Indiana Jones And The Deadbeat dad

Shir Shean Connery has officially passed on returning to play Professor Henry Jones in Indiana Jones IV, or whatever it ends up being called, which means that Harrison Ford’s whip-cracking archaeological adventurer will be father-free for this latest outing.

Despite being offered the role again (and no doubt a hefty pay day), Connery has decide to stay retired, play lots of golf and enjoy supporting Scotland as a tax exile elsewhere. He blabbed word of his decision on Lucasfilm’s official Indy site: "I get asked the question so often, I thought it best to make an announcement. I thought long and hard about it, and if anything could have pulled me out of retirement it would have been an Indiana Jones film. But being retired is just too much fun!”

He goes on to offer some encouragement for his screen son: “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.'”

With shooting kicking off this month ready for the May 2008 release, Lucasfilm has revealed that in addition to the previously announced casting of Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett (possibly, according to whispers, as the villain) and Ray Winstone, John Hurt has signed on.