Shia LaBeouf has defended his decision to have intercourse on screen for controversial director Lars Von Trier's explicit new movie, insisting, "Sex is beautiful."
The actor has signed up to star in The Nymphomaniac, about a young woman's sex life, and reveals he has had in-depth discussions with the maverick filmmaker about his limitations as he prepares to strip off and have real sex for the racy scenes.
He tells Usa Today, "There are rules. I have ethics, I'm not completely out of my mind. But I don't think there's anything wrong with sex. Sex is beautiful if it's done right. And I wouldn't just do it for no reason... Sex is different than love, and there is a separation, and that middle gap is what the movie's about."
The Transformers star hopes the role will help him move away from big-budget blockbusters, and admits he would happily trade the money he has earned in his career for credibility and the chance to make smaller, character-driven projects.
He adds, "All I'm really trying to say in the most politically sensible way is, 'Thank you so much for giving me the opportunities, I would just like to make movies about people now.' That's it...
"If I could give the money back and get all the credibility in the world that I'm seeking, I would do it tomorrow. In a heartbeat."