The Evolution Of Shia LaBeouf

The Christmas Path (1998)

LaBeouf originally pursued acting purely as a way of getting money after seing other kids buy cool things he couldn't afford. Pretending to be an adult representing himself, he got an agent through the yellow pages and his first acting gig was on this small TV movie.

He played Cal, a boy whose mother and little sister are about to be evicted one Christmas when they are visited by an angel. It wasn't exactly a life-changing part, but it didn't prevent him from working steadily for the next two years.

Rogue Rascal? Nahh, he's too cute. Even though his character does try a spot of burglary, he only did it to help his mum, so he's forgiven.

Even Stevens (2000)

Over the next few years LaBeouf continued working on TV, even popping up on well established shows The X-Files, Suddenly Susan and ER. However in 2000 he got his breakout role in the Disney Channel's comedy Even Stevens .

Playing goofy younger brother Louis Stevens who (much to the dismay of his irritated older sister) freqently gets himself and those around him into trouble. Shia had hit the big time and it was a fantastic kick-start to his career. When the show finished in 2003, he won an Emmy for outstanding performance in a children's series.

Rogue Rascal? Most definetely! He's the ultimate tearaway you'd hate to live next door to... more Kevin McCallister than Dennis the Menace.

Tru Confessions (2002)

After picking up Even Stevens , LaBeouf continued to work on other Disney Channel movies and TV shows.

Aired in 2002, Tru Confessions was about a girl whose aspirations of being a famous filmmaker are disrupted by her mentally disabled twin brother (played by LaBeouf). It was a step up from the other projects he'd done, but once again this little film went by unnoticed, and was a pretty bland sidenote on his developing CV.

Rogue Rascal? No. Although he's troublesome he's still an affectionate brother with a big heart.

Holes (2003)

Despite the success of Even Stevens , LaBeouf found himself being typecast in yet more TV roles. However at 16 he successfully graduated from the small to the big screen when he landed not one, not two but three movie parts. Holes was his debut.

Starring as a wrongly convicted boy sent to boot camp, he even managed to outshine his big name co-stars Jon Voight and Sigourney Weaver. The film was popular across the board. As he said himself at the time, "Everyone just thought I was a big goofball. Holes changed that. When your movie makes almost $70 million it's a whole different ballgame."

Rogue Rascal? Accused of being one but he's actually innocent.

Dumb And Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003)

This was his second film project of that year, but unfortunately the prequel to the original Jim Carrey comedy turned out to be terrible. LaBeouf, who counts the 1994 classic as one of his favourite films was desperate to be in the cast and actually auditioned for Lloyd. Even though he didn't get the part (a lucky escape in hindsight), they offered him a supporting role based on his audition.

Playing Lewis who joins Harry and Lloyd's special needs class, it's probably regarded as a role he wouldn't wish to be reminded of as the movie was despised by the critics and was nominated for several Razzies.

Rogue Rascal? Not so much rascal as king of the geeks.

Dumb And Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003)

This was his second film project of that year, but unfortunately the prequel to the original Jim Carrey comedy turned out to be terrible. LaBeouf, who counts the 1994 classic as one of his favourite films was desperate to be in the cast and actually auditioned for Lloyd. Even though he didn't get the part (a lucky escape in hindsight), they offered him a supporting role based on his audition.

Playing Lewis who joins Harry and Lloyd's special needs class, it's probably regarded as a role he wouldn't wish to be reminded of as the movie was despised by the critics and was nominated for several Razzies.

Rogue Rascal? Not so much rascal as king of the geeks.

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)

Another sequel and another disappointment. The reception for the highly anticipated summer release was barely lukewarm as the plot was just too silly, and the dialogue was diabolical.

On board as Max, a kid under the protection of the Angels after being targeted by a killer, LaBeouf didn't really get to do much here as his character was left underdeveloped. Bernie Mac took home most of the laughs, which doesn't reflect well on Shia's scenes.

Rogue Rascal? He got to hang out on a bike and briefly look cool. Does that count?

The Battle Of Shaker Heights (2003)

Shaker Heights came about after the script won the second season of Project Greenlight, a TV contest set up by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon showcasing upcoming directors. LaBeouf stars as Kelly, a young war-reenactment enthusiast who uses military knowledge to seek revenge against the school bully, while also having the hots for his friend's (engaged) older sister.

