Director Abel Ferrara has indicated that he is pursuing Shia LaBeouf to play the role of Italian Saint Padre Pio in an upcoming film. Ferrara first told Variety about his plans earlier today.
“We’re doing a film about Padre Pio, he’s a monk from Puglia. It’s set in Italy right after World War I. He’s now a saint, he had stigmata. He was also in the middle of a very heavy political period in world history,” Ferrara explained.
“He was very young before he became a saint, so Shia LaBeouf is going to play the monk.”
If Ferrara were able to land LaBeouf, it would be the actor’s first major role since he appeared in Pieces of a Woman in December. At the time of the film’s release, his ex-girlfriend and accomplished singer FKA Twigs filed a lawsuit claiming that the actor physically abused her throughout their relationship. Shortly thereafter, LaBeouf issued an apology and announced that he would take a break from acting.
“I’m not in any position to tell anyone how my behavior made them feel,” he said.
“I’m ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt. There is nothing else I can really say.”
LaBeouf was removed from Netflix‘s award campaign for Pieces of a Woman and he has not appeared in a film or television series this year.
