How many of you simply loved Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen? Ok, and how much of you loved Sam Witwicky's roommate, Leonardo Ponce de Leon Spitz? Well, if you answered "more than meets the eye!" to either of those, I've got great news. News that is way better than the idea of watching a robot hump Megan Fox's leg. Recently, while talking to the Los Angeles Times, action-movie visionary Michael Bay hinted that the character played by Ramon Rodriguez might have an even bigger role in the third Transformers film, if the threequel "plays out like he expects." However, that's where the details ended, as Bay then went on to praise the actor.
"We went looking for a sidekick for this movie, Shia's sidekick, and we find this new kid who really pops on the screen. I think he's going to have a real bright career. It's great to work with big stars, but it's always fun to discover people," he said to Hero Complex, a special divison of the LA Times.
The verbal leg humping didn't stop there, as Bay continued: "He's got a street edge and a realness to him ... he adapted to the actors very well, which isn't always easy in a big movie, a sequel, where a lot of the cast chemistry has been set already. He's funny, charming, comes off cool and accessible."
Earlier in the article Rodriguez described his audition process, which sounds pretty legitimate to how Bay would pick his next superstar.
"For 90 minutes, he had me jumping, running, and diving over the furniture in his office - that was the audition. I was drenched in sweat. He told me, 'OK, hide behind the desk!' 'Now, run over here!' And man, I was looking in his eyes, and he was enjoying it. He's got a passion for action. It shows in the movies too."
My fond memories of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen don't involve Leo, the misogynistic, misguided, and more importantly obnoxious roommate. He reminded me less of an action hero sidekick but more of the total creeper one hopes their girlfriend never runs into at college (that, or Leo was the second coming of Jar-Jar Binks). Leo felt like extra weight for much of the film, and his only contribution was to make the overall experience even more annoying. So no, Michael Bay. I hope you're still in la-la land, or your mind isn't thinking straight because your ears are ringing from listening to your own movie.
But if you do decide to make the most annoying Transformers yet, please - no Bad Boys II posters hanging "discreetly" in Sam Witwicky's dorm room.
Source: Los Angeles Times