From this point onwards Shia LaBeouf only wants to work with friends, he’s told AP reporters in Venice. LeBeouf, 29, said: “I think for a while I was chasing the “10 List” – the 10 directors you want to work with – that didn’t fare well for me.”

LeBeouf, who has worked with famously tough film-makers such as Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg, Lars von Trier and Oliver Stone, will no longer be pursuing jobs with film-makers he doesn’t consider friends. “I do much better with loving, familial environments where you feel like you can fail and the dude will get you on the other side.”

Shia LaBeouf has gained one of the most intense reputations ever recently and I can’t help but think it’s not totally unfair. Yes, LeBeouf is pretentious and bizarre, but the only difference between him and other young stars is LeBeouf brings his mess out in the open. Not every thing is a calculated move and occasionally that backfires, but I appreciate the refreshing approach to Hollywood and film making.