Connery will not return for 'Indy 4'

from variety.com
Actor decides to stay in retirement

Sean Connery won't be playing Indy's papa after all.

After months of talks, thesp has decided not to come out of retirement to star alongside Harrison Ford in Steven Spielberg's "Indiana Jones 4," which begins shooting this month.

Connery would have reprised his role as the father of the archeologist-adventurer. John Hurt, however, is joining the cast. Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett and Ray Winstone also star.

Pic returns the lucrative franchise to the screen after nearly 20 years.

George Lucas' Lucasfilm is producing for Paramount Pictures. Producer is Frank Marshall, while Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy are exec producing. Spielberg will shoot from a script by David Koepp.

"Indy 4," which will be shot at locations around the globe, is set to open May 22. Storyline is being kept under wraps.

Hurt's numerous credits include "V for Vendetta," "The Elephant Man," "Contact" and "Midnight Express."

Connery said he thought "long and hard" about taking the role before passing.

"If anything could have pulled me out of retirement, it would have been an Indiana Jones film," he said. "I love working with Steven and George, and it goes without saying that it is an honor to have Harrison as my son. But in the end, retirement is just too damned much fun."

Connery retired in 2005.

I didn't know he'd retired!

A few years ago, yeah.  Leaving the last film in his legacy to be 'The League of Extraordinary Gentleman'.  Not the best way to leave it in my humble opinion.  But then if he's enjoying retirement that much so be it.  We've already seen the Indy/Henry thing in the last film, so much more than a cameo in the new one would have been a retread anyway... 

I didn't know he'd retired!

Me either.

As has been said before, "Never Say Never (Again)"

As has been said before, "Never Say Never (Again)"

Let's just hope they burned that wig.

I agree about "The League..." not exactly being a good one to retire on. You'd think he would just do this one movie to really go out with a bang. I doubt his part would have been that extensive or physically difficult... I wonder if he is in poor health or something? He seems like a guy that loves action, I can't imagine why he'd really turn the opportunity down. Ah well

He's Sean Connery, for crissakes!  Doesn't matter WHAT he does.

He's Sean Connery, for crissakes!  Doesn't matter WHAT he does.

The Man Who Would Be King.  'Nuff said.