TF4 - 2014

[fatbot]

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-4-summer-of-2014/23995/

Bay hasn't decided if he'll come back yet. Who else could do it though?

[Shirokaze]

I won't be a Michael Bay basher, but personally I'd like to see a reboot with another director and producer.

[swoop]

I think everyone knew this news would be coming sooner or later. Bay will be back he's not going to turn down a pay cheque like that. Shai on the other hand I doubt he'll return

Also it would be a pretty safe bet that any toys that were planned for dotm that didn't make it into production will for the fourth movie. I want my deluxe mirage and ha topspin

[5FDP]

Bay hasn't decided if he'll come back yet. Who else could do it though?

James Cameron. You heard it here first folks ;)

[swoop]

If avatar 2 wasn't due out then I'd happily spread that rumour

[Demonac]

I don't think Hasbro are going to put up the money to hire a 'name' director.
Transformers is sold on its action scenes, not directorial flourishes.
Michael Bay will probably have an executive producer role, so they can still have his name on the screen (like flies to s**t, people seem to flock to his films).

[Doubledealer]

Latest rumour: Neill Blomkamp will be doing an all-CG film based on fan favourite comic "Last Stand of the Wreckers".

*wakes up*

Latest rumour: Michael Bay comes back to the helm for Transformers 4: Dumber than Ever, and promises more sexy butt shots, a ridonk amount of lame humour and a story so weak you'll sell your entire Transformers collection out of pure shame!

[Hursticon]

And yet you'll all go and see it and feed the machine. :cool:

@5FDP: I'd love that, so very much but I can't see it happening either - Though if it does... :eek::D

Whoever directs it, I could care less as so long as it's entertaining and keeps Transformers in the minds of non-fanatical fans - I'm for it. ;):)
These movies have done more good than people give them credit for and All TF Fans have benefited from them immensely. :cool:

[gantz]

It has been confirmed Bay will direct, and it will be a 'reboot' of sorts?!?!

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=54656

:confused:

[Tallestblue]

Latest rumour: Neill Blomkamp will be doing an all-CG film based on fan favourite comic "Last Stand of the Wreckers".

*wakes up*


*sigh* in my head the music is done by Daft Punk.

seriously...did no-one else think the Tron soundtrack would work well with Transformers?

Oh and yay another TF movie. I guess i can take my nephew to see it.

[Doubledealer]

And yet you'll all go and see it and feed the machine. :cool:

Perhaps. ;) I saw RotF on the back of how enjoyable the first film was (which I watched 3 times at the cinema). I felt that RotF had the best action scenes out of all three movies but compared to the first film, it was a big letdown overall. Once they reached the desert things really started to drag. I saw it once at the cinema and that was more than enough. Once again, I saw DotM on the back of how good the first movie was, and how much I enjoyed the action scenes in RotF. Didn't enjoy this one at all. The action was so stupid at times (Starscream vs Sam anyone? Or Optimus dangling? Perhaps the completely unnecessary building collapsing scene which, while impressive on ILM's resume, ultimately adds nothing?) and so mind numbingly constant that I completely tuned out after a while. The humour was even worse than RotF (man I miss Bobby B) and it just went for ever and ever and ever.

So maybe I will see it, maybe I won't. I'll admit that when it comes to Transformers I am weak and am more likely to cave in and see it despite my better judgement. If it's given to a decent writer/director (I like the guys who fill both roles) then yes, absolutely I'll go and see it. If Michael Bay does end up doing TF4 I will probably drag myself there on cheap Tuesday. :p


These movies have done more good than people give them credit for and All TF Fans have benefited from them immensely. :cool:

I dunno about that Hursti. I know you aren't the biggest fan of the Animated aesthetic but I was pretty upset when the Animated toy line was cut short to make room for all the RotF stuff. :( There were even Animated toys that had been designed and readied for mass production that were cancelled.


*sigh* in my head the music is done by Daft Punk.

seriously...did no-one else think the Tron soundtrack would work well with Transformers?

