Shia LaBeouf Plays Saint PADRE PIO in New Trailer and Director Abel Ferrara Talks About Why LaBeouf Was Perfect for the Role

Shia LaBeouf (Fury, Honey Boy, The Peanut Butter Falcon) is starring in his first film since the break from acting he took in 2020 following allegations of abuse from his former girlfriend. After spending time in recovery, he took on the role of Padre Pio, “the Italian monk who gained rock-star status among the Catholic faithful in the 20th century.”

“Padre Pio, who was born Francesco Forgione in southern Italy in the late 19th century, elicited both devotion and controversy throughout his life. He rose to fame in the Catholic world for exhibiting stigmata — crucifixion wounds corresponding to those on the body of Jesus Christ — before becoming a symbol of hope for southern Italians during the country’s turbulent period between the two world wars. He died in 1968 at the age of 81, was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1999, and then canonized in 2002.”

The film’s director, Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant, The Blackout), says that LaBeouf is the perfect actor to take on the role, especially at this point in his personal life. In a recent interview with Variety, the director talked about the saint, explaining:

“He’s an iconic figure. He’s on the back of every truck. He’s the saint of every drug dealer in Naples.”

The director also points out that “as an iconic figure, Pio is like the alternative Jesus, in a way.” Ferrara, who lives and works in Italy, recalls it was actor Willem Dafoe who first suggested that he should reach out to LaBeouf for the role. After a few Zoom calls, LaBeouf was on board, and ready to fully immerse himself in the role.

“He’s the kind of actor that the next minute he jumps in his pick up truck and he’s driving to a monastery in California.”

Ferrara went on to say that when LaBeouf arrived at Rome’s Fiumicino airport, he was dressed in a robe. Then, he went to the monastery in southern Italy where the film was shot and slept in a bed that Padre Pio slept in. Ferrara points out that the film is supported by the Padre Pio brotherhood and that the monks in the film are real.

“He’s bringing his own life to it. You are seeing a person going through a very similar experience. It’s not just about wearing robes and performing actions. When the actor is living a parallel-type journey, that’s when you get such a powerful performance.”

This looks like a different role from many of those that LaBeouf has taken on before. Check out the trailer below, and keep an eye out for the theatrical release of Padre Pio sometime later this year, after its premiere in Venice.