25 things you didn’t know about your favorite action movies

Raiders of the Lost Ark – Conceived while making sandcastles

Indiana Jones is a hero that has transcended generations, bringing his trademark hat and whip along with him. But you have to laugh when you find out how his first appearance movie was originally conceived.

For those who somehow don’t know Raiders of the Lost Ark, it’s the first film in the Indiana Jones franchise, released in 1981. The archaeologist is hired by the US government to help them track down the Ark of Covenant. He must travel around the world to find the artifact before a band of Nazis beat him to it.

Raiders of the Lost Ark was conceived by two heavy hitters in Hollywood, with director Steven Spielberg and writer George Lucas at the helm. A fun fact about George Lucas is that when one of his movies is about to open, he goes on vacation to escape some of the chaos. During the press tour for what was then just called Star Wars in 1977, Lucas fled to Hawaii for a little getaway.

While in Hawaii, he was joined by Spielberg. When the news came in that Star Wars was on track to be a big hit, he relaxed and started to discuss future projects with his pal. Spielberg admitted he always wanted to direct a Bond film, but Lucas had a better idea for him. That idea was Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the two men apparently discussed this project while making a sandcastle on the beach.

Can you believe that one of the biggest film franchises ever was first discussed on a beach in Hawaii, while two of the greatest filmmakers of our time were making a sandcastle? What a story.