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Is Hollywood's next big movie star named Shia LaBeouf?

Mar 8, 2007, 11:28 AM | by Michelle Kung

Categories: Deals, Film, Indiana Jones, Transformers

Shia_l Shia LaBeouf must have done something extremely good in a previous life, because he's getting hit with a truckload of good karma casting. Not only is the Disney Channel breakout the star of this summer's Transformers (pictured), a practically surefire fit from director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg, but the latter is apparently so besotted with the 20-year-old actor that he's cast him as Harrison Ford's son in the finally-moving fourth Indiana Jones installment. Though precious few other details have been released about the film, it's expected to begin shooting this summer for a 2008 release.

Between his trippy performance last year in Emilio Estevez's Bobby and winning turn in 2003's family flick Holes, LaBeouf certainly has the potential to make more of name for himself, but I'm not fully convinced that he's a major star in the works. In the past few years, he's primarily played the quirky sidekick (in such films as Constantine and I, Robot), and he has an obligatory teen gorefest — the Rear Window-ish Disturbia — in the can. Then again, who am I to second-guess Steven Spielberg? One thing's for sure: entertainment journos are going to be spell-checking his name a lot in the upcoming year.

What say you, PopWatchers? Can LaBeouf pass as Harrison Ford's son? Is he primed to become a ShoWest Star of Tomorrow?


dody Sat, Dec 13, 2008 at 09:48 PM EST

he have such a great futur ahead ,plus hes funny and the way that he speaks with ,hes just amzing, and i hope that we can see him in a series

xxx Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 10:34 PM EST

I Think Shia is gonna race up, hes simpathetic and well he`s a good actor, isn`t he????
I hope and we can watch more of those fantastic films (have anyone watched him at "the best game ever played", he´s amazig there I loved him since then)
so I just have to say good luck you`re fantastic!!!

cleo Sat, Aug 9, 2008 at 02:40 PM EST

i wont to be on disney channel

cleo Sat, Aug 9, 2008 at 02:40 PM EST

i wont to be on disney channel

Bec Sun, Jul 13, 2008 at 12:09 AM EST

Shia LaBeouf is a talented actor who has a huge future. It's definite that we'll be seeing a lot more of Shia in the upcoming years with movies such as Eagle Eye, New York, I Love You and Transformers 2!

Lesley Sat, May 31, 2008 at 11:59 PM EST

Yes, Yes, Yes. Definately a huge star in the making.Shia has that small town boy next door,along with this easily undertoned sex appeal. I think we will all be seeing this young actor in many movie blockbusters in the future.

arlene Fri, Mar 28, 2008 at 11:52 PM EST

whatever stupid things those stupid persons say....I really like Shia..
how stupid can you get if you hate him? haha

lee gillan Sun, Dec 16, 2007 at 01:32 PM EST

i dont know why most of you are disssin him if you dont like him why are you on his fan site i think his grate and i wish him all good luck in being a big movie star.xxx.

Emma Sun, Dec 16, 2007 at 01:24 PM EST

i love him and think he is grate i wont to meet him in real life!

lee Sun, Dec 16, 2007 at 01:22 PM EST

i think he would be biger if he played in more teen love starys but apart from that he is grate!

Lisa A Mon, Sep 10, 2007 at 12:12 PM EST

Shia laBeof is a decent actor but a PRICK as a human being! he has already let stardom get to his head and seems to forget that his fans are what made him a celebrity! Boo for you Shia! 21 and already a a**hole! Grow up Jerk~!

jay Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 11:41 PM EST

nevermind how his name can sometimes make my tongue twirling around, i enjoyed watching shia in HOLES.stanley yelnats anyone?
just give him some time.im sure he'll do better.keanu reeves wouldnt get to be where he is today if not for playing super ditzy in BILL n TED :)

Gary Wendall Wed, Jun 13, 2007 at 02:57 PM EST

Actually the next BIG movie star to hit Hollywood will be me Gary Wendall ...

www.garywendall.com

Peace

Gary

lynn Wed, Jun 13, 2007 at 02:28 PM EST

he has had a somewhat of a difficult and abnormal childhood. one that would make anyone seek and outlet for great works to come. he's got it in the bag

Danielle Tue, Apr 24, 2007 at 07:05 PM EST

i hate that all these haters are saying bad things about shia!!...he is amazing...and i only want to see this guy go straight to the top!...these people that are saying things must have not seen him in any movies....he is really really great...

and someone said he is a pothead?... that is even cooler...go shia!!!!

R.O.B. Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 01:53 PM EST

shia THE BUFF... ryan THE BABY GOOSE.. in AGENTS of DEATH! Rated NC-17 for extreme violence and cute little baby geese. Special musical score by THE GOOGOO DOLLS.

OK I'll stop.

Phantom Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 12:43 PM EST

Stop it. Just stop it. Milk is coming out of my nose again...

