Hugo Weaving interview with Collider

As the voice of Megatron, has Michael Bay called about the next Transformers movie yet?

WEAVING: No. That’s a weird job for me because it honestly was a two-hour voice job, initially. I was doing a play and I actually didn’t have time, anyway. It was one of the only things I’ve ever done where I had no knowledge of it, I didn’t care about it, I didn’t think about it. They wanted me to do it. In one way, I regret that bit. I don’t regret doing it, but I very rarely do something if it’s meaningless. It was meaningless to me, honestly. I don’t mean that in any nasty way. I did it. It was a two-hour voice job, while I was doing other things. Of course, it’s a massive film that’s made masses of money. I just happened to be the voice of one of the iconic villainous characters. But, my link to that and to Michael Bay is so minimal. I have never met him. I was never on set. I’ve seen his face on Skype. I know nothing about him, really. I just went in and did it. I never read the script. I just have my lines, and I don’t know what they mean. That sounds absolutely pathetic! I’ve never done anything like that, in my life. It’s hard to say any more about it than that, really.

Full interview here

Maybe Frank Welker will take his place for TF4 instead?

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Originally Posted by Megatron-SG1

Maybe Frank Welker will take his place for TF4 instead?

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i find it hard for Megatron to even return... his ressurection in ROTF was easy enough.. but after World War Prime what can they possibly do to revive megs this time..

Now Galvatron is a different story and easilly get a new VA for..

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Originally Posted by Sharky

i find it hard for Megatron to even return... his ressurection in ROTF was easy enough.. but after World War Prime what can they possibly do to revive megs this time..

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I hope..

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Originally Posted by Sharky

Now Galvatron is a different story and easilly get a new VA for..

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I hope not..

We'll just have to wait and see. I wouldn't mind if Weaving did return, I thought he did a great job despite him not caring.

This gives an insight on how Michael Bay handles things professionally.

Kinda reminds me of Orson Wells when interviewed about the animated movie.

Here is Michael Bay's response. Apparently he only had it up for a day or two before he took it down:

Do you ever get sick of actors that make $15 million a picture, or even $200,000 for voiceover work that took a brisk one hour and 43 minutes to complete, and then complain about their jobs? With all the problems facing our world today, do these grumbling thespians really think people reading the news actually care about trivial complaints that their job wasn’t ‘artistic enough” or “fulfilling enough”? I guess The Hollywood Reporter thinks so.

What happened to people who had integrity, who did a job, got paid for their hard work, and just smiled afterward? Be happy you even have a job – let alone a job that pays you more than 98% of the people in America.

I have a wonderful idea for all those whiners: They can give their “unhappy job money” to a wonderful Elephant Rescue. It’s the David Sheldrick WildlifeTrust in Africa. I will match the funds they donate.

Bunch or rich, angry fraggers aint they!

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Originally Posted by BigTransformerTrev

Here is Michael Bay's response. Apparently he only had it up for a day or two before he took it down:

Do you ever get sick of actors that make $15 million a picture, or even $200,000 for voiceover work that took a brisk one hour and 43 minutes to complete, and then complain about their jobs? With all the problems facing our world today, do these grumbling thespians really think people reading the news actually care about trivial complaints that their job wasn’t ‘artistic enough” or “fulfilling enough”? I guess The Hollywood Reporter thinks so.

What happened to people who had integrity, who did a job, got paid for their hard work, and just smiled afterward? Be happy you even have a job – let alone a job that pays you more than 98% of the people in America.

I have a wonderful idea for all those whiners: They can give their “unhappy job money” to a wonderful Elephant Rescue. It’s the David Sheldrick WildlifeTrust in Africa. I will match the funds they donate.

Bunch or rich, angry fraggers aint they!

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Interesting.

I'm sure Weaving didn't mean it that way.

Here's the link: Michael Bay Fires Back at Hugo Weaving’s TRANSFORMERS Comments

Huh... he actually has a point ya know.

I think he mis-interpreted what Hugo was saying... in that it was just a job, and didn't have the time or desire to get into the fandom/franchise beyond that.

Perhaps fans on global sites were pointing fingers at Bay as if he was the reason why Hugo was not "able" to get more involved in the role or character, and Bay was responding defensively to that criticism... but really, a voice-over role that only took an hour doesn't require any character-research on the part of the Voice Actor.

Since Bay took down that comment, maybe he later realised that he was just drawn into something that wasn't his fault... this time at least. :p

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Originally Posted by BigTransformerTrev

Here is Michael Bay's response. Apparently he only had it up for a day or two before he took it down:

Do you ever get sick of actors that make $15 million a picture, or even $200,000 for voiceover work that took a brisk one hour and 43 minutes to complete, and then complain about their jobs? With all the problems facing our world today, do these grumbling thespians really think people reading the news actually care about trivial complaints that their job wasn’t ‘artistic enough” or “fulfilling enough”? I guess The Hollywood Reporter thinks so.

What happened to people who had integrity, who did a job, got paid for their hard work, and just smiled afterward? Be happy you even have a job – let alone a job that pays you more than 98% of the people in America.

I have a wonderful idea for all those whiners: They can give their “unhappy job money” to a wonderful Elephant Rescue. It’s the David Sheldrick WildlifeTrust in Africa. I will match the funds they donate.

Bunch or rich, angry fraggers aint they!

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HEAPS mature response. Considering that was not what Weaving meant at all.


