George Lucas’ Indiana Jones films have had a significant influence on many people’s childhoods. Harrison Ford has reprised his legendary role as our favorite on-screen archeologist in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which just recently came out (30 June 2023). The first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, was released in 1981. But did you know that Clint Eastwood prevented it from happening much sooner?
Even though the Indiana Jones series is one of the most recognizable action series ever, it may have started out completely different. This is because George Lucas had the movie in his plans before he created Star Wars.
However, he unintentionally delayed Raiders of the Lost Ark for a number of more years because of a Clint Eastwood film.
Here is the strange story of how the 93-year-old veteran film director and producer delayed Raiders of the Lost Ark. And how he unintentionally became involved with Indiana Jones was kind of bizarre.
How a Clint Eastwood Movie Delayed the Production of Indiana Jones?
In the making-of documentary, The Making of Raiders of the Lost Ark, George Lucas gave some details about how Indiana Jones was created. He related a story about how a Clint Eastwood movie caused the release of his film to be delayed.
After Lucas shelved the idea for Indiana Jones, he got in touch with Phil Kaufman, another producer.
When Kaufman learned about the concept, he and Lucas started to develop it, bringing it closer to what the movie ultimately became. But shortly after Kaufman’s enthusiasm for Lucas’ film was sparked, the producer quit Raiders of the Lost Ark.
The 88-year-old producer made this decision so that he could work on a Clint Eastwood movie, which at the time had a higher chance of being a box office hit than the relatively unproven Lucas film.
Why Postponing Raiders of the Lost Ark Was Beneficial?
Harrison Ford first wore Indiana Jones’ fedora in the 1981 film, Raiders of the Lost Ark. But if everything had gone according to George Lucas‘ plan, the movie would have been out already before he came into the picture. Clint Eastwood unknowingly prevented the film from being released.
In spite of the fact that Phil Kaufman’s decision led to a postponement of the first Indiana Jones film, it was still worthwhile. Lucas initially wanted Kaufman to helm Raiders of the Lost Ark. But after patiently waiting for Kaufman, Lucas ultimately made the decision to move on.
Steven Spielberg was chosen by George Lucas to take Kaufman’s place, and it turned out to be a great decision for the movie.
By that time, Spielberg had already produced Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, thus establishing himself as a renowned filmmaker capable of directing Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Eastwood thus indirectly had a significant impact on Spielberg’s ability to direct a franchise. Unfortunately, the director will not be playing the same part in the recently released, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was released on June 30, 2023. Meanwhile, Raiders of the Lost Ark is currently streaming on Disney Plus and fuboTV.