Absolutely! Can't go wrong with the French masters. :D Would also love to see some super slow-mo action shots of Overlord ripping into the Autobots with this kind of music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k78BiUOPK0&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fresults%3Fsear ch_query%3Delfen%2Blied%2Bintro%26oq%3Delfen%2Blie d%2Bintro%26aq%3Df%26aqi%3Dg4%26aql%3D%26gs_sm%3D3 %26gs_upl%3D394l2159l0l2406l16l13l0l6l6l1l283l1201 l0.3.3l6l0&has_verified=1) playing in the background. Ahh it's nice to dream isn't it. :p

[SharkyMcShark]

I don't know how I feel about this. On the plus side I love the movie aesthetic and lore. On the downside TF3 was fairly terrible.

RotF gets a pass because most of that was written during the writers strike but TF3, while having a competent enough story (except really for that bit with the cosmonauts) was really poorly paced.

The first was good because the type of movie it was allowed it to build the pace slowly to a big climax/reveal at the end of the film, but by the second and third film its a given that the world knows about Transformers so they didn't really have to stay hidden for most of the first two acts.

On the plus side he got better at directing the Transformers action scenes as the movies went - by the third film he'd almost entirely dropped shaky cam in favour of fixed shots. So basically he needs a really good writer on board, and perhaps for Speilberg to crack the whip a bit.

[Doubledealer]

It's official (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-4-release-date-revealed-174395/). Michael Bay will be directing TF4 which is set for release on June 29, 2014.

[Paulbot]

Makes sense to have a big film in the 30th Anniversary year after Hasbro said they'd be celebrating it. It does make me wonder if the toys they teased for 2014 will be movie toys though.

Given that Bay wants to keep Bumblebee and Optimus I hope 'reboot' means complete new looks for them. We don't need another set of merchandise/toys based on the designs from 2007.

But since every Decepticon name that's recognisable to a casual fan has been used and killed off, they'll struggle for bad guys. Galvatron is about all that's left. That's ok. Long live Galvatron!

[loophole]

and people were whinging that a Spiderman movie reboot was too soon :rolleyes:

[Doubledealer]

If it's a reboot (please please with a cherry on top), I'd be much happier if everyone stopped calling it Transformers 4. :p

[kup]

If Bay is still the director, it won't be much of a 're-imagining'. It will be the same sort of stuff as before as Bay doesn't know how to make much else. He is also just doing it as part of a deal so that the studios fund his own project. He won't put much effort in it since it is just a means to a completely unrelated end.

[Verno]

Makes sense to have a big film in the 30th Anniversary year after Hasbro said they'd be celebrating it. It does make me wonder if the toys they teased for 2014 will be movie toys though.

Given that Bay wants to keep Bumblebee and Optimus I hope 'reboot' means complete new looks for them. We don't need another set of merchandise/toys based on the designs from 2007.

But since every Decepticon name that's recognisable to a casual fan has been used and killed off, they'll struggle for bad guys. Galvatron is about all that's left. That's ok. Long live Galvatron!

1 word: UNICRON!

[Sky Shadow]

It's official (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-4-release-date-revealed-174395/). Michael Bay will be directing TF4 which is set for release on June 29, 2014.

Oh, for #@(*'s sake! One more nonsensical film about humans and yet another year of ugly shelfwarmers. :(

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

From the same guys who brought you the last three Transformers films comes...
Transformers: the Refartening!
Now with more toilet humor! More human screen time!! More gratuitous eye candy - but with a different lingerie model!!!*
We were so happy with how mixing a few old cartoon plots worked for DotM that this time we're going to mix even more together. Our working title for the script is: Surprise Party Carnage in B.O.T-Minor!

P.S. You all still like butts, right?


*Conflict of interest disclaimer: I quite like gratuitous eye candy and Rosie Huntington-Whatsherface was quite enjoyable as said.

[theheretic]

Wow. What's with all the Bay haters? I'm so tired of hearing how "Michael Bay ruined my childhood memories" blah blah blah. AGH it drives me insane. You should be thanking him for bringing in so much money to the franchise that it will continue strong for many more years.

