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Steven Spielberg served as an executive producer on one of the most popular science fiction franchises of all time,Transformers.Thanks to Michael Bay’s direction, captivating storyline, epic battles, and outstanding cast, theTransformersfilms quickly gained a large fan following.
Now, Steven Spielberg has built a nice guy reputation for himself owing to how he treats his cast members with love. So what happened that the filmmaker’s loving demeanor was challenged on the set ofTransformers? In an attempt to refresh your memory, actress Megan Fox bid farewell to the films and according to Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg was the one who insisted the actress be fired. Why? Well, it all came down to an inappropriate comment directed toward the director.
Also Read:“I’m not supposed to be here”: After Refusing Christopher Nolan First, Liam Neeson Rejected Steven Spielberg’s $275M Oscar Nominated Movie for a Strange Reason
Why Did Steven Spielberg Want to Fire Megan Fox?
Also Read:“You should be proud of this movie”: Steven Spielberg Warned Antonio Banderas His $250M Movie Will Be Last of its Kind as Actor Wants Spider-Man Star Tom Holland to Takeover
Megan Foxplayed the role of Mikaela Banes inTransformers(2007) andTransformers: Revenge of the Fallen(2009). Unfortunately for her fans, the 2009 film was the last they’d get to see of Fox’s character. Her exit from the franchise came right beforeTransformers: Dark of the Moonthanks to an interview with Wonderland Magazine.
The actress comparedMichael Bayto the infamous dictator, Adolf Hitler, and stated that he was a nightmare to work for. Talking to the magazine in 2009, Fox said,
“He’s like Napoleon, and he wants to create this insane, infamous mad-man reputation. He wants to be like Hitler on his sets, and he is. So he’s a nightmare to work for.”
Fox’s comment did not faze Bay. In an interview with GQ, the filmmaker stated,“I wasn’t hurt because I know that’s just Megan. Megan loves to get a response.”However, the one person that did take offense on Bay’s behalf wasSteven Spielbergwho asked Bay to fire theJennifer’s Bodyactress at once.
Talking about Fox’s uninterested behavior on set and the Hitler comment, Bay stated,
“She was in a different world, on her Blackberry. You gotta stay focused. And you know, the Hitler thing. Steven [Spielberg] said, ‘Fire her right now.”
Perhaps why Spielberg was so affected by Fox’s insensitive words toward Bay was because of his Jewish roots. The filmmaker had lost some of his own family in the Holocaust. As for Fox, her representatives insist that the decision of walking away from the franchise was all Fox’s and she was not fired.
Also Read:“I promised myself I wouldn’t say something”: Vin Diesel Embarrassed Himself Breaking His Promise While Meeting Steven Spielberg After Being Cast In $482M Tom Hanks Movie
Megan Fox’s Co-workers Acknowledge Her Comments
Sitting alongside Bay in the interview with GQ, a few members of theTransformersteam opened up about Fox’s comparison and her nonchalant work ethic. Starting off with screenwriter Ehren Kruger, he called out Fox’s unbothered behavior on the set stating,
“She was there for rehearsals. But she seemed like an actress who didn’t want to be a part of it. She was saying she wanted to, but she wasn’t acting like it.”
Bay also had a sarcastic remark as a reply to Fox calling him a madman. He stated,“I’m sorry Megan. I’m sorry I made you work twelve hours. I’m sorry that I’m making you show up on time. Movies are not always warm and fuzzy.”In fact, Fox’s love interest in the film also had some choice words for the actress.Shia LaBeoufwho played Sam Witwicky added his two cents to the situation stating,
“Criticism is one thing. Then there’s public name-calling, which turns into high school bashing. Which you’re able to’t do. She started sh*t-talking our captain.”
It looks like Fox offended more than one person on theTransformersteam. On the other hand, Bay ended up letting bygones be bygones as he once again worked with the actress in theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesreboot.
You can streamTransformerson truTV andTransformers: Revenge of the Fallenon Max.
Mishkaat Khan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2256
A connoisseur of all things horror, fantasy, and the occasional chick flick, Mishkaat has been penning pieces for FandomWire since 2022. She started off as an intern and has worked her way up to a Senior Writer with over 2000 articles to her name.Outside of entertainment, she has also written well-researched medical content as a freelance writer and has experience in social media management.When not writing, you can find her relaxing with a romance novel and a tall glass of iced coffee in her hand or watching re-runs of ‘Supernatural’ and ‘The Office.’
