Connery Not Enticed By Indiana Jones 4

Indiana Jones 4 has Sean Connery's blessing, but not his star power. Sean Connery, 74, turned down the offer to reprise his role as Sir Henry Jones Sr., the father of adventurer Indiana Jones. The veteran actor posted an explanation on the Indiana Jones website, saying that retirement is "too damned much fun" for him to be lured back to film-making. It was eighteen years ago already that Connery played Dad to Harrison Ford's Indy in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."

Connery had nothing but praise for the cast and crew, even claiming that "if anything could have pulled me out of retirement, it would have been an Indiana Jones film." Connery went on, praising George Lucas, who will produce, and Steven Spielberg, who will direct, as well as the all-star cast, including Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, and rising star Shia LeBeouf (as Indiana Jones' son).

"I love working with Steven and George," Connery said, "and it goes without saying that it is an honour to have Harrison as my son." When it's all said and done, though, the allure was just not enough. Still, Connery offers some parting advice along with his well wishes: "I do, however, have one bit of advice for Junior: 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 coordinator! This is a remarkable cast, and I can only say, 'Break a leg, everyone.'"

The fourth installment in the lucrative Indiana Jones franchise will land in theaters in May of 2008. The title and story are being jealously guarded from the public at this point.

Information from The Guardian Unlimited and Reuters used in this article.