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EXCLUSIVE: I’ve confirmed that Shia LaBeouf left WME on Friday. And that he’s going agentless, sticking with his manager John Crosby and his attorney Matt Saver. It’s a huge loss for the agency and Megan Silverman (who helped put the actor in everything big like Disturbia and Transformers and Indiana Jones 4 and Wall Street 2), since Shia is one of the biggest young stars with the brightest future. But it was all very amicable. The explanation I hear is that Shia has Leo has his role model and, since DiCaprio is famously agentless, Shia thinks he can go that route, too.
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Shia is a hottie! No one has said that yet…
I remember first seeing Shia LeBeouf in interviews with Keannu Reeves when they were promoting Constantine. Never mind Shia’s horrible acting, he was an obnoxious punk in the interviews and tried his best to upstage Keannu with his over-the-top efforts to try to be funny (he wasn’t). I could understand it more if he were just nervous, but his acting hasn’t improved, and judging by his drunk nights out flipping trucks in Los Angeles, I’d say he hasn’t grown up any either.
The male Megan Fox, nothing more.
Once an actor is well known, which Shia is, what does an agent do and how does it differ from what a manager does at that level?
After all the weird bullcrap he was allowed to spew this summer in the press, I think he would’ve been better dropping his publicist instead of his agent.
He’s moderately appealing but overrated.
And a mouth-breather. I was surprised that in the accompanying mug shot his mouth is actually closed. That’s not usually the case.
This is an embarrassing blow to WME. If he’s just gonna keep one, why wouldn’t it be a big agency like WME, and not some powerless manager that most people have barely heard of?
It’s getting really bad over there.
Since I have no dog in this hunt, It will be interesting to watch. Will he go back to an agent when he needs one? Will he engender enough ill will in the industry to make him lose business? Actors often have to engineer “comebacks”. Aren’t agents often neccessary to this process? We’ll see.
Shia can get a movie made. period..that’s what it boils down to. If he gets more personal attention from a manager..that’s obviously his preference over WME. He’s been in a lot of giant franchise films..but it was Disturbia (which made over $100million) that proves he can draw in the kiddies without robots.
Solid decision. Allows for options in his career. Demonstrates his trust in his management and legal teams.
The truth is, SOMEBODY has to figure out Shia’s career or it’s already over. “Wall Street 2″ was a really, really, really dumb idea and I’ve been surprised as hell he took it ever since he clambered on board. In fact, it feels like the choice of an easily-led actor, not an agent. That said, I don’t think Shia’s that good of an actor anyway, so maybe there’s no career to begin with and he should get settled in for a few misses and then, well, some cop show when he’s 32.
Megan did nothing but hurt his career, of which he wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for Spielberg taking a liking to him. Karma’s a bitch Megan.
Wow, you all sound scared. If he goes it alone for a while and decides that he made a mistake, agents will fall all over themselves to get in line. In the mean time maybe he’ll save a few bucks…
Why not?
hey dum dum, hes still going to be paying wme for the next three or so years, and by that time, yeah he probably will be doing a cop drama on tv
Hope he saved his money. I grow weary of the Shia LaBeouf reign. There are far more deserving and talented actors out there, and one wrong move he stands to lose all of the momentum he’s made. He hasn’t built a brand that will last through this Wall Street film unless he wins critical acclaim. Good luck.
It would be a lot more appropriate if he chose the same representation system as Ethan Embry.
Silverman made Shia, and once he screws this up, comes to his senses, and returns, she’ll build him up again.
To A Tree In The Forest
You’re obviously not in the business and have no idea what you’re talking about unless you are plugging JJ Harris. First off, Charlize has horrible management right now. Yes, JJ Harris has a few really great clients, but she’s useless. Too old school and not up to the times, never checks emails and also is too lazy now a days to put in any effort. The agents to her clients are doing all the word. Trust me I now. This is one case I side with the agents even though they are scum especially those fools at WME like Michael Cooper who by the way was after Shia for years. He used to talk so much trash about megan Silverman it was unreal. Crosby is shady, but not an idiot. He knows exactly how to play all of the agents in town that are after Shia. Not only collecting 10% but also getting the other top agencies to do work for him while he dangles a Shia carrot in front of them. It’s clear as day. Thank god Crosby didn’t let Cooper get him. Crosby knows what’s up.
Megan made Shia. He should be grateful that so much was devoted to him. Managers appease. Agents tell it like it is. A good agent balances the art and commerce – Shia’s been happy so far. movies ain’t cheap to make, especially not with the price Megan got for Shia! he isn’t Leo yet, maybe was on his way but not yet. No one jumps in with the money if Shia wants some crappy project – he doesn’t have the power in art films yet – Leo did Gilbert grape THEN a Titanic. what’s Shia done that was as good as leo in GG? good luck!
Second that. I used to work at old Endeavor within hearing distance of Megan’s office and I can testify that she was completely devoted to Shia and his career. She killed herself for that kid.
agentless? he better hope that scorsese and speilberg land all of his jobs from now on… but they most likely will.
Is DiCaprio box office? Name a movie that he soley headlined that brought in profits. Companies oversell him on marketing and are always disappointed in the return.
Look at the worldwide #’s for The Beach
As long as you are sought after, you do not need both a manager and an agent. When people seek you out, you need one and a lawyer. If the phone stops ringing, then you can think about getting an agent again. I don’t think Shia’s phone is going to stop ringing anytime soon…unless he starts screwing up ala Lindsay Lohan.
To An Agent:
The comment is dead on. There is no need for an agent for A list talent. This is the future of agenting. It will be for new or low level talent trying to get to the next level. I worked at a major for 15 years. Every A lister received offers or producers sending scripts. There was nothing to do. Take Denzel for example. Does he need an agent? Please. It’s silly. For some reason the insecurity of most talent wins combined with the sophistication of agent speak. If Shai doesn’t get scared back into an agency is will prove to be a real man and the next step after Leo. Again, absolutely a waste to have an agent if you are an A lister. The artists discusses and trusts their manager. The deal is much better brokered by an attorney because most agencies bring in their own attorney anyway to do a big deal. It’s a waste of money for A list talent. A total waste and everyone knows it who is really in the know and has worked at the top of the top agency. It’s smoke and mirrors…
Thank you.
wow at a major for 15 years, thats a long time in the mailroom, how awful were u?
Shia probably has a ton of job offers. What do you need an agent for except to turn down roles at this point?
It’s not all rosy being a big Hollywood star. You figure your management team takes about 50% of your pay, and the government takes more than 50% of your money (if your residence is in California). A $4 million payday turns into a million. If they’re not doing any real work for you, then lose them. They made plenty of money off you when you were up-and-coming. You don’t need to subsidize their retirement.
but Shia is a Lindsay Lohan in disguise – everyone can fall, look at Tiger. He’s an arrested drunk, and a nasty drunk at that – they had to bail him outta jail. It’s only a matter of time. that manager is nuts too. His bigger team protected him from his demons and his actions – that hand is another example of his reckless nature. if he were anyone else/normal, he would have lost that hand right away. it was destroyed in that wreck. he is NOT Leo OR Denzel… They both made smart choices and never got into the types if crap Shia does. Watch and see….
Shia’s so hot
The end