Mark Wahlberg, who plays Cade Yeager in Transformers: Age of Extinction, says this version of the movie is edgier than the previous ones. He is excited to watch the film with his children who are his biggest critics. Watch out for this sequel slated to release on June 27. Excerpts from the interview
You play the lead role of the inventor Cade Yeager. Who is heIJ
He is a single dad who is hurt and devastated after losing his wife, and he is doing the best he can to raise his daughter. But Cade’s fascination with technology gets him into trouble when he discovers something. He is an ordinary guy thrust into an extraordinary situation to be able to protect his daughter.
How is this one different from the previous moviesIJ
I watched the earlier one’s with my children and I enjoyed them but this one is edgier.
What appealed to you about being in Transformers: Age of ExtinctionIJ
Before reading the script I was excited about it because director Michael Bay had told me the story and talked to me about the characters and it just seemed like the right movie for me. We had already developed a shorthand and he really allowed me to develop my character. And then, as it’s a Michael Bay movie, it ends up looking even better than you had imagined!
What impressed you most about his directionIJ
Just to watch somebody manage a gigantic production like Transformers: Age of Extinction is impressive. And whether it’s a 30-day or a 100-day shoot, he is always on top of every aspect of it.
What makes the film specialIJ
The audience can sense that those other films are a bit of an imitation of what Michael has done with Transformers. He just knows how to take these movies to a complete other level!
The movie has action and lot more…
There are all the huge effects and the action but it also has a lot of humour and heart. I believe that finding that balance between those elements will take it to another level.
How comfortable are you interacting with characters that are not really thereIJ
I feel confident when I know that Michael Bay is running the show, because I know we are in good hands and that everything is going to be where he says it’s going to be. You can find yourself feeling silly having a heated conversation with a giant robot that isn’t there, but he is going to protect you and make sure you don’t look ridiculous.
Do you perform most of your stuntsIJ
Yes. It takes months of working 12 hours a day, five days a week. I used to be the one that wanted to do all my stunts, but now I’m a father and I don’t mind if they send a look alike to crash the car.
What can you say about Nicola Peltz, who plays your daughter in the filmIJ
She is fantastic! She is the older version of my own kids and just a pro. I already knew Nicola and wanted to work with her. There was a scene in which she was fighting Navy Seals take after take, and Michael and I looked at each other and he gave me that nod that meant he knew she had the goods!
How is Jack Reynor, as a producerIJ
It will be interesting to see how this movie affects him, because I’m sure it will in a great way. They are both in it for the right reasons, which is good.
And did you all get to improvise on setIJ
Oh yes, a lot! But it was always within the context of the story and the situation.
Why do you think people connect so well with these moviesIJ
They are entertaining and great fun to watch. I like the emotional story in this one of a dad willing to do anything for his daughter.