He’s been the star of one of the highest grossing series of all time, and Shia LaBeouf is back with Transformers: Dark of The Moon, where his character, Sam Witwicky, once again has to save the world from the warring Decepticons and Autobots.
“The third one is darker and it has the action that you have in the first two films but this time it’s even better,” he said. “We basically took the cameras that were used in the Avatar 3D room and put them on the head of a skydiver so the cinematography is outrageous and Michael is pushing the limits in that way.”
Over the course of five years the actor has been subject to any number of explosions and conversations with giant robots, but he reveals this instalment is his favourite yet. “I had more fun on this movie just in general, just being around. I think Michael (Bay, director) has also calmed down,” said LaBeouf, who has become the go to actor for re-launching franchise films with roles in Indiana Jones And The Crystal Skulls and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.
“My relationship with him has really changed and we have such a strong friendship now and it’s nice to have that with your director. So it was a very positive experience for me.”
That better relationship is due to a greater give-and-take between actor and director. “I always feel free to voice my opinions and I believe that collaboration is the key to good filmmaking. Some people get nervous around Mike and they don’t voice their opinions but most of the people who will work with him a couple of times get his vibe and understand that there is no malice in him.”
He also has a new co-star in the film, British Victoria’s Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whitely who has replaced Megan Fox. “Rosie is incredible," said the 24-year-old. "For a start, she’s a great person to be around and has fantastic energy, which is always nice because if you are going to spend six, seven months with someone it’s great if it’s someone you enjoy spending time with.”
While he won’t be drawn on the film getting a fourth instalment, the actor admits the spectacle of making these movies is somewhat lost on him. “I remember early on the first film we had helicopters flying over and I would look up and go ‘oh my God, it’s a ******* helicopter, that’s nuts,’” he laughs.
“Now I’m at the point where I’ve become a little jaded about the scale of it all because I’ve been doing it for five years, you know.”
Transformers: Dark Of The Moon is out now.
