Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones (courtesy of LucasFilm) Enlarge Image

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull sees Harrison Ford return to the title role nearly 20 years on.

"I am slightly worried the plot might involve Damian Hirst," quipped 'alimac' on the Empire Online message board.

"It's a cracking title - it's long, verbose, camp and completely in line with the other three," countered tt904.

Many fans expressed a preference for the working title, Indiana Jones and the City of Gods, and suggested either 'the Kingdom' reference or the Indiana Jones prefix should be dropped.

The fourth film, co-starring Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone and Shia LaBeouf, rumoured to be playing Indy's son - is due for release on 22 May 2008.

First impressions

"First impressions are I think it's the worst of all the Indy titles. Too long. too cheesy. I dunno, I just dont like it," wrote kurtc, on the Rotten Tomatoes message board.

"Could be a lot, lot worse. As it's (presumably) the final chapter, I was hoping for something slightyly more 'legendary' though," agreed Biggus, writing on the Empire site.

But Kev disagreed: "I think all you 'fans' out there need to get over yourselves. Indiana Jones was made as a celebration of the old serial adventure series of yesteryear.

"How can you all accept the Temple of Doom, but not Kingdom of the Crystal Skull?"

The first instalment, in 1981, was simply titled Raiders of the Lost Ark, although subsequent sequels adopted the Indiana Jones prefix.

Confirmation of the official title also had fans speculating on a potential plot, with many alluding to the legend of the crystal skull and its alleged links to the mythical city of Atlantis.

Plot speculation

"It's pretty cool they're doing it on the crystal skull myth. I just saw a special on it a few days ago, the myth is pretty interesting.

"I wasn't that excited about the movie, but now I might go see it," wrote Instructo, on Rotten Tomatoes.

Other fans have speculated that the plot could centre on ancient Mayan civilisation, although rumours that the film might take its lead from an Indiana Jones-themed attraction at a Disney theme park in Tokyo were dismissed.

"OK, I'm a bit down that it suggests the plot doesn't revolve around the Ark again, but c'mon, he's an archaeologist who goes around chasing after mythical, paranormal objects," wrote Amity75.

"The title is perfect! Would people have preferred Indiana Jones and the three-day dig in a muddy field looking for ancient pottery?"