Stanley Tucci Talks Transformers
To mark the DVD release of Transformers: Age Of Extinction on November 17th FilmJuice chatted to Stanley Tucci – AKA Joshua Joyce – about the why he was so keep to jump into the hugely successful Transformers franchise…
Stanley, were you a big fan of Transformers … is that why you wanted to be part of this?
Well, I had seen the movies, but I can’t say that I was a big Transformers fan. But when Michael (Bay) called me and wanted me to be part of this film, I couldn’t wait to read the script.
And what was your first impression after you read it?
I was blown away. It had so much humor in it, and it read like a great action film. And I liked my part in it as well. I thought it would be great fun to be part of this.
Who do you play in this movie?
I play Joshua Joyce. He is the guy who is heading the corporation that makes all the Transformers. He has a big ego and wants to become one of the richest men in the world. But there is another side to him as you find out later in the movie.
Don’t you mind that, yet again, you are in a supporting role?
No, not at all. Hey, if it’s a great part I don’t mind being in a supporting role at all. And this was new for me. I learned a lot about the different Transformers. I dove into a world that is usually for much younger people. But I really enjoyed it.
What was it like to work with Michael Bay?
I don’t think I ever worked with a Director who had that much energy. It’s infectious. You come to work and you can’t help but be excited. And that energy is captured on film. I just hope all the backstories, all the great moments that we caught on camera and didn’t make it into the movie can be seen on DVD and Blu-ray. Michael Bay is worth his own bonus feature!
Did you just strictly follow the script, or did you have time to improvise?
We improvised a lot. Michael encourages that. And that makes a big production like this even more entertaining because you feel you have a little room to tweak your own performance.
You’ve been in a couple really good movies lately. How do you pick your roles these days?
I am trying to mix it up. I think it’s important. You do a drama and then you try to find a comedy next. Science fiction seems to be in my cards right now.
How did you deal with all the action in this film? Did you have to get in shape?
This movie was a good excuse to get in shape (laughs). When you do a Michael Bay film, I think you know what to expect. And you’d better show up prepared. It’s grueling, sure. But it’s also fun. I look at it that way at least. I get to play like a child again. How could you not like that?
You have worked with Mark Wahlberg before in Lovely Bones. That was a very different movie. How was it working with him this time around?
You said it correctly. This is a very different movie. I am not killing his daughter in this film! Mark brings certain gravitas to the set that makes you feel very much wanted. And he is a true professional. If I ever knew a guy who comes prepared, it would be Mark Wahlberg. And on top of that he’s an incredible actor. He took this movie to a whole new level.
What was the hardest part for you making this movie?
It’s never easy to be away from your family for an extended time. But that’s what happens when you do a big movie like this. Other than that I enjoyed every minute of it. Michael works very efficiently and fast. And I like that. There was not much time wasting on the set.
Where did you shoot this film?
We shot in Detroit, in Chicago, Hong Kong and Beijing. It was a busy time for me because I was moving at the same time. So, I spent a lot of time on airplanes.
What do you think of the transformers?
They are amazing, aren’t they? On one hand they are very surreal, on the other hand they seem very humanlike. And I think with the start of this new trilogy we will see that human element of the transformers develop even further.
Transformers: Age Of Extinction is out on DVD now.
