Now that we’ve had a moment to let the Indiana Jones casting brouhaha and Disturbia‘s big opening weekend sink in, I have to ask: Has Shia LaBeouf really arrived? I mean, REALLY arrived? Sure, that’s what the Hollywood pundits would have you think, after his first major starring vehicle premiered with an impressive $22.2 million last weekend. Even I was quick to jump on the "Shia’s the Next Big Thing" bandwagon when I wrote my box office recap on Sunday. Maybe time will prove that I was right to do so.
Then again, maybe not: I just got done talking with my colleague Gary Susman, and I’m starting to think that in this case maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to leap to conclusions. After all, Gary argued, Disturbia‘s concept (it’s basically a remake of Rear Window) sold itself, and the same goes for Shia’s next releases, the animated flick Surf’s Up and the big-budget tentpole Transformers. Can anyone comfortably argue that credit for the potential success of these films should largely go to this 20-year-old actor?
The ironic thing, Gary continued, is that in Hollywood, more than just about anywhere else, perception is reality. Thus, Disturbia‘shit opening no doubt made Shia’s asking price skyrocket on Saturday.(No wonder savvy Spielberg inked him for Indy 4shortly before!) But Lord knows we tend to get carried away when itcomes to issues like this (see: the sad cases of Josh Hartnett and manyothers). Heck, even Tom Cruise followed the movie that we remember ashis big breakout, Risky Business, with two bummers, All the Right Moves and Legend.So at what point do you think we’ll know for sure that Shia truly hasmade it and has a bright future ahead of him? And why are we sodesperate to anoint the next big thing, anyway?
“Can Shia LeBeouf open a movie?”
Umm…Josh…he just did. I mean you do the box office thing, so I thought you would’ve noticed this.
As far as I can tell, America wasn’t clamoring for “Teen Rear Window.” And as much as I like the guy, I don’t think that it was David Morse that was packing them in.
So yes. Apparently Shia CAN open a movie…he just DID.
“Can Shia LeBeouf open a movie?”
Umm…Josh…he just did. I mean you do the box office thing, so I thought you would’ve noticed this.
As far as I can tell, America wasn’t clamoring for “Teen Rear Window.” And as much as I like the guy, I don’t think that it was David Morse that was packing them in.
So yes. Apparently Shia CAN open a movie…he just DID.
“Can Shia LeBeouf open a movie?”
Umm…Josh…he just did. I mean you do the box office thing, so I thought you would’ve noticed this.
As far as I can tell, America wasn’t clamoring for “Teen Rear Window.” And as much as I like the guy, I don’t think that it was David Morse that was packing them in.
So yes. Apparently Shia CAN open a movie…he just DID.
I’ve been a fan of Shia’s since Holes. I think he will be the next great actor of our generation and can def. open a movie. This guy is gonna be around for awhile. He becomes every character he plays and he’s funny.
you know….i really doubt the modern day teenager went to see ‘Disturbia’ because it reminded them of ‘Rear Window’
I like Shia. I even watched Even Stevens a few years back. But I wouldn’t say he’s a big movie star just yet. I’d say the older crowd has no idea who he is at this moment. That could change with Transformers though. But for now I’m gonna go watch a hilarious clip of SNL where Maya Rudolph tries to seduce Shia.
I remember seeing Shia in a behind the scenes thing on the Disney Channel once and he came across as personable and funny and he couldnt have been more than 14 at the time. I couldnt tell you anything about the show he was on but there was something in that 2 min. feature that made me say “he has something, hes gonna be big”. So far he has shined in small roles in less than great movies (I Robot and Constantine) and shocked me with Holes. Im also gonna disagree that the movie sells it self, I know I would have paid next to no attention if he wasnt in it. And as far as Transformers goes someone had to see something to cast him in a movie that big. All that plus Im pretty sure Mr. Speilberg wouldnt cast a flash in the pan in the next Indy. Im not going to proclaim him the next Tom Hanks, but I do think he will be around for a while.
I went because it looked like a fun movie (despite the title). I don’t think it was BECAUSE of Shia, but based on this movie, I might check out something he’s attached to in the future. People are too quick to base star power on one hit, especially when those hits likely would have been hits regardless of who was in it. Maybe a few consecutive hits could warrant a higher salary, but why is Hollywood so quick to throw millions at unproven talent?
I agree with some of the comments…. i went to see it based on the concept and good reviews, and found Shia to be an actor which truly made the movie. The camera spends an enormous amount of time on his face in close-up shots, and he does a very good job of not making that boring. On the other hand, aren’t most actors/actresses most of the time simply deemed worthy because of the projects they are attached to? Prior to Monster’s Ball, Halle Berry was not taken seriously; since she has won the Oscar, she has made flop after flop.
I admit, my brother used to have Even Stevens on all the time & I didn’t understand, but he always loved whatever crazy plot Shia’s character was involved in. I have since loved Shia’s appearances in CONSTANTINE & I, ROBOT, but for anyone who is smart enough to NOT understand the kid def. has talent, go do yourself a favor and go rent A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS. It was a GREAT GREAT indie released last year, with a remarkable cast, and Shia brought alot to his role. I still gotta see DISTURBIA, but I may check it out this evening, but I’m def. going to see Transformers no matter what this summer. And let Shia enjoy his time in the spotlight, its NOT like he’s out partying & keeping up with the hazardous young Hollywood lifestyle.
I went to an early screening of Disturbia (before all the good reviews and the hype) because Shia was in it. If some random unknown had been cast, I wouldn’t have watched it. Besides, Shia MADE that movie. It wouldn’t have been half as good without him. So, yeah, I think he brought in at least 20 of the 22 million it earned.
WAY to much credit is given to young Shia by all the Hollywood pundits and even SNL. Yes, the movie opened big but can you really say it is HIS movie – his name nor even his face is clear in the movie’s poster. He doesnt get top billing in Voiceovers in the TV spot or in newspaper ads. Can people really say they went to see this movie because of Shia??? no person off the street can name 2 Shia movies (upcoming or past)!!
He’s good, and he may be the next big thing but he’s not there yet. Let’s not throw $18 million checks at this guy please.
There’s no doubt about it, kid’s got the coolest name in Hollywood!
Trust and believe if I saw the trailer/commercial for “Disturbia” and another actor played the part, I wouldn’t give two sh*ts about it. But Shia LaBeouf is in it? Um, hello, I’m there. The boys is a STAR. I don’t know how many times I can stress that. He is MADE for this. I think Steven freakin’ Speilberg knows a star when he sees one. I mean, really.
I don’t know. I think EW is just trying not to be too biased towards Mr. LaBeouf. I mean, this magazine (and blog spot) have been rooting for him ever since he appeared in “The Even Stevens Movie”. EW is pro-Shia. It’s okay. You’re not alone.
OK, I like Shia, but he is neither a character actor nor a hunky movie star-type. He lives in that weird shadow world in-between the two, and the people who navigate that murk the best tend to be comic actors who can do dramatic roles (i.e., Tom Hanks, Jim Carrey), which they then turn into major box office success. I just don’t know that I believe Shia has that much range. Then again, who knew Elijah Wood (of all people) could helm one of the biggest movie franchises ever? Let’s not make final decisions on his career until he’s a bit older, eh?