Principal casting set on Indiana Jones new flick - bye bye Sean Connery

By M&C Movie News Jun 8, 2007, 11:45 GMT

06/07/2007 - Sean Connery - Al Pacino Honored with 35th Annual AFI Life Achievement Award - Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland - Hollywood, CA © Chris Hatcher / Photorazzi

Lucasfilm and Paramount Pictures have confirmed principle cast information for the new Indiana Jones movie.

Playing Indiana is of course Harrison Ford with new cast member Shia LaBeouf as his son. Cate Blanchett is on board along with Ray Winstone.

Winstone drew international praise for his role as Gal Dove in Jonathan Glazer’s Sexy Beast. His recent screen credits include Martin Scorsese’s The Departed, Antoine Fuqua’s King Arthur, and Anthony Minghella’s Breaking & Entering. Winstone's voice can be heard as Mr. Beaver in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Ray will next be seen in the title role of Beowulf opening November 16, 2007, directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Brand new to the cast is Oscar-nominated actor John Hurt. While Hurt's involvement in the film is news, there's no info on the veteran actor's role.

Hurt’s career spans more than 40 years, playing memorable roles in big and small movies alike. His body of work includes such films as V for Vendetta, Elephant Man, 1984, Midnight Express, Contact, and Alien. On television, he won world-wide acclaim for his role of Caligula in "I, Claudius" and Quentin Crisp in "The Naked Civil Servant."

But the biggest news is that Sean Connery will not be returning as Indiana’s dad.

Connery said, “ 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. 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. 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.' I'll see you on May 22, 2008 at the theater!"

The exploits of Indiana Jones in -- Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade -- garnered 14 Academy Award nominations, won 7 Oscars, and grossed over $1,182,000,000 at the box office.

Screenplay was written by David Koepp, with direction by Steven Spielberg, the yet unnamed movie is to be produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and released by Paramount Pictures throughout the world on Thursday, May 22, 2008.