Favorite Son

It looks like that February rumor about actor Shia LaBeouf's role in Indiana Jones 4 is all but certain...

Pamela McClintock of Variety:

Indy, you're a dad.

Shia LaBeouf is in final talks to star in Steven Spielberg's "Indiana Jones 4" as the son of the adventuresome archaeologist to be played once again by Harrison Ford.

Spielberg and George Lucas' Lucasfilm, which is producing "Indiana 4" for Paramount, are keeping the storyline under tight wraps. David Koepp ("Spider-Man") penned the script.

Neither Par nor Lucasfilm would confirm that talks are under way with LaBeouf.

Spielberg is set to begin lensing "Indiana Jones 4" in June. Pic, which resurrects the lucrative franchise after nearly 20 years, is set to unspool May 22, 2008, taking advantage of the Memorial Day holiday.

LaBeouf stars in two upcoming DreamWorks pics, "Disturbia" and summer tentpole "Transformers." [Actor] also provides the lead voice in Sony's upcoming toon "Surf's Up!"

Since this possible casting first made the rounds last month, I managed to catch LaBeouf' s work in 2005's comic book flick, Constantine. Starring opposite Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz, the film is a solid piece of celluloid, and LaBeouf acquits himself nicely.

I'll have more to say,about Indy 4, as things move ahead.