Shia LaBeouf appears to be planning a comeback, with Abel Ferrara revealing that he will star in the director’s forthcoming about Italian saint Padre Pio.
The casting of LaBeouf comes less than a year after the actor was sued by his former partner, singer and actor FKA twigs, for sexual battery, assault and the infliction of emotional distress.
Another ex-girlfriend, costume designer Karolyn Pho, also alleged that LeBeouf was abusive towards her. Around the same time, he was fired from Olivia Wilde’s film Don’t Worry Darling amid reports of problematic behaviour on-set.
Ferrara told Variety: “We’re doing a film about Padre Pio. “He was very young before he became a saint, so Shia LaBeouf is going to play the monk.”
After FKA twigs (real name Tahliah Barnett) filed the lawsuit against LaBeouf, the actor was dropped by his agents and was said to be taking time off from acting.
He also checked into a wellness facility, without confirming what kind of treatment he was receiving. He had previously been in rehab for alcohol addiction.
Ferrara, who is best known for his American films Bad Lieutenant and King of New York, has spent most of the last two decades making independent films in Italy.
The Independent has reached out to representatives for Shia LaBeouf and Abel Ferrara for comment.
