The Last Crusade

Image credit: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: Murray Close

LOVE 'JONES' The long-awaited ''Indiana'' sequel, to star Ford, is closer to a start date now that a writer's been hired

'INDY' WATCH Is it finally time for Harrison Ford to take the bullwhip out of mothballs? Variety reports that the makers of the long-awaited fourth '''' movie are finally naming a screenwriter: ''Shawshank Redemption'' writer/director Frank Darabont. His hiring would seem to clear the last obstacle that has kept the franchise off the screen for 13 years and counting. Darabont would adapt a story by series producer George Lucas, which Lucas has hinted involves the reappearances of Indy's ex-girlfriends (to be played, presumably, by Karen Allen and Kate Capshaw) and a son for the archaeological adventurer. The film would reunite Lucas, director Steven Spielberg, and Ford for a production that would be ready for the multiplex in July 2005, the same month that Ford will turn 63.

Darabont was one of many writers' names on the wish list; Spielberg had suggested M. Night Shyamalan (''The Sixth Sense''), while Ford had wanted Tom Stoppard. But Darabont had an inside track, having scripted several of TV's ''Young Indiana Jones'' adventures.