Rollins novelizes the latest Indiana Jones
Summer means big blockbuster titles and big blockbuster movies. One of the most anticipated films coming out this summer is the latest movie in the Indiana Jones franchise, titled Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. And one of our own ITW members--James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author of The Judas Strain--was hand-picked to write the novelization to the upcoming blockbuster, due out May 22nd. He sat down with The Big Thrill to answer a few questions.
So how were you chosen to write the novelization to Indy 4"?Well, over the years, my books have been critically compared to Indiana Jones. I think mostly due to the historical or archaeological nature of the novels. In fact, one reviewer of my book, Map of Bones, described it as a cross between Indiana Jones and the The Da Vinci Code. To this day, I'm still not sure if that reviewer was insulting me or complimenting me. But I personally take any comparison to Indy as a compliment. And such reviews did eventually draw the attention of Random House who obtained the adaptation rights to the upcoming film. After that, my name got submitted, and I got the thumb's up.
What does "Indiana Jones" mean to you?
For me, Indiana Jones is the "every man" hero. He doesn't have any super powers, nor does he have any cool gadgets like James Bond. He perseveres through both dogged willpower and the strength of his intelligence. He is scarred, weathered, and tempered by his experiences--not unlike the bullwhip he carries with him. Plus he doesn't take himself too seriously, poking fun at himself with his wry humor as often as he does the world. Who wouldn't want to be Indiana Jones--if only in their own imagination?
What was it like working on the book?
It was an absolute blast! I first read the script back in the late spring of 2007. At that time, security was as tight as a bank vault, and to even read the script, it required a drive over to Lucasfilm studios in the Presidio of San Francisco. But over time, I was allowed access to the script at home and granted a key to a site where still shots from the movie were uploaded. So between reading the script, talking with the screenplay writer (the amazing David Koepp), and viewing the shots from the production department, I was able to begin working on the novel.
Did you have the right to change the story at all?
The studio gave me a fairly free hand to adjust, re-frame, and even add several scenes. Also as screenplays mostly communicate via visual action and dialog, I was able to explore the "inner" Indiana Jones--his internal monologue, thoughts, and fears--which was a thrill. And by the time I was done with the book, I had created about a dozen entirely new scenes that aren't in the script or movie.
Are you authorized to say something about the story?
No. There's an embargo on all story details until the movie's release. For any questions about the plot, all I can say is "no comment."
Last question, how do you feel about snakes?
With a little ketchup, they aren't bad.
James Rollins is a New York Times bestselling author. In addition, he has a doctorate in veterinary medicine and his own practice in Sacramento, California. An amateur spelunker and a certified scuba enthusiast, he can often be found either underground or underwater.
For me, Indiana Jones is the "every man" hero. He doesn't have any super powers, nor does he have any cool gadgets like James Bond. He perseveres through both dogged willpower and the strength of his intelligence. He is scarred, weathered, and tempered by his experiences--not unlike the bullwhip he carries with him. Plus he doesn't take himself too seriously, poking fun at himself with his wry humor as often as he does the world. Who wouldn't want to be Indiana Jones--if only in their own imagination?
What was it like working on the book? It was an absolute blast! I first read the script back in the late spring of 2007. At that time, security was as tight as a bank vault, and to even read the script, it required a drive over to Lucasfilm studios in the Presidio of San Francisco. But over time, I was allowed access to the script at home and granted a key to a site where still shots from the movie were uploaded. So between reading the script, talking with the screenplay writer (the amazing David Koepp), and viewing the shots from the production department, I was able to begin working on the novel.
Did you have the right to change the story at all? The studio gave me a fairly free hand to adjust, re-frame, and even add several scenes. Also as screenplays mostly communicate via visual action and dialog, I was able to explore the "inner" Indiana Jones--his internal monologue, thoughts, and fears--which was a thrill. And by the time I was done with the book, I had created about a dozen entirely new scenes that aren't in the script or movie.
Are you authorized to say something about the story?
No. There's an embargo on all story details until the movie's release. For any questions about the plot, all I can say is "no comment."
Last question, how do you feel about snakes?
With a little ketchup, they aren't bad.
James Rollins is a New York Times bestselling author. In addition, he has a doctorate in veterinary medicine and his own practice in Sacramento, California. An amateur spelunker and a certified scuba enthusiast, he can often be found either underground or underwater.
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