When you see Transformers: Dark of the Moon this week -- and you will, preferably on the biggest screen possible, if Michael Bay has any say -- you might notice something a bit strange. Nope, not how Dark of the Moon manages to work in multiple shots at the departed Megan Fox; rather, how Bay staffed his new film with a cavalcade of actors recognizable to fans of the Coen brothers. Frances McDormand, John Turturro and John Malkovich, all co-star in Dark of the Moon, and continue the strange bit of pop culture cross-pollination between Bay and the Coens that started with the casting of Fargo co-stars Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare in Armageddon. In honor of this randomness, here are five other Coen brothers players who should appear in a Michael Bay film.
Coen Brothers films: Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, The Big Lebowski, The Man Who Wasn't There
How Bay could use him: As a kindhearted gangster who holds some MacGuffin the heroes need to get further along in their adventure; as a desk-bound police officer who takes a bite of his donut just as the building around him collapses into dust.
Coen Brothers films: Blood Simple, Raising Arizona, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
How Bay could use her: As the "cool mom" to the young hero, who tells stories about her time spent at Studio 54 at inopportune moments; as the "mean mom" of the girlfriend of the young hero, who doesn't want her daughter hanging around with him.
Coen Brothers films: Raising Arizona, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, The Big Lebowski, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
How Bay could use him: As angry politician who doesn't realize until it's too late how wrong he was; as the jovial father of the young hero, who offers wisdom and platitudes about Honey-Do lists.
Coen Brothers films: Miller's Crossing, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Man Who Wasn't There
How Bay could use him: As a street vendor or cab driver who speaks with a regionally appropriate accent, and says something like, "I'm getting out of here!" while property carnage is happening all around him.
Coen Brothers films: Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, Intolerable Cruelty, Burn After Reading
How Bay could use him: As a suave and mysterious fine arts collector who holds a dark secret. (He'd also present himself as a more believable suitor for the young hero's out-of-league girlfriend; sorry, Shia.)