Indiana Jones movie begins production this month under Steven Spielberg's direction, and it will star Harrison Ford (naturally), Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone and John Hurt. Frank Marshall returns as producer with George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy as executive producers.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)