Shia LaBeouf departs would-be Broadway debut over 'creative differences'

'Lawless' actor had been slated to co-star with Alec Baldwin in 'Orphans'

By Mark Kennedy (AP) Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013 10:05 PM

Shia LaBeouf arrives at a screening of "The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman" at the 2013 Berlin Film Festival.

Credit: AP Photo/Gero Breloer

NEW YORK (AP) — Shia LaBeouf is pulling the plug on his Broadway debut.

The star of the "Transformers" franchise had been slated to appear opposite Alec Baldwin in "Orphans" but producers said Wednesday that LaBeouf would not be continuing "due to creative differences."

The play by Lyle Kessler, which premiered in 1983, tells the story of two orphaned brothers living in a decrepit Philadelphia row house who decide to kidnap a wealthy man. LaBeouf played one brother and Baldwin the target.

"Orphans" opens March 19 at the Schoenfeld Theatre, directed by Daniel Sullivan. Producers said an announcement on LaBeouf's replacement would be made soon.

LaBeouf, whose films include "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" and "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," was most recently seen in John Hillcoat's crime drama "Lawless."