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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.
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 .
Rogue Rascal? Most definetely! He's the ultimate tearaway you'd hate to live next door to... more Kevin McCallister than Dennis the Menace.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rogue Rascal? His character doesn't really do enough to be classified as a rascal.
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.
Rogue rascal? A reckless rogue more like: the flat cap says it all.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Rogue Rascal? Only time will tell.
