Transformers 3

I opened my RSS feed this morning in the wake of yesterday's shocking "Transformers 3"/Megan Fox revelations and spotted an interesting response from Deadline's Mike Fleming. Basically he contends that Fox's absence from the third "Transformers" flick, which many attribute to the troubled professional relationship between the actress and series director Michael Bay, should serve as a warning sign to series star Shia LaBeouf.

For those who are confused, LaBeouf made some controversial statements in the past week while promoting his work on "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" at Cannes Film Festival. First he spoke out about last year's sequel, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," saying that he "wasn't impressed" with it because "the heart was gone." He then made similar comments about "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," that he "dropped the ball on the legacy." From Fleming's perspective, Shia's statements put him dangerously close to following his former co-star Fox out the door.

Fleming writes, "Actors lucky enough to sign on for tentpoles... [are] overpaid to star in silly movies whose global grosses allow the actors to make films they really care about." He goes on to chastise LaBeouf for "lecturing a directing legend" -- "Indiana Jones" director Steven Spielberg -- "who gave him a shot at movie stardom in DreamWorks' 'Disturbia.'"

I can understand Fleming's point, but I (respectfully) feel like he's oversimplifying the situation. For starters, LaBeouf's "Transformers" comments were framed in the context of hyping fans up for the next movie, which he promised "restores a human element that got lost in the second movie." As far as "Indiana Jones" goes, the actor clearly feels comfortable enough in his relationship with the director to say such things. Who are we to second-guess that?

More importantly I think, the press cycle for both of these films has long since passed. I raise an eyebrow at LaBeouf's decision to speak out against both productions rather than criticizing just his own work, but let's be honest with ourselves: there's no danger now of hurting ticket or home video sales for either. I think LaBeouf is right when he says that the audience knows "when you've made [crap]. And I think if you don't acknowledge it, then why do they trust you the next time you're promoting a movie?"

I'm not saying Fleming's wrong and I'm right. I'm simply offering up a dissenting viewpoint. He mentions that some studio insiders "feel LaBeouf’s recent comments have been disrespectful to Spielberg." True or not, the execs aren't buying tickets. You are. So what do you readers think? Is LaBeouf digging a hole for himself with comments like those he made about "Indiana Jones" and "Transformers"? Is that kind of candor worthy of respect? Are you more inclined to see a movie that he's in now, simply based on the fact that he's there?

MTV Movie Blog