[kup]

Wow. What's with all the Bay haters? I'm so tired of hearing how "Michael Bay ruined my childhood memories" blah blah blah. AGH it drives me insane. You should be thanking him for bringing in so much money to the franchise that it will continue strong for many more years.

You heretic :p

[Sky Shadow]

Wow. What's with all the Bay haters? I'm so tired of hearing how "Michael Bay ruined my childhood memories" blah blah blah. AGH it drives me insane. You should be thanking him for bringing in so much money to the franchise that it will continue strong for many more years.

It continued strong for twenty-three years without him and will continue strong well after Bay blows himself up.

[theheretic]

It continued strong for twenty-three years without him and will continue strong well after Bay blows himself up.

You'll just have to suffer another Bay movie then! :-P AND you'll get to suffer another movie that sequels whatever Lord Bay makes for us.

So you don't like Bay's work? Tell me it's worse than Beast Machines and it's "magnificent" ending. LOL

[Sky Shadow]

So you don't like Bay's work? Tell me it's worse than Beast Machines and it's "magnificent" ending. LOL

Compared to the end of Dark Of The Moon, a one-second final 'battle' where Optimus Prime kills Megatron in cold oil? Every Bay film so far has been leagues worse than Beast Machines. Compared to ROTF and DOTM, Beast Machines is a masterpiece. I have watched Beast Machines through from beginning to end several times and have never been able to stomach a Bay movie more than once. Beast Machines is intelligent, philosophical and actually about Transfomers, whereas the Bay movies are about humans and bodily functions.

[Doubledealer]

Wow. What's with all the Bay haters? I'm so tired of hearing how "Michael Bay ruined my childhood memories" blah blah blah. AGH it drives me insane. You should be thanking him for bringing in so much money to the franchise that it will continue strong for many more years.

So are you saying that no matter how poor a Transformers movie is, we should be thankful as long as it generates large volumes of cash for the franchise?

Either way, I couldn't care less about what happens outside of the films. Like any other movie, I'll judge it according to what happens on that silver screen for the 90+ minutes of run-time, without any Transformers fan bias. I don't hate Michael Bay (why would I?) but I did think RotF and DotM were very poor films.

His formula for Transformers films seems to be this: Spend a hell of a lot of money on special effects, so much so that it will gloss over any shortcomings in the script (this is the main attraction, like the 'hook' in a popular song). Second to this - add high profile actors, toilet humour and over-sexised women (we're really targeting a huge demographic now). Third? Profit!

The sequel formula? Make it BIGGER and BETTER (technically of course, not the script obviously). I'm talking more butt shots, more explosions, more ILM tech-demo's pasted in, so many Transformers on screen at once that little Timmy who could barely recognise who was who in TF1's head will be spinning so fast, he won't know what hit him.

[kup]

It continued strong for twenty-three years without him and will continue strong well after Bay blows himself up.

Yeah Bay did not save Transformers or anything of the sort. That is just Bay's own self promoting ego.

[Deonasis]

Bring it on! I am happy with the news, even though I cringe through most of the movies I can just roll with it all. The highs and the lows of Transformers I liken to a toy soap opera and I am addicted. The Bayverse is just another interesting part of the fascinating Transformers brand and industry. So long as a movie, tv series or toy issue doesn't tank the entire brand and leave us with another Transformer hiatus then I can contain the rage, keep watching and do what the giant robuts tell me :eek:

[jena]

I'm easily pleased, I'm just happy seeing gigantic robots on the big screen in a way that looks realistic, even though the toys are hideous. As long as Prime is back, I'm happy. I would also be keen to see Galvatron happen. Sometimes I daydream about what the animated movie would be like if done in the live action style.

