Þegar myndin var sett á netið tóku nokkrir bloggarar eftir því að mikil líkindi voru með mynd Shia og teiknimyndasögum Daniel Clowes. Teiknimyndasögurnar heita Justin M. Damiano.
Greinar birtust á netinu þar sem líkindin með myndinni og teiknimyndasögunum voru greind og bent á að geta hefði átt heimilda eða greina frá því á einhvern hátt að verið væri að vinna upp úr texta Daniel Clowes.
Shia LaBeouf brást við ásökununum um viku síðar á twitter og sagðist skammast sín. Hér að neðan eru nokkur skilaboðanna sem hann setti á twitter.
I fucked up.
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013
I deeply regret the manner in which these events have unfolded and want @danielclowes to know that I have a great respect for his work
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013
I was truly moved by his piece of work & I knew that it would make a poignant & relevant short. I apologize to all who assumed I wrote it.
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013
Im embarrassed that I failed to credit @danielclowes for his original graphic novella Justin M. Damiano, which served as my inspiration
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013
In my excitement and naiveté as an amateur filmmaker, I got lost in the creative process and neglected to follow proper accreditation
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013
Copying isn't particularly creative work. Being inspired by someone else's idea to produce something new and different IS creative work.
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) December 17, 2013