Shia LaBeouf admits he seriously messed up in plagiarism spat

Los Angeles - Shia LaBeouf has been caught with his pants down since it became apparent that his new short film, HowardCantour.com is based word-for-word on a comic Justin M. Damiano by artist Daniel Clowes.

Both stories revolve around a film critic and much of the dialogue in the film is the exact same dialogue from the comic, like this short snippet:



According to Buzzfeed, Clowe's publisher at Fantagraphics called it "shameless theft," with Clowes telling the website that he "can't actually imagine what was going through [LaBeouf's] mind."

Twitter apology

Nowhere does LaBeouf credit Clowes, but the Transformers star has acknowledged his mistake with a Twitter apology on Monday, although Buzzfeed believes his apology sounds similar to a Yahoo! Answers post responding to whether or not Picasso 'stole' his work.

Copying isn't particularly creative work. Being inspired by someone else's idea to produce something new and different IS creative work.

— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013

In my excitement and naiveté as an amateur filmmaker, I got lost in the creative process and neglected to follow proper accreditation

— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013

Im embarrassed that I failed to credit @danielclowes for his original graphic novella Justin M. Damiano, which served as my inspiration

— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013

I was truly moved by his piece of work & I knew that it would make a poignant & relevant short. I apologize to all who assumed I wrote it.

— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013

I deeply regret the manner in which these events have unfolded and want @danielclowes to know that I have a great respect for his work

— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013

I fucked up.

— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013