What could have been...?
May 25th 2008 23:39
I missed out on being at the Indiana Jones premiere and red carpet experience (I was sick, but appreciated the invite from Paramount Pictures) last week, so I’m a bit miffed. But I am heartened at finding out that I’m not alone, there are others that were not involved either:
Tom ‘Moustache’ Selleck was almost Indiana. He was offered the role at the same time that CBS picked up the Magnum PI pilot Selleck had just made. Unfortunately the Magnum producers would not release him and he had to pass on the film role. In one of those awful ironic life twists, an actor's strike delayed the start of Magnum's filming. As Raiders was being shot in Europe far away from Union regulations, Selleck could have done the role after all. Selleck, showing generous sportsmanship, appeared in an episode of Magnum that parodied Raiders with the trademark accessories, riffs on the hat, the whip and booby traps.
Spielberg originally intended the role of Marion Ravenwood to be for his girlfriend Amy Irving, but they broke up during production. Other contenders were Sean Young and Barbara Hershe, while Debra Winger turned the role down. After seeing Karen Allen in National Lampoon's Animal House, Spielberg decided she was the one.
Spielberg originally wanted Danny Devito for the role of Sallah, Indiana’s sidekick and skilled Egyptian digger, but apparently he was too expensive. After seeing John Rhys-Davies in the '80s miniseries Shogun, he was chosen for the role.
Spielberg considered Jacques Dutronc (Ma Place au Soleil) and Giancarlo Giannini (Casino Royale) for the part of René Belloq before deciding on Paul Freeman. He spotted Freeman in Death of a Princess, his piercing eyes standing out. Belloq was supposed to appear in the prequel Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, but for unknown reasons, he was written out.
And finally, Willie Scott. We could have seen Sharon Stone in this role. She was among the hundred and twenty actresses that Spielberg saw for the high maintenance chanteuse. He eventually settled on Kate Capshaw, then known for her role in daytime soap Edge of Night. Spielberg wanted Willie to be a complete contrast to Marion, both in personality and looks. So, upon Spielberg’s request, Capshaw dyed her brown hair blonde. Trivia-wise, Willie was named after Spielberg's dog and Spielberg married Capshaw in 1991.
Tom ‘Moustache’ Selleck was almost Indiana. He was offered the role at the same time that CBS picked up the Magnum PI pilot Selleck had just made. Unfortunately the Magnum producers would not release him and he had to pass on the film role. In one of those awful ironic life twists, an actor's strike delayed the start of Magnum's filming. As Raiders was being shot in Europe far away from Union regulations, Selleck could have done the role after all. Selleck, showing generous sportsmanship, appeared in an episode of Magnum that parodied Raiders with the trademark accessories, riffs on the hat, the whip and booby traps.
Spielberg originally intended the role of Marion Ravenwood to be for his girlfriend Amy Irving, but they broke up during production. Other contenders were Sean Young and Barbara Hershe, while Debra Winger turned the role down. After seeing Karen Allen in National Lampoon's Animal House, Spielberg decided she was the one.
Spielberg originally wanted Danny Devito for the role of Sallah, Indiana’s sidekick and skilled Egyptian digger, but apparently he was too expensive. After seeing John Rhys-Davies in the '80s miniseries Shogun, he was chosen for the role.
Spielberg considered Jacques Dutronc (Ma Place au Soleil) and Giancarlo Giannini (Casino Royale) for the part of René Belloq before deciding on Paul Freeman. He spotted Freeman in Death of a Princess, his piercing eyes standing out. Belloq was supposed to appear in the prequel Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, but for unknown reasons, he was written out.
And finally, Willie Scott. We could have seen Sharon Stone in this role. She was among the hundred and twenty actresses that Spielberg saw for the high maintenance chanteuse. He eventually settled on Kate Capshaw, then known for her role in daytime soap Edge of Night. Spielberg wanted Willie to be a complete contrast to Marion, both in personality and looks. So, upon Spielberg’s request, Capshaw dyed her brown hair blonde. Trivia-wise, Willie was named after Spielberg's dog and Spielberg married Capshaw in 1991.
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Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Mis
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
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Fat Cult
Techbreak
If Selleck was Indiana, would it be as memorable? He's not as surly as Harrison, is he?
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Great post, Trace - so sorry you missed out too, on skipping down the red carpet!
Mich
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I didn't know any of this stuff before I wrote the post either. Who says blogging isn't educational?!
Tracy
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
did Speilberg begin his relationship with Kate Capshaw before or after casting her in the temple of doom? perhaps he could have ended up married to Sharon Stone?
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Glad you liked the topic. I learnt a lot...and none of it will go to waste.
Is it mean for me to say that it was difficult to find a pic of Sharon in a closed-leg pose?! Ah well, the truth must be spoken...
It’s one of those parallel universe things isn’t it? Who knows how Tom could’ve been? I do find him attractive despite his hairy upper lip (and chest). I think you’re right, Harrison is definitely more rugged. But, there’s no way that Selleck could ever do any Indiana films now that he’s worn so many Hawaiian shirts...there’s no recovering from that fashion choice..
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
That's true, makes you think how actors can become type-cast...
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, I was so disappointed when I realised it was a red carpet affair!! Ah well, it couldn’t be done and I really shouldn’t moan as I’ve scored a free trip to see it, La Premiere-style next week. So even if it’s not that good, the free popcorn and Maltesers will see me through.
Yes, Tom didn’t have much luck did he? But then again, he did well as Magnum PI... but it’s probably not comparable to Indiana...ah well, it's not too shabby really...
Thanks for popping over,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Ooh, interesting sub-plot!! I didn’t think of that...
I did some research and it seems they met during the filming of Temple of Doom. So, yes you’re right, he could’ve ended up married to Sharon Stone...
That could be an appealing idea to some, but I’m not here to judge
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
So because they broke up, he dropped her from the film?
What a cad!
Comment by What's Your Story?
What's Your Story?
Big Day Plunge
Comment by notes-from-the-other-side
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I know!! It’s a harsh world out there....
Ah well,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Glad you enjoyed it
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I didn't know that about The Graduate, interesting stuff, thanks for that,
Tracy
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
(fyi ... you've got the tag names for Giancarlo and Jacques on the wrong pics)
Great pic of Sharon, back in the day!
... and is that a shag carpet Tom's wearing ...?
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I think Tom fell in a bucket of hair.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Tracy
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
My friend went to see this last week and was really disappointed by it - I hope that it`s not too much of a flop,
I have to say I can`t imagine Selleck playing the role, but then again Daniel Craig surprised many in his Bond role so maybe he could have pulled it off.
Interesting trivia, thank you!
Ash
Comment by Diana
Eyes On Oz
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Tom as Indy, it has boggled me for years.
Tom Selleck did make the adventure films High Road to China and Lassiter in the vein of Indy to capitalise on the strengths of what Lucas and co saw...the films weren't that successful but are not terrible either from what I remember.
Amy Irving actually saw the role of Marion as beneath her, she wasn't interested in acting in kids films as she saw them.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
How are you? Are you still on your travels?
Yes, that’s true about Daniel Craig, at first I wasn’t sure about him either, but now I think he’s doing a great job. His eyes and body help!
Byee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It's just like life isn't it? There's always a sub-plot...it does keep things interesting,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Aha, I didn't know that about Amy...is that why you think she's a snob, Bryn?
Tracy
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I'm off to see Indiana Jones tomorrow, I can't wait.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Feel free to pop back when you've seen it.
Byee