Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime) stars in Paramount Animation and Hasbro Present In Association with New Republic Pictures a di Bonaventua Pictures Production a Tom Desanto / Don Murphy Production a Bay Films Production ‘Transformers One’.
The ‘Transformers‘ franchise has grossed over $4.5 billion at the box office!
With eight previous films including live-action and animated movies, as well as the spinoff ‘Bumblebee,’ Transformers is now the 14th most highest grossing franchise in film history.
The ninth movie in the franchise, the CG-animated ‘Transformers One‘ rolls into theaters on September 20th. In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down every Transformers movie ever made, including live-action, animation and spinoffs.
Optimus Prime in ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’. Photo: Paramount.
Autobots and Decepticons are at war, with humans on the sidelines. Optimus Prime is gone. The key to saving our future lies buried in the secrets of the past, in the hidden history of Transformers on Earth.
(L to R) Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf in ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.’ Photo: Paramount.
Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) leaves the Autobots behind for a normal life. But when his mind is filled with cryptic symbols, the Decepticons target him and he is dragged back into the Transformers’ war.
Mark Wahlberg in ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’. Photo: Paramount.
As humanity picks up the pieces, following the conclusion of “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” Autobots and Decepticons have all but vanished from the face of the planet. However, a group of powerful, ingenious businessman and scientists attempt to learn from past Transformer incursions and push the boundaries of technology beyond what they can control – all while an ancient, powerful Transformer menace sets Earth in his cross-hairs.
Optimus Prime in ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’. Photo: Paramount.
The Autobots continue to work for NEST, now no longer in secret. But after discovering a strange artifact during a mission in Chernobyl, it becomes apparent to Optimus Prime that the United States government has been less than forthright with them.
2023’s ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’. Photo: Paramount.
Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformers – the Maximals – to join them as allies in the existing battle for earth. The movie is directed by Steven Caple Jr. (‘Creed II‘) and stars Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback.
Megatron in ‘Transformers: The Movie’. Photo: De Laurentiis Entertainment Group.
The Autobots must stop a colossal planet-consuming robot who goes after the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. At the same time, they must defend themselves against an all-out attack from the Decepticons in this animated feature film.
Hailee Steinfeld in ‘Bumblebee’. Photo: Paramount.
On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary yellow VW bug.
(L to R) Brian Tyree Henry (D-16/Megatron), Scarlett Johansson (Elita-1), Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime) and Keegan-Michael Key (B-127), star in Paramount Animation and Hasbro Present In Association with New Republic Pictures a di Bonaventua Pictures Production a Tom Desanto / Don Murphy Production a Bay Films Production ‘Transformers One’.
‘Transformers One’ is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry), better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
(L to R) Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf in ‘Transformers.’ Photo: Paramount.
Young teenager Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) becomes involved in the ancient struggle between two extraterrestrial factions of transforming robots – the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons. Sam holds the clue to unimaginable power and the Decepticons will stop at nothing to retrieve it.
(L to R) Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime), left, and Brian Tyree Henry (D-16/Megatron) star in Paramount Animation and Hasbro Present In Association with New Republic Pictures a di Bonaventua Pictures Production a Tom Desanto / Don Murphy Production a Bay Films Production ‘Transformers One’.
Opening in theaters on September 20th, ‘Transformers One’ winds the clock further back than the usual ‘Transformers’ movies to focus on what happened before Optimus Prime and Megatron –– the respective leaders of the Autobot and Decepticon forces –– assumed those roles.
Plenty of ‘Transformers’ fans who were kids in the 1980s will have fond memories of ‘Transformers: The Movie’ And while the franchise has, in the years since Michael Bay launched the live-action/CG series of movies, varied greatly in quality, the key to success here appears is in returning the story to its animated roots.
Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime) stars in Paramount Animation and Hasbro Present In Association with New Republic Pictures a di Bonaventua Pictures Production a Tom Desanto / Don Murphy Production a Bay Films Production ‘Transformers One’.
Prequel stories are always an uphill struggle. You’re balancing audience expectation –– since we already know that at least one of the characters will survive to go on and have further adventures, so where’s the sense of jeopardy? –– and those who would complain that turning back the clock to the early days of established characters is a form of creative bankruptcy. After all, does anyone really need to know how Darth Vader ended up in that iconic suit, no matter the tease about his past offered in the original ‘Star Wars’? And you risk being accused of cheapening stories that people love.
Spare a thought, then for the team behind ‘Transformers One,’ who have found way to take very recognizable franchise archetypes and give them a welcome coming-of-age twist. Did you ever think that Optimus Prime and Megatron might have been buddies way back before they were enemies? No? Well, the new movie is here to show you why that works as a story.
Script and Direction
(L to R) Brian Tyree Henry (D-16/Megatron), Scarlett Johansson (Elita-1), Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime) and Keegan-Michael Key (B-127), star in Paramount Animation and Hasbro Present In Association with New Republic Pictures a di Bonaventua Pictures Production a Tom Desanto / Don Murphy Production a Bay Films Production ‘Transformers One’.
The script here originated –– at least, according to the credits –– with Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari (who have the likes of ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp,’ ‘Die in a Gunfight’ and ‘Haunt’ on their shared resumes) and was then worked on by Eric Pearson (who contributed to such movies as ‘Black Widow,’ ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and ‘Godzilla vs. Kong‘). And since director Josh Cooley is a graduate of Pixar (he oversaw ‘Toy Story 4’) you’ve got to figure he had a hand in tuning the story too.
Together, the writers have put together something that is vital, entertaining and energetic (energon-etic, perhaps?) fusing the tropes of young men finding their way in the world with some of the unexplored lore of the planet Cybertron, home to the Transformers.
Perhaps more importantly, they’ve come up with credible explanations for why and how Optimus Prime and Megatron became the leaders that they did (for good and ill), and what sparked their ongoing conflict, one that spilled over to our planet.
The dialogue is witty and fun for kids, but also works for older fans who grew up with these characters. Yes, there will be those who question quite how human these robots feel, but the Transformers have always had relatable human characteristics.
Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime) stars in Paramount Animation and Hasbro Present In Association with New Republic Pictures a di Bonaventua Pictures Production a Tom Desanto / Don Murphy Production a Bay Films Production ‘Transformers One’.
Perhaps the biggest issue –– and one the creative team is mostly able to overcome –– is that this new movie represents just the latest example of the hero’s journey/find the MacGuffin journey story to hit screens. That in itself has sunk many a film that doesn’t do anything fresh or new with those age-old concepts, but here Cooley and co. find a way to graft on entertaining layers while following familiar paths.
On the visual front, the movie (with animation chiefly crafted by Industrial Light and Magic) might not challenge the best of Pixar or DreamWorks for sheer quality, style and depth, but it’s impressive enough, particularly when it ventures onto the surface of Cybertron.
Plus, while some of the fight scenes verge into the over-frenetic, there’s enough logic behind them that you won’t end up rubbing your eyes at all the CG clashes on display.
Performances
The vocal cast for the movie all does good work, with a few highlights:
Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime) stars in Paramount Animation and Hasbro Present In Association with New Republic Pictures a di Bonaventua Pictures Production a Tom Desanto / Don Murphy Production a Bay Films Production ‘Transformers One’.
The biggest issue legacy fans of the franchise may have is in the movie replacing Peter Cullen, long the voice of Optimus Prime on the big screen. But it helps to remember that this is Prime before he was Prime. Orion Pax is a garrulous ambitious, sometimes irresponsible type who has dreams of being more than the mining worker he’s seemingly destined to be. In Hemsworth’s hands –– well, vocal chords –– he’s an enthusiastic, likeable presence and you can see how he ends up as the character we know.
Brian Tyree Henry (D-16/Megatron) stars in Paramount Animation and Hasbro Present In Association with New Republic Pictures a di Bonaventua Pictures Production a Tom Desanto / Don Murphy Production a Bay Films Production ‘Transformers One’.
Likewise, Henry might not have quite the vocal power of Frank Welker (Megatron’s traditional performer), but D-16 never needed to start out as the scheming, power-hungry Decepticon of the cartoons and (some of) the live-action movies. Here, he’s more subdued and thoughtful, a good friend to Orion and willing to go along with his ideas at least until they reach a true dividing point.
Keegan-Michael Key (B-127) stars in Paramount Animation and Hasbro Present In Association with New Republic Pictures a di Bonaventua Pictures Production a Tom Desanto / Don Murphy Production a Bay Films Production ‘Transformers One’.
Key is a proven comic performer and playing the robot who will become Bumblebee feels like the perfect role for him in the movie. He’s a chatty sort, desperate for friends (so desperate that we meet the ones he has built at one funny moment paid off in a mid-credits sting) and eager to tag along with Orion and the rest. Cooley and co. find a way to utilize his comic relief without it becoming annoying.
Scarlett Johansson (Elita-1) stars in Paramount Animation and Hasbro Present In Association with New Republic Pictures a di Bonaventua Pictures Production a Tom Desanto / Don Murphy Production a Bay Films Production ‘Transformers One’.
Johansson has perhaps less to do than the others, but she’s still fun, offering a no-nonsense foil to Orion in particular and giving the world’s least encouraging pep talk at one point.
Supporting Cast
(L to R) Keegan-Michael Key (B-127), Scarlett Johansson (Elita-1), Brian Tyree Henry (D-16), Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax) star in Paramount Animation and Hasbro Present In Association with New Republic Pictures a di Bonaventua Pictures Production a Tom Desanto / Don Murphy Production a Bay Films Production ‘Transformers One’.
The cast around the leads is peppered with strong performances –– Laurence Fishburne slips easily into Morpheus mode when dishing out gobs of exposition about the hidden history of Cybertron, and helping our heroes find their new path(s). Jon Hamm, meanwhile, is the feted Sentinel Prime, the powerful leader of Cybertron whose has the planet’s best interests at heart… or does he? Hamm’s not called upon to do much more than be heroic and then something less than that, but he does it well.
Final Thoughts
‘Transformers One’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
‘Transformers One’ should prove entertaining to those who grew up playing with the action figures or watching the cartoons and the generations that have embraced the Autobots and Decepticons since then. It’s not a perfect film, with a few gaps of logic and one or two cliches still lurking, but it’s easily one of the best movies to feature the characters, and never needs human interaction to keep it grounded.
The new ‘Transformers’ animated movie has the touch. It also has the power.
‘Transformers One’ receives 9 out of 10 stars.
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What’s the plot of ‘Transformers One’?
The film depicts the origins and early relationship of Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry) and how they forever changed the fate of Cybertron, the home planet of the Transformers.
The ‘Transformers One’ Panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con featured casting news about Laurence Fishburne and Steve Buscemi.
Chris Hemsworth and Tyree Henry are among the leads.
‘Toy Story 4’ director Josh Cooley made the new movie.
While this year’s outing of the San Diego Comic-Con has so far proved to be a relatively quiet one (at least until the likes of Marvel show up to offer tantalizing news tidbits), there was some new information about an animated movie that is garnering some positive buzz off the back of early screenings: ‘Transformers One’.
(L to R) Keegan-Michael Key, Chris Hemsworth and Bryan Tyree Henry at the Comic-Con 2022 ‘Transformers One’ presentation. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
It kicked off one of the early presentation panels, and the actors (minus Johansson, who was busy on the new ‘Jurassic World’ film) were on hand alongside director Josh Cooley (‘Toy Story 4’) and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura to debut some fresh footage and provide some new insight into the movie.
And the panel also offered up the latest trailer, which you can watch above.
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What’s the story of ‘Transformers One’?
‘Transformers One’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
The new movie is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
Hemsworth voices Orion Pax, who will become Autobot leader Optimus Prime, while Henry is D-16, the future Megatron. Key plays B-127, a chatty ‘bot who’ll later be known as Bumblebee, and Johansson is Elita-1.
What did we learn about the ‘Transformers One’ cast?
