Indiana Jones 4: why Sean Connery refused to play in the film?

Indiana Jones 4 : meeting of the third type

In 2008 comes out the unloved Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the fourth part of the adventures of the famous archaeologist. An opus that takes place at the end of the 1950s, in the midst of the Cold War. Contacted by a rebellious young biker, Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf), who asks him to go by his side in the footsteps of the legendary crystal skull of Akitor and to help him find his mentor, Professor Oxley (John Hurt), Indy accepts.

During their trip to Peru, the duo meets Soviet soldier Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett) and her men, but also Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), the hero’s great love, and mysterious individuals from elsewhere. Ray Winstone and Jim Broadbent complete the cast of this opus. On the other hand, Sean Connery is absent, as well as John Rhys Davies. The interpreter of Henry Jones Sr. appears despite everything on a photo in the residence of Indiana Jones, and the latter confides with emotion on the death of his father.

An insufficient role for Sean Connery

Yet originally, Steven Spielberg offered the actor to return to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Sean Connery refuses, and the first reason given is his retirement taken after the disastrous production of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen which he wishes to make the most of. In a statement, he explains (via /Movie And Allocinated):

I thought about it for a long time, and if anything could have pulled me out of retirement, it was an Indiana Jones movie. I love working with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, and it goes without saying that it’s an honor to have Harrison Ford for son. But in the end, I still find that retirement is something much funnier!

But in 2007, the actor returned to his refusal to participate in the film with the HollywoodReporterand declares:

I spoke with Spielberg, but it didn’t materialize. It was not a role interesting enough for me to get back into it. (…) Indy’s father did not have such an important place. I suggested to them to kill him in the film, it would have been more interesting.

Two years later, Sean Connery confirmed to MTV have seen Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and have found it “rather good” but “a bit long”.