Josh Duhamel aims for military accuracy in “Transformers: Dark of the Moon”

While the “Transformers” films feature epic, explosive action involving robotic aliens from beyond our solar system, actor Josh Duhamel, who plays Lt. Colonel William Lennox, aims to keep his part as grounded as possible, given the circumstances.

“I think in a movie like this, when you’re dealing with something as far out as alien robots from outer space that turn into vehicles and cars, it’s such a far-fetched idea that you have to, especially in my case, playing the leader of this military team, to play it as real as we can,” Duhamel said in a phone interview promoting the film. “And as accurate and tactical as the military would.”

Duhamel said he works with former Navy SEALs and Army Rangers on the “Transformers” films, and he doesn’t want to let them down with his portrayal.

“My personal goal in this movie was to make the guys around me proud,” Duhamel said. “I held a gun right, I shot it right, I changed magazines right and led the team the way it’s supposed to be led — because I’ve become good friends with these guys over the years. So … it is important that I portray the military in the best light possible.”

The third “Transformers” film, “Dark of the Moon,” is set for release this week. Like the first two films in the franchise, it is directed by Michael Bay and stars Shia LaBeouf. It’s based on the toy line from Hasbro. That pre-existing audience helped the “Transformers” films gain traction, Duhamel said.

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