(Left) Jon Hamm as Vice Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson in ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures. (Center) Laurence Fishburne in ‘Clipped’. Photo: FX. (Right) Steve Buscemi in ‘Boardwalk Empire’. Photo: HBO Entertainment.
The panel included word (or rather, confirmation) that Jon Hamm is playing Cybertron leader Sentinel Prime, with Laurence Fishburne taking the Morpheus-alike role of Alpha Prion.
Perhaps the biggest revelation was word that Steve Buscemi voices Starscream, who we know will become one of Megatron’s (usually) loyal lieutenants. In ‘Transformers One’, they’re in opposition, with Starscream proclaiming that “the idea of a unified Cybertron is a myth” –– though it’s clear D-16 is starting to have doubts about his alliances.
Chris Hemsworth at the Comic-Con 2022 ‘Transformers One’ presentation. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Among the panel highlights were funny moments, including Hemsworth remarking that he and Henry –– who never shared a recording booth –– prepped to play best friends by sleeping in bunk beds.
Key, meanwhile (whose character is the comic relief for the movie), looked to lead the Hall H audience in a rendition of the ‘Transformers’ cartoon theme tune, only to find few takers. “Good, now we know who’s over 40,” he quipped.
Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura at the Comic-Con 2022 ‘Transformers One’ presentation. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
This is what producer di Bonaventura had to say about the advantages of animation for a Transformers movie:
“If we did this as a live-action movie, it would probably cost $500M. What has been tricky in live-action is that every time a robot talks, it costs a lot of money. In animation, you can have them build out their character.”
And for Cooley, it was a chance to dig into the characters lore.
“Hasbro gave me the bible of ‘Transformers’, this Tolkien-length history –– so much to play with, a huge sandbox –– I wanted the feeling of what it was like to play with the toys as a kid, that feeling of nostalgia and joy trying to make these things work.”
When will ‘Transformers One’ be in theaters?
‘Transformers One’ will be released on September 20th.
(L to R) Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Keegan-Michael Key, Chris Hemsworth, director Josh Cooley and Bryan Tyree Henry at the Comic-Con 2022 ‘Transformers One’ presentation. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Other Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Transformers’ Franchise:
After months of negotiating, Paramount Global and Skydance Media are to merge.
Skydance boss David Ellison will become Paramount’s CEO.
Other companies had looked to make their own deal for the studio.
It has been months of feeling like Paramount Global was a Tinder user swiping left on potential suitors as it was courted by various groups for mergers and acquisitions.
Now, it appears that it has finally found the right partner, as, after rejecting one offer from the company, a special committee of Paramount’s board –– and now the full board of directors –– has approved an $8 billion takeover from Skydance Media.
Like many of the big legacy media companies, Paramount has found itself struggling with debt and lowered earnings, especially when it comes to its streaming service.
It has, naturally, been a target for interest from other big companies –– at one point, there was talk of a potential merger with Warner Bros. or Universal.
But among the most eager to take control has been David Ellison’s Skydance Media, which already has connections with the studio, since it co-produces the likes of the ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies and the ‘Star Trek’ movie franchise.
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Ellison, working with investment partners, made a previous overture to buy a controlling interest in National Amusements Inc., the entity owned by Shari Redstone which has a majority share in Paramount Global. It was rejected (partly because of concerns from other shareholders), but a new version has been accepted.
The current plan is for Skydance to take control of Paramount and for the companies to merge, which has largely been seen as a positive, since it means much of the studio stays intact.
Here’s Shari Redstone’s statement on the deal:
“In 1987, my father, Sumner Redstone, acquired Viacom and began assembling and growing the businesses today known as Paramount Global. He had a vision that ‘content was king’ and was always committed to delivering great content for all audiences around the world. That vision has remained at the core of Paramount’s success and our accomplishments are a direct result of the incredibly talented, creative, and dedicated individuals who work at the company. Given the changes in the industry, we want to fortify Paramount for the future while ensuring that content remains king. Our hope is that the Skydance transaction will enable Paramount’s continued success in this rapidly changing environment. As a longtime production partner to Paramount, Skydance knows Paramount well and has a clear strategic vision and the resources to take it to its next stage of growth. We believe in Paramount, and we always will.”
Right now, the company is being run by three Chief Executive Officers, but if (increasingly when) Skydance takes over, David Ellison would become the new CEO.
Paramount has 45 days to entertain other offers before formally accepting this deal –– and Skydance would receive a $400 million payoff if it should go a different route.
Who else has been interested in Paramount?
Sony Pictures Logo. Photo: Sony Pictures.
Skydance is far from the only company that has shown interest, as the likes of Barry Diller (a former president of the company), rival studio Sony and investment company Apollo have all considered bids for Paramount.
When will the deal be finally sealed?
Assuming no other issues come up –– since regulators still have to assess this current deal –– and Paramount doesn’t somehow decide to go with another option, the deal should be officially closed by mid-2025.
(Left) Optimus Prime in ‘Transformers’. Photo: Paramount Pictures. (Center) Chris Hemsworth in ‘Spiderhead.’ Photo: Netflix. (Right) Ray Park as Snake Eyes in ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Preview:
Chris Hemsworth is in talks for Paramount’s Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover.
The storyline is unknown for now.
The concept was set up at the end of last year’s ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’.
Its own future might still be up in the air as corporate suitors continue to circle, but Paramount is pressing on with exploring its big characters and concepts.
According to Deadline, the company has a star circling a lead role, as Chris Hemsworth is in talks to join the film. The actor is already involved with at least one side of this duo, since he’s the voice of Orion Pax –– the robot who will become Optimus Prime –– in this year’s animated ‘Transformers One’.
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What’s the story of the Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover?
(Left) ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ rolls out into theaters on June 9th. (Right) Ray Park, Rachel Nichols and Saïd Taghmaoui in ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Right now, Paramount has not released any plot details about how the two universes will connect. There is precedent in comic books and, as mentioned, the end of last year’s ‘Transformers’ outing dropped a big hint, as Anthony Ramos’ Noah Diaz, having helped the Autobots and Maximals save the Earth, is introduced to a mysterious man named Agent Burke, played by Michael Kelly, who gives him a business card bearing the Joes’ logo.
