Indiana Jones Game Shows Franchise Missed TV Gold!

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As a die-hard movie enthusiast, let me share some exciting news that has left my Indiana Jones-loving heart racing – the most exhilarating Indy project in years didn’t come from the big screen, but rather, it’s the incredible video game titled “Indiana Jones and The Great Circle.”

The creative minds behind Lucasfilm and Bethesda, who’ve recently brought the phenomenal TV adaptation of their hit franchise “Fallout” to life, have teamed up to craft this masterpiece. I’ve invested countless hours into this game, and now that I’ve completed it, I can’t help but express my thoughts on what a missed opportunity it is for the Indiana Jones franchise not to explore a modern limited series.

After devoting approximately 20 hours (give or take) to thwarting fascists from amassing excessive power, I find myself pondering why my Disney+ subscription doesn’t grant me instant access to watch a fresh series that shares a resemblance with this one on streaming platforms. For those who haven’t delved into the game yet, allow me to express my belief that Lucasfilm should consider transferring their hero to the small screen, potentially delivering one of Disney’s finest shows in recent memory.

Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Proves This Franchise Could Pull Off A Limited Series

The primary plot in “Indiana Jones And The Great Circle” unfolds as Indy sets off to Vatican City following the sighting of a colossal figure stealing an artifact from Marshall College’s collection. This adventure takes him to various parts around the globe, where he encounters diverse individuals and, inevitably, the Nazis. As always, Jones embarks on worldwide escapades and comes across a host of intriguing characters; however, engaging with them is key. For those Indiana Jones enthusiasts who may have missed “Dial of Destiny“, it’s advisable to catch up with this game if they can manage it.

If a player completes only the primary narrative without venturing into additional missions, the game typically lasts approximately 15 hours. This is around 5 hours longer than the typical duration of a streaming television series, particularly those on Disney+. Given that a game can spin an extended tale like Indiana Jones, it seems there’s potential for someone in the Hollywood industry to develop a series based on such content.

In “Indiana Jones and The Great Circle,” the narrative was expanded by a relic being fragmented into various parts scattered worldwide. This setup necessitated Indy to traverse the globe, uncovering tales and legends that pointed him towards the next fragment. This structure could effortlessly be repeated for a series, though there are undoubtedly other creative directions the sequels might take, departing from the original game’s blueprint.

Multiple Exotic Shooting Locations Could Call For A Big Budget, But That’s What Streaming Shows Do Best

As a globally recognized archaeologist like Indiana Jones, it’s essential that your adventures take you to extraordinary destinations. Whether you’re uncovering mysteries in the ruins of ancient Italy or eluding danger in the dense jungles of South America, the essence of the character lies in the exploration of exotic locales. If these exotic settings aren’t part of the story, it simply isn’t Indiana Jones, and even if you’re not physically present at those locations, the portrayal should make it seem like you are.

Producing multiple settings globally isn’t a low-cost operation, and many productions wouldn’t be able to afford it. However, Indiana Jones can pull it off because the series has always aimed to transport viewers from the U.S. to the most exotic locations worldwide. If Disney is prepared to invest $15 million per episode on Percy Jackson And The Olympians, I believe they could manage whatever budget is required for an Indiana Jones limited series.

It’s quite likely that Disney+ could be the platform where such a high-budget idea would materialize. This is because streaming services are often allocating larger budgets than cable or network television for their shows. For instance, the initial season of “The Mandalorian” reportedly cost $120 million, which is a significant amount that you don’t typically see on traditional television. Since “The Mandalorian” is linked to Lucasfilm, it wouldn’t be unexpected if an Indiana Jones series were given a similar budget. However, this is all speculation at this point, as there’s no official project underway, so it’s hard to say for certain.

Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Also Proves We Don’t Need Harrison Ford To Play The Main Character

The new installment of the Indiana Jones series, titled “Indiana Jones And The Great Circle,” offers unique advantages compared to its predecessors in the franchise. Primarily, it was faced with the challenge of emulating Harrison Ford’s voice, but it managed to create a younger version of the character using advanced graphics. Troy Baker delivered an outstanding performance as a young Ford, so convincingly that it may trick you into believing it’s actually Ford himself while playing. Given the iconic nature of this character, I find myself contemplating the possibility that the role could be effectively reprised by another actor in the future.

While I admire the ambition shown by ‘Dial Of Destiny’ in trying to make Ford appear younger, it’s evident that we’re still far from perfecting de-aging technology. The uncanny valley is alive and well when dealing with AI, making it easy for our human minds to detect when a face seems off. Moreover, reducing an actor’s age doesn’t automatically mean they regain the physical agility of their younger years. Given these constraints, it seems more fitting to let Harrison Ford enjoy his retirement and pass on the mantle of Indiana Jones to a fresh newcomer.

In Hollywood, there are numerous talented actors who could potentially fill the shoes of Indiana Jones. Although it might take time for fans to accept these newcomers, history has shown that such transitions usually prove successful. For instance, the Star Trek franchise has been recasting its main characters for quite some time now, and I’d prefer to witness this organic evolution instead of an AI-driven attempt to resurrect the past, which might fall short of expectations.

Wait, Didn’t Indiana Jones Try A Series Before?

Absolutely, I haven’t dismissed “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles” from my memory, a series that fell short of the high expectations set for it. It might be that the concept was too advanced for its time, but it doesn’t necessarily mean an Indiana Jones television series wouldn’t work today. With the streaming era dominating our entertainment landscape and big-budget shows leading the charge, I believe it’s worth revisiting this franchise on TV again. If successful, it could potentially revitalize the Indiana Jones brand, something that has been striving for a comeback in films for quite some time.

Catch the Indiana Jones series, including “Dial of Destiny,” on Disney+. If you’re interested in “The Great Circle”, it’s playable now on Xbox and PC platforms, with a PS5 release scheduled for Spring 2025.

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2025-01-28 13:07