Shia LaBeouf Confirmed For Indy IV! But he may not be Henry Jones III... Source: USA Today
So, after weeks of speculation, during which the man himself kept a straight bat with journalists saying it was merely a ‘rumour’, it’s finally been confirmed that Shia LaBeouf has signed on for a part in Indiana Jones IV.
"Up until about two weeks ago, it was little more than a rumor," the 20 year-old actor, who also stars in this summer’s Transformers, told USA Today. "Literally, when I was saying, 'I don't know anything,' I didn't know anything. It was an act of faith. I have not read a script. I don't think anybody has."
Well, we’re pretty sure George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford have, Shia, but don’t be too hard on yourself, sunshine. You’ve just landed the role of a lifetime and confirmed your burgeoning rep as one of the finest young actors in the business.
Of course, since LaBeouf’s name has been linked with Indy IV, the ‘net has been awash with rumours that he would be playing Indy’s son – Henry Jones III??? - which, if rumours that Sean Connery is still mulling over the script, would have turned the film into a weird remake of Family Business. But LeBeouf insists that he’s not sure what role he’s playing.
"I can tell you I'm sort of the sidekick character, obviously," he says. "I'm sure there are a lot of laughs at my expense, and some kind of creature crawling on me. But it’s not going to be Short Round, all grown up!” Well, of course not – LaBeouf is a talented actor, but playing a Chinese character is probably beyond him.
But when he says he doesn’t know what role he’s playing, we’re inclined to believe him. A recent visit to Spielberg’s offices on the Universal lot, including sitdown time with Lucas, elicited nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
"Lucas looks at you and says simply, 'I can't tell you that,' " laughs LaBeouf in a quote we didn't just simply lift from the USA Today story, honest. "Then when he thinks he is supposed to tell you something but isn't sure, he gets up and leaves the room, goes in to talk with Spielberg and comes back and says, 'Nope. Sorry.' "
Spielberg, though, has been forthcoming on LaBeouf’s casting, telling USA Today in an emailed statement, "Shia has extraordinary range. I think of him as 'the young man for all seasons." So there you go. It’s just another indication that Indy IV is a reality – excitement levels building!
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I personally think its brilliant news. Shia Labeouf made a fantastic contribution to Indy 4. He balanced it out he had such a wonderful character and gave it justice. Looking forward to indy 5 such a big fan of the originals and indy 4. !! ... Read More
I couldn't agree more. RAIDERS:greatest action adventure movie ever; TEMPLE OF DOOM: a worthy sequel; LAST CRUSADE: "We've got Sean; fuck the script; fuck the audience's suspension of disbelief: they'll believe anything: trains have trap doors; stone bridges really do seem invisible if you stand over them without moving your head, (however, throwing a handful of gravel of them makes all the difference). Ancient knights really would sit around for centuries in their armour (speaking modern... Read More
.....rarely work well in movie sequels but this may the exception to the rule considering who is involved. If Labeouf (is he Frank's son) is to be a sidekick then he should be able to pull it off as he has no-one to emulate but if he is indeed Indy's son then he has 2 generations of Jones' to copy. I think a great idea would be to bring back Henry Jones Sr but kill him off early and let Indy get back to his edgier more cynical ways. ... Read More
If Spielberg wants this guy then that's fine by me, after all his casting is always bang on, especially when it comes to younger actors. For a 20 year old, Shia's got a lot of roles under his belt, and he easily outshone the rest of the Bobby cast. Post-Schindler Spielberg hasn't put a foot wrong yet, and Indy 4 won't disappoint. I CAN'T WAIT!! ... Read More
he could be any one at this point. my money is on SIDEKICK.
i think it would be silly if indy would have a son. there would be to much of Indy the father and not enough of Indy the adventurer. i could go on but i really cant be arsed, ... Read More
Dear Bearded One,
I love me a bit of Indy, but why does Jones need male sidekicks? Sean Connery, as fun as he was, diluted the screen presence of Indy. I pray that Sean does not return, because I want to see Indy being an independent adventurer doing what he does best. I liked Shortround, but we don't need to see Indy's son. In fact, I'd prefer it if you had a mature Ke Huy Quan (?) as his sidekick. Make Indy the beast we glimmered at the start of Raiders. He has never been better...
... Read More