“Noah goes from somebody who cannot get a job, to a guy who gets the greatest job ever. It really felt organic to put it in here because you could relate it to the story. It didn’t feel like we were being cynical and like, ‘Good news, we could just jam G.I. Joes in here.’ The fans want a lot of things; if we do it and we don’t figure it out well, they’re going to be disappointed. It took us a while to figure out the Maximals, and now we have the hint of how to begin the Joes story.”
For now, Hemsworth’s role is unknown. Nor do we know whether anyone from the previous ‘G.I. Joe’ movies will carry over to this one or whether this will mark a chance to reset the storyline.
Who is making the ‘Transformers’/‘G.I. Joe’ crossover?
Director Steven Caple Jr. on the set of ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
While Steven Caple Jr. directed ‘Rise of the Beasts’ (and was one of the driving forces behind introducing the Joes to the onscreen ‘Transformers’ universe), no mention is made in the story about Hemsworth’s casting about who will direct or write the new movie.
All we know at this point is that di Bonaventura is back to produce alongside Mark Vahradian, Michael Bay, Tom DeSanto and Don Murphy. Steven Spielberg and Hasbro Entertainment will be executive producers.
(L to R) Arcee and Wheeljack in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
Other Movies in the ‘Transformers’ and ‘G.I. Joe’ Franchises:
(L to R) Optimus Primal and Optimus Prime in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
Autobots, roll out! The latest installment of the Transformers franchise ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ transports the audience to the home world of the Maximals and introduces Unicron – also known as the Chaosbringer, who consumes planets.
The official synopsis for ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ is below:
“Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ’90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformer — the Maximals — to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons.”
‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ was released domestically on June 9, 2023.
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Maximals On The Big Screen
(L to R) Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Wheeljack and Arcee in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
This is the first time the Maximals faction is introduced in the ‘Transformers’ franchise. They are descendants of the Autobots and in their fight with the Terrorcons, they are forced leave behind their homeworld and hide out on Earth until the Terrorcon figured out their location.
Similar to Autobots, the Maximals can also transform. Instead of transforming into vehicles and aircrafts, Maximals transform into Animal-like robots. The Maximals in the film are Optimus Primal, Apelinq, Airazor, Cheetor, and Rhinox.
Before they made their big screen debut, the Maximals were Introduced in Beast Wars – a computer animated TV series from 1996. There are four factions in Transformers – Autobots, Decepticons, Maximals, and Predacons.
Where Does This Take Place In The Transformers Franchise?
(L to R) Arcee, Optimus Prime, and Bumblebee in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
The first ‘Transformers‘ film was directed by Michael Bay and was released in 2007, starring Shia LeBeouf and Megan Fox. Since then, there have been six Transformers movies, include ‘Rise of the Beasts’. Director Michael Bay helmed the first five films until the franchise received a “soft reboot” in 2017 with Travis Knight’s ‘Bumblebee’, which starred Hailee Steinfeld and fan-favorite Autobot Bumblebee.
Knight’s film took place in the 1980s while Steven Caple Jr.’s film takes place in the 90s, serving as a sequel to ‘Bumblebee’. In the film, there was a small nod to the 2017 film where Optimus Prime acknowledges that Bumblebee has made a human friend during his initial arrival on Earth.
Paramount has already confirmed there will be two more sequels to follow, though it is unclear whether stars Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback will be involved. There is also a scene in the film that eludes to the Transformers franchise potentially having a cross-over with another Hasbro property. If this cross-over does happen, it would be the first time in live-action for these two Hasbro IPs exist in the same movie.
Where Can I Watch ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’?
Mirage in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
The movie held its premiere at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on May 27, 2023. It was released domestically on June 9, 2023, and is currently playing in theaters in formats such as IMAX, RealD 3D, Dolby cinema, and 4DX. Be sure to check showtimes on Moviefone below.
Watch the official trailers for ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ below:
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As of July 11, 2023, the film has been made available on digital for rent or purchase. Services such as Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube, Microsoft, Redbox, and Google Play will have it for $19.99 or $24.99 respectively.
For DVD and blu-ray release, that’ll come on October 10, 2023. Bonus content will include:
‘Human Affairs’ – In a world of robots, machines, and aliens, we explore the humans who help save the world.
‘Life in the 90s’ – The filmmakers discuss how the music, set design, fashion, and cultural references transport viewers to New York in the 90s.
‘Heroes’ – Get an inside look at the inspiration and thought process behind designing the Autobots and the Maximals.
‘Villains’ – Watch as the filmmakers bring the Terrorcons and Predacons to life.
‘The Chase’ – Meet Mirage, a new Autobot that converts into a 1993 Porsche, and experience the adrenaline-filled car chase through New York City.
‘The Battle of Ellis Island’ – Join the cast and crew as they go behind-the-scene of the epic battle sequence between the Autobots and the Terrorcons at the museum.
‘Into the Jungle’ – The Transformers franchise has been filmed all over the globe. This time, join the cast and crew as they explore the new and exotic location of Peru.
‘The Switchback Attack’ – Witness the wild and intense driving sequences filmed on location in Peru where the Autobots fight the Terrorcons through a town square and into the mountains 15,000 feet up.
‘The Final Conflict’ – Get a behind-the-scenes look at the film’s epic climax. Watch as the Autobots, Maximals, Noah, and Elena attempt to save the world
‘Extended/Deleted Scenes’ – Includes an alternate opening and ending to the film.
What is the plot of ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’?
‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformers, the Maximals, to join them as allies in the existing battle for earth.
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Who is in the cast of ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’?
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback about their work on ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,’ their love for the franchise, their characters, and working with the beloved robots.
(L to R) Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback star in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Ramos, Fishback, and Tobe Nwigwe.
Moviefone: To begin with, Anthony, how familiar were you with the ‘Transformers’ universe before making this movie?
