For those who believe that Ford IS Indy...

Posted by Rob Roy from ws-209-78-118-125.lyonlyon.com on May 04, 1999 at 10:40:38:

You're right. He is Indiana Jones. He is different from many other hero film stars because he originated from a screenplay. And that brings up an interesting situation. Unlike Dracula or Superman or Sherlock Holmes, fans of Indiana Jones have a definitive look attached. Harrison Ford. It is his mannerisms, voice and actions that have given life to Indiana Jones. It is impossible to think of any other person playing him. I agree completely.

Nevertheless, within fifty, eighty, maybe a hundred years, if civilization still exists, the movie industry WILL revisit Indiana Jones. He has already become legendary, and will surely stay in the hearts and minds of generations to come. And, barring certain cryogenic or genetic engineering advances, I can almost guarantee that Ford will not be playing him. Why? Because these future fans will have realized something that all you "Ford or nothing" fans haven't. Indiana Jones is a CHARACTER, not an actor. A character, by definition, is the personality or part that an actor recreates. RE-creates. Meaning the character existed before the actor portrayed them. And so the character will exist after the actor is long gone. And will so exist when said character is portrayed by another actor. THAT is how you immortalize a character. You keep them going, not try and bottle them up for yourself. Trying to "savor" the Indiana Jones you all know and love is selfish beyond all comprehension. If fans of Bela Lugosi had won the right to deny future audiences of Dracula, we would not have been allowed the privilege to enjoy the many interpretations of such a magnanimous personage. The same goes for Shakespeare, Holmes or Dickens. Good or bad it doesn't matter. No single generation has the right to say what is perfect or sacred. There would be no sense in it after a hundred years, and there is no logic in trying to do it now. I say thank you to Harrison Ford for three great and memorable films. Now let's see someone else play the part.

Rob, a true Indy fan

Follow Ups:

Re: For those who believe that Ford IS Indy... Rob 21:31:18 5/04/99 (0)
Ford IS Indy!!!!!!!!!! Meg 18:37:30 5/04/99 (1)
- I agree, right on (Nm) Brett (Yasim) Lambert 07:04:16 5/05/99 (0)
Re: For those who believe that Ford IS Indy... LFM 15:16:14 5/04/99 (4)
- Re: For those who believe that Ford IS Indy... Mark Indy 17:04:09 5/04/99 (3)
  - Exactly how many of us are gonna be around in 80-100 years to complain about a remake? JeffWi 17:20:08 5/04/99 (2)
    - Re: Exactly how many of us are gonna be around in 80-100 years to complain about a remake? LFM 19:30:26 5/04/99 (1)
      - Re: Exactly how many of us are gonna be around in 80-100 years to complain about a remake? Steve 21:03:15 5/04/99 (0)

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: You're right. He is Indiana Jones. He is different from many other hero film stars because he originated from a screenplay. And that brings up an interesting situation. Unlike Dracula or Superman or Sherlock Holmes, fans of Indiana Jones have a definitive look attached. Harrison Ford. It is his mannerisms, voice and actions that have given life to Indiana Jones. It is impossible to think of any other person playing him. I agree completely.

: Nevertheless, within fifty, eighty, maybe a hundred years, if civilization still exists, the movie industry WILL revisit Indiana Jones. He has already become legendary, and will surely stay in the hearts and minds of generations to come. And, barring certain cryogenic or genetic engineering advances, I can almost guarantee that Ford will not be playing him. Why? Because these future fans will have realized something that all you "Ford or nothing" fans haven't. Indiana Jones is a CHARACTER, not an actor. A character, by definition, is the personality or part that an actor recreates. RE-creates. Meaning the character existed before the actor portrayed them. And so the character will exist after the actor is long gone. And will so exist when said character is portrayed by another actor. THAT is how you immortalize a character. You keep them going, not try and bottle them up for yourself. Trying to "savor" the Indiana Jones you all know and love is selfish beyond all comprehension. If fans of Bela Lugosi had won the right to deny future audiences of Dracula, we would not have been allowed the privilege to enjoy the many interpretations of such a magnanimous personage. The same goes for Shakespeare, Holmes or Dickens. Good or bad it doesn't matter. No single generation has the right to say what is perfect or sacred. There would be no sense in it after a hundred years, and there is no logic in trying to do it now. I say thank you to Harrison Ford for three great and memorable films. Now let's see someone else play the part.

: Rob, a true Indy fan

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