Steve Jobs Hated $4.8B Transformers Franchise So Much He Forced $709M Shia LaBeouf Movie to Switch to a Nokia

Steve Jobs Hated $4.8B Transformers Franchise So Much He Forced $709M Shia LaBeouf Movie to Switch to a Nokia

It’s no secret that the late co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs had a reputation for being a tough and demanding leader. But many people might not be aware of how ardently he cared about the goods and reputation of his company. In fact, it’s been said that Jobs was so adamantly opposed ‌to the Transformers franchise, starring Shia LaBeouf, that he made the makers switch his key product placement to Nokia.

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The late Apple co-founder was renowned for his groundbreaking concepts and unwavering pursuit of excellence. As aforementioned, he has a strong dislike for the popular Transformers series, but most people are unaware of this. 

When he learned that the director, Michael Bay has planned for the characters to use Apple products in the film, Jobs was likely not ready for the idea.

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Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs

In response, Jobs called Bay and demanded that every Apple product be taken out of the film, which was later switched to Nokia. 

Also Read: “It sucked”: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Absolutely Despised Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man

Have Steve Jobs Hated Shia LaBeouf’s Movie?

Steve Jobs, who was then the CEO of Apple Inc., was reportedly horrified by the plot of the Transformers franchise, starring Shia LaBeouf and he especially detested the fact that one of the main characters was shown to be using Apple products. Jobs was so determined to stop it because he thought that this kind of product placement would give a bad impression of Apple.

To that end, he allegedly contacted director, Michael Bay and put pressure on him to substitute his Apple iPod in the scene. The final cut of the film featured the character using a Nokia device, despite the fact that Bay was initially hesitant to make the change due to Jobs’ persistence.

Steve Jobs.
Steve Jobs

As a result of this news, the entertainment industry was quite shocked, and many insiders have expressed surprise at Jobs’ interference in a movie franchise unrelated to his line of work.

Others have speculated that his distaste for the Transformers may have been influenced by his personal dislike of Shia LaBeouf. He played the lead character in several of the franchise’s films.  

Also Read: ‘I’m sorry, what are we doing here?…Bye!!!’: Robert Downey Jr Walked Out of Interview After Questions About His Dad, Traumatic Drug Abuse Past Made Him Super Uncomfortable

Michael Bay Was Shocked By Steve Jobs’s Opposition

Michael Bay was shocked by Steve Jobs’ opposition and tried to convince him that using Apple products would only enhance the film’s realism, but Jobs wouldn’t budge. Bay quickly came to the conclusion that he had no choice but to comply with Jobs’ request.

Ultimately, Nokia phones were used instead of Apple products.

Well, we can’t deny that Steve Jobs has undoubtedly left a legacy, which will last for a very long time to come as one of the most significant and recognizable tech entrepreneurs of our time. He was renowned for his original ideas, keen business judgment, and unwavering commitment to quality and design.

Michael Bay
Michael Bay

Moreover, Jobs also had a sizable impact on the movie business, and he wasn’t afraid to use it to uphold Apple’s reputation. 

Anyways, love him or hate him, he was unquestionably a visionary, who didn’t hesitate to use his power to advance the interests of his business. Whether you enjoy the Transformers film series or not, you have to admire Jobs’ commitment to his business. 

Also Read: ‘Called him at least 17 times that day and 21 the next’: Iron Man Star Terrence Howard Claimed Robert Downey Jr Owes Him $100M, Said He Let it Go Because “It’s his nature”

Source-IMDB

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Written by Siddhika Prajapati

Flights of occasional fantasies, strong opinions, encouraging hyperbole, and good grammar are what describe her. Literature Honors Graduate and Post-Graduated in Journalism, she is the Senior Entertainment Writer at Fandom Wire. She is madly in love with the lights, camera, and action sector. You would find her buried under printed fiction who is heavily influenced by dark humor. Insta: @Moodydivaa

She has also written freelance pieces for other sites, including Indian Express, India Today and Outlook Group.

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