Anthony Ramos: Very. ‘Beast Wars: Transformers’ was a childhood favorite and I love all the Maximals. I went crazy when Optimus Primal in the movie says, “Maximals maximize.” I promise you, I jumped out of my seat. That moment got me more hyped than the Autobots roll out, because ‘Beast Wars’ was such a huge part of my childhood, so I’m deeply connected to these characters. Then, I saw the ‘Transformers’ movies after that, so I’ve been a big fan.
(L to R) Arcee, Optimus Prime, and Bumblebee in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
MF: Dominique, how about you? Were you a fan of ‘Transformers’ before being cast in this film?
Dominique Fishback: Actually, when Anthony was watching the cartoons, I was watching a bunch of romances, so I was not aware. But I loved ‘Even Stevens,’ and I loved Shia LaBeouf in that show, and I was a huge Disney fan. I always wanted to be an actor. So when he went from ‘Even Stevens’ to ‘Transformers,’ I was like, “Oh man, okay.” I was mapping it out in my head, like, “Okay, I have to do something like that, a show and then a movie like ‘Transformers.’” I never thought that it would actually be ‘Transformers’, so it’s really incredible.
Anthony Ramos stars in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
MF: Anthony, can you talk about why Noah is so willing to help the Transformers and join forces with them?
AR: He’s broke. There’s a lot of things you’ll do when you are not making money, but he’s also desperate. He’s desperate too, and that desperation comes for his love for his family and wanting to be able to help them and support them and his sick brother. It almost seems like he feels like this is a last resort. Obviously, he probably eventually would’ve gotten a job, but I think it’s a movie about robots and Transformers, and it only seems right that his last resort is to join these robot aliens.
Dominique Fishback stars in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
MF: Dominique, can you talk about Elena’s growth as a character throughout the course of the movie?
DF: I think the growth is just being intentional with (director) Steven Caple Jr. and saying, “Okay, in acting school, you learn how is a character different from the beginning of the movie to the end of the movie, from the beginning of the scene to the end of the scene.” So she starts off, the beginning of the movie, really engaged in her books and not going for the adventure. I think too, she’s a little bit scared to put herself out there. She lives behind her books, and I think even in the beginning, it’s like, “Oh, you want me to go?” Then, by the end, there’s a sense of, “I’m here for this fight as well, and I’m not leaving either,” type of thing.
(L to R) Dominique Fishback and Anthony Ramos star in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’
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‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ is produced by Skydance, Paramount, di Bonaventura Pictures, Bay Films, New Republic Pictures, Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy Production, Hasbro Studios, Entertainment One, and Amblin Entertainment. It is set to release in theaters on June 9th, 2023.
(L to R) Optimus Primal and Optimus Prime in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
In theaters June 9th, ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ offers the usual combination of robo-clashes and half-hearted human characters while proving that the franchise is really starting to run out of invention or momentum.
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What’s the story of ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’?
‘Rise of the Beasts’ opens on the planet of the Maximals, a group of Transformers who arrived years ago and assumed the forms of native fauna in order to blend in (sort of). But when Scourge (Peter Dinklage), the henchman of living planet Unicron (Colman Domingo) seeking a vital McGuffin, the heroic Maximals are forced to escape, ending up on Earth thousands of years before the Autobots.
Cut to Brooklyn of the 1990s, where Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos) is trying to support his single mother and ailing younger brother while being turned down for various jobs. Drawn into a heist by an acquaintance, he accidently ends up stealing a Porsche that is actually the Autobot Mirage (voiced by Pete Davidson) and is suddenly thrust into a battle for the future of both the robots and the planet –– as Unicron, Scourge and their other evil associates have tracked the Maximals to Earth.
Noah agrees to help Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) and the other robots to find what they need to defeat Unicron, and that ends up pulling museum researcher Elena Wallace (Dominique Fishback) into the mission. Soon, they’re racing to stop Unicron’s plan to devour the Earth, with the help of Maximals such as Optimus Primal (Ron Perlman) and Airazor (Michelle Yeoh).
(L to R) Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback star in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
Who else is in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’?
Director Steven Caple Jr. on the set of ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
Robots in Disappointment
If this was supposed to be Paramount’s big return for the ‘Transformers’ franchise, it is, sad to report, a big miss.
Directed by Steven Caple Jr. (who has already done decent work on a sequel with ‘Creed II’), the new movie mostly boasts re-heated plot elements and ideas, while throwing in very little that is fresh or new.
It’s yet another hunt for an energy thingy that will save or destroy everything, leading to very little that will engage all but the youngest cinemagoers.
Most annoyingly, while the movie does its best to hand wave the idea that humanity at large isn’t aware of the giant robots in their midst until the 2000s setting of the first Michael Bay film, the events that transpire here simply don’t support that.
Unicron, meanwhile, is far from a compelling baddie, mostly seen through communication with Scourge like an angry boss who keeps ranting at his employees. Scourge himself, despite the best efforts of the effects team, is a stock lead henchman who threatens our heroes.
(L to R) Nightbird, Scourge and Battletrap in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
And most annoyingly, he has a particular power used against one of the Maximals later in the film that is so effective you have to wonder why he doesn’t employ it more often. Maybe it takes a lot out of the poor guy. Not that anyone is expecting careful logic from a ‘Transformers’ movie, but it makes the experience of watching it that much more frustrating.
The action is relatively perfunctory, though clearer than the later Bay movies, even if Caple Jr. can’t compete with the stylish levels of “Bayhem.” There are still moments, though, where it’s tough to figure out which hunk of metal is battling which. And don’t get us started on a final act moment that comes across as the laziest rip-off of ‘Iron Man’ possibly conceived, suffering from cheap effects and a ludicrous deus ex Maximals.
Plus, between this and his useless cameo in ‘Fast X’, it might truly be time for a moratorium on movie appearances by Pete Davidson –– he’s such a one-note performer and Mirage is rarely as funny as he thinks he is. Thank goodness for Cullen, who, even when he’s playing a weirdly angry Optimus, does so with some flare.
As for the Maximals, they’re less believable performances from respected (and in Yeoh’s case, recently Oscar-winning) actors, and more the bored sound of people crammed into a voice booth and asked to recite trope-heavy dialogue that you’ve heard in a hundred movies such as this.