[kup]

Here is my plot prediction based on what we have seen so far from Bay:

- Annoying comedy moments with the latest uninspired actors.
- Some new bimbo who is only there for the porn shots but can't even act her few lines.
- The odd 1-3 second appearance of some non Bumblebee or Prime Autobot.
- About 1 or 2 minutes of Prime and Bumblebee acting completely out of character or saying mindless crap (Bee will just beep or something).
- Some Mcguffin that they need to take away from the Decepticons
- Megatron being slapped around by the latest unnecessary new villain.
- 50 minutes of a nonsensical badly cut action sequence in which Prime kills everybody that was just minding their own business (don't worry kids, they'll appear again in the next scene without explanation).
- The latest main human kid (or some other human) just looks at the villain or throws a rock or something killing him off screen.
- Prime walks by Megatron, kills him while he was just sitting down and then says a speech on how all life is sacred.

The End.

Post Movie:

Another failed toy line filled with Bumblebees and Primes that nobody wants but the moment something good is announced, it gets cancelled.

Then it's another rinse and repeat for the next movie...

You know what the crazy thing is? I will probably be spot on in what I predict in this completely sarcastic half assed post. We have seen it all before after all.

[griffin]

Bad timing... We didn't get a proper 25th Anniversary because all of Hasbro's resources were focused on TF2 toys and marketing (Hasbro even regretted not being able to do more to celebrate the toy Brand that year).
Now we're going to be getting another anniversary year focusing on the current year's "big thing" - which is right in the middle of the year, limiting options for releasing Anniversary-themed packaging/series before or after it. (each Movie has had toys out by April/May, with almost nothing in the months leading up to it to give retailers time to clear their shelves... and the movie season of toys goes right through past the end of the year). A commemorative series is either going to be cut back to a small number of items or a shiny silver label on the side of the current packaging (like in 2009), or passed off to a dedicated toystore (TRU) as an exclusive, due to there being too much product for one year for the regular retailers.

I'm going to be getting my fill of Generations in the next two years, because I'm not looking forward to 2014, toywise.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

You'll just have to suffer another Bay movie then! :-P AND you'll get to suffer another movie that sequels whatever Lord Bay makes for us.

So you don't like Bay's work? Tell me it's worse than Beast Machines and it's "magnificent" ending. LOLSo, it's less bad (well, actually not really) than what's widely acknowledged to be one of the worst plot points in TF lore, so it must be good?
By that reasoning, getting kicked is the balls in less bad than having terminal cancer, so you must like getting kicked in the balls. I mean, c'mon, tell me it's worse than getting terminal cancer.

But, you inadvertently raise a fair point: it's all too easy to hate on Bayformers without having a good reason or twelve. Here's a few of mine.
1: The designs are ugly.
They really are. I'll pay that something like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwBUYJly1zU&feature=related) just wouldn't cut it for a live-action movie, but then neither does the shattered-mirror-crossed-with-a-cockroach-crossed-with-a-porcupine-crossed-with-vomit Bay look IMO.
2: They're poorly written.
I don't need Shakespeare from a TF movie, but basic plot consistency would be nice. Or even just a little characterisation, like say "Oh no, Sentinel Prime just killed my oldest friend Ironhide. I, Optimus Prime, am sad about this."
Just give me a decent action flick about transforming robots who fight each other, and a decent accompanying toyline, and that's all I ask. Here's the plot for Bay, already written:

There are two races of alien transforming robots, the good Autobots and the evil Decepticons. They're on Earth for some reason, maybe because they need energy or something. They fight.That's it. That's all you need for a Transformers movie.
As things stand (http://www.shortpacked.com/2011/comic/book-13/03-fishin-chicks/flowchart-2/), even Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt had a better story (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNEoIU2aO80).
3: Stupid toilet humour.
The irony of my listing this as a con after linking to a Panty and Stocking clip isn't lost on me, but...you don't need it, and it detracts from the movies. Or at least it would, if they weren't crap.
4: The female leads are just eye candy.
OK, actually I don't mind this one. That said, it'd be nice to see a female lead who was more than just eye candy, and maybe one who could act.
4: Michael Bay has stupid-looking hair.
5: Not enough robot airtime.
See the quote above. Robots fighting. That's what I want to see in a Transformers movie. Not "Same and Mikaela run through a desert", not "AHAHAHAH DER FUNNY SMALL ROBOT IS HUMPING DER HOT CHICK LEG", just robots + fight.
I could go on (and on), but the simple fact is they're not very good movies, even for the mindless action flicks they are. I'm just glad we get a few decent toys out of it.

