El Pollo

So the news about this has been out for a while now, and at this point, it looks like Michael Bay is attached. I'm not normally a big Michael Bay fan, but I think he should be good for this project. I'm very much looking forward to this film but I'm worried about how some of the classics may be updated. Take Soundwave for instance. Why would anybody have a cassette boombox these days? Normally I wouldn't mind if they tweaked him to be a cd pleayer or ipod or whatever, but then we lose Rumble, Ravage, Laserbeak, etc. I'm very eager to see how the designs for this movie work out. Any thoughts?

aberkok

This could be funny if they did something like that... just imagine Soudwave dialing his clickwheel to launch iPod shuffle versions of Laserbeak out of a USB port or something. Or they could go retro and have him be a record player


You bring up an interesting point. Can anyone else think of things they might have to "update?"

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Mr.Deflok

It's supposed to be set in the 80's anyway, also, Spielberg seems to be attached as a producer.

djflish

I'm really looking forward to this movie! I just hope that its well handled.
I heard that its going to be the original characters, but they are going to be more realistically done, so they might not look quite the same.
In the UK they've been showing an ad for the new Citroen where the car turns into a robot and starts dancing.

Here's the link to the vid

The word on the street is that the people behind this advert are going to be behind the transformers in the new movie.
I hope they are cos it would look awesome!

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El Pollo

I hadn't heard this but that's good news. Now I just hope they don't get carried away with the realism. The entire concept is completely farfetched to begin with. There's no reason to make too many sacrifices for the sake of realism. Like how Soundwave and Megatron shrink and grow when they transform. And speaking of Megatron, since it's now un-PC to have toy guns, will he still transform into a gun? For the generation 2 toys they were forced to turn him into a tank since they didn't want kids running around with a realistic looking gun.

flamingdog

I hate every version of Megatron that isn't a Walther PPK. I never really cared about the shrinking/growing factor... just loved seeing him flip over into a gun to be fired by Starscream. Aww yea.

They shouldn't be afraid to get caught up in the ridiculousness of the notion and make sure they remember what it is about Transformers that people come back to again and again. Cars, ordinary looking saloon cars that change into 20ft fucking robots!!!

Aside: The bot in that ad looks very much along the lines of the TF Alternator robots. They're almost flawless models of the cars they represent in vehicle mode, and they look great in robot mode too. I'm looking forward to this one.

Johnny Pyro

I can't wait for this one. I grew up on Transformers! This will be my Star Wars.

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Bobaphat

I just hope they get as many of the old voice actors from the original series to do the dialogue. I am waiting for this one with baited breath.

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El Pollo

Unfortunately, it's already been confirmed that that's not going to happen. It's been said that, at best, they'll get a cameo in the film. It's a shame because a lot of the characters had really memorable voices: Prime, Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Jazz, etc.

El Pollo

Just read this over at freezedriedmovies.com

"Our promoting his new film Good Night and Good Luck, star George Clooney teases IGN with the fact that he MAY be the voice of Optimus Prime in DreamWorks' upcoming Transformers."

Do they really need big names doing voicework to promote a film like this? Big name directors or human actors I can understand. But do we really need Clooney's voice coming out of Prime's voicebox? Is anybody really going to say, "Well I'm not interested in these giant transforming robots, but I'll go see the movie because I enjoy Clooney's acting ability"? Seems like they'd be better off hiring no name actors or the original actors to do the voices and put the big actor salaries towards the special effects.

Kostya

No living person can equal Orson Welles as Unicron I tells ya!

fresnelly

You betcha! I imagine the following phrase (or one like it) will be heard in homes across the world:

"Oh man, what dull toy commercial of a movie will my kids drag me to see this week? What's that? George Clooney is in this one? Alright kids, who wants popcorn?"

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MikeyChalupa

The all time best: Starscream. The guy who did the voice, Chris Latta, also did Cobra Commander (same voice, basically) and was the original Mr. Burns and Moe in the Simpsons. He died over 10 years ago. Very distinctive voice.