Oh, and because no giant studio movie can escape the lure of franchise building and potential crossovers, there’s a scene after the credits that nods towards connections with another big Hasbro property that has faltered on the big screen. It’s less likely to make fans cheer than make them sigh and wonder when the movie was going to earn this.
Bumblebee in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
What works?
The ‘Transformers’ movies have tried to nod towards its human characters’ storylines (‘Bumblebee’ most effectively), and ‘Rise of the Beasts’ offers Ramos and Fishback at least something to do outside of running and reacting to the giant metal creatures.
They’re pleasingly not forced into the cliched love story, and actually contribute to the narrative, even giving the likes of Noah’s ill younger brother something to do beyond look cute and be a driving force for him changing his life.
(L to R) Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Wheeljack and Arcee in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
Fans will be excited to see the Maximals enter the movie canon, though like the Dinobots before them, they largely end up as reasons for our heroes to go on a new mission rather than truly believable as characters in their own right.
The ‘Transformers’ team appears to have learned only a few lessons from ‘Bumblebee’, and ‘Rise of the Beasts’ mostly feels like a backwards step in a franchise that peaked with the 2007 original. It’s not entirely without merit, but the entertainment value could use more energon crystals.
‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ receives 4 out of 10 stars.
‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ rolls out into theaters on June 9th.
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‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ is produced by Skydance, Paramount, di Bonaventura Pictures, Bay Films, New Republic Pictures, Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy Production, Hasbro Studios, Entertainment One, and Amblin Entertainment. It is set to release in theaters on June 9th, 2023.
‘Mercy’ tells the story of an ex-military doctor named Michelle (Leah Gibson), who finds herself in a deadly battle for survival when the Irish mafia family, the Quinns (Jon Voight and Jonathan Rhys Meyers), seize control of the hospital at which she works. When her son (Anthony Bolognese) is taken hostage, she is forced to rely upon her battle-hardened past and lethal skills after realizing there’s no one left to save the day but her.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Oscar-winner Jon Voight about his work on ‘Mercy,’ what he brings to a project, performing violent scenes, performing with an Irish accent, his character’s relationship with his sons, working with Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Leah Gibson, collaborating with director Tony Dean Smith, and his work on acclaimed filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming ‘Megalopolis.’
Jon Voight as Patrick Quinn in ‘Mercy.’
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.
Moviefone: To begin with, Patrick Quinn is a great character for you to play, did you recognize that when you first read the script and what were some of the aspects of the character you were excited to explore in this film?
Jon Voight: I think because I’ve gotten to a certain age, people are coming to me with roles that are suitable, and that I have to play a patriarch of this kind, even though he is a very negative kind of character or comes from that culture. But it was exciting to me in a certain sense, it seemed like a good opportunity to express many things. An opportunity to work with Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who I think is a sensational actor, and a great talent. Then we introduced this wonderful gal Leah Gibson too. So I was excited to work on this piece. I thought I could help it. When I came into it, I said, “Well, I think I can do something with this thing.”
MF: Can you expand on that idea? Are there certain projects that you are offered that you feel like your presence in the movie can help elevate the film?
JV: Well, I think I’m very collaborative with the directors and producers to do something that has a meaning for me. I thought that I could enrich the family dilemma and not make it so black and white in a certain sense. These people are human, you want to find out what their humanity is and see what their thinking is. So you are really getting to know these people, and when we get to know people, you root for them a little bit. You hope they can pull things off. Then you see somebody who’s going way off the road like Jonathan’s character, my son Sean, in the picture. Yet he’s very exciting because he’s so brilliant at this kind of negativity, this character. He can bring it forth, he can scare you, and that’s what he does in this film. He’s really a brilliant actor and this is a role very suitable for him. So we had things that we could do and then I was able to, I think, add something to it as well.
MF: I loved the Irish accent that your character has in the movie. Was that already in your actor’s bag of tricks or did you work with a vocal coach to get it right?
JV: No. We worked with people. They have people who work with accents, and the young woman that worked on it with us, I found to be excellent. She was able to work with all of the people in our group, which was a team of this family of criminals. She got us all up to a certain level. But we were working with Jonathan Rhys Myers, who’s from County Cork, and knows those accents. He can do any kind of accent, and we had to be authentic next to him, which was a big challenge. But he was always encouraging and helpful.
MF: You have a particularly violent scene where your character is threatening another member of his crew. Was it fun to shoot that sequence and act really menacing in that moment?
JV: Yeah, it was fun, actually. But I mean, I said, “We have to have this in the picture.” I said, “Because you have to know who he is. He has to be dangerous. You have to see why he’s the head of this group.” Do you see what I mean? And he establishes that in that one gesture. So then you say, “Oh, this guy, there’s a reason why he’s the head of this wild group.”
Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Sean Quinn in ‘Mercy.’
MF: Do you look for moments like that when you’re reading a script, a moment that really explains who the character is very clearly for the audience?
JV: Well, it’s in the storytelling of things, yes. It’s very important that people know who he is. That’s a seminal moment. That’s a step, “Boom, there he is, like that.” He can go like that. He can turn and, “Boom, he’s dangerous.” Of course, in order to run a mob, you have to be that dangerous. You have to have that kind of capacity to scare the hell out of everybody else. To say, “Well, you play games with me and it’s going to be a certain kind of violent ending.” That kind of thing. That was an important moment, actually. But the other thing is that each of the young men in it who played my team, the muscle in that piece, they did a great job. They worked hard on it, and they did their accents beautifully, but they really cared about it. They’re nice little pieces of that film that are given over to these cameos, and I really thought the cast came up to the challenge.
(L to R) Jon Voight as Patrick Quinn and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Sean Quinn in ‘Mercy.’
MF: Patrick has two sons, Sean and Ryan, and he clearly favors Ryan over Sean. Can you talk about that family dynamic and how it is the catalyst for what happens at the hospital?