[theheretic]

I'm not gonna answer ALL this hate but I will give you a few facts and some opinions.

*4th highest grossing film to date

*Bayformers are so ugly because they don't look like G1? G1 was kick arse, in the 80's and 90's when I was a kid. I really like te realistic look of Bayformers (minus the horror that is starscream)

*You can't tell me there weren't huge inconsistencies in all the cartoons (ie Megatron made the Constructicons who made Megatron)

*There are many TF universes where a lot of different stuff happens, in one Unicron has conquered basically everything.... So how is that Transformers

*I think DOTM was well written. Sure there's toilet humour but kids love that. I'd have liked to see Optimus get sad over Ironhides death... But he didn't seem too phased in the 86 movie about it. Granted he did only have a short while to live. While I'm on that movie (which I love) where the f%#k did Hot Rod come from.... and why did he get te matrix! And why did they make out Ultra Magnus to be such a wimpy easy kill when he's supposed to be this bad ass leader of the wreckers?

Anyway that'll do us for the minute as I'm already late for work.

[theheretic]

DOTM poll currently says that over 73% of our members think DOTM is good to excellent.... :-)

[5FDP]

Hmmm... this thread is like a 'wash, rinse, repeat' of the TF2 and TF3 movie announcements :rolleyes: Haters will always hate ;)

Face it; you're all going to see it anyway which is going to contribute to Bays already fat wallet and the reason why he keeps coming back for more. You're all sending him mixed messages and in fact are contributing to the very problem you argue so vehemently about.

Time to move on people...

[Decepticon]

Just hope the new movie will be based on the last 3. If I see a Beast Machine, or some other obscure excuse for a Transformer, I won't be happy. Bays done a brilliant job with the movies and he should be thanked.

[Demonac]

I was able to not go and see DotM based on the awfulness of TF2.
I still have no motivation to watch it.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Thanks for the facts and opinions.:) Here are some more.
See, I don't hate Michael Bay or Bayformers. I dislike them. There's a big difference, namely that Bay and Bayformers are a movie director and series of toys/movie characters. Put simply, they're just toys and a few movies, and thus not important enough to hate.
If Michael Bay was a genocidal dictator who'd kicked my dog and slept with my girlfriend, then maybe I'd hate him. As it is I just don't like it.
I'm not gonna answer ALL this hate but I will give you a few facts and some opinions.

*4th highest grossing film to date

*Bayformers are so ugly because they don't look like G1? G1 was kick arse, in the 80's and 90's when I was a kid. I really like te realistic look of Bayformers (minus the horror that is starscream)

*You can't tell me there weren't huge inconsistencies in all the cartoons (ie Megatron made the Constructicons who made Megatron)

*There are many TF universes where a lot of different stuff happens, in one Unicron has conquered basically everything.... So how is that Transformers

*I think DOTM was well written. Sure there's toilet humour but kids love that. I'd have liked to see Optimus get sad over Ironhides death... But he didn't seem too phased in the 86 movie about it. Granted he did only have a short while to live. While I'm on that movie (which I love) where the f%#k did Hot Rod come from.... and why did he get te matrix! And why did they make out Ultra Magnus to be such a wimpy easy kill when he's supposed to be this bad ass leader of the wreckers?

Anyway that'll do us for the minute as I'm already late for work.*Titanic is the second-highest grossing film of all time, and I didn't like that either.