R.O.B. Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 12:25 PM EST

If that's the case, who's up for a violent buddy movie starring Buff and Gosling? I can see testosterone just billowing out of those movie posters.

Phantom Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 12:17 PM EST

If I'm not mistaken, ROB, I think it's pronounced "Le Buff". I could be wrong...

R.O.B. Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 12:15 PM EST

Will somebody please tell me how to pronounce "LeBeouf". This is an unfortunate last name for a movie star, I'm sorry ("Coming soon... a film about the War of the Universe. Starring Shya... Le BOOF!") Not quite as unfortunate as Ryan Gosling (Ryan "baby goose!"), and I'm not commenting on his acting, but for some reason I can't ever see "Le BOOF" as the new Harrison Ford.

Phantom Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 12:13 PM EST

Shia's name is off? What does that even mean? And what kind of name is Delon? Sound like a wireless phone company or something...

Phantom Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 11:29 AM EST

Now, I love Harrison Ford as much as anyone, but let's not pretend that he this incredible actor a la Nicholson, Pacino, Deniro. To say that Shia couldn't hold his own with Han Solo is unfair. He's young, but he IS a talent. That's only going to get better with time. The only rub with him being Indy's son is the age difference.

Michelle Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 11:20 AM EST

While I don't doubt that Shia LaBeouf is a talented young actor, he is most definitely NOT the product of such genes Sean Connery's AND Harrison Ford's Jones. Seriously.

Sean Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 09:44 AM EST

Not that Even Stevens was the next The Adventures of Pete and Pete, but it was the best thing the Disney Channel has ever put out.

bootsycolumbia Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 08:19 AM EST

If Shia was cast as Indy's GRANDSON, it would be good casting. Son? C'mon, Harrison Ford is almost 70. Let's get real. This is a stupid decision. Nathan Fillion would have been a much better choice.

Me Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 05:51 AM EST

Not only was Shia great in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, but he managed to not be upstaged by that hottie Channing Tatum who spent the entire film shirtless and covered in a shining layer of sweat. Now THAT'S talent!

Eli Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 01:31 AM EST

I think he's awesome, and I totally see him having a very quirky acting career as a grown up. He can definetely go the ... but not the guy that always ends up with the lady... he's such a character type. But he'll definetely have a career.

aa Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 12:26 AM EST

yeah shia! i still watch old episodes of even stevens.

Doubleh Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 09:14 PM EST

SHIA ROCKS! ALL YOU HATERS SUCK!

Chris Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 08:25 PM EST


I heard he was great in "A Guide To Finding Your Saints".

CHRISTINA Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 07:43 PM EST

I SAW THIS KID IN "CONSTANTINE" AND THOUGHT HE WAS AMAZING. HE WILL GO FAR.

Stef Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 07:35 PM EST

Am I wrong, or does he have an Emmy award already for being in Even Stevens? He seems to be starring in bigger and bigger movies, I guess Transformers will be a real test of his appeal though.

Vivi Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 06:37 PM EST

Shia was born to be a freakin' STAR. From day one when I first watched him on "Even Stevens" (best show the Disney Channel ever had, by the way). He has the charima, he's funny and hello, he can act his ass off. I mean, why the surprise when such people as Affleck, Damon, Will Smith and now freakin' SPEILBERG himself are singing his praises. What? You think he bribed them or something? Shia is IT.

Dylan Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 06:27 PM EST

Shia's cute, decent actor, but he comes off as a punk in interviews and on talk shows.

obsessivegiantscompulsive Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 05:38 PM EST

Shia looks more like Bill Maher's son. :^)

I have not seen Shia in anything except for his fluff TV show role, so that's nothing to judge against. However, he is quite the character on every TV talk show I have ever seen, much like Tom Hanks, Ryan Reynolds, Vince Vaughn, Paul Rudd, Michael Keaton, that I think he should be pretty good as a movie star actor if he can translate that into movie acting.

Jason Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 05:23 PM EST

You're right Brad. You can't (James) just plug in (Bond) a new guy!

Brad Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 04:52 PM EST

Shia is great. And he sort of looks like the character of Marion from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
And to those that want to replace Indiana Jones with a different actor, I say Why the hell would you want to even see that? When something is so classic or iconic, you can't just plug in a new guy.
There are rumors of another Spiderman without Tobey Maguire. No thanks. Indiana Jones without Harrison Ford, no thanks.
Sure, you could do it. You could replace them, but what the hell for? I personally want to see an aged, real story about the man in the hat. I am not aching so bad for another Indiana Jones story that I am willing to accept a crappy script with another actor.
Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones.
Oh, and I like Nathan Fillion, but he isn't Indiana Jones.

Rahul Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 04:41 PM EST

There better be an actual plot in this movie involving Nazis, and not just some cheesy father-son reconnection story. That story was already done in 'Last Crusade' exceptionally well with Ford and Connery. No need for it again.

Pogo Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 04:35 PM EST

Nathan Fillion? In whose dreams? Face it, the next Harrison Ford is Harrison Ford.

