British audiences may recall the 2003 film 'Holes', a popular adaptation of Louis Sachar's novel, which starred a teenage Shia LaBeouf as Stanley Yelnats and Sigourney Weaver as the formidable Warden Walker. Now, LaBeouf has made a surprising claim regarding an incident that allegedly took place during the production of the film. Speaking at the Fanboy Expo in Texas, the actor stated that Weaver 'slapped' his father on set after he reportedly 'hit on' her.
LaBeouf's comments arose when he was asked about his memories from the set of another early role in 'Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle'. He recounted that his father, Jeffrey LaBeouf, who had recently been released from prison, was present on set and frequently 'hitting on' the lead stars, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, and Drew Barrymore. This led LaBeouf to share the anecdote about Weaver, describing his father as having been 'kicked off of so many sets'.
The actor has a long-documented and often turbulent relationship with his father, Jeffrey LaBeouf, who was jailed in the early 1980s for attempted rape. This complex dynamic was explored in LaBeouf's 2019 film 'Honey Boy', where he depicted his father as abusive. However, LaBeouf later recanted this narrative, stating in a 2022 podcast interview that his father was 'loving' and 'always there', despite their 'fractured' relationship.
These recent revelations from LaBeouf come amidst his own legal troubles. The actor pleaded guilty in February to three counts of simple battery following an incident outside a New Orleans bar during Mardi Gras. Video footage showed LaBeouf physically assaulting individuals. He was subsequently sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to undertake rehabilitation for alcohol abuse, along with sensitivity training and anger management classes.
'Holes' remains a beloved family film, often shown on UK television and available to stream on platforms such as Disney+. The film's enduring popularity means LaBeouf's comments offer a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of a production that was a significant early career highlight for the actor before his breakout roles in films like 'Transformers'. Representatives for both LaBeouf and Weaver have reportedly been contacted for comment regarding these claims.