JV: Well, he has two sons in the picture, and he’s a fellow that came from Ireland as an alien to this country and found a home here at one point. He came from a violent background in Ireland, but he really was concerned about his older child, Sean. He was concerned about this child because he was going in the wrong way. That’s really something because he’s from a family that’s equated with some violence too. But he was going off the deep end, getting involved with terrorists, alcohol and all this stuff. So he came to this country, came to the States to actually change the direction of his son, and his other son, Ryan caught the idea and was on his way to a healthy life apart from the family and was encouraged by his father. But Sean went the other way and became a destructive factor. That’s what we see in the film, a man dealing with a son that’s dangerous to himself and to others. I think it’s an interesting dilemma. So you feel for the father that he’s lost his son to this, and that becomes a richer part of the film. I was excited to explore that dimension and to work with this great actor, Jonathan Rhys Myers, and of course Leah Gibson, who plays the American military hero of the picture, and is a considerable actor and a very new face.
MF: Did you know Jonathan Rhys Meyers before making this movie, and what was it like working with him on ‘Mercy?’
JV: I had made one film with Jonathan, and we both liked each other so much. We were so appreciative of each other’s talent. Steven Paul, the producer of this film, had worked on the other film and in order to get this film made, he called Jonathan and said, “Well, Jon Voight’s going to do it.” Then Jonathan said, “Well, if he’s going to do it, I’ll do it.” Steven then told me, “Jonathan Rhys Meyers is going to do it.” So I said, “Well, if Jonathan Rhys Meyers is going to do it, then I’m going to do it.” So he captured us both by using our affection for each other to get this movie made. I have an affection for Jonathan that should be said. I really like him, and I know him only a little, but I know a lot about him and I know his talent. So a lot of it is real, it’s just the way I deal with him. His response to me is real in a certain way because he sees me as a certain kind of figure, and I could be his father. Do you know what I mean? What does a father mean to him, you see? So we had a lot of exciting energy there. I really like this fella, and I hope I work again with him. His performance here is really quite amazing.
Leah Gibson as Michelle in ‘Mercy.’
MF: The movie is kind of like ‘Die Hard’ in a hospital, and in those terms, Leah Gibson definitely plays the John McClane role. What was it like working with her and watching her lead this project?
JV: Well, she’s a terrific person. The first time I met her, I recommended her to Steven Paul, the producer. I said, “I think she can do this.” I laughed with her, I must say, I was just delighted in talking to her the first time I spoke to her. But since then, I’ve seen work she did on a stage piece that was absolutely phenomenal. So she’s a big talent, and she had never played a part like this, actually. So it was an unusual transition, but she had all the physical capability and she’s a serious actor. So it was a great thing for her to be the movie star in this piece.
MF: What was it like collaborating on this project with director Tony Dean Smith?
JV: Well, this director, Tony Dean Smith, he thinks of himself as a writer, essentially. He’s written several scripts. He’s young and he’s looking for ways to express himself. He was editing a picture that we had done before, a picture called ‘Dangerous Game: The Legacy Murders’. The director of that film, Sean McNamara, is a wonderful filmmaker, and he recommended Steven to me and said that he was talented. He said, “Look at this fellow, because he’s got some talent.” There was several things about him initially in ‘Dangerous Game,’ his understanding of the music of the film, and his choice of the music for the Temp Dub. Well, he was very good at that, and he was a good editor. He knew film. He had a nice way about himself with actors. You could tell he had a lot of gifts toward this, very smart, very hardworking, and all this stuff. So Steven gave him a chance to direct it and I think he came through very beautifully with a limited schedule and all of that too. So you have to be pretty smart about where you put the camera and how you deal with it, and how you stay on point and stay on schedule. But, he did a good job, and that’s wonderful. I’m so glad for him because I think he deserves to be in this business and do more pieces now.
Director Frances Ford Coppola at the 50th Anniversary of ‘The Godfather’ event and historic street naming ceremony the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, CA on February 22nd, 2022. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures.
MF: Finally, what was it like for you working with Francis Ford Coppola on the upcoming ‘Megalopolis,’ and watching the acclaimed filmmaker execute his vision for the project that he has been working on for over 40 years?
JV: Well, it’s a very ambitious film. It’s unusual in this time to see somebody step out and do something that no nobody’s ever seen before. This is a time when everybody’s trying to follow somebody else, and he didn’t. He’s saying, “This is my vision.” People would maybe try to take him off that over the years, but he said, “No, this is what I want to do.” I was very honored to be part of it, that I could work with him again, because I worked with him on ‘The Rainmaker,’ John Grisham‘s movie with Matt Damon. We got along very well. So he said, “Well, there’s a part in this for you.” He stuck by his guns too, as people probably said, “You’re working with Jon Voight, are you out of your mind?” Whatever it is. He said, “No, he’s a person I’ve worked with before. I get along with him. I like him.” So I was honored to be working on the film. Then they had these great actors. Adam Driver is a wonderful actor, a very unique personality, and a serious artist. The same can be said of Shia LaBeouf. Shia LaBeouf, of course, I worked with him on ‘Holes’ and on his breakthrough performance in ‘Transformers.’ I really love this fellow’s work, and he has a very powerful role in ‘Megalopolis.’ Then I was able to work with Aubrey Plaza, who was somebody I had no real connection with, I hadn’t seen some of the things that she had done. But boy, I think she’s such a gifted person and has enormous talent and potential. So these three are three of the top actors of this generation. So Francis was very clever about that. We’ll see what happens. This is an unusual piece. No one’s ever seen anything like it before. I’m interested to see how it’s going to finish up.
“Bumblebee” was one of last year’s biggest (and best) surprises, a movie that emerged from a tired franchise with inventive set pieces, incisive characterizations, and the kind of emotional dimension rarely felt in modern day action spectaculars. It felt like the most “Transformers”-y movie of all time without being beholden to the franchise’s pre-established (and increasingly cumbersome) mythology. And it was one of the rare Amblin-y movies that felt like it could have actually been made by Steven Spielberg (he’s an executive producer). And much of that franchise-rejuvenating magic fell on the shoulders of director Travis Knight, the first filmmaker not named Michael Bay to take a stab at these movies.
