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The character of Indiana Jones, from the well-loved action series, has a rich mythology that’s been extensively used, but there’s one notable exception that continues to puzzle fans even today. The Indiana Jones movies, starting with Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, Raiders of the Lost Ark, offer a classic formula of the adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones (portrayed by Harrison Ford), who digs up various ancient treasures to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands – typically villainous nations. Yet, one intriguing plot point hinted at in the first film has never been fully explored.

In the well-known introduction of Raiders of the Lost Ark, the character Indiana Jones encounters a partially decayed body of an individual who met his demise due to the cunningly hidden spike-traps within the Temple of the Chachapoyan Warriors. This unfortunate soul appears to be another treasure hunter, striving to obtain the renowned Chachapoyan fertility idol ahead of Indiana Jones. Indiana Jones casually mentions that he recognizes this person, referring to him as Forrestal – a fellow archaeologist and competitive adventurer who had previously aimed for the idol before Indiana did. Regrettably, Forrestal was denied the opportunity to grasp the golden statuette, succumbing to the temple’s protective measures instead.

Indiana Jones Has Never Paid Off The First Movie Teasing Forrestal As A Rival

Though An Obscure Spin-Off Game Has

The Indiana Jones series boasts a wealth of follow-ups. Ranging from the TV show, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, which delves into his youth, to the prequel segments in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, where Harrison Ford’s character is digitally de-aged, the franchise has had numerous chances to deepen the storyline concerning Indiana’s connection with Forrestal. However, it’s surprising that none of the subsequent spin-offs or sequels since Raiders of the Lost Ark have chosen to explore this aspect.

The information about Forrestal, beyond the minor references made by Indiana in Raiders of the Lost Ark, primarily comes from quasi-canon sources such as novelizations or comic books. The only instance where Forrestal is depicted outside of being a corpse can be found in the lesser-known Facebook video game, Indiana Jones Adventure World, which includes an extended sequence showing him trapped (though not fatally this time). It’s quite surprising that a character who appears to be well-acquainted with Indiana hasn’t received more attention in the main series.

As suggested in some questionable sources, Forrestal is a fellow archaeologist and history professor at Princeton University who competes with Indiana. Indiana describes him as “very good” after his death, seemingly to emphasize the hazards of the Chachapoyan Temple’s traps. It appears that Forrestal’s misfortunes may have stemmed from his tendency to be clumsy and sometimes lag behind Indiana in discovering new archaeological sites due to less thorough research. However, when he manages to reach a new site before Indiana, it often leads to his undoing.

Why An Indiana Jones Prequel About His Forrestal Rivalry Would Work

Forrestal Presents A Unique Opportunity

It appears that Forrestal remains an intriguing prospect for a potential prequel to the _Indiana Jones_ franchise, offering a unique twist. As a competitor archaeologist to Indiana, Forrestal could make for an engaging type of _Indiana Jones_-esque antagonist, unlike any we’ve seen before – not necessarily evil-hearted, but rather a professional adversary rather than a bitter ideological one. A series that follows the nail-biting competition between Indiana and Forrestal as they race to outdo each other in discovering groundbreaking artifacts could offer an exciting new spin on traditional _Indiana Jones_ tales.

Thanks to the Indiana Jones Adventure World, there’s already a bit of backstory within the series. In the game, Forrestal takes advantage of his extensive spy network across South America to keep tabs on and occasionally interfere with Aztec and Mayan excavation sites. However, Indiana eventually discovers ancient artifacts predating the Vikings at an Irish dig site that Forrestal overlooked. While this specific tale may not be followed strictly, a prequel for Indiana Jones could capitalize on this hinted rivalry between the characters, subtly suggested in Raiders of the Lost Ark, to create a rich and engaging storyline.

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2025-05-31 20:29

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