New Year's Day saw George Lucas and his personal empire pulling out all stops as he turned his grand marshal gig at the Rose Parade into what was billed as a Star Wars "spectacular" celebrating the hugely successful franchise.
But when it comes to his other hugely successful franchise, 2007 will be a bellwether year.
In a press release Monday, Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford confirmed that the long-gestating fourth installment in the Indiana Jones saga would begin production in June. Lucas will produce via Lucasfilm, Spielberg will direct and Ford will dust off the fedora for one more go-round as the globe-hopping, adventure-seeking archeologist.
"George, Harrison and I are all very excited," Spielberg said. Lucas chimed in by saying, "These films are such great fun to make. I'm looking forward to reuniting with the team and starting this new journey."
And Ford, who will be 64 when cameras roll, added, "I'm delighted to be back in business with my old friends.
"I don't know if the pants still fit but I know the hat will."
There was no immediate word on the official title or plot points. Also unanswered is whether Sean Connery will return as Indy's father. Lucas has previously said that he wanted the semi-retired actor back and would be writing him into the story line.
Paramount Pictures, which released the previous installments, will distribute the fourth, which is reportedly targeting a May 2008 release.
"It's going to be fantastic. It's going to be the best one yet," Lucas said during an appearance in Beverly Hills on Friday. The first three films—1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1984's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and 1989's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade—grossed a combined $1.1 billion worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.
Lucas added that the movie would be a "character piece" with "very interesting mysteries," and added that the AARP-eligible Ford is "fit to continue" playing the whip-cracking hero.
Lucas, Spielberg and Ford have been teasing fans about Indy 4 for more than four years now, but the film never got off the drawing board due to script issues. Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) had first crack at the screenplay, but his script was vetoed by Lucas. According to Monday's announcement, David Koepp (Spider-Man, Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds) finally managed to deliver something that pleased the powers that be.
"We feel that the script was well worth the wait. We hope it delivers everything you'd expect from our history with Indiana Jones," Spielberg said.
While no release date was announced Monday, there have been hints that the fourth edition would be in theaters in May 2008.
Meanwhile, Lucas lorded over the 118th Annual Rose Parade on Monday, which had a distinct Star Wars bent.
Some 200 members of the charitable group the 501st, under the tutelage of a drill sergeant, rehearsed along with the Grambling State University marching band for several days and appeared in full Imperial regalia for the parade. There were also two massive Star Wars-themed floats, one representing the planet Naboo, complete with Jedis and Queen Amidala, and the other Endor, chock-full of Ewoks.
Floral designer Jody Brown-Spivey called the floats "awesome."
The Naboo design featured a castle and waterfalls and was romantically decorated with roses, lilies, snapdragons and orchids. The Endor village design included an Ewok swinging between tall trees amid tropical plants such as white and purple orchids, birds of paradise, ginger and anthuriums.
Joining Lucas, the Ewoks, Jedis and stormtroopers along the route were several beloved Star Wars characters, including Chewbacca, the droids and Darth Vader.