Is Megan Fox the Main Draw for Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen?

Has anyone else noticed that pretty much every piece about Transformers 2 is basically about Megan Fox? The film premiered in various places around the world. People have seen it and only a token amount of reviews have just today popped up on Rotten Tomatoes. We've had on bit from Michael Bay himself discussing the IMAX version of the picture, as well as a feature interview of Shia Lebouf in Parade Magazine. Pretty much everything else is Megan Fox-related.

We get vague stories about the red-carpet events, which are all basically excuses to show a picture of whatever outfit Ms. Fox is wearing. We get stories about her bouts with depression over her looks, and we get articles that are both creepy and stupid concerning the hormonal urges of the actor playing her father in the second film (I'm pretty sure that's a normal reaction of many actors who play fathers to attractive young women). While she certainly is a worthwhile interview, as she's remarkably blunt about her career and the role of the actress in Hollywood, it's fascinating that the public relations push for a $200 million+ summer tentpole film is centered around the token love interest.

Could it be that the main variable of interest for the young-male demographic is not the whole 'giant robots beating each other up'? Could we have one of the, if not the, biggest movies of the summer where the main draw is the lure of oogling a particular actress for 140 minutes? I've always said that women will see a mainstream film just because a guy in it is cute, but that men rarely did the same for actresses. Ms. Fox, in the right project, could be the exception that proves the rule. And if indeed she ends up being one of the main draws for this second film, how much does she dare ask for to appear in the inevitable third picture?

For more writings of this nature, check out my work at Film Threat and Mendelson's Memos.

Comments

[bowthai]

I think a lot of it is misguided publicity. It's the summer season and Hollywood, or the press, need some big blockbuster to hyperventilate over. 'Star Trek', after all, was so May. And I think a lot of the attention is turning to Megan Fox because what else is there to talk about? I don't think Shia LaBeouf is a particularly charismatic interview subject (or actor) and by all accounts, there's no deep story to explore. It's seems Megan Fox is the only alternative. If it were a more crowded June, she probably wouldn't be getting as much press - and then HuffPost wouldn't have to plaster her across the entertainment page everyday. Hopefully this mania will dissipate in a few weeks time.

[foolwriter]

When I rewatch the first one ('cause, yes, I am that big a dork), I find myself skipping a lot of the parts that don't have the robots in them. Yes, she's attractive and all, but there's really no shortage of attractive women in the media. Place me squarely in the "I want to see 40-ft tall robots kicking ass with swords and cannons" camp.

[beyondsight]

she is a heck o a better actress than Shia labeouf is an actor. she is easy on the eyes. Face it !Most men are happy to see hot robot cars and hot women . They will still gladly choose Megan fox over Shia anyday unless of course, you are a jealous woman or a guy that's into guys, why hate her.?No, she isn't the greatest actress of all time . but still I'd like to see her in more films while she hones her talents.Regarding , Shia I'd like to see him develop acting a whole lot more before trying to be a trumped up leading man which obviously he is not. I'd actually rather see the reality show "guys dating shia" and keep him away from Megan from the big screen . He is not yet talented enough to act his way in my fantasies, but I'd give her a go! ! LOL

[EdCoughlin]

I doubt she's the main draw. I had no idea who she was when I saw the first one. When I did see it I thought she was kind of good looking during the movie but after seeing it I never really thought about her again until she suddenly turned up everywhere. She's just a pretty typical looking token hot chick in these movies, nothing amazingly special. Then again I never thought Angelina Jolie was amazing either, and apparently she is the next angelina so kinda makes sense.

I mean really, what differentiates her from the 3 billion other kinda short dark haired girls in the world? That said she may not be a net positive for seeing the movie, but at least she's not something that turns me off from movies like shea lapoof. How did that guy get to be the next big thing anyway? I can't think of one particularly redeeming character, at least Seth Rogan is sorta charming and funny playing the lovable loser, Shea Lapoof plays the lovable loser without the lovable part. Imagine the horror of Indiana Jones 5 fronted by him, talk about the biggest step down from Harrison Ford in history.

[Clavis]

We're not talking about the next Aronofsky film or a lost Kubrick screenplay. People go to the movies for a lot of reasons, and a "Transformers" sequel was never going to be a brooding period drama full of literary references and lustrous, evocative cinematography.

Also, I love Megan Fox's hair SO much. She's bringing back the brunette-with-blue-eyes look in a big way, baby!

[BlackJAC]

In all seriousness, sometimes people see movies based on casting rather than plot.

[chaszer]

Me thinks you're only noticing what interests you. I only notice the LeBoeuf promos.

[Scott Mendelson - Huffpost Blogger]

Then by all means, head on over to Mendelson's Memos http://scottalanmendelson.blogspot.comm) and take my 'why do I want to see Transformers 2?' poll. I'm pretty sure you'd fall into 'prurient interests in Shia Lebeouf'.

[ConfuciusSay-]

Nope.
The GIANT robots are the draw for me.

[LLNYRN]

Scott,
Have you been in a movie theater when the trailer for "T2: ROTF" pops up? And there's that scene of Fox listening to her IPod, bending over that motorcycle with her Daisy Dukes?
I was in a theater with a bunch of school kids for the "Wolverine" film. And all these young boys in the theater were going crazy over that scene. They could've cared less about the robots.

[Passenger57]

I'm all in it for the 'bots, baby!
I could do without Fox and LePoof!

[ajinnyc]

Yes! She is so hot I would watch a Will Ferrell movie if she was in it(when it comes to cable).

[Holypat777]

Dito!