Shia LaBeouf Talks 'Transformers,' Spielberg, Indie Films
To most children of the 80s, Shia LaBeouf is living out the ultimate boyhood fantasy.
In "Transformers," he is the human face of the ultimate action toy life; as Indiana Jones' son, he's inheriting one of the most iconic hero stories in the world. But as an actor, first and foremost, LaBeouf isn't entirely enthusiastic about having become producer/director Steven Spielberg's go-to star for his big budget franchises.
"That's a gift and a curse," LaBeouf told the Los Angeles Times. "Steven introduced me to the world in a way. The man has been incredible to me. But the work that I've done with him, the character variation is not heavy. It's sort of all in the same vein. ... I've gotta anchor these movies that are in these outrageous worlds, and I have to be as tangible as possible. ... I have no problem with that, but I don't want to be there forever."
Of course, he was quick to pump up the coming third installment of his robot in disguise series, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," but the point is understood.
Aside from the two action franchises, LaBeouf took on the mantle of another classic 80s property, "Wall Street." He starred in the sequel alongside Michael Douglas, and along with a few other actioners, it's meant that he hasn't had much control over what he does on screen. Now, he's looking to do some indie work, so that he can grow and explore different grounds as an actor.
"When you're a racehorse and you've got 20 trainers, all the trainers want the racehorse to run a certain way," LaBeouf said before pumping up his next project, "The Wettest County In The World," an indie crime drama which will co-star Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowska.
"What does the racehorse want to do? 'Wettest' is the first time they've ever asked the racehorse. I've been running for a team of people for a long time and I don't take any of it back," he said. "I've learned a great deal about a certain type of filmmaking. But I have ambitions toward another type of filmmaking that I haven't been allowed to engage in yet."
LaBeouf is also supposedly in talks to play a role in Warren Beatty's long-gestating comeback film about Howard Hughes.
While he's already leaked word that a fifth Indiana Jones film is on its way (though he was critical of the fourth, saying that it "dropped the ball on a legacy"), LaBeouf made clear earlier this month that he's done with Transformers.
"I'm not coming back to do another one," he told MTV. "I don't think Mike will either. It still is a hot property, I think, especially coming out of the third one. So I imagine they'll reboot it at some point with someone else."
For more, click over to the Los Angeles Times.
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First Posted: 06/27/11 12:54 PM ET Updated: 08/27/11 06:12 AM ET