It's a strange, little-known film where the characters are underdeveloped, but it has its funny moments and LaBeouf is the best thing in it. It's a vast improvement on Dumb And Dumberer .

Rogue Rascal? He seduces an older woman... at 15 years old! Creep.

I, Robot (2004)

Set in 2035 where robots are almost as many as humans, Will Smith plays a Chicago policeman assigned to investigate the murder of an inventor. It was the first in LaBeouf's 'sidekick' roles playing a cheeky teenager who tags along with Smith's detective.

The futuristic sci-fi was a huge hit with audiences and it was his most influential film credit to date, even though his part was tiny and pretty pointless. Being in a Will Smith blockbuster got him noticed, and it was the start of bigger things to come.

Rogue Rascal? His character doesn't really do enough to be classified as a rascal.

The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)

Directed by actor Bill Paxton, this small film based on the true-life tale of golf champion Francis Ouimet was a step away from the other characters LaBeouf had played up to this point.

As the youngest US amateur to win the US Open Championship, this was the first character-driven leading role for LaBeouf. His Ouimet brims with emotion and intelligence, without becoming yet another boring sports movie cliché. It's a refreshing change from all the fantasy epics where he can focus more on, y'know, acting.

Rogue Rascal? Nope, but he shines as a lead for the first time.

Constantine (2005)

After providing his voice talents for the English dubbing re-release of Miyazaki's 1986 Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind earlier in the year, LaBeouf took another fantasy epic sidekick role, this time as Keanu Reeves' supernatural demon hunter assistant.

The flashy effects couldn't make up for the fact that this creepy film was confusing and the characters pretty soulless and hard to relate to. LaBeouf got a meatier support spot than he had in I, Robot but seeing as his character gets killed off, we didn't get to see much of him really.

Rogue rascal? A reckless rogue more like: the flat cap says it all.

Bobby (2006)

A change of pace once again for LaBeouf, joining a strong ensemble cast for the fictionalised drama accounting the events leading up to when Robert F Kennedy was assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel.

Starring Anthony Hopkins, Sharon Stone and Martin Sheen among others, LaBeouf plays Cooper, a campaign volunteer who, along with his friend, gets a little sidetracked when he meets drug dealer Ashton Kutcher. It's interesting to see LaBeouf in a more mature role, which undoubtedly helped people see past the teenager roles he'd been stereotyped in.

Rogue Rascal? He's a very naughty boy: drugs are bad!

A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints (2006)

This gritty American drama based on the memoir of the same name by Dito Montiel, is one of the best performances from LaBeouf by far.

Playing the young Dito back in 1986, its edge makes it a superior role in his back catalogue of characters. He proves he can do more than 'goofy kid' as he holds his own against strong performances by Robert Downey Jr and Channing Tatum. The film was well received, winning gongs at the Sundance Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Awards.

Rogue Rascal? Living in a rough neighbourhood toughens him up.

Disturbia (2007)

Rear Window for teenagers, this intense thriller about a boy who gets put under house arrest and becomes convinced his neighbour is a killer, is a step up in LaBeouf's quest for leading man status.

His character takes centre stage in a thought-provoking and occasionally chilling thriller which relies on an intelligent but realistic performance from its star. The result is one of his most rounded roles to date, showcasing not just his acting but his action man capability. And the box office haul wasn't too shabby either...

Rogue Rascal? Definitely. The death of his father sends him off the rails.

Transformers (2007)

Disturbia gave LaBeouf a boost after years of support parts, and here he bagged his star-making role in 2007's massive summer blockbuster. Based on the Hasbro toy line, it follows the adventures of Sam, a sheltered teen who becomes involved in the war between two alien robot clans.

Fast, futuristic and also funny it was one of the biggest films that year and it catapulted LaBeouf into the spotlight. His down-to-earth Sam was a refreshing blockbuster hero, and he'd return to the character twice over the next four years.

Rogue Rascal? Here he's an ordinary guy dealing with an extraordinary situation.

Surf's Up (2007)

In between saving the world from alien robots and murderous neighbours, LaBeouf managed to slot in an animation. It follows the tale of a penguin being filmed for a documentary in the run-up to a big surfing competition.

