After a lot of confusion, obfuscation, and denial from everyone involved, it looks like the rumor we reported here is true. USA Today confirmed that Shia LaBeouf will be in Indiana Jones 4 to co-star as Harrison Ford’s sidekick. Shia LaBeouf is the new Short Round!

The weird thing is that Shia still insists even two weeks ago he knew nothing about being in the movie. Now though he’s a lock. Don’t’ worry though, the whole Short Round thing was just my idea of a joke. LaBeouf says, “It's not going to be Short Round, all grown up.”

As for who Shia is playing in the movie, he’s not saying. Early speculation was that he’d be cast to play Indiana Jones’ son, with an eye to having him take over the franchise from Harrison down the road. But right now, all we know for sure is that he’ll be Indy’s sidekick.

Whatever his place in the movie, he’s a good choice. I wasn’t thrilled with Shia’s new movie Disturbia, but the kid’s got a lot of talent and charm. It’s easy to see him as a younger, wise-cracking version of Indiana Jones. Kentucky Jones anyone?