STACK NZ Magazine November Issue 57

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Q&A
MarkWahlberg joins Optimus Prime and theAutobots in Transformers: Age of Extinction,
which director Michael Bay considers to be the best in the series to date.
What’s different about Tr of
Extinction compared to the previous three.
This one is more grounded. It starts inTexas
farm country among people living a simple,
innocent life. But of course doesn’t stay that
way.We go into outer space, to other parts of
the US.We are in China and Hong Kong.While
it is more cinematic than the previous films, we
have Mark’s character, a father, and we see the
story through his eyes and his relationship with
his daughter.That’s completely different.The
previous films we saw it through Shia’s eyes and
he was fantastic. Mark gives it a different feel.
So because it is grounded in family relationships,
Age of Extinction is more serious. It’s not a kid
battling robots – there’s more on the line here.
It feels a little grittier.
Yes, that’s really it.There’s a reason
“Extinction” is in the title of this film.This is our
fourth film and the franchise has matured.We
have to keep on improving, keep it fresh, keep the
audience involved.That’s why this one has a more
serious tone. It’s still fun, but definitely grittier and
more grounded.
It also seems like we get to know the personalities
of the robots more this time around.
That’s true.We wanted the audience to know
more about them and theTransformer world.
Their personalities.Their characters.We mainly
just focus on five robots this time.That creates
more of a connection with the audience.We
have also tinkered with their design a little
so you’ll notice Optimus and Bumblebee still
largely look the same, but there’s slight design
changes. It’s like when Batman gets
a new suit for each movie.
The franchise has a big,
loyal audience all
around the world.
Pain & Gain was so good it seemed like a natural
fit.We also give this film some gravitas with
Kelsey and Stanley. Kelsey plays the bad guy.
They are just great actors.
TheTransformers franchise is known for its big
action scenes. But it seems like this time, you
really took it to another level and pulled off some
really complex action scenes.
Yeah (laughs).We really pushed ourselves.
We had some single 30 second shots with
explosions, actors.That was great. It takes a lot of
preparation and setting up, but it was definitely
worth it. Our audience will appreciate it.
Transformers:
Age of
Extinction
is out Nov 26
Tr of Extinction
is the fourth installment of the
Transformers franchise.
What should fans expect?
MICHAEL BAY: I think this one
is the best. It’s got a really fresh
feel about it.The cast is amazing.
We’ve got MarkWahlberg
starring and Mark’s record
speaks for itself.We had a great
time working on Pain & Gain together.
It’s the same on this. In fact, we have such a
strong cast.There’s Kelsey Grammer, Stanley
Tucci, Jack Reynor, BingBing Li and Nicola Peltz.
There was talk after the last one, Transformers:
Dark of the Moon, that you’d step away from
directing this movie. Shia LaBeouf walked
away, but here you are.Were you contemplating
handing over the directing reins of the
franchise to somebody else?
I did think about it, but I came to the conclusion
I didn’t want to hand it off to somebody else.
The franchise has a big, loyal audience all
around the world.We started working on the
script and I worked with Mark on Pain & Gain
and it was great fun.When Mark showed interest
in doing aTransformers film it got me really
excited.We redesigned the robots a little.That
gives this film a totally different look and feel.
Let’s talk about Mark for a second.
Can you describe his character and what
he brings to the movie?
Mark plays a father who is struggling to
protect his daughter.We all know Mark’s previous
work so you know just what he will bring to that.
He’s a devoted family man, a great father away
from the set and he really brings that into
this role. Mark’s always prepared. I just
love working with the guy. He’s a pro.
He knows his lines and all of the other
actors’ lines. He knows where to stand.
Mark is obviously a lot older than
Shia.Was there any talk of going
with a younger actor as the
lead instead of an older,
established star like
MarkWahlberg?
Yes there was. The
studio suggested that,
but I liked the father-
daughter story and my
experience with Mark on
DVD&BD visit
18 NOVEMBER 2014 JB Hi-Fi