Shia LaBeouf done with 'Transformers': 'I don't have anything new to contribute'

It looks like Shia LaBeouf is ready to transform his career: The actor has announced he's done with Michael Bay's larger-than-life "Transformers" film franchise.

"I'm done," he said resolutely in an interview with the Associated Press. "I'm sure they'll make more of them, it's still a very hot franchise, there's still value in it. I think people will still go to see it. I just don't know if I have anything to contribute."

Nothing to contribute? We dare say the very act of promoting these flicks is more than enough contribution for the Ministry's taste, Shia.

For anyone concerned that LaBeouf may be lacking gratitude for the heights the films have propelled his career to, worry not.

"I love making them. I love the crew, I love Michael, I love the cast, I love [the character] Sam. I like doing it," he said. "I don't have anything new to contribute."

Perhaps a contract, or healthy renewal of such, would convince him otherwise, if "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" meets its blockbuster expectations this Fourth of July weekend.

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is No. 1 in Maxim Hot 100 -- but Krista Mills is the cover babe?

— Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Shia LaBeouf at the New York City premiere of "Transformers: Dark of the Moon." Credit: Dave Allocca / StarPix / Associated Press.

Why Megan Fox couldn't handle 'Transformers,' as told by Shia LaBeouf

While Megan Fox and her "Transformers" director Michael Bay had plenty of words for each another before her departure from the franchise, we've never had an academic answer as to the root cause of her exit.

Shia LaBeouf has some insight, and it's a pretty blunt assessment of women in the Michael Bay universe.

"Megan developed this Spice Girl strength, this woman-empowerment [stuff] that made her feel awkward about her involvement with Michael, who some people think is a very lascivious filmmaker, the way he films women," LaBeouf told Hero Complex.

"Mike films women in a way that appeals to a 16-year-old sexuality. It’s summer. It’s Michael’s style. And I think [Fox] never got comfortable with it," he continued. "This is a girl who was taken from complete obscurity and placed in a sex-driven role in front of the whole world and told she was the sexiest woman in America."

You all done, Shia?

"And she had a hard time accepting it."

Guess who is much more amenable to the Bay lens? His new costar, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. 

"Rosie comes with this Victoria’s Secret background, and she’s comfortable with it, so she can get down with Mike’s way of working and it makes the whole set vibe very different," LaBeouf concludes.

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Megan Fox attends a Jaguar Design event in April in New York City. Credit: Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images 

 

Report: Megan Fox dropped from 'Transformers 3' -- shock or not? [poll]

Megan Fox's option to appear in "Transformers 3" has been dropped, a decision ultimately made by director Michael Bay, a new report says.

After two hugely successful films and numerous resulting controversies about the working relationship between Bay and his breakout star, the mega-bot franchise is now seeking a new love interest for top-liner Shia LaBeouf.

Reps for Fox and Paramount Pictures have yet to respond to requests for comment. 

As with any family, issues lead to tissues — and there's a laundry list of conflict between the two. First, there was an alleged directive for Fox to pile on some pounds. Then, after the sequel had dominated the global box office, Fox likened Bay's on-set style to that of Adolf Hitler.

Crew members did not respond well, labeling the actress "dumb as a rock." Still, her intellectual virtue was defended by higher-ups at the studio. Then last fall, when the third picture went into production, Bay welcomed Fox back to the franchise with crossed arms.

"Megan Fox, welcome back. I promise no alien robots will harm you in any way during the production of this motion picture," Bay wrote in an open letter. 

"Please consult your Physician when working under my direction because some side effects can occur, such as mild dizziness, intense nausea, suicidal tendencies, depression, minor chest hair growth, random internal hemorrhaging and inability to sleep. As some directors may be hazardous to your health, please consult your Doctor to determine if this is right for you."

So it wasn't always paradise. LaBeouf himself admitted last week in Cannes that the "heart was gone" from the second film. Does Fox's absence mean its sex appeal is kaput? Give us your thoughts in comments.

— Matt Donnelly 

Photo: Megan Fox, who will next appear in "Jonah Hex," opening June 18. Credit: Getty Images.

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Someone tell Arnold Schwarzenegger's agent: He's done with elected office

When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's term expires in 2010, his elected-office quest will be terminated.

Ouch, did that hurt you to read as much as it hurt us to type?

Anyhoo, the California governor has said before that the only other office he'd want to run for is president -- a challenge if you were born in Austria.

And today in Milan, Italy, he let folks know that he'll be off American ballots permanently when he's done governating. 

Stop these puns. Someone please cast Arnold in a new movie immediately so we can have some new ones.

Here's the thing -- Arnold has been employed steadily for a while now, and might not know how challenging the job market has gotten. A little job-hunt help might be in order.

We've included the video above, in case he needs to brush up on where one of his big franchises has gone in his absence. 

"Transforminators," indeed.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in Milan, Italy, on Nov. 18, 2009. He stopped by the Milan meeting en route from the Middle East, where he visited troops in Iraq. Ciao. Credit: Antonio Calanni / Associated Press.