PHOTOSShia LaBeouf Gears Up For Comeback Role As Italian Saint After Being Accused Of Physical & Sexual Abuse
Aug. 24 2021, Published 2:20 p.m. ET
Shia LaBeouf is turning to religion — for a movie role, that is.
The 35-year-old was snapped outside of a health food restaurant in Los Angeles on Monday, August 23, reading a book about Padre Pio, while clutching rosary beads and drinking a kombucha drink.
The actor's chosen read was likely in preparation for his latest project: Abel Ferrara's upcoming film about Padre Pio, set in Italy right after World War I. The director told Variety August 12 that LaBeouf will play the younger version of the Italian Saint.
LaBeouf's new role comes on the heels of the actor being sued by ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs, who dated her Honey Boy costar for less than a year.
In the lawsuit, the singer — whose real name is Tahliah Debrett Barnett — claimed LaBeouf physically, emotionally and mentally abused her throughout their relationship.
Twigs detailed a 2019 incident in which the actor allegedly assaulted her outside of a gas station in California during a road trip. She also claimed that LaBeouf knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease.
Earlier this year, FKA Twigs shared more disturbing details about LaBeouf, telling Elle that the Holes star allegedly bragged about shooting stray dogs to help him “get into character” as a killer in 2020’s The Tax Collector.
Sia also came forward to share shocking allegations against the actor. "I too have been hurt emotionally by Shia, a pathological liar, who conned me into an adulterous relationship claiming to be single," the "Chandelier" singer wrote on Twitter at the time. "I believe he's very sick and have compassion for him AND his victims."
Following the bombshell allegations, LaBeouf parted ways with his talent agency CAA and was scrubbed from Netflix's award consideration page for his film Pieces of a Woman. In December, LaBeouf's attorney Shawn Holley said that her client was willfully entering rehab to get the professional help he needs following the lawsuit.
However, it seems not everyone is ready for LaBeouf to return to showbiz. After Variety announced the actor would be starring in Ferrerra's film, Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause took to Twitter to write, "Shoots dogs. Beats women. Ummmm I'm gonna pass. Glad he got a Comeback Role though" with an eyeroll emoji.
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Scroll through to check out photos of the actor's day out.
The Even Stevens alum dressed casual in a gray tee, gray shorts and boots.
Though it appeared he was attempting to remain incognito, LaBeouf's bold hat likely turned heads and gave him away.
At one point during his outing, LaBeouf held up his rosary beads as he read his book.
The actor — who reportedly got his whole chest tattooed for his role in the Tax Collector — showed off his ink.
The Transformers star sported a pensive expression en route to his next destination.
