I have a new special place for Shia LaBeouf after reading his fearless ribbing of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” at Cannes.
Via 24 Frames, the money quote:
I’ll probably get a call. But he needs to hear this. I love him. I love Steven. I have a relationship with Steven that supersedes our business work. And believe me, I talk to him often enough to know that I’m not out of line. And I would never disrespect the man. I think he’s a genius, and he’s given me my whole life. He’s done so much great work that there’s no need for him to feel vulnerable about one film. But when you drop the ball you drop the ball.
Comments
46 responses to “LaBeouf on dropping the Indy ball”
Fuck him. Why was he in it then? Why is he in Transformers and every other awful movies these days? He can go on about his performance to try and make it seem like he does not want to place blame, all the while starring in a needless sequel to Wall Street.
I know I am in a minority opinion on Crystal Skull. I liked everything except the douchebag who cashes the checks of bad films and has the nerve to talk about quality.
Whoa.
By the way, the “needless sequel” to Wall Street has been pretty well-received for the most part.
But then, like you said, you’re a fan of everything in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
I hated KOTCS. SS deserves any crap he gets for that disaster. Having said that, his comments are a little odd coming from the star of Transformers.
My favorite part of the article is when it claims he pronounces hyperbole and scholastic as “hyper-boil” and “school-astic” respectively.
Apologising for a great, entertaining adventure flick that was dismissed only by idiotic fanboys of comic-book adaptations and MTV aesthetics? It doesn’t seem reasonable.
Kris, I have no problem with people criticizing it, whether it is you or anyone else. I read that list of ten you linked to, and while I disagree, I can understand your point. But that talentless hack has no room to talk. The star of such classics as Disturbia, Eagle Eye, and the soon to be Transformers Trilogy has no standing. He was the worst part of the film, a mess that took away from Ford’s charming lead, Blanchett’s intriguing villain, and yes, Winstone’s amusing turn.
If he is so concerned with disappointing people, refund their money with his salary. He won’t though, and he will say nothing if Spielberg does follow through with another film with LeBeouf as the lead.
If he had dropped out during production, or turns down the lead role in a potential sequel, maybe I will believe him. Otherwise, he is just a douchebag. There is no one in the film industry I hate more than Shia LeBeouf.
LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Weren’t fans of comic-book adaptations the primary champions of KOTCS?
Also, regarding Wall Street, the only review I have seen is Lodge’s rather so-so assessment. Crystal Skull got many positive, if not ecstatic, reviews. It is not as universally loathed as people like to pretend it is.
Whether it’s universally loathed or not, I still think it’s a terrible movie. The fact that the movie was (unbelievably) well received makes LaBeouf’s comments interesting.
Though I liked his comment, I need to be a litle nasty.
Whe he says Spielberg dropped the ball does he mean Tranformers 2 was a good movie or that Bay never even had a ball to drop?
Also, when you say “Hey, you are the King of the Gods but you did one bad movie”, is it really that courageous?
But I don’t think he is a bad actor. And i think he will improve if he becomes more careful.
And he must have some personality to be dating Mulligan. He’s not that gorgeous.
Flawed as Indy 4 was, I overall enjoyed it, but Shia’s performance and the character of Mutt was the big weak link for a lot of people, including myself, who felt he became the Jar Jar Binks of the franchise. Interesting that he just recently was also talking about how he was disappointed with Transformers 2. But he defended both Transformers 2 and Indy 4 during their release years, so perhaps he’s just now allowed to come out and say how he really feels?
Plus, Indy 4 wasn’t loathed. In fact, most critics liked it and a lot even loved it. It may not have been universally raved about, but the box office totals and reviews suggest it’s not a disaster, nor did everyone hate it as much as people make it out to be. Transformers 2, on the other hand, was ill-recieved even by the public, while it did gangbusters box office, it fizzled out fast from WoM.
As god awful as Indy 4 was, criticizing a film just isn’t professional for an actor. Especially one whose credits include Transformers and Holes. Hell, even a Spencer Tracey doesn’t get to deride a film and call him self professional.
This kid has dropped the ball more than “Steven.” Who the hell does he think he is?
***Especially one whose credits include(s)… Holes.***
And why would anyone need to be ashamed of that?
