Shia LaBeouf on Not Giving Credit for Short Film: 'I F--ked Up'

Shia LaBeouf has responded to reports that he plagiarized his new short film HowardCantour.com after failing to credit the work that inspired the project.

The 27-year-old actor debuted his short film at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2012 and finally posted the clip online on Monday. Fans realized that the flick, which stars Jim Gaffigan as an online film critic, is basically a direct adaptation of a comic written by famed artist Daniel Clowes.

“Copying isn’t particularly creative work. Being inspired by someone else’s idea to produce something new and different IS creative work. In my excitement and naiveté as an amateur filmmaker, I got lost in the creative process and neglected to follow proper accreditation,” Shia said on Twitter. “I’m embarrassed that I failed to credit @danielclowes for his original graphic novella Justin M. Damiano, which served as my inspiration. 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. 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.”

After tweeting out his statement, Shia waited an hour and said “I f–ked up.” Head on over to Buzzfeed to watch the film and read Daniel Clowes‘ reaction to it.