Knight, whose background is as vice president of animation and director at Laika Studios (he previously directed the jaw-dropping “Kubo and the Two Strings”), made his live-action debut with “Bumblebee” and you can tell – he put all the care and finesse that he brings to his stop-motion creations into a giant budget tentpole film. We were thrilled to be able to talk with Knight about his desire to move into the live-action space, monkeying with the “Transformers” timeline, a deleted scene where a dishwasher comes to life and that part of the movie where the bad robot turns people to goo.
Had you been thinking about doing a live action feature before signing on to ‘Bumblebee?’
The short answer is: not really. I was very content to make films in the medium that I’ve chosen and has become my life’s work, which is animation. I love the whole process. I love starting with a blank canvas and breaking out your brushes and creating this whole world from nothing. It’s essentially all of these different art forms that I love, in one. I was very happy to continue to live my life and this chosen way. When people started knocking on my door to potentially direct a live action film, I was intrigued but never really been a burning desire to. I just want to tell stories, beautiful stories in interesting ways. And when this project came along and a while I originally thought they’d make some kind of mistake when they called me up, the more I thought about it, the more interested I became. They want it to take the franchise and all this mythology and go in different directions with it. So the opportunity for me to tell a meaningful story about these characters that I’ve known and loved since I was a kid -I had Transformers toys. I watched the cartoons, I read the comic books that known these characters and loved them since I was a boy. So to be able to tell a story about these characters that I’ve loved, applied all of the stuff that I’ve learned in animation in a medium that I’d never worked in before. It exhilarating and it was exciting. It was also terrifying. But having gone through it and having worked with these extraordinary people, it really was deeply, deeply gratifying. And to have the world responsible so positively. It really does mean a great deal to me.
Laika
Was there ever a possibility of having the characters be stop-motion?
[laughs] There would have been no way. We would still be animating on it right now. The process is so slow. But, that said, there is a certain point of view that people working in stop-motion bring to their process. I did bring that to both the live-action process and how we did the visible effects. It’s a very stop-motion-esque process in terms of what matters to you, where you put your attention, where you put your energy, what you focus on. That aspect of discipline or organization of intentionality that you have to have working in stop-motion I brought to live-action and the visual effects. And I’ve worked in CG before. I mean every film that I’ve done, has had CG in it. But the point of view and the types of qualities that I wanted “Bumblebee” to have was essentially born out of working in stop motion.
One great thing about this Blu-ray is the amount of special features. One of them is a Joe Dante-style deleted scene where the appliances come to life. What it was about that scene that appealed to you and then ultimately what the reasoning was behind kind of getting rid of it?
We had this scene early on in the script. It was a “Sorcerer’s Apprentice”-type moment where Bumblebee transfers his energon on to some of these appliances is in the house. We boarded it out and it was a lot of fun and but we never got it to work as a finished thing. It’s one of those things where you share a work-in-progress with the world and you don’t really want them to see it because I’m not done. But we did a fair amount of work on that sequence and in the end for a variety of reasons, for both tone and for pacing. While on its own, it was going to be a ton of fun, it just didn’t propel the movie forward. It stopped the movie in his tracks for essentially this fun little moment and really wasn’t about our characters or their or their experiences, their growth or their relationship really.
And working in stop-motion, things never would have gotten that far. You can’t really shoot any coverage; every single frame goes into the film. You’ve worked out those ideas in a really detailed manner when you are storyboarding it. In live-action, it’s reductive. You shoot something, and you winnow it down. In stop-motion, you’re building things up. In stop-motion you start with nothing and then you create the world.
So there’s a lot of stuff that I loved that ended on the cutting room floor, not because it wasn’t worthy but because it didn’t enhance the film or the story that we were telling — about the emotions, about themes, about the characters. And so it just had to go. There’s a lot of stuff that we ended up cutting out that no one will ever see that I love for various reasons, but it was outside of the story that we were telling and that was one of them.
Paramount/Hasbro
What about the mythology the “Transformers” films had already established? This is the first time Bumblebee has been on earth and just one movie earlier we saw him killing Nazis in World War II. What was your thinking behind wiping the slate clean?
Continuity is very important to me, as is being consistent. And so I did take a good hard look at the films that had been done in the past. And as we were thinking about this movie, I still wanted to move to be self-contained. I didn’t presuppose any familiarity with the films or the franchise. I wanted someone who wouldn’t know anything about the Transformers to be able to sit in the theater to watch this movie and have a good time and enjoy the movie, not knowing anything about the transformers. But that said, it was important to me that if we were living within this universe and this mythology that it be consistent. At some point we realized that we were essentially boxing ourselves into a corner — that we were, we were making choices that weren’t really in the best interest of the film if we were trying to kind of sit within the overall mythology of the franchise.
Once I talked through some of these things with the producers and with the folks at Paramount, at some point we made the decision that this was the story that we’re telling and we have to talk the best where we can. And if that means that we essentially are restarting the franchise and that means we’re rebooting these characters and they were taking aspects of the franchise and putting a different prism on it, then that’s what we had to do. And ultimately it was a liberating choice because then we weren’t cornered into these decisions based on what had come before. We could tell our own story. And that that was the aspect of that.
Paramount/Hasbro
Onto maybe the most important question you’ve ever been asked: when did you decide to have the bad Transformer turn people into goo when he shot them? Because that is just one of the greatest things in this movie.
[laughs] Well, we wanted to showcase how much of a threat that our baddies and that if Charlie or Bumblebee some face-to -ace with these antagonists, they are in very big trouble. We wanted to show right away that these characters are a real threat. However in keeping with like you said, some kind of Joe Dante, family, Amblin-y vibe, you try not to be grotesque. We still wanted this to be a family movie. And so even though what the Decepticons do to people is horrific, there’s still a comedic element to it. It’s still kind of fun, even though it’s gross and awful. You can watch it and give you a little bit of a smile on the corner of your mouth. But that was the idea — it wasn’t horrific and grotesque, that that it was communicated what we want to but, in a family-friendly way. I will say that when we shot that stuff practically, people would get it all over their shoes. It was disgusting.
