I had a feeling that they would just rewrite the character. I’m glad that they didn’t just recast it like some other franchises do.
from comingsoon.net:
George Lucas on Indiana Jones
Source: TV Guide
September 18, 2007TV Guide talked to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull executive producer George Lucas about Sean Connery not returning as Indy’s father and the character that has replaced his role. Here’s a clip:
It’s just a completely different character, so you’re not invested in him in any way. The fact that that character, after the first part of the movie, isn’t needed doesn’t become a problem. Whereas I think with the scene we had, where [Indy] says goodbye to his dad, everybody was, “Wait a minute! Isn’t he coming back?” So in the end, I think it turned out for the best. Sean just retired and he wants to stay retired, and I understand that. [Laughs] I think he just said, “Look, I’ve done it, I’ve done it.” He was very tempted, you know, and we talked for a long time. But in the end, he just said, “Eh, I’m playing golf.”
Sad for him not to come, but if he wasn’t joining in on the adventure, glad they didn’t waste our time with that.
–Socram AKA Cos