'Crystal Skull' Scoop, Straight from the Stars

20 Fun Facts About Indiana Jones

Everyone knows Dr. Henry Jones Jr. (Harrison Ford) is seriously snake phobic, but do you know which 'Three Men and a Baby' star was originally set to play him? Or what scene Ford filmed pants-less? As the long-awaited 'Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' arrives in theaters, we present 20 fun facts about the man, the legend ... Indiana Jones.
-- By Kevin Polowy

1. A Dog of a Name

Harrison Ford's iconic character wasn't named after Indiana the state, but Indiana the dog -- an Alaskan malamute producer George Lucas once owned (also the inspiration for Chewbacca). Lucas originally called him "Indiana Smith," but Steven Spielberg hated the name, fearing it sounded "too hokey," and the two settled on "Jones." The filmmakers let audiences in on the joke at the end of 'Last Crusade.'

2. Magnum P.I. and the Temple of Doom?

Ford was Spielberg's first choice to play Indy, but not Lucas', since he had already directed him in 'Star Wars' and 'American Graffiti.' So the role was offered to Tom Selleck, who accepted but had to then drop out due to conflicts with 'Magnum P.I.' Nick Nolte was also offered the role, but turned it down. Thank you dearly, Tom and Nick.