"Nick Cage wasn't a big actor when I cast him, nor was Ben Affleck before I put him in 'Armageddon.' Shia LaBeouf wasn't a big movie star before he did 'Transformers' -- and then he exploded. Not to mention Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, from 'Bad Boys'," he points out.
Michael Bay's "The Rock" was made after Nicolas Cage won his Academy Award for "Leaving Las Vegas," as well as great recognition in films like "Moonstruck" and "Honeymoon In Vegas" - both which garnered him Golden Globe nominations - as well as "Raising Arizona" and several other films that kept him marketed as a comedic leading man.
Michael Bay's "Armageddon" was released after Ben Affleck's star-making turn in "Chasing Amy" and his Academy Award for Best Screenplay for "Good Will Hunting." Do you know who gave Ben Affleck his career? Kevin Smith. Do you know who gave him the opportunity to co-write a brilliant screenplay? The Weinstein Brothers. Did you hear Michael Bay's name in those last two observations? Yeah, neither did anyone else.
Michael Bay's "Bad Boys" was made well after both Will Smith & Martin Lawrence had already been successfully established in the industry. Will Smith was half of a wildly popular young rap duo followed by the lead in an incredibly well received television show. Will Smith made Will Smith a star. Then Roland Emmerich solidified his name in lights with "Independence Day." Martin Lawrence was a stand-up comic genius and star of his own television show years before "Bad Boys" was even conceived. Like all the other actors mentioned before, Michael Bay had NOTHING to do with the careers of any of them.
As far as I can tell, the only thing Michael Bay has ever succeeded in doing was to take talented actors and direct them into the sewers. Look at his filmography and witness before your very eyes an enormous steaming pile of walrus dung.
As far as I can tell, the only thing Michael Bay has ever succeeded in doing was to take talented actors and direct them into the sewers. Look at his filmography and witness before your very eyes an enormous steaming pile of walrus dung.
Also, I feel I should note that Shia LeBeouf isn't a star. He's a kid. And an actor at best, and trust me, his best is rarely found on screen. I've seen better actin' in tough actin' Tinactin. Ya feel me?