Shia LaBeouf could face legal action after lifting idea for short film
There may be legal ramifications for Shia LaBeouf after he acknowledged borrowing from another artist's work without giving proper credit.
The 27-year-old actor debuted his short film, "HowardCantour.com," online on Monday starring Jim Gaffigan. It examines the life of an anguished online film critic. That was also the story line of a 2007 graphic novella by artist Daniel Clowes titled "Justin M. Damiano."
Clowes declined to comment directly, but according to his publisher, Fantographics' Eric Reynolds, Clowes "is exploring his legal options."
Reynolds said Wednesday he was "baffled" by the news of LaBeouf's project, which he and Clowes got wind of on Monday.
LaBeouf's short began to circulate in 2012 at festivals like the Cannes Film Festival, but was just posted online officially on Monday. Soon afterward, it was taken down, and LaBeouf took to Twitter to apologize for lifting ideas from Clowes' work and passing them off as his own.
Under the handle thecampaignbook, LaBeouf said, "Copying isn't particularly creative work. Being inspired by someone else's idea to produce something new and different IS creative work."
"In my excitement and naivete as an amateur filmmaker, I got lost in the creative process and neglected to follow proper accreditation," LaBeouf added on Twitter. "I'm embarrassed that I failed to credit [Daniel Clowes] for his original graphic novella Justin M. Damiano, which served as my inspiration. I was truly moved by his piece of work & I knew that it would make a poignant & relevant short. I apologize to all who assumed I wrote it. I deeply regret the manner in which these events have unfolded and want [Clowes] to know that I have a great respect for his work."
Some reports claimed that apology may have been plagiarized as well -- noting that parts of what LaBeouf tweeted are similar to comments written in a post on Yahoo Answers four years ago.
Reynolds added that LaBeouf has not made any attempts to reach out to Clowes directly to apologize. "As far as I know the only comments he has given were those late night Twitter comments a few nights ago," said Reynolds.
LaBeouf's rep declined to comment further when reached by The Associated Press, but the actor took to Twitter again on Wednesday and a second apology: