Fantasy Book Critic: Del Rey To Publish Tie-in Books Based on the New Indiana Jones film! (Official Press Release)

NEW YORK, NY - September 27, 2007 - Del Rey Books, an imprint of Ballantine Books at the Random House Publishing Group, announced today that it will publish tie-in books based on the long-awaited, eagerly anticipated new movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which will premiere throughout the world on May 22, 2008.

For more than 25 years, audiences have thrilled to the adventures of Indiana Jones. The three original films Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade garnered 14 Academy Award nominations, won 7 Oscars, and grossed more than $1.1 billion at the box office. In the cinematic event of 2008, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Harrison Ford join forces again, bringing Indiana Jones back to the silver screen for his biggest adventure ever.

Del Rey Books was the publisher of the original movie novels, and this new adventure will be penned by New York Times-bestselling author James Rollins (The Judas Strain, Black Order, Map of Bones and Sandstorm). Del Rey will also be publishing The Making of Indiana Jones by Laurent Bouzereau and J. W. Rinzler, a behind-the-scenes look at the people, places, technology, and events that went into the creation of all four Indiana Jones movies, beginning with the classic Raiders of the Lost Ark and culminating with an up-close-and-personal look at the brand-new blockbuster.

"We're very excited to be working with Del Rey on the new Indiana Jones books," said Carol Roeder, Lucasfilm's Director of Publishing. "Del Rey was there with the first Star Wars novel, and the first Indiana Jones novel, so it's wonderful to be able to continue the great adventure together."

"The Indiana Jones movies have attained legendary status in the world of film, and the character of Indiana Jones is a legend in his own right," noted Del Rey editor Shelly Shapiro. "We are thrilled to be a part of his return, and to have the opportunity to show an entire new generation of readers how exciting these novels can be."

What can I say. I love Indiana Jones and while I'm not much for movie novelizations, I'm also a pretty big fan of James Rollins so I might just have to check this one out. I can't wait for the movie!!!