Sean Connery in Indiana Jones and the Last CrusadeSean Connery has confirmed that he will not return to play Henry Jones Sr. in the forthcoming fourth installment of the Indiana Jones film series. Connery, 76, released a statement on Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones website:

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.

AP reports that the new installment of the series is about to begin shooting:

The fourth "Indiana Jones" film, not yet titled, is again directed by Spielberg and produced by Lucas. Shooting begins this month, and the movie is due out May 22, 2008.

Lucasfilm also announced Thursday that Cate Blanchett, John Hurt, and Ray Winstone will be joining the cast, which along with Ford, includes Shia La Beouf.