@ James D, I read the entire interview and its actaully a very good one. I dont care if the film was not that badly received, all the blame went to Labeouf, its like people forgot that Harisson, Lucas, Steven and even BLANCHETT ALL had their share of blame.
Lets be honest, Labeouf took all the crap, so now he is saying sorry that he dropped the ball.
I think it takes a lot of guts and Shia has my respect for that, and I LIKED the film, but I also know that a lot of people didnt and blames Shia.
This is what he said about his work in that film:
“You get to monkey-swinging and things like that and you can blame it on the writer and you can blame it on Steven [Spielberg, who directed]. But the actor’s job is to make it come alive and make it work, and I couldn’t do it. So that’s my fault. Simple.”
That for me is pretty awesome. The man has balls at least.
Speaking English,
read the book, then you’ll know.
HOLES was pretty good, I liked that film and Shia was pretty good in it.
How much better if he would’ve said this during promotion instead of waiting for people to cash their tickets? THAT would’ve been ballsy.
And Shia, when you get to monkey-swinging and things like that you CAN blame the writer and the director. Actors, especially 23-year-olds, are just nothing but pawns. Putting all that blame on yourself reeks of false modesty but looking at the reactions around the net, well played.
snowbella: Because no one knows anything and for all everyone involved knew, it could have been well-received. LaBeouf is responding to the response. What would you have him do, tell the future?
Lots of stretching to make a point against the guy in this thread. Lots.
@snowbella, thats just stupid. Why would he do that? first of all no one knows how a film will be received, sometimes you do some ok work and the reaction its fantastic.
second of, if he did bash the film before openning it would cause a huge negative media and it could hurt the film, think about the producers, the actors, Steven, every body involved. Why would he try to hurt those people?
He is just admiting that he was dissapointed with his work and what the film turned out to be.
***Speaking English,
read the book, then you’ll know.***
How are you assuming I’ve not read the book? I have read the book, and the movie is one of the most faithful screen adaptations I’ve seen.
@linaf: it might be stupid but THAT is the ballsy move. pretty much confirming what everyone else knows, the film being dumb, isn’t.
@kris: it was obvious from the script, that the movie wasn’t that good. also, shia saw the movie before his promotions, so it wasn’t like he was in the dark.
my point is that real ballsy move would’ve been a dumb move for shia’s career. what he’s doing now, same thing he’s done with transformers 2, isn’t ballsy at all.
Shia just proved himself to be a very manipulative and glib man. And it pains me to say this as I have long hoped that he is a different type of guy.
When he came out he came out and critisized Transfoerms 2 I listened. OK, once was cute if not refreshing. Third time around however, it just seems like something he’s doing just to suck up to the online hater culture. More importantly, it just comes of as very cheap way to do so and the fact that it happened multiple times makes me wonder if Shia thinks that poo-pooing his works for any reason is just something he should to advance his career.
The man is clearly a bigger opportunist that we knew.
But he miscalulated. There are worlds of difference between Indy 4 and Transformers 2 in terms of quality and yes, reception (hint: one is certified fresh). His comments are actually a lot more hurtful to many fans of the movie than any thing in the actual movie. It’s a film that I have enjoyed greatly and have rewatched with pleasure and I know many others who feel the same way. Bu even the overt negativity isn’t the issue here. This is:
I doubt anyone could truly disagree with this, if Shia really had any concerns about Indy 4 and felt emboldened enough to raise them he SHOULD HAVE DONE SO prior to the filming.
Right now it just seems both insencere and suck-upish.
@Speaking English
Agreed. AO Scott had it right when he called it one of the best American films released that year.
“The man is clearly a bigger opportunist that we knew.”
Yes, because Steven Spielberg can’t get him a part, whereas the online hater community can.
And yes, should have spoken up and told people like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg how to get the job done. That’d have gone over well (even if he thought there was something worth speaking up about at the time, which it’s just blind assumption to think as much).
You guys aren’t even trying anymore…
I believe Shia HAS criticised “Transformers 2” actually. Quite a bit. That being said, “Holes”, “Disturbia”, “EagleEye” and the original “Transformers” are all quite for what they set out to be.
wow, what an ungrateful d-bag. these hollywood brats are so up themselves. i hope 2 never see him in another movie. and by the way, why is he relevant?