-Mikey

wocidej

I think it's impossible to make Transformers actually make sense in a realistic way. Think about it: Why the hell are they transforming into cars? Why is that remotely useful? Most would say they are trying to travel around earth in disguise, but they hardly ever visit cities, and when they do they don't seem concerned about staying secret.

Then there is the whole plot: The decepticons seek to steal energy so that they can return to Cybertron and take over. Why even resort to crime? With so many special abilities they could easily charge earthlings for legitamite services and earn thier energy faster than they could steal it. They could even go and build a dam to produce energy for them if they wanted. So really they shouldn't try to explain these holes, I say they should just run with it like the show did.

And Optimus wouldn't be the same if he didn't have that quasi-John-Wayne-like quality to his voice. Or am I the only one who thinks he sounded sort of like John Wayne?

Antikarma

This, of all movies I'm anticipating over the years, has me more stoked than I can remember. I grew up on Transformers, they were by far my fave toy.

Please God, don't let them break my childhood with a crappy movie....

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djflish

I think Speilberg's involvement is a plus, but I would sell my own mother to not have my childhood memories raped again....

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Drider_it

update ... release date is 7/4/07 whomg

http://www.dreamworksfansite.com/tra...ry.php?id=2658

The live-action “Transformers” movie has been set to open nationwide on 07-04-07, it was jointly announced today by DreamWorks Pictures, Hasbro, Inc.

The feature, based on the globally popular Transformers franchise, will be directed by Michael Bay (upcoming “The Island,” “Armageddon”) from a screenplay being written by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (upcoming “The Island”). Steven Spielberg (“War of the Worlds”) is executive producing the film, with Lorenzo di Bonaventura (upcoming “Four Brothers”), Tom DeSanto (“X-Men” and “X2: X-Men United”) and Don Murphy (“The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”) serving as co-executive producers.

In making the announcement, DreamWorks head of distribution Jim Tharp stated, Under the direction of Michael Bay, and with Steven Spielberg executive producing, we know that ‘Transformers’ is going to be the kind of explosive action movie that is perfect for the height of the summer movie season. By staking our claim on the 4th of July, 2007, we ensure that we not only have the time to make this movie the way it should be made, but also to build excitement and awareness leading up to its release.

Fans around the world have wanted a Transformers live-action movie for a long time and we are thrilled to work with DreamWorks and Paramount to bring this legendary saga to life on the big screen, said Brian Goldner, President of Hasbro’s U.S. Toy segment. With some of the entertainment industry’s best talent on board for this film, fans will experience Transformers in a way that is incredibly powerful.

DreamWorks will distribute the film domestically, while Paramount will handle the international release. Hasbro will work with the production team and DreamWorks on all aspects of the film’s creative development, marketing and promotions, and will manage merchandising in conjunction with the release of the film.

This week, DreamWorks is launching the official “Transformers” movie website (www.transformers.com) at Comic-Con International, being held from July 13 – 17 in San Diego, California. “Transformers” will also be making its presence known in a big way, with a huge 18-wheeler truck sporting the instantly recognizable Transformers logo dominating the area around the DreamWorks booth—and much of the convention floor—letting thousands of fans know that “Transformers” is coming to the big screen on 07-04-07.

Introduced in 1984, the Transformers brand took the world by storm with its compelling saga of the Autobots versus the Decepticons. The innovative “Robots in Disguise” resulted in a tremendously successful toy line from Hasbro and Takara, comic book series, television program and an animated feature film. More than 20 years later, a new generation has discovered the excitement of the Transformers brand and its legendary characters, including the two leaders of the opposing sides: Optimus Prime and Megatron. Today, the franchise features a popular toy line, an animated series on the Cartoon Network and a chart-topping comic book series from IDW Publishing.

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abbaker987

Found this interview with Michael Bay.

SecretMethod70

Wow, this is either going to be awesome or absolutely horrendous. Hopefully it'll be awesome, cause awesome movies are in short order lately.

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guy44

Oh, Lord. I thought this had potential. But Michael Bay is directing? Nothing good has ever come out of that man's mind. He's terrible, terrible, terrible. Ugh.

