If you’re the type of person who buys Indiana Jones memorabilia, you likely have a love for the movies. From Raiders of the Lost Ark, to The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, to the Last Crusade, to The Temple of Doom, and beyond, the sense of adventure never stops.
Even beyond the Indiana Jones movies, history will show that there have been other TV productions, comics, and even video games that all fit into the franchise.
Regardless of your preferred way to enjoy the content, you’ll surely appreciate these nuggets of information!
The Indiana Jones Franchise and Chewbacca Have the Same Inspiration
If you’re also a Star Wars fan, this is a bit of a double dose for you. The initial name for the character was “Indiana Smith.” Steven Spielberg shot that down for being too similar to Nevada Smith. So, the hunt was on to find a name as universal as “Smith.” Goerge Lucas would throw out “Jones.”
As for the first name, Lucas had an Alaskan malamute called Indiana. The dog was big and hairy, which led to the inspiration for Chewbacca from Star Wars.
Raiders of the Lost Ark Had Interesting Help from a Receptionist
Considering advanced CGI was yet to come, having an idyllic ghost float toward the camera was quite the trick. A receptionist from Lucas Film was used wearing white robes and with a face painted in ghostly blue and white.
She would then sit on a flat trapeze mechanism and do a swinging motion away from the camera. Add a skeletal model, and the rest is history!
Harrison Ford and Sean Connery Had to Go with No Pants Once
While hiding on a German zeppelin, there’s a scene where Indiana and Henry converse. Under the table, neither man was wearing pants. The heat on set was too much to handle, so Sean Connery removed his slacks, and Harrison Ford did the same!
The Friendship Steven Spielberg Had with George Lucas Meant Massive Projects Being Eschewed
A trilogy was the intention when Lucas gave Spielberg the Raiders of the Lost Ark pitch. Temple of Doom wasn’t the best received, but Spielberg did decide to finish as intended. Doing so, however, meant giving up directing Rain Man and Big.
Spielberg Was the Reason Behind the Introduction of Jones’s Dad
Spielberg made the suggestion as they were struggling to get the story going. Lucas was a bit hesitant since the Holy Grail was meant to be the focus of the film. They came to a nice middle ground, with the Holy Grail being the focus of the Last Crusade, alongside the father and son relationship.
Now, You’re an Even Bigger Indiana Jones Fan Than Before!
Regardless of which country you live in, Indiana Jones is likely a cultural icon. Maybe it’s the adventures combined with a name that’s so universal. Who knows?
How many of the tidbits of information here did you already know? Surely, they make the franchise even more endeared and interesting than before. Can you imagine filming with no pants?
Now, when you get your memorabilia from the films, you can have a laugh!