Shia LaBeouf Exits Orphans, Starring Alec Baldwin, Due to 'Creative Differences'

Hollywood hunk Shia LaBeouf has unexpectedly left the upcoming Broadway mounting of Orphans due to "creative differences," according to a production spokesperson. The Lyle Kessler play stars Alec Baldwin and Tom Sturridge, and is set to begin performances on March 19 at the Schoenfeld Theatre. A replacement for LaBeouf's role of Treat will be announced soon.

Directed by Tony winner Daniel Sullivan (Glengarry Glen Ross), Orphans is the story of two orphaned brothers living in a decrepit North Philadelphia row house. Treat, the eldest, supports his damaged younger sibling by petty thievery, and makes the house a virtual prison for the seemingly simple-minded Phillip (Sturridge). One night Treat kidnaps a rich older man, Harold (Baldwin), who turns out to have his own motives and becomes the father figure the boys have always yearned for.

Orphans would have marked LaBeouf's Broadway debut. He is well-known for his role as Sam Witwicky in the blockbuster Transformers franchise. His other TV and film credits include Lawless, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Eagle Eye, Disturbia, Surf’s Up, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Bobby, The Greatest Game Ever Played, I, Robot, Constantine, Holes and Even Stevens.

Despite the casting setback, Orphans is still scheduled to open on April 7.