Casting and Preparation for the Role of Indiana Jones

Sebastian Ursu as Indiana Jones; still frame from a deleted shot of our fan short.

Alright, let’s finally talk about the adventurer in the room: Indiana Jones. I count myself as a true fan. As we all do. In many ways, Indy has influenced my thinking and my attitude, and that definitely shows in my work somehow. Dedicating a worthy fan film to such an iconic character is no small feat. So, I started — as any good researcher (and screenwriter) would — with a deep dive.

The films, obviously, paint a very distinct picture of the character. The video games, on the other hand, offer a bit more... well, "playroom." While the games do the character justice in terms of storytelling, as a player I have more freedom on how closely I inspect a location, who I punch, and how I generally approach a situation. And, of course, how long it takes me to crack a puzzle depends on my own powers of deduction. The movies tend to hold my hand a little more. I’m still in my own skin there, not Indy’s. But let’s get back to the essence.

Research

Of course, the original trilogy Blu-rays are a staple on my shelf. Yes, I’m a staunch advocate for physical discs over streaming. The bonus material (one major reason for my stance) features Steven Spielberg and George Lucas discussing the production process and their approach in great detail. They also talk about their creative decisions — which of course were often tied to external influences like budget, resources, and time. Much like our own situation. So, the "old masters" were already right there in my living room, acting as constant companions on our own adventure.

Thoughts on the Character

It was important to us that it wasn't just "our" Indiana Jones, but OUR Indiana Jones. Sounds confusing, I know. Let me explain:

We created our own interpretation the moment we opened a new chapter that isn’t officially canon, but rather fan fiction. A new story by fans, for fans. We had to grant ourselves the freedom to place this iconic figure in a situation that is new for the audience and the fan base. We’re exploring uncharted territory. Fans will certainly have their own opinions on that. But for us, it was vital that despite a new story and a new face, "our" Indiana Jones still felt like the same person – like OUR Indy. The Indy we all know and love.

Trademarks

First impressions are everything. Fans would be seeing a new face as Indy and would need to accept it instantly. Whether they’d actually buy it depended on that first appearance. We started with the externals, the equipment: fedora, leather jacket, gas mask bag, colt and of course the whip. Here, too, the first hurdle was the budget. Die-hard, detail-oriented fans will notice we didn’t have the original Herbert Johnson fedora from London. We did reach out, but unfortunately, it was a dead end. It was frustrating, of course, as the fedora is on screen at least two-thirds of the time. So, we had to find an alternative. The whip, however, is a 1:1 replica of the original, from the material down to the length. Neither had we all of the other original props, but at least a fedora and whip. This still hurts but it is something. And Indy is more than just what we see. He is what he does and how he does it. We needed an actor to fill these shoes.

Casting and Preparation

I’ll admit, we initially cast based on looks. Many talented actors were ruled out immediately because they didn’t fit the visual profile; we needed the face, the stature, and the playing age to be just right. With Sebastian, we felt sure we’d found the right fit, and that hunch turned out to be spot on. I shot a short video pitch with me in front of the camera (very rare phenomenon) as a personal message for Sebastian. He said yes! And he committed himself entirely to the role, practicing his whip-handling for nearly six months. He had the looks and the talent.

We started with a trainer who taught us Indy’s signature moves, and Sebastian brought the rest to the screen. He was very demanding of his own performance. We often discussed Harrison Ford’s nuances, the little habits and quirks and Sebastian studied the films meticulously. The charisma and passion he brought showed just how much he loves the role. He proved this behind the camera too, often reviewing replays with us and discussing how he could play the character even better. We trusted each other. For me as a director, that was the most rewarding part.

What I learned:

1

Preparation and skill are essential, but they pale in comparison to the commitment of an actor who throws himself 110% into the project. When hunting for the perfect fit for the role, don’t just scout for someone with the look and professional standing. Search for the one who is willing to trek that extra mile with you.

2

Don’t send a generic message to a talent you want to convince to join your project. Make them feel valued and sought after. Send a personalized video message.

The Man, the Fedora: Our Quest to Find Indy