LaBeouf, who stars in the upcoming DreamWorks features Transformers and Disturbia, is a clear favorite of director Steven Spielberg.

The former Disney Channel star, who first came to notoriety as the bratty younger brother on Even Stevens, has recently taken to playing comical sidekick roles in features such as Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle and Constantine.

Neither Paramount nor LucasFilm would confirm talks were underway. LeBeouf himself denied the talks as an Internet rumor. He told Dark Horizons he was done playing comical sidekicks of this sort, but if the script were right he would consider it.

The film is set to start shooting in June and is scheduled for an eventual Memorial Day release (see 'Box Office War--Memorial Day 2008').