In a candid new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Shia LaBeouf opened up about the behind-the-scenes tension that led to his 2013 departure from the Broadway production Orphans, describing the experience as “contentious” and “competitive.”
Originally cast alongside Al Pacino, LaBeouf spent two years preparing for the role, but Pacino eventually exited the project. Alec Baldwin stepped in, shifting the dynamics and intensifying the pressure LaBeouf was already under.
“So he’s dealing with both my fractured little weak ego… and my desperate need to show him all my prep,” LaBeouf shared, admitting he felt emotionally fragile and insecure at the time. He also revealed he was “living in the park” and “on steroids,” which added to the turmoil.
Tensions reportedly rose during rehearsals when LaBeouf, fully memorized, clashed with Baldwin, who was still using the script. LaBeouf claimed Baldwin grew competitive, while Baldwin had previously said LaBeouf confronted him in front of the team, accusing him of holding up rehearsals.
In a 2014 Vulture essay, Baldwin recalled offering to leave the play to avoid escalating conflict, but the production team chose to let LaBeouf go instead. Baldwin believed LaBeouf was “shocked” by the decision.
Despite the public fallout, LaBeouf says the two have since reconciled, calling Baldwin a “good dude” and acknowledging their shared struggles. “Fear makes people do really gnarly stuff,” LaBeouf said, attributing much of the conflict to a lack of spiritual grounding at the time.