Shia LaBeoufis known for going above and beyond for his movies, fully transforming himself into the character he is playing. One example is his 2014 film,Fury. LaBeouf plays tank gunner Boyd “Bible” Swan in the movie, and following his casting, the actor immediately joined the US National Guard. LaBeouf spent a month on the base, tellingDazed Magazine, “I pulled my tooth out, knifed my face up, and spent days watching horses die. I didn’t bathe for four months.”
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Despite the intense techniques LaBeouf uses to dive into his roles, the actor tellsBishop Robert Barron in a video on his YouTubethat he is, in fact, not a method actor. LaBeouf says, “I don’t identify with that school of thought, really,” before saying, “I don’t know if I’m a method guy.”
“I think people put that [method label] on me. I don’t identify with that school of thought, really. I don’t really know what I do, where it comes from or how it happens. I know that I feel a whole lot, I’ve got a big heart. I don’t know if I’m a method guy — and I think some of that stuff is ridiculous.”
The actor would further explain his approach, preferring to be called an “immersive actor.”
“I like to be immersive. I like all immersive experiences, not just acting… I like adventure and that requires full immersion so I would consider myself an immersive actor. Method acting had a bad smell to it and is kinda douchey. Just like, mean, you know. Sometimes I feel like people on film sets, it gives some people an excuse to behave terribly.”
Shia LaBeouf Says He Hates ‘Acting’
Shia LaBeouf uses technical terms when describing his career, and he wouldn’t classify it as “acting.” However, during his interview, theTransformer’sactor said, “The make-believe stuff feels frivolous and un-intrinsic and wishy-washy.”
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“I hate acting because it feels like you’re able to get it wrong. When you’re really in it then you can’t get it wrong… There’s a way to backstop a performance where you leave yourself very little room for error if you’re in the middle of it. The make-believe stuff feels like frivolous and un-intrinsic and wishy-washy.”
LaBeouf is set to make his return to acting after his 2020 film,Pieces of a Woman, with his upcoming moviePadre Pio. The Hollywood star was initially given a role in Olivia Wilde’s upcomingDon’t Worry Darling.However, drama and conflicting stories led to theactor’s removal from the film. Whether it was because of LaBeouf’s “immersive” approach is still unknown as both parties claim differing reasons for the exit.
