Marilyn Manson and Shia LaBeouf created a short film? What? When?

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Strange collaborations on projects are not a new thing. Usually they occur more commonly in music. For example: Bone Thugs N’ Harmony and Phil Collins, Eminem and Elton John, Richard Nixon and Elvis, and now Marilyn Manson and Shia LaBeouf.

Manson fans may have already had the project, BORN VILLAIN on their radar. After some investigation of a rather strange photo (see above), I figured out the Shia/Manson collaboration and thought it would be interesting to share.

Apparently after seeing a short film LaBeouf directed for Kid Cudi (have no idea what a Kid Cudi is) titled MANIAC, Manson was impressed and asked the actor to do something for him. LaBeouf was commissioned to do a film (more like a lengthy trailer) for Manson’s eighth studio album. The script written by Manson and LaBeouf contains music from the album as well as its own score. LaBeouf also put a book together called, “Campaign”. The book contains photographs taken by the actor and Karolyn Pho. A DVD to accompany the film is included as well.

BORN VILLAIN premiered Sunday night at L.A. Silent Theater. This is a quote from LaBeouf that can be found in “Campaign”: “Locals Rule. I think. Odd, living in L.A all my life and taking for granted my environment, my city.
But one night, just a few months ago, I bumped into Marilyn Manson at one of my locals and together we crawled the city a bit; where he lived, where I lived, where we ate and drank and were we have been entertained. We traveled the roads to those places on streets that had become too familiar. And then I reflected back on that brief journey and traced that trip (with photographs). I connected buildings and streets, freeways, storefronts and trees with a BORN VILLAIN at my side. Here it is but with a little mood music to set my mood.”

A simple “thank you” card would have been fine…

Hamm and Zane unite at the premiere! Best photo ever?