Shia LaBeouf has looked back on his time filming the Disney teen drama movie Holes and described the experience as very difficult. He shared these memories during a fan Q&A event in December.
Shia explained that filming Holes was not easy for him as a child. One major reason was working with Jon Voight, who stayed in character even when cameras were not rolling. Shia said this felt strange and uncomfortable, especially because he had never seen an actor work that way before.
Things became more tense because Shia’s father was often on set. According to Shia, his father and Jon Voight did not get along. Their personal conflict added stress to an already tough filming environment.
Another big problem was the extreme heat. The movie was filmed in Ridgecrest, California, a desert area. Shia shared a shocking story about how hot it was. He said a refrigerator inside a trailer exploded because of the heat, sending another young actor flying outside. He described the moment as scary and dangerous.
Shia believes a movie like Holes would probably not be filmed the same way today because safety rules are stricter now. He said the shoot was simply too intense for children.
He is not the only actor who struggled. Khleo Thomas, who also starred in the film, later shared that he suffered from painful heat rashes while filming. He said the heat and clothing caused serious discomfort. Khleo Thomas spoke about his experience in an interview with People magazine.
These stories show that while Holes became a beloved movie, the behind-the-scenes reality was much harder than fans ever knew.
Looking back, these stories help viewers understand how hard filmmaking can be, especially for young actors. Long hours, extreme weather, and strong personalities can make a big difference behind the camera. While Holes is still loved by many fans, these memories show that the cast went through real challenges to bring the story to life.