interviews

Mel Gibson Has Shia LaBeouf’s Back

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 14: Mel Gibson attend Mending Kids International's
Photo: Michael Bezjian/Getty

Just a few weeks after Gary Oldman controversially defended Mel Gibson in a Playboy interview, Gibson has put in a good word for another famously embattled star. In an interview with IndieWire at the Czech Republic’s Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where he was honored with a lifetime achievement award, Mel Gibson talked at length about his career, his past, and — for some reason — Shia LaBeouf: “When I see someone like Shia LaBeouf with the bag on his head and stuff, my heart goes out to the poor guy … I think he’s suffering in some way,†said Gibson. “People are in line to sort of point the finger at him and say that he’s this, that, or the other. It’s easy to judge. But I’m sure he’s going through some kind of personal, kind of very painful, cathartic thing that he has to exorcise and get out there.†Still, public-image expert Mel Gibson is optimistic that LaBeouf will ride out the storm. “He’ll probably play it out and come back, whatever it happens to be. He’ll be alright. I actually like the kid. I think he’s good. I’ve never met him.†Keep paying it forward, Mel.

Mel Gibson Has Shia LaBeouf’s Back