Shia LaBeouf, The $2 Billion Man

Talks About His New "Transformers" Movie, Career And Stardom

(CBS)  Call him the billion dollar man times two: in just six short years, Shia LaBeouf's movies have made over $2 billion worldwide, and that's not counting his new blockbuster, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."

LaBeouf appeared on The Early Show to talk to Harry Smith about his new film and rising stardom.

"We went to see it Wednesday in a theater with actual human beings in IMAX, and I found it so amazing as people cheer for the machines. They cheer during the movie. People break out and emotionally respond to this thing that is clearly fantasy," Smith remarked. "Have you seen it with real people?"

"I have seen it with real people. We saw it in London with real people, and Korea with real people, Japan, Russia. It's the same type of reaction there. It's not a language thing, obviously. It's like a visceral reaction to Fourth of July," LeBeouf said.

Asked what it's like to be in a movie where there's interaction with human actors and things you can't see, LeBeouf said, "It's like pantomime. It's commedia dell'arte, singing in the shower or being a professional schizophrenic. …Yeah, you just keep talking to yourself."

"It's so intense. There's a lot of this movie, it looks to me like you're in it. You can't be casual about something like this," Smith noted.

"No, there's nothing casual about this movie. Nothing. You've got to be an athlete, I think, and have pain tolerance. It's a monotonous, aggressive set. That was the goal of the film. Mike (Bay) likes to punch the audience in the face, and the actors get the brunt of that," LeBeouf explained.

Asked if he'd do another one of these films, LeBeouf joked, "After I heal up, sure."

"Unbelievable. You have not necessarily kept yourself free from controversy over the last couple of years. …Including being in a car accident. You hurt your hand. Still look like it's in rehab," Smith said.

"Sure, newly not broken," LeBeouf joked.

"The thing that's interesting to me is you got a phone call from Harrison Ford, and what did Harrison Ford say?" Smith asked.

"Get back to work, buck up, man up, that kind of stuff," LeBeouf said.

He told Smith Ford has been a pillar in his life. "How could he not be? His ten or so words in the day, he doesn't speak a lot. He's like a John Wayne figure. You've got to earn the handshake and all that. You know, being around a guy like that, that stuff rubs off. It's good be around men like that."

"If people want to know you, I suggest they look at the Playboy interview, which is very revealing. …Here's a question. How are women treating you these days, by the way? You say, 'Great, amazing, unbelievable. It's cool to be 22 and famous. You go to a party, and it's a bit of….' what?" Smith asked.

"You know, these quotes get - I feel like such a - like I don't want to say it on TV. But I feel like that guy. You know, and there is part of it that is very awesome and amazing, but it's fake and it's fickle. I mean, it is all those things. It is enjoyable. I mean, to an extent," LeBeouf said.

"Right. I guess if you know how capricious life can be," Smith remarked.

"That's a word for the day," LeBeouf joked.

"Well, fickle. Hey, you used fickle," Smith said. "I would say capricious."

[sierraway]

Wooow. You guys are just haters. I don't understand, if you hate him so much, why are you reading this article? I happen to adore him. He's a very talented actor and just plain funny. He's a little dorky, but I like him that way.

[Dutchmaster919]

I'm not one to be on anyones jock but the guy is funny. He was funny as hell in the Even Stevens days, and he is still pretty funny now. You guys are haters.

[whatdableep]

The movies mad 2 Billion Dollars NOT because of Shia - He's a Terrible actor and if it wasn't that Shia is Spielberg's favorite little actor at the moment he would be shiite!

The Movies made the Money - Com'on -Transformers and Indiana Jones - that is what made the money - People came to see Meagan Fox in Transformers - Not Shia!

Talking about giving credit where none is owed.

Shia - Sucks as an actor.

[kerry4ever]

Isn't 'LeBeouf' french for 'bull', which this guy is full of.

[kommonsense]

I don't get it. This guy is a little dweeb. Not attractive, no star power... why is he famous???

[rational_1]

Yup, been wondering that myself. Rumour has it he'll be in Indiana Jones 5. Gawd help us - maybe those crystal aliens will fly him away to another galaxy.

[PatDaddy67]

Just saw the movie yesterday... While not long on plot and story, there are some fairly funny situations & one liners as well as a whole bunch of "in your face" GCI action. Very cool, Indeed!