Some good news and some very sad news…

The good news is that the great acting talent of John Hurt will grace the screen in Indiana Jones IV which began filming this week! God, how strange is it to say that? Indiana Jones IV is filming!

It’s not yet known what role Hurt will have. Anyone care to take a guess? Good or bad guy?

The really sad news is that Sean Connery is sticking to his retirement and won’t make a come back for the new Indiana Jones film. For once an actor is sticking to his retirement announcement.

From the great man himself…

“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!”

With him not coming back to Indy…his retirement really is legit. There isn’t another role on the planet I could imagine him coming back for with him turning down this one.

In the end then, Connery’s last role on film will be that of Allan Quatermain in the comic book adaptation of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. It was the perfect role for Connery in principle but somewhere along the way the film became a joke and his role dumbed down in such a way that any chance of it being a memorable last-hurrah wasquickly evaporated.

I was sure the great actor would return for this franchise but alas that won’t be the case. The role of Henry Jones Snr. has now probably been erased from the script.

So just like with Paul Newman last week, enjoy your retirement Mr. Connery. It’s nice to see that you guys can just walk away instead of holding desperately onto your former glory, never knowing when to quit like many of your peers.

An official press release for Indiana Jones IV was released by Paramount Pictures which you can read by clicking here.