"Transformers" star Shia LaBeouf apologized for plagiarizing a graphic novel from Daniel Clowes, but the actor could be facing some legal repercussions after admitting he borrowed from Clowes without permission and did not give him proper credit.
LaBeouf recently tried his hand at writing and directing a short film called "Howard Cantour." Starring Jim Gaffigan, who plays a self-loathing film critic, the film was posted on "Howard Cantour.com," on Monday, but debuted last May at the Cannes Film Festival.
The website Buzzfeed quickly noticed the film held some similarities from a short 2007 graphic novella titled "Justin M. Damiano," written and created by Clowes.The actor took to his Twitter to explain it's not considered copying when a person is inspired by a piece of work. A series of tweets followed.
"Copying isn't particularly creative work. Being inspired by someone else's idea to produce something new and different IS creative work," he wrote. "In my excitement and naiveté as an amateur filmmaker, I got lost in the creative process and neglected to follow proper accreditation."
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
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
Both pieces of work begin with the narration, "A critic is a warrior, and each of us on the battlefield have the means to glorify or demolish by influencing perception in ways that if heartfelt and truthful, can have far-reaching repercussions."
Jacqueline Cohen, director of publicity and promotions for Fantagraphics Books, Inc., Clowes' publisher, said the actor never approached Clowes to authorize permission to use his work. Cohen calls LaBeouf film "a complete rip-off" of "Justin M. Damiano."
"The first I ever heard of the film was this morning when someone sent me a link, " said Clowes, according to BuzzFeed. "I've never spoken to or met Mr. LaBeouf. I've never even seen one of his films that I can recall -- and I was shocked, to say the least, when I saw that he took the script and even many of the visuals from a very personal story I did six or seven years ago and passed it off as his own work. I actually can't imagine what was going through his mind."
According to Clowes' publisher, Eric Reynolds, the author is "exploring legal options." Reynolds said Wednesday that his client was "baffled" by the news of LaBeouf's new film.
"LaBeouf changed the name of the main character, but he used the comic as a direct script and storyboard," Reynolds said. "Clowes has a real melodramatic voice that is very idiosyncratic and LaBeouf just used the dialogue word for word. There is no ambiguity. There is no way that anybody wrote this but Dan Clowes. It just defies any kind of logic or good sense. This was so blatant and inexcusable that it was as baffling as it was appalling."
Reynolds told the Associated Press that LaBeouf has made no effort to apologize directly to Clowes.
"As far as I know the only comments he has given were those late night Twitter comments a few nights ago," Reynolds said.
The film has since been password protected, but is still streaming on BuzzFeed.
