10 Most Memorable Original Film Characters

1. Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark)

Against all odds (or not, depending where you stand!), I had to place Dr. Henry Jones Sr€™s son, €œJunior€, in Number 1. Just the fact the €œJames Bond was the only could play his father€ says it all: if one movie character could top all lists, it€™s James Bond€ But not only is James Bond a literary character first, he had a €œson€, and usually progenies surpass their fathers! And Indiana Jones certainly surpassed him! In just 3 movies (let€™s all forget the fourth one!), Indy was able to create an incredibly legendary and mythological character, with instantly recognizable traits, catchphrases, and characteristic. The only disqualifying element could have been that, just like Han Solo, not only was he interpreted by the same actor, he was also created by the same €œstudio€ and writer, George Lucas. What made him qualify for €œboth€ spots on the list is the fact that Steven Spielberg participated in his creation as much as George Lucas did. None of the top 4 characters were created after 1981. 30 years ago! Clearly, Hollywood needs more original characters that stick in the mind of movie-goers. Maybe what€™s missing are the memorable attributes to create an unforgettable persona like Indy€™s whip, hat, and shirt; or his great personality, gruff but tender, adventurous but in-over-his-head. When you think about it, when was the last time you could recognize a movie hero/character from his shadow/silhouette? How many one-liners or catchphrases can you quote from €˜90s or €˜00s movies with original heroes and villains? Runner-up: How can you have a runner-up that is not n°2 on this list? Well, you can. His name is Rocky Balboa, and Stallone created an indelible role that has pathos, strength, and is still the inspiration for many an underdog today.
 
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Francis Barel is a movie fan, a pop culture fan, and most of all a fan of Americana: everything that makes the American culture, whether it's baseball, entertainement or business. On the fun side, we're talking: John Williams, blockbuster movies, romantic comedies, and comic books. On the business side, we're talking: box-office returns, finance & banking, payments, and the corporate side of comic books.