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Drider_it

no you gotta understand.. pearl harbor was a work of fiction... pure fantasy on his part.. so this movie is right up his ally.

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It means only one thing, and everything: Cut. Once committed to fight, Cut. Everything else is secondary. Cut. That is your duty, your purpose, your hunger. There is no rule more important, no commitment that overrides that one. Cut. The lines are a portrayal of the dance. Cut from the void, not from bewilderment. Cut the enemy as quickly and directly as possible. Cut with certainty. Cut decisively, resoultely. Cut into his strength. Flow through the gaps in his guard. Cut him. Cut him down utterly. Don't allow him a breath. Crush him. Cut him without mercy to the depth of his spirit. It is the balance to life: death. It is the dance with death. It is the law a war wizard lives by, or he dies.

Xazy

I wisht this would be good, but to be honest I have a lot of douts on this one. But I have a sliver of hope, maybe just maybe it will be good.

fresnelly

This thread is beginning to sound like an aintitcoolnews talkback. "This movie could be good unless it sucks!"

I'm going to reserve all judgement until the first full trailer hits.

Nikilidstrom

In my mind, the only thing they could have done worse then give it to Bay would be to give it to Uwe Boll. Bay's already got his grubby hands on The Hitcher remake/sequel (which he promptly handed directing privleges to some craptacular music video director). Isn't that enough evil done for one year?

fresnelly

Remember that live action/cgi clip of Beetle transforming from a couple of years ago?

Here's one of a certain kick-ass truck doing his thing.

http://www.blackfilm.com/20060512/fe...st_video.shtml

If nothing else, the visuals from this movie will be fantastic.

Vizzini

Ok, that was pretty cool

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aberkok

Dear lord that CGI test just about made my year!!!!!!

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Coppertop

Anyone else wondering if Optimus Prime will be hauling Pepsi around?

http://www.action-hq.com/cgi-bin/act...oth002929.html

aberkok

Who needs Energon when you have Pepsi? Blasphemy I say.

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crow_daw

OK, I was definitely along the lines of guy44 at first - I absolutely hate Michael Bay as a rule - but that CGI test has now got me super pumped. There is no other way to put it.

I mean you know, like you guys said, the whole concept is so freaking ridiculous anyway, maybe Bay is perfectly suited for this job..........

God I hope it works out.

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Loup

The website is up ... with no content except a countdown...
http://www.transformersmovie.com/

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Aurakles

A good trailer is just really good editing and can be equally deceiving. I have seen trailers that I thought were exceptional, but the actually movie was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I will reserve judgment too, but not for the trailer, but rather the actual film, though I find Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg to be the worse combination.

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Willravel

http://www.iwatchstuff.com/

I'm concerned that this movie will destroy something that is perfect in my mind's eye (I loved transformers as a child).

Aurakles

I am not sure a movie (good or bad) can destroy a memory unless we let it. If anything, it might enhance my memory, because a bad movie might make my memories more cherished.

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Da Munk

I'm pretty sure that it's going to be horrible, but I was a huge transformers fan when I was a kid, so I'll be seeing it anyway.

Oh, and that's not the eye of a Decepticon in the poster, it's the Autobot symbol.

Willravel

You're preaching to the choir. The article wasn't written by a real fan, but the pic linked needed a link.

fresnelly

Okay, this isn't directly related to the movie production, but this may help tide you over.

Saab has a nifty commercial out right now that features a Fighter jet transforming into a car.*

Go to http://www.saabusa.com and click on the "Saab was born from jets" graphic along the bottom of the page. Click on the "Watch TV Spots" button on the first page of the book in the new window. An inset screen opens and the transformer commercial is the small box, third from the left.

*This post in no way shall be construed as an endorsement of Saab or any Saab related properties. (Until they send me a cheque)

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abbaker987

Who wants a teaser? Go to the website^^

Willravel

A sillouette? Meh.

Seer666

I am so mixed on this one. I've been wanting this for YEARS. Part of me is very hopeful. Then part of me can't help but wonder how bad theya re going to fuck it up.

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