Indiana Jones turned archaeology into a swashbuckling adventure of snake pits and lost treasures. As 80-year-old Harrison Ford dons the beat-up fedora and ever-trusty whip for a fifth and final outing in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, premiering at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday. Here are fun facts about one of the world's best-loved movie heroes: 1. Born in Hawaii Fittingly for the globetrotting Indy, whose escapades have taken him from the Himalayas to Shanghai nightclubs, the project was born in Hawaii. It was there, lounging on a Maui beach in 1977, that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg mulled ideas to follow their respective hits, Star Wars and Jaws. The beach brainstorms would make movie history. 2. Dog's name The inspiration behind the character came from both real and imaginary sources. There was the archaeologist Hiram Bingham who discovered Machu Picchu, Tintin creator Herge, and Clint Eastwood's Westerns. As for the name, Lucas first chose Indiana Smith - changed to Jones by Spielberg - taking the first part from his Alaskan Malamute pet dog, already the inspiration for Chewbacca in Star Wars. Click 'read more' for more fun facts about the beloved movie character. |