By Johnny Firecloud

It's been reported that Paramount hopes to continue the franchise after Harrison Ford retires from the action.

The film series is highly unlikely to sustain its legendary reputation and popularity with another actor, unless he were introduced properly, paid proper homage to the original movies and, of course, were exactly the right guy for the part. George Lucas is banking on Shia LeBouf being that guy.

Lucas was a guest Thursday night at Paramount/DreamWorks's party for Kung Fu Panda at the Cannes Film Festival. Not only did he discuss plans for a fifth Indiana Jones movie, but that it could very well be a sequel to the latest film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. "I haven't even told Steven or Harrison this," he said. "But I have an idea to make Shia the lead character next time and have Harrison come back like Sean Connery did in the last movie. I can see it working out."

A Crystal Skull sequel would be an interesting lead-in to a leading-man swap for the franchise, and LeBouf is said to have signed a contract giving Paramount the option of bringing him back for three more Indy films. But would it work? Is Shia bankable enough as a star to take over the Indy name? He's had a good Hollywood run so far with Disturbia and Transformers, but it really all comes down to how he's received in the current Indy film, which opens next Friday. Early reviews hint to a sub-par flick, citing poor CGI shots, weak action sequences and, well, Shia as overall low points. But it's Indy, and we'll be there no matter what.