Megan Fox remembers being an extra in ‘Bad Boys 2’

In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, out Friday, Megan Fox is back kicking butt and taking names as April O’Neil, ally of the young reptilian heroes Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo. In the sequel to the 2014 action comedy, April is enlisted to help her pals beat down an evil scientist and other nefarious types with NYC serving as backdrop and battleground. We spoke to Fox from The Faena Miami Beach Hotel.

Were you pleased when you heard there was going to be a sequel?

I think you know when certain movies are intended to have sequels or trilogies. That’s what a studio would hope for, but I had no idea it was going to get prelit like it did. I had a really good time making the first one, but I had an especially good time making the second one. I was excited to go back. I like these experiences of these bigger action movies. They are fun for me to make.

How did you prepare to step back into the character?

I mean, I’m not playing a superhero or a character that’s like got a specific fighting skill or a weapon or anything like that. I didn’t have to do a lot of physical preparation. It’s more about practicing my lines, which is actually a lot of work. April is so different from what a real television reporter is. She’s obviously more cartoony. You can’t step out and make it something it’s not.

You all shot the film in New York City last spring. How was that?

People just love when you take up space and do a movie there. They really enjoy that [laughs sarcastically]. It’s really interesting because the thing is your time is so limited in these locations. We shot a lot of scenes at night so we could lock off a street. But there are real people walking around. They don’t make them sign waivers or anything. They’re not extras, they’re just people who were so annoyed at us. They were like [putting on a New York accent]: ‘What are you doin’? Get out here, Ninja Turtles! I gotta go to work! I’m late!’

What did you think of the end product and all the special effects?

It’s amazing visually. It’s just crazy how fast technology progresses and what they’re capable of doing now. They softened the turtles’ look a little, but they’re still pretty intimidating. It’s kind of mind blowing that computers exists. It’s mind blowing that the internet exists. It all started with a grain of sand, very weird.

Were you a fan of the Ninja Turtles as a kid?

I grew up with the original movies, which I watched into adulthood. I even made [husband actor Brian Austin Green] watch them. That’s why I wanted to be a part of this very badly. To get the part, I stayed for five hours to convince [producers] on Valentine’s Day. That's how dedicated to my craft I am. No one else was willing to stay more than three hours.

You shot a few episodes of “The New Girl.” How do you like doing TV?

Television is a much more controlled environment. It’s not as wild and chaotic as making a movie. You’re on a lot. You take your time. You dance to set. Everyone’s relaxed and calm. You’re in a dark studio with blocked off cameras. I really had a good time, the cast is so talented.

You’re a Florida girl. Port St. Lucie, to be exact. What is it like coming back?

My middle and high school happened here so I have a lot of memories. I grew up in a more remote location [the Treasure Coast]. I did used to drive to Miami and do catalog modeling. I remember being in Bad Boys 2 as a dancer. I was fully clothed next to a waterfall! But I did get paid extra. When you dance wet you get paid more [laughs]. Miami is so different now. Everything was very Art Deco. They were just starting to build it up. Now there’s incredible five-star shopping, hotels and food. It’s great.

This story was originally published May 27, 2016 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Megan Fox remembers being an extra in ‘Bad Boys 2’."