Cinema’s Most Beloved Nazi-Fighting Adventurer: The Indiana Jones Breakdown
You know his catchphrases, and you know his hat and whip. But why does the famous adventurer call himself Indiana Jones?
Since 1981, the Indiana Jones series has been taking us on daring adventures alongside the eponymous Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones, Junior. Let’s break down this series. What makes Indy so special? And what basics you should really know about him and all of his adventures?
1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones began as ‘The Adventures of Indiana Smith‘ in 1973. George Lucas established many aspects of the Star Wars series early on when he began writing the original concept. Lucas and Philip Kaufman worked together for a few weeks on the story. It would be set in the 1930s and 40s, featuring the Ark of the Covenant as the main MacGuffin.
But after scheduling conflicts, the two found themselves busy in drastically different places when Lucas ran into Steven Spielberg in Maui. Spielberg loved the concept Lucas outlined. He suggested changing Indy’s last name to “Jones” and then they secured a deal with Paramount for five Indiana Jones movies.
Lucas initially wanted a lesser-known actor for Indiana Jones. Many names were considered, including Jeff Bridges, Bill Murray, Jack Nicholson, Sam Elliott, Steve Martin, and Nick Nolte. Eventually, though they landed on their leading man… in Tom Selleck.
“It belongs in a museum!”
– Indiana Jones
That is until Selleck was cast in Magnum P.I. and forced by CBS to drop out of the role. Since they couldn’t find the right actor, Spielberg suggested Harrison Ford. Ford’s success in Star Wars convinced Lucas to go with him. Lucas worried about being typecast for working with the same actors repeatedly. However, they eventually reached a deal, paving the way for cinematic history.
So How Many Indiana Jones Movies are There Now?
As of 2023, there are five films in the Indiana Jones series.
Raiders of the Lost Arc was released on June 12th, 1981. It was directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones and Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood. This movie takes place in 1936.
Next up was Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom on May 23rd, 1984. Also directed by Spielberg and starring Ford, this movie also featured Kate Capshaw as Willie Scott, and Ke Huy Quan as Short Round. Temple of Doom is a prequel and was set a year prior to Raiders in 1935.
Nearly five years later to the day on May 24th, 1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade once again had Spielberg in the director’s chair and Harrison in the leading role. Sean Connery joined this film as Indy’s father, Professor Henry Jones, and Alison Doody played Elsa. This movie took place in 1938.
Steven Spielberg directed the latest Indiana Jones film, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” Released on May 22nd, 2008, the movie received a lukewarm reception from fans. Harrison Ford and Karen Allen returned as Indy and Marion Ravenwood respectively. But this film included Shia LaBeouf as Mutt Williams and Cate Blanchett as Irina Spalko. This film takes place in 1957.
Finally, the most recent film in the franchise was June 30th, 2023’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Unlike the previous four, this movie was directed by James Mangold. Alongside Ford and Allen were Mads Mikkelsen as Jurgen Voller and Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena Shaw. This movie takes place twelve years after the previous one and thirty-three years after the original in 1969.
How Old is Indiana Jones?
Harrison Ford was born on July 13, 1942, and is presently 81 years old.
But his age and the age of Indiana Jones don’t line up exactly. Indiana was born (also in July) in 1899, making him 37 years old at the time of Raiders of the Lost Ark, 36 for Temple of Doom, 39 in Last Crusade, 58 in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and 70 in Dial of Destiny.
What’s Indy’s Real Name and Who is Indiana?
Doctor Henry Walton Jones, Jr. is Indiana’s actual, legal name. But only his father is seen using it on screen or calling him “Junior.”
Indiana was the dog.
In Other Media
Outside of the movies, there have been quite a few appearances of Indiana Jones and Co. The Disney Parks have had a few attractions for quite a few years including a stage show and rides throughout World World, Disneyland, and Tokyo DisneySea.
Marvel Comics and later Dark Horse Comics had licensing rights to the character in comic form. Marvel published The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones from 1983 to 1986, running monthly for thirty-four issues. Dark Horse then adapted the Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis video game from 1992 to 1996 and then seven limited series as well as a series of comics based on the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles followed by a non-canon Star Wars crossover featuring Short Round and the Millennium Falcon, an eventual adaptation of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and another limited series in 2008 called Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Gods.
Of course, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles television show ran from 1992 to 1996. This show featured George Hall as an older Indy in his 90s, a teenage Indy played by Sean Patrick Flanery, and a younger child Indy played by Corey Carrier. This series was made for a target audience of kids and teens. And then there were movie novelizations, thirteen original novels, and numerous video games including movie tie-ins and LEGO retellings.
Which Indiana Jones movie is your favorite? Have you read or seen all the Indy there is out there, or are you missing a few books comics or video games? Do you hope to see more Indiana Jones in the future, or would you like to see the famous adventurer finally enjoy retirement? Let us know in the comments!
Happy adventuring!
