Back in May, George Lucas struck fear into the hearts of pretty much everyone familiar with Shia LaBeouf's acting work when he told a journalist, "I have an idea to make Shia [LaBeouf] the lead character next time and have Harrison [Ford] come back like Sean Connery did in the last movie. I can see it working out." Now, though, he seems to have changed his mind, hilariously telling an MTV reporter that the idea had "nuked the fridge." He continued: "Indiana Jones is Indiana Jones. Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones … If it was [Shia's character] Mutt Williams it would be Mutt Williams and the Search for Elvis or something."

And as much as we'd actually sort of like to see Mutt Williams and the Search for Elvis or Something, we're pretty glad Lucas seems to have temporarily come to his senses. Could this have something to do with LaBeouf's recent DUI arrest? Or did Lucas finally get around to watching Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull? Either way, just as soon as he disowns the Star Wars prequels and the upcoming animated Clone Wars movie, we might actually be able to forgive the guy.

‘Indiana Jones 5’ Won’t Center on Shia LaBeouf, Insists George Lucas [Movies Blog/MTV]
Earlier: George Lucas Having Trouble Talking Spielberg Into Another Lame ‘Indiana Jones’ Sequel
In Defense of Shia LaBeouf As the Next Indy