In 1975, Lucas discussed his serial film idea with his friend Philip Kaufman. The pair worked on a story for two weeks. Lucas imagined his character as a college professor and archaeologist adventurer, based on his own appreciation for archaeology and famous archaeologists like Hiram Bingham III, Roy Chapman Andrews, and Leonard Woolley. Kaufman removed Lucas' vision of Smith as a nightclub patron and womanizer, and suggested the Ark of the Covenant as the film's central goal; he learned of the Ark from his hematologist. The Ark provided a source of conflict for the hero and the Nazis, playing off Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's historical fascination with the occult.
In 1975 Lucas discussed his serial film idea with his friend Philip Kaufman The pair worked on a story for two weeks Lucas imagined his character as a college professor and archaeologist adventurer based on his own appreciation for archaeology and famous archaeologists like Hiram Bingham III Roy Chapman Andrews and Leonard Woolley Kaufman removed Lucas' vision of Smith as a nightclub patron and womanizer and suggested the Ark of the Covenant as the film's central goal; he learned of the Ark from his hematologist The Ark provided a source of conflict for the hero and the Nazis playing off Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's historical fascination with the occult