I have zero respect for him as a director.

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Originally Posted by griffin

I think he mis-interpreted what Hugo was saying... in that it was just a job, and didn't have the time or desire to get into the fandom/franchise beyond that.

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Agreed. It really felt like Hugo Weaving was making a comment on his participation and performance within the franchise. Just sad that the message got muddled.

Bay is acting like a whiny brat here, and so are some clueless fans on the international forums! How is this any different to all the interviews we've seen and read from G1 voice actors who said the same thing... "it was just a job" and they never thought much about it, or that so many people would care in 20 years time. Weaving has no idea about TFs obviously, so why didn't Bay hire someone like - oh gee I DON'T KNOW - Frank Welker (like everybody said, but he so readily dismissed) instead.! :rolleyes:

Bay is a clown. His response only further indicates how much his head is stuck up his own butt! :rolleyes:

Bay unprofessionally whinging about someone he misinterpreted as being unprofessional? Stay classy Bay, stay classy. At least Weaving has talent and artistic integrity.

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Originally Posted by Gutsman Heavy

Bay unprofessionally whinging about someone he misinterpreted as being unprofessional? Stay classy Bay, stay classy. At least Weaving has talent and artistic integrity.

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Completely agree here :cool:, though apparently 3/4 of International fans think the complete opposite & that Hugo should be thankful of Bay... I seriously don't understand that interpretation at all. :confused:

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Originally Posted by Hursticon

Completely agree here :cool:, though apparently 3/4 of International fans think the complete opposite & that Hugo should be thankful of Bay... I seriously don't understand that interpretation at all. :confused:

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The Fox news generation.

Meh... I don't see why anyone should get worked up about what any actor says about a role -- just as long as they do their job well, I don't care if they loved it or hate it (well, I care a bit, but it doesn't really matter all that much). G1 fans loved Orson Welles as Unicron, but he obviously loathed his role and the franchise. Many Star Wars fan see Sir Alec Guiness (played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars Trilogy) as being one of the best actors in Star Wars, yet he didn't like that franchise or the character all that much either!

But professional actors will still put in their best effort and make their characters good, regardless of what they think about the character or the film that they're in. That's just called being professional. :)

"I play a planet. I menace somebody called Something-or-other. Then I’m destroyed. My plan to destroy Whoever-it-is is thwarted and I tear myself apart on the screen.”
- Orson Welles (on Transformers)

"What I didn't tell (George Lucas) was that I just couldn't go on speaking those bloody awful, banal lines. I'd had enough of the mumbo jumbo."
"I shrivel up every time someone mentions Star Wars to me."
"Apart from the money, I regret having embarked on the film."
- Sir Alec Guiness (on Star Wars)

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Originally Posted by Trent

I have zero respect for him as a director.

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I'll take that level of respect for Bay and double it! :p

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

I'll take that level of respect for Bay and double it! :p

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Fanboi!:p

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

But professional actors will still put in their best effort and make their characters good, regardless of what they think about the character or the film that they're in. That's just called being professional. :)

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My thoughts exactly. :)

Lets all get a camp fire going and sing songs about how we are Bay haters instead of attacking the real threat, the Autobots moon base!

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Originally Posted by theheretic

Lets all get a camp fire going and sing songs about how we are Bay haters instead of attacking the real threat, the Autobots moon base!

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I think campfires are more of an IDW G1verse thing lately.

Well, I don't know about anyone else but here's what movie Megs thinks of all the Bay haters:

http://i48.servimg.com/u/f48/17/58/39/32/megsgi10.jpg

(Sorry, couldn't help it. :D)

OMG! I never noticed it before, but Movie1 Meg's chest totally looks like the face and upper torso of a mascot-ised crested penguin!
I may have been in Japan for too long...

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Originally Posted by Megatron-SG1

Well, I don't know about anyone else but here's what movie Megs thinks of all the Bay haters:

>8 snip 8<

(Sorry, couldn't help it. :D)

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I agree!

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Originally Posted by Megatron-SG1

Well, I don't know about anyone else but here's what movie Megs thinks of all the Bay haters:

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Seems fair... that's the same thing Bay's been doing to TF fans for years too :D

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Originally Posted by Robzy

Seems fair... that's the same thing Bay's been doing to TF fans for years too :D

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Hahaha yeah true. It's a light-hearted look at the whole situation. It could work both ways... depends on what caption you attach to it. I just had to use that pose because he's the only Megs I have so far that can actually give you the finger. :D Fun toy.

Here is what our beloved Frank Welker had to say about it all:


-What was your reaction to Hugo Weaving’s comments about his voice role in the Transformers films?

Welker: I think he was just being honest, he was not familiar with the franchise and therefore had no affinity for the project. I have respect for Hugo as an actor and really appreciate what he does with his characters. I think if he knew of the fan base and the history of the “Transformers” he might have responded differently.

-Do you think he did justice to the character of Megatron?

Welker: Obviously I have to feel that my incarnation is best because I am competing. I know when I hear a replacement in a project I always miss the original no matter what the project. I think Corey Burton, David Kaye, and Fred Tatasciore as well as Hugo Weaving all did interesting versions. Ultimately, however, it’s the fans who will make the final decision on who they see as the true leader of the Decepticons.


He is a classy man, our Frank :)

Linky to thread^

Wow Bay way to overreact to someone's opinion that differs to yours.