It's hardly the jewel in his film repertoire, and it's not in the same league as Pixar's creations, but it's a cute and funny film for the kids with enough knowing humour for the grown-ups (Jeff Bridges, as ever, rocks).

Rogue Rascal? A penguin who surfs definitely qualifies as a rogue.

Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (2008)

LaBeouf was now on every director's wish list, and he bagged the part of Mutt Williams in Indy's fourth adventure. It should have been the role of a lifetime but unfortunately the film was panned by critics and franchise devotees who blasted the ludicrous alien plot line, CGI monkeys and lead lined fridges. The credibility of the franchise was left in tatters.

It did however make big bucks. Considering the ending, does this mean big things for LaBeouf? A fifth film has been rumoured so watch this space.

Rogue Rascal? He's a greaser! He starts fights, rides a bike, plays with knives and swings through trees with monkeys... oh.

Eagle Eye (2008)

With a couple of fantasy epics under his belt, LaBeouf's next choice was a nice change of pace, focusing on 'the dangers of technology'. Co-starring with Michelle Monaghan, the pair play two young people brought together and coerced into making terrorist threats after each receiving an anonymous phone call. It sounded like a bold choice and a good idea in theory.

Critics lambasted it though, accusing the techno-phobic storyline of being completely implausible and ridiculous. It still turned a decent profit.

Rogue Rascal? He's innocent, but he's forced into doing bad things.

New York, I Love You (2009)

In a follow up to 2006's Paris Je'Taime , this ensemble piece consisted of 10 short segments following the lives of different couples in New York. With a strong cast of well established actors including Chris Cooper, Robin Wright Penn and Andy Garcia, this was a different kind of project for LaBeouf who shared scenes with Julie Christie and was directed by Elizabeth director Shekhar Kapur.

His segment, however, was quite strange, set in a heaven-like hotel room where he plays a crippled bellboy waiting on Christie's opera singer before she kills herself. He tries his best at getting his tongue around a new accent, albeit unsuccessfully.

Rogue Rascal? No, he's just a strange figment of Christie's imagination/memory/yearnings.

Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (2009)

It was never a matter of if, but when. Fans were itching for more Optimus Prime and Bumblebee action, but this over-hyped sequel to 2007's smash hit was a huge disappointment, largely blamed on the result of the writers strike script problems.

Character development was sacrificed in order to make way for loud, fussy and overcomplicated special effects in action sequences that basically made no sense. LaBeouf himself admitted the sequel was overblown and rushed. Head to Transformers: Dark Of The Moon review for the latest reaction to the third in the trilogy.

Rogue Rascal? Much more of the same, with not nearly enough development for Sam.

Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps

Time to shake off those teenage roles and have a stab at something more mature. LaBeouf's next film was the sequel to 1987's Wall Street playing Jake, a young protégé at a top investment company in New York. He also happens to be engaged to Gordon Gekko's estranged daughter, and he forms an uneasy alliance with his prospective pa-in-law.

Plagued from the start of production, the film opened to mixed reviews but it remains a strong leading performance from LaBeouf who holds his own against Michael Douglas' Gekko.

Rogue Rascal? Having Gordon Gekko as your mentor? Not a wise decision.

Transformers: Dark Of The Moon (2011)

This week LaBeouf is back as Sam, returning in his quest to save the human race from the evil Decepticons. He's armed with a new plot, new script and new leading lady!

The movie's unlikely to appease the Transformers haters, but there's no denying the jaw-dropping spectacle on display here, and, despite some extraneous characters and overlong scenes, Bay manages to turn in a much leaner actioner than the risible Fallen .

Rogue Rascal? Sam has to defy some powerful upper-level military bureaucrats if he stands a chance of saving the world again.

The Wettest Country In The World (2012)

Next year LaBeouf stars in John Hillcoat's adaptation of Matt Bondurant's novel, which is based on the real life events of the author's grandfather and great-uncles. Set in Virginia during the early 1900s, it tells the tale of three brothers (played by Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke and LaBeouf respectively) as their business comes under threat during the Prohibition era.

Filming began in February and only a few set images have become available, but it looks set to be a potentially interesting performance from LaBeouf, who has already shown he is capable of being a leading man in his own right.

Rogue Rascal? Only time will tell.