Shia LaBeouf apologizes in the wake of plagiarism scandal
When he’s not making waves starring in terrible movies about robots, dropping trou for arty Icelandic music videos, or getting in drunken street fights, Shia LaBeouf apparently also enjoys ripping off famous comic book creators.
Earlier this week, the “Transformers” star found himself in hot water after releasing his short film “HowardCantour.com” online. It turns out that LaBeouf’s film, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival last year, is pretty much a direct adaptation of acclaimed cartoonist Daniel Clowes’ 2007 comic "Justin M. Damiano."
Both the comic and the short film center on a dour movie critic (in LaBeouf's film, he's played by comedian Jim Gaffigan) and feature strikingly similar and sometimes identical dialogue. Despite this, at no point does the short film credit or acknowledge Clowes or his graphic novella. LaBeouf only acknowledged Clowes’ “influence” on “HowardCantour.com” after he got caught, apologizing in a series of tweets:
Copying isn't particularly creative work. Being inspired by someone else's idea to produce something new and different IS creative work.
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013
In my excitement and naiveté as an amateur filmmaker, I got lost in the creative process and neglected to follow proper accreditation — Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013
Im embarrassed that I failed to credit @danielclowes for his original graphic novella Justin M. Damiano, which served as my inspiration
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013
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. — Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013
I deeply regret the manner in which these events have unfolded and want @danielclowes to know that I have a great respect for his work
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013
LaBeouf concluded his confession with, "I f--ked up." Online chatter over LaBeouf’s blatant plagiarism quickly turned from outrage to comedy, spawning the hashtag #ShiaLaBeoufFilms on Twitter and other social networks. The meme gives inept titles to imaginary LeBeouf-directed films which are very clearly just rip-offs of more famous movies. Here are some of the highlights:
Angry Dinosaur Park #shialabeouffilms — Tim Carvell (@timcarvell) December 17, 2013
Sled-Loving Man Who Was Also Rich Although It Did Not Make Him Happy #shialabeouffilms
— Zack Handlen (@zhandlen) December 17, 2013
"Pulp Stories That Aren't True" #Shialabeouffilms — David Rangel (@TheDavidRangel) December 17, 2013
98 Spotted Dogs, Plus 3 More #shialabeouffilms
— Tim Carvell (@timcarvell) December 17, 2013
The kid who saw dead people and the ghost who didn't know he was dead. #shialabeouffilms — Arthur M. Jolly (@jollyarthur) December 17, 2013
Of course, this would be much funnier if plagiarism weren’t such a serious offense. Such deceitful practices will get you kicked out of university and are the career kiss of death for professional writers.
Even if LaBeouf characterizes what he did as “inspiration” and getting “lost in the creative process,” it’s plagiarism. Plain and simple. No amount of apologetic tweets after the fact will change that. If all that comes of this Howard Cantour debacle is a hilarious Twitter lambasting, then LaBeouf should really consider himself lucky.