'Transformers' Loses Megan Fox, Gains 'Victoria's Secret' Model

Megan Fox is officially off the cast rosters for Transformers 3, according to People magazine. Speculation over whether or not the "hot" starlet left willingly-or was asked to leave-began immediately, igniting media and blog frenzy. David Caplan and Jennifer Garcia reported on May 20th, 2010, that the decision to leave the Transformers franchise was Fox's decision; "It was her decision not to return. She wishes the franchise the best," Reps of the actress explained to People.

According to the Toronto Sun, Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whitely is expected to replace Megan Fox in the third installment of the Transformers trilogy; Sarah Wright of The House Bunny and Brooklyn Decker, a Sports Illustrated model-actress, are the VS model's dwindling competition for the role. Fox played the love interest in Shia LaBeouf in the first two installments of the franchise. Additional sources are reporting that Huntington-Whitely definitely has the part, but official confirmation from the Transformers 3 staff is pending.

Transformers is a series of movies which employs the most basic of Hollywood gimmicks to sell tickets: huge machinery capable of mass destruction, explosions, fast-moving objects and hot chicks. The storyline is watered-down at best, but the special effects-and the token hot chick-is obviously enough to bring in an audience. In light of this simple formula, I find it very difficult to fear a decline in ticket sales and Transformers success simply because one hot chick was replaced with another, albeit less famous, hot chick.

According to the New York Post reported in 2009 that Megan Fox originally obtained her role in Transformers through rather questionable, highly objectified, means. When the actress approached director Michael Bay about the part, he supposedly "made her wash his Ferrari while he filmed her." When Bay was questioned about the authenticity of the claim, and the location of the footage, he replied: "I don't know where it is."

As long as Transformers continues to capitalize on the nostalgic appeal of the childhood toy and cartoon, pairing it with the gimmicks mentioned above-especially the explosions and the token hot chick-chances are the franchise will continue to do well enough to solicit additional unfortunate sequels. If Transformers 3 can't survive of Megan Fox-even if she was voted the "sexiest woman in the world" by an FHM magazine poll according to BBC News-then I suggest Michael Bay select a new special effects-heavy action flick to Direct. Perhaps if he continues to objectify and degrade (willing) aspiring actresses he'll eventually get the respect in Hollywood he deserves-but I doubt it.

Sources:

People, "Megan Fox: It Was My Decision to Leave Transformers"
Toronto Sun, "Fox's 'Transformers' replacement?"
New York Post, "Michael Bay Made Megan Fox Wash Ferrari For 'Transformers' Audition"
BBC News, "Transformers star 'sexiest woman'"