You should read a bit more closer what Shia says. He says Spielberg dropped the ball. Spielberg. That means if he makes an action adventure flick that is poor by his standards it’s still way better than most other films out there. It’s all relative.
And what’s with Shia coming clean these days. Transformers was also bashed by him. Even more rightfully so I might add.
Frankly I thought Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was a pretty good film, and really its reviews were mostly positive, I think a lot of backlash came from the expectations. Plus even while I do feel Revenge of the Fallen is a lousy film, I don’t like it when actors openly bash the films they were in.
what bunch of losers, if George Clooney admits he screw up in Batman and the film sucked he is a cool and honest guy, if Shia does the same that he is a ungrateful bastard.
Give me a break.
‘sigh’
The internet’s hate for Labeouf knows no bounds. You guys are kinda pathetic.
Kris, I have to ask, why even post a story like this when you know very well the response will be biased, simple-minded vitriol?
Linaf, I actually was bothered by how Clooney has openly attacked Batman & Robin because I never like it when actors do that.
But it seems that only when actors diss films which are cool to hate does it get a positive response; I remember a lot of people went after Katherine Heigl for blasting Knocked Up (a very well-liked movie), while AICN (the exact audience which Shia’s comments seem directed towards) wrote an article praising his openess and honesty for going after Crystal Skull.
@ Ben M…why shouldn’t actors be honest about their feelings towards a film, one they’ve starred in or otherwise? They’re people too, and they have the right to speak their mind. And don’t pull the “professional” card. Professionalism varies from job to job, and it’s a silly concept anyways. All it does is mask our true selves.
@Ben M, the difference between Shia and Clooney to Katherine Heighl, is that Shia and Clooney both TOOK the responsibility to them, they say we sucked in that film and it was our fault.
Heighl put ALL the blame in the script, that my friend is too easy. And that is how you are an ungrateful ass.
And I have to agree with the poster above, people here are pathetic.
linaf: TRUTH.
tony: It was the weekend.
Ben: Why would anyone be okay with someone criticizing a GOOD movie? Again, no logic to the bashers in this thread.
I don’t care if Shia is an ingrate or a hypocrite for saying all this.
When you’re right, you’re right.
@Kris: I have no dog in this fight besides what I stated earlier, but “why would anyone be okay with someone criticizing a GOOD movie?” I think the problem is that Shia, upon reading the script and seeing the film earlier than fans, still went out and promoted it as a good flick. Also, I think there is truth to the fact that he is pandering to the Internet fanboys. I bet if the reviews were good across the board but he felt it was a bad script, he would keep his mouth shut.
What some are saying is that Shia’s comments, while true, seems less sincere and more opportunistic. That’s all.
I don’t have a degree in psychology, so…
But I ask again: What’s so opportunistic about this? You have no leg to stand on. The internet fanboy community can do nothing for LaBeouf’s career. Spielberg, Lucas, Bay: they can. So…let it go.
“and by the way, why is he relevant?”
Because he’s an actor who makes movies that people actually go and pay money to see, maybe? It’s like asking why Will Smith is relevant.
so we are comparing Will Smith and Shia LaBeouf now? well, since people think its OK for a relative non entity to take shots at an all time great like Spielberg, i guess Will Smith is fair game 2. thats just how great and important Shia is. HE can do that even though his CV isnt all that.
What’s opportunistic about it? Well, it’s definitely garnering some good will from critics now isn’t it. I’ve read a lot of people who usually hated him, now praising him for his well-timed honesty.
You can’t be that naive, Kris.
Also, Shia’s already has his fans who will go see his movies (i.e. young women) come hell or high water. Thus, he doesn’t need to say anything to appease them. If he can get the fanboys to come around to see him in a non-franchise movie, then he’s golden.
I bet you Robert Pattinson has an anti-Twilight quip ready when “Breaking Dawn” is wrapped.
Oh to be a “non entity” like Shia LaBeouf! If ONLY i was that much of a non entity. Making hit movies and attending Cannes film festival. Other Mike, get your head out. Shia’s popular with a certain audience and makes successful movies. You asked why he was “relevant” and I gave you an answer.
The only thing I hate in the movie is the CGI and that the aliens/Interdimensional beings woke up.
snowballa: Spare me the conspiracy theories. Really silly.