Phantom Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 03:26 PM EST

Wow, I can't believe I am reading so many negative comments on Shia. My family and I have been watching him for years, and I think he's a pretty good actor. He has a comedic vibe that reminds me of early Bill Murray or something. I don't know. I never considered how he would fit as Indiana Jones' son, but I think I can work.

Delon Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 03:14 PM EST

His name is off. It's not the easiest name to remember or pronounce. It's also a girly name. Shia sounds like a name for a shampoo with some exotic fruit extracts or for Barbie's new girlfriend.

Jay Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 02:39 PM EST

Shia is definitely going to be a huge star. He's great in everything he's in, and even showed up Robert Downey, Jr. in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints.

Karaoke God Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 02:25 PM EST

It will make two anticipated films horrible. Shia is the worst actor in the history of film. This is a dark day for Indy fans and Transformers fans.

PWeekly Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 02:15 PM EST

Two words: HELL YES!!

jessica Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 02:12 PM EST

Anyone remember him on the 2nd season of project greenlight? He was the most professional person working on that entire movie! I think that's why he's Hollywood's new darling. It's not his acting talant (not that he's horrible); It's his professionalism. I think Shia will go far in his career if he continues to perform as a professional.

Tyler D Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 02:07 PM EST

The answer to all of these questions is "No".

Jason Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 02:05 PM EST

I thought he was outstanding in one of the most underated movies, The Greatest Game Ever Played.

B.C. Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 01:56 PM EST

Shia is also extremely personable off screen. I like that he's also a major pothead.

Henning Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 01:31 PM EST

This movie is quickly turning into my most-feared 2008 release. Harrison Ford... almost 65? Henry Jones, Jr... Jr. (I guess that makes him III)? CGI bullwhips? Indy rode off into the sunset almost 20 years ago; let's not bring him back, please.

Allison Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 01:16 PM EST

I have loved Shia since Even Stevens on the Disney Channel. He is an incredible actor, and I'd love to see him make it big!

Melissa Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 01:15 PM EST

I think Shia is probably one of the best young actors out there today. I first saw him on that Project Greenlight movie and thought he was too good for the project. He is immensely likeable and he can act. And as a huge fan of the first Indiana Jones movie who cringed upon hearing about movie 4, I can say Shia's probably the only reason I'd go see this movie.

stephanie Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 12:55 PM EST

Last I heard, Savage went to Stanford like his older brother Fred and majored in accounting.

jenjen Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 12:53 PM EST

Hmm...whatever happened to Ben Savage?

VanessaB Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 12:52 PM EST

Indy should totally have a daughter - not a son to keep the franchise going.

I think this is good casting though. I am going to assume Marion is indeed the mother. They had a history while the others just seemed like adventure flings.

This kid is talented, cute and could go far. I'm willing to give him a chance.

annie Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 12:29 PM EST

shia is sneaking up on me as one of the best young actors out there. did anyone see him in a guide to recognizing your saints? he seriously held his own, and i was very moved. plus, i think he's a cutie.

Jane Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 12:24 PM EST

Yeah it's cliche, but if it's done right it could work. No surprises here, Indy's son will constantly bumble into trouble and Indy will have to save him. The sad thing is that Ford will look more like the kids grandfather, rather than his dad. Marion Ravenwood better be the mom.

Wendy Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 12:09 PM EST

I'm disappointed that they're going down the cliche "now the character has a child" road with Indy 4. What would be so wrong if he'd never had a kid and just lived his life? There is enough of a family element with the father character.

aymzer Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 12:07 PM EST

I have always found Shia to be incredibly charming, I can watch him in anything. For such a young kid, he was super funny in Even Stevens. I think he has great potential. The most important thing to making a big time movie star is their off screen personas. He is hilarious, quick-witted, and charming on late night talk shows as well. Love him!

Jill Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 12:05 PM EST

I've also been a big fan since Even Stevens and I think he is extremely talented. You left off his starring role in Greatest Game Ever Played. Between that and Holes I knew he was going to be a huge star - he got that "thing". Go Shia!

Joyce Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 12:02 PM EST

I thought they were going to do four generations. Shia is too young to be Indi's child unless he was 50 when he knocked up a girl. Funny, my friend and I were seeing Ryan Reynolds in this role.

Stephanie Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 11:53 AM EST

Finally! That kid got a decent hair cut. Before when he was on Even Stevens I swore he was Ben Savages lost twin.

Kathy Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 11:46 AM EST

I thought Shia LeBeouf was very good in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints. Very convincing acting.

agbs Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 11:43 AM EST

I have loved Shia ever since I first saw him as Louis in Even Stevens, one of the funniest tv shows ever. He is a really great actor.

ceej Thu, Mar 8, 2007 at 11:34 AM EST

Boo! What happened to Nathan Fillion for the new Indy? I don't want to see Harrison's tired behind and Shia's too young. This stinks!


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