Indiana Jones 4: Connery bows out
Story by Jack Foley
SIR Sean Connery will not reprise his role as Harrison Ford’s father in the next Indiana Jones film.
The veteran star posted a statement on his website stating that he preferred to stay in retirement even though the offer had been tempting.
“In the end, retirement is just too damned much fun,” he explained. “If anything could have pulled me out of retirement, it would have been an Indiana Jones film.
“I love working with Steven [Spielberg] and George [Lucas] and it goes without saying that it is an honour to have Harrison as my son.”
Sir Sean, now 76, memorably played Dr Henry Jones in 1989’s Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade, the last of the Indiana Jones films.
And it was hoped that he could be lured out of retirement for the eagerly-anticipated movie, which already features the likes of Ford, Ray Winstone, Cate Blanchett and John Hurt.
Steven Spielberg is once again directing and the film is scheduled to open in May 2008.
However, after considering the possibility “long and hard”, he thought against making a return to movies – but had one parting shot for his former co-star.
“I, do however, have one bit of advice for Junior,” he added. “Demand that the critters be digital, the cliffs be low and for goodness sake keep that whip by your side at all times in case you need to escape from the stunt co-ordinator!
He signed off by acknowledging that Spielberg and George Lucas had, once again, succeeded in assembling “a remarkable cast” and concluded: “I can only say, ‘Break a leg, everyone.’”
Indiana Jones first appeared on screen in Raiders Of The Lost Ark in 1981.