Former local Isabel Lucas has found herself with a leading role in one of the year's biggest blockbusters, Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen. timeOUT finds out just how it all came about...

How did you land the role in Transformers, Isabel?

I was working on an HBO miniseries called The Pacific, which was produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, and apparently Steven suggested me to read for the role of Alice, so I went in and auditioned for Michael.

Pictures: Isabel Lucas 

Not exactly a bad person to recommend you for a role.

No (laughs). I’m still pinching myself that’s how it all came about.

Tell me about your character, Alice, in Transformers 2.

Alice is a student at Princeton University. My scenes are predominantly with Shia LaBeouf and Ramon Rodriguez. An interesting relationship develops between myself and Shia, but I’m not allowed to give too much of that  away.

Were you a huge fan of the first Transformers?

I loved it. When I watched the first film, though, I saw it back in Australia and was particularly impressed by the CGI and the technology used. It was seamless and incredible, very impressive. I loved the pace and the energy of the film.

The action sequences look incredible in this. What was the most challenging part of the role for you?

Running in high heels! I never wear heels because for me it’s all about comfort and practicality so Michael had to show me how to do it (laughs). He told me the trick was to run on your tippy toes and it worked.

Some people have said this role could change your life. Do you think it will?

I think it’s very subjective. I think you just need to stay open minded and appreciative. Work wise, I feel very fortunate to have been a part of it.

Michael Bay is known for his passion, particularly for Transformers. What was he like on set?

He loves extreme and edge. He is very passionate and energetic and he’s a perfectionist who won’t settle for anything else. He’s also a master of the blockbuster genre. For me, being challenged and being pushed to your limits is a really positive thing because you learn so much more.

It was a long shoot for many of the cast members. Did you find it exhausting?

Not so much for me because I was only on set sporadically over the course of three months. But I know for Shia it was. On his chair on set, there was a wooden armrest and he had it marked all the days of the shoot. Every day, he’d cross one off, like when you’re waiting for the last day of school (laughs). My days were more dispersed and scattered.

With the anticipation so high for this film, what can fans expect from Transformers 2?

This film is much more a coming of age story. It’s about a boy turning into a man, taking on real responsibilities. Shia’s character is really growing up and the film is a lot more global. Michael Bay had unprecedented access to shooting the pyramids in Egypt with an Imax camera. I promise you it will be insane. Also, expect a lot more transformers in this one. It’s quite a ride!

>> Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen is showing now at Birch Carroll And Coyle Cairns Cinemas.

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