Photographer
Annie Leibovitz got exclusive access to the set of the new movie,
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and had the privilege of publishing, in February's
Vanity Fair, the first pics of Oscar Winner
Cate Blanchett as the Soviet villain, Agent Spalko. Meanwhile, series creators
George Lucas and
Steven Spielberg, and their star,
Harrison Ford, talked to VF's JIM WINDOLF for the cover story.
Between them, Lucas and Spielberg have made 13 of the 100 highest-grossing movies of all time, with the Indiana Jones trilogy alone raking in over $1.18 billion worldwide. But it took the men behind
Star Wars and
E.T. more than a decade to agree on the story for the fourth cinematic adventure of the intrepid archaeologist.
A draft by
Frank Darabont (
The Mist), who had written for
Young Indiana Jones, was approved by Spielberg and Ford, but rejected by Lucas.
David Koepp (
Spider-Man) turned in what became the shooting script.
The story is set in 1957, and this time Dr. Jones goes up against the Soviets, led by Agent Spalko (Blanchett). On Indy's side, for the first time since
Raiders of the Lost Ark, is Marion Ravenwood (
Karen Allen), Indy’s fiery true love.
Despite the new decade and subject matter, Spielberg remained committed to the style of the first three Indiana Jones movies. During pre-production, he watched those films with his long-time cinematographer,
Janusz Kaminski, so they could study the work of trilogy DP
Douglas Slocombe, who is now retired at age 94.
Once Ford got back into his trademark costume, it was as if no time had passed at all. "The minute I put the costume on, I recognize the tone that we need, and I feel confident and clear about the character."
Over 79 first-unit filming days,
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull shot in New Mexico, Connecticut, California and Hawaii.
Once the final cut is locked, it will be dubbed into some 25 languages for an ambitious international release.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull swings into 4,000 U.S. theaters on May 22.
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