Megan Fox has long claimed to be a self-described “nerd” but has unexpectedly upped the ante when it comes to her fan-girl obsession with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
“I was really in love with them,” confesses Fox, who stars as reporter April O’Neil in the live-action reboot of the ‘80s cartoon which hits theaters August 8. “I have an older sister that’s 12 years older than me, so part of it initially was because I wanted to be like my big sister. But, it’s a really cool project for me because it was a huge part of my childhood, and it’s always been.”
Her die-hard love of the characters – she even made husband Brian Austin Green watch the cheesy Turtle movies with her when they were dating – eliminated any hesitation about her decision to sign up for the film executive produced by Michael Bay.
“He was one of the most lovely people that I dealt with in making this movie,” says Fox of the Transformers director, with whom she had once publicly feuded. “I’ve always loved Michael. We’ve had our battles in the past but even when I’ve been really outspoken about difficulties we’ve had, I’ve always followed up by saying that I have a particular affinity to him. He can be very vulnerable, and he’s very likeable and loveable. I’ve always been very vocal about that as well. But, sometimes we clash because we both have very willful, powerful personalities.”
Bay and director Jonathan Liebesman had an edgy vision for the film that included a dramatic makeover for the four mutant turtles, now animated in CG. There are also plenty of dramatic action sequences and a few surprising contemporary details such as a complete makeover of Fox’s character, April. All of which, for the record, suit Fox just fine.
“She’s more of a leader when she explores her relationship with the turtles instead of just the human companion that gets dragged along on the adventure,” says Fox of her revamped character. “It’s more representative of a modern woman.”
Fox’s April also swaps her trademark yellow jumpsuit for a yellow leather jacket and skinny jeans. “I’m completely clothed for the entire movie,” says Fox, noting that may disappoint some fans. “There’s no gratuitous skin or sexual anything. Jonathan was really insistent on not wanting her to be sexualized or to take that sort of typical role we’ve seen women take in movies thus far, and that I’ve taken in particular.”
But don’t expect Fox to trade hot pants for head-to-toe gear from here on out. “I don’t really mind,” says Fox of her trademark pin-up appeal. “It’s actually a large part of my personality. I think you can be that and you can also be intelligent and strong. I don’t think they’re in opposition to one another – at least in my life.”
And that life now includes her two sons with Green, 15-month-old Noah and new arrival Bodhi Ransom. Being a mother, says Fox, definitely influences the types of film she takes on.
“I had just had Noah when I started taking meetings to see if this would work out for me,” explains Fox. “How cool is it to have a mom that plays either a superhero or plays the part of this iconic franchise that spans so many generations? I mean, hopefully they’ll both think I’m cool.”
With cartoon reboots Transformers and Turtles behind her, Fox says she’s looking forward to future projects. A third cartoon remake of her choice?
“Gundam Wing,” responds Fox, adding she’d love to see a Jurassic Park remake in the works. “Pacific Rim was sort of a Gundam Wing situation, but they should do it. What about Thundercats?”
Or maybe, she says, Sailor Moon.“That could feasibly be made into a live action movie,” mulls Fox. “I don’t know how many Americans were into that. I was into that, but I don’t know how huge it was here.”
“That’s not actually a bad idea.”
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