Shia LaBeouf, Steven Spielberg, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, and Harrison Ford
In the Los Angeles Times, Paul Brownfield writes about Karen Allen, once again in the spotlight as a result of the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The article is not terribly insightful, but it's well worth a look simply because it's about Karen Allen, one of the best (and best-looking) actresses of the 1980s — Shoot the Moon, Starman, The Glass Menagerie — who pretty much disappeared from view (she currently lives in Massachusetts) more than a decade ago. (Allen has continued to do film work, but generally in small roles and/or in little-seen films.)
As far as I'm concerned, Allen's presence is what makes the original Raiders of the Lost Ark bearable. And she's the only reason why I'm curious to check out the Crystal Skull sequel.
Here's a snippet from Brownfield's piece:
"And then one day, early last year, the phone rang in her studio, and it was Steven Spielberg, with whom she had not gotten along at all on Raiders."
…
"He was asking her to return to the long-rumored Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Allen reprising her tough-minded tomboy-fatale Marion Ravenwood.
…
"She drove to Spielberg's Manhattan apartment and read the script, because she wasn't permitted to take it home. Just like old times."
Woody Allen in the LONDON TIMES
WATER LILIES: Q&A with Céline Sciamma
REFUSENIK: Q&A with Laura Bialis
Gloria Grahame at Bright Lights
Harrison Ford in THE INDEPENDENT
BEFORE THE RAINS: Q&A with Director Santosh Sivan
ROSEMARY'S BABY at Robert Evans Salute
Speaking of Karen Allen, I wrote an unsolicited script for a Starman sequel back in 1998. It was my first script and I quit college to finish it. It’s been gathering dust ever since. I sent it to Jeff Bridges and John carpenter, although I would prefer if Carpenter didn’t direct a sequel. I wrote some good f/x sequences and some interesting characters. I’m pretty sure I’ll never be involved, but I’d to see the f/x scene from the beach being incorporated, (Jeff’s manager Neil will know the one, totally plagiarised from another movie, but it would look great on film today). If anyone has any questions, email me at hansenfilm@yahoo.ie and I’ll answer them. (Although I won’t give away any plot points. And yes there is a son and indeed, I actually have the perfect casting suggestion!!