Shia LaBeouf Receives Some Support From Fellow Actor James Franco

Shia LaBeouf is embarking on a very courageous and “worthy” art project, according to fellow actor James Franco.

The Nymphomaniac star quickly became the butt of countless jokes and the subject of endless ridicule after embarking on a series of increasing bizarre antics. LaBeouf infamously sported a paper bag featuring the declaration “I Am Not Famous Anymore” while attending the International Film Festival Berlinale earlier this month.

This ultimately prompted LaBeouf to kick off an apologetic art gallery as a way of atoning for his sins. While most people have written off the actor as yet another Hollywood eccentric who can’t handle the spotlight, Pineapple Express star James Franco feels that Shia LaBeouf is simply reacting to the pressure and stress associated with his profession.

Franco addressed LaBeouf’s behavior in a recent op-ep published by the folks over at the New York Times. In the actor’s opinion, Shia is embarking on a “worthy” art project that could ultimately cost the guy a few professional relationships in Hollywood.

“The recent erratic behavior of Shia LaBeouf, the 27-year-old actor best known as the star of the ‘Transformers’ movies, has sent the press into a feeding frenzy. Though the wisdom of some of his actions may seem questionable, as an actor and artist I’m inclined to take an empathetic view of his conduct,” Franco wrote.

He continued, “Indeed I hope — and, yes, I know that this idea has pretentious or just plain ridiculous overtones — that his actions are intended as a piece of performance art, one in which a young man in a very public profession tries to reclaim his public persona.”

Once upon a time, James Franco felt the need to distance himself from public and professional expectations. At a time when he was landing Oscar-worthy roles, the actor decided to appear in a few episodes of the long-running soap opera General Hospital.

“My decision was in part an effort to jar expectations of what a film actor does and to undermine the tacit — or not so tacit — hierarchy of entertainment,” Franco said.

While Shia LaBeouf may have found a friend in the Spring Breakers star, this doesn’t mean he isn’t receiving his fair share of mockery. Jerry O’Connell recently poked fun at the actor by opening his own art gallery, though the Stand By Me star said he isn’t trying to intentionally upset LaBeouf.

“Everyone’s talking about it, whether you want to call it art or a real apology, it’s hilarious. He’s getting people talking. I’m all for this artsy gallery thing. It’s fun to parody because all I have to do here is sit with a bag on my head, crying, and saying, ‘I sowwy.’ But I have to tell you; it’s freeing to continually apologize like he does. I get it,” O’Connell told Buzzfeed.

Are you surprised that James Franco spoke out in support of Shia LaBeouf?