Shia LaBeouf stopped by a heath food restaurant in Los Angeles on Monday as he prepares to make a 'comeback' in director Abel Ferrara's next feature film.
The actor, 35, held onto a book on the life of Italian Saint Padre Pio, after it was revealed he will star as the lead in the film centred on the saint's younger years.
It appears the project is the first for Shia since his ex-girlfriend FKA twigs, 33, accused him of sexual battery, assault and infliction of emotional distress during their nine-month relationship. Shia has 'denied each and every' assault allegation.
Out and about: Shia LaBeouf (pictured), 35, researched his next film role while at a health food store in Los Angeles on Monday, as he prepares to make a 'comeback' after ex-girlfriend FKA twigs' abuse allegations
Shia dressed casually in a grey T-shirt and shorts, white socks and scruffy tan boots.
He added a circus-themed cap and brought along rosary beads as well as a book based on the life of Italian Saint Padre Pio.
Shia showed off long locks and a scruffy beard, choosing to pull down his face mask.
Reading material: A very casual Shia held onto a book on the life of Italian Saint Padre Pio, after it was revealed he will star as the lead in the film centred on the saint's younger years
It was reported by Variety earlier this month that Abel's film will 'center on the younger years of Italian Saint Padre Pio,' with Shia portraying Padre in his youth.
'He was very young before he became a saint, so Shia LaBeouf is going to play the monk,' the director explained, adding that hooking Shia as the lead means 'the project is "all set" to shoot in the very near future.'
The unnamed feature, according to Ferrara, will start shooting 'on location in Puglia, located in Italy's famous heel, in late October of this year.'
Accusations: FKA (pictured), 33, claimed during a CBS This Morning interview with Gayle King that Shia's emotional and mental 'gaslighting' eventually evolved into physical abuse
Variety added 'the project's financing could collapse or other logistical hurdles could derail the film' due to it being independently made.
MailOnline contacted Shia's representatives for comment at the time.
Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause, after catching wind of the news report by Variety, criticised Ferrara's decision to award the actor a 'comeback role'.
Replying to Variety's Twitter post, the 40-year-old real estate agent wrote: 'Shoots dogs. Beats women. Ummmm I'm gonna pass.'
She concluded the tweet by sarcastically adding that she was 'Glad [Shia] got a Comeback Role though.'
The controversial casting comes less than a year after Shia was fired from Don't Worry Darling and replaced by Harry Styles, reportedly because of his 'off-putting attitude'.
Comeback: The actor who has 'denied each and every allegation', is said to have signed on to play the lead in Abel Ferrara's (pictured) next feature film, despite his ongoing legal woes
Pass! Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause, after catching wind of the news reported by Variety, criticised Ferrara's decision to award the actor a 'comeback role'
The actor entered rehab after FKA twigs filed court papers in December claiming he knowingly infected her with an STD and relentlessly abused her.
The pair met on the set of his movie Honey Boy in 2018 and dated for nine months, before splitting in May 2019 over what was reported at the time as 'conflicting work schedules'.
FKA claimed during a CBS This Morning interview with Gayle King that Shia's emotional and mental 'gaslighting' eventually evolved into physical abuse.
'Eventually it did become physical,' she said. 'There were certain instances where