*IMO Bayformers aren't ugly because they're not G1, they're ugly because they're ugly in their own right. They're spiky and insectoid, with faces that look like Munsch tried drawing a pug's behind while wearing broken glasses. (http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/Arcee/arcee.htm) It is possible to do figures that don't look G1-esque but don't resemble Freddy Kreuger and Edward Scissorhands putting on a sock puppet show.
For the record, I really liked the Animated designs, am quite enjoying the Prime look, and reckon the new WFC stuff (mostly) looks pretty sweet too. Not very G1esque, but still good IMO.
Which is, y'know, just my opinion. You don't have to agree with it, we're allowed to like different things.:)

*True, the G1 'toon had terrible consistency too. What that means is that they're both bad in terms of consistency. One bad thing does not another bad thing good make.

*See above. Transformers series in general aren't exactly a masterpiece of storytelling, being basically just big toy commercials. I've just come up with my own personal backstory/universe.

*I think it was terribly written. But it's OK, we can chill out over this. We're allowed to have different opinions. That's why you're one of the 71% who voted good/excellent and I'm not.
I think the other points can be explained by Optimus not knowing about Ironhide's death specifically and being in the middle of a massive battle at the time, and Ultra Magnus being the leader of the Wreckers in a different continuity stream (namely not the G1 cartoon). Hot Rod I assume was created by a wizard, like all the cartoon Movie and post-Movie TFs.
Gotta go to work myself. Hope we can continue this in a nice, friendly manner later - it's been fun so far.:)

[kup]

It is very narrow minded to think that someone doesn't like Bayformers just because it's not like the G1 cartoon.

A lot of people don't like Bayformers simply because they are awful movies.

[LordCyrusOmega]

I thought the movies have gotten better. Ther first was crap with Transformers only recieving about 30 minutes (I was bored so I timed it) screen time. DOTM was a let down but wasn't a dismal flop. I take them for what they are. Truth is they need to cater to a wide demographic and unfortunatly us fans only make up a small percentage. Just look at the toy section at your local store for proof of this.

The movies have also done harm to Transformers. Animated, while it has it's haters, was a well thought out story line and an incredible toyline that for the most part mirrored their screen appearance. This line got cancelled for ROTF. I for one would have liked to see more.
At the same time no store I've been to in months has any new stock worth buying. Upcoming toys that would have been refreshing after all the Optimus and Bumblebee toys have now been cancelled and are going for extortionate prices online.

Everyones entitled to their opinions and defend them.

[Verno]

Two years is a long time. Who knows what could happen in the meantime.

The fandom may revolt and Hasbro directors will be found dead with a different Bumblebee repaint stuffed into every orifice.

Or they might surprise us and we may look forward to the movie greatly.

[kup]

Two years is a long time. Who knows what could happen in the meantime.

The fandom may revolt and Hasbro directors will be found dead with a different Bumblebee repaint stuffed into every orifice.

Or they might surprise us and we may look forward to the movie greatly.

The only way they can surprise us is by announcing a different director.

One should know by now that another movie by Bay will simply be more of the same. If you like or dislike that, it's entirely up to the individual but to me it sucks balls.

[Doubledealer]

Face it; you're all going to see it anyway which is going to contribute to Bays already fat wallet and the reason why he keeps coming back for more. You're all sending him mixed messages and in fact are contributing to the very problem you argue so vehemently about.

Time to move on people...

Well, it's a double edged sword really isn't it. You have to actually see the movie to know if it's good or not!

Just for fun... ;)

http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu332/Doubledealer_83/Untitled-1.jpg

[5FDP]

Well, it's a double edged sword really isn't it. You have to actually see the movie to know if it's good or not!

In some cases yes; but I have never seen Gigli and I know that it's goddamn awful ;) :D And as Demonac said, he didn't even go to watch DotM based on the 'awfulness' of TF2.

[Doubledealer]

In some cases yes; but I have never seen Gigli and I know that it's goddamn awful ;) :D And as Demonac said, he didn't even go to watch DotM based on the 'awfulness' of TF2.

And in doing so, Demonac could have potentially missed out on seeing a film as enjoyable as the first on the big screen. Fortunately for him, he chose wisely in this instance. :p

[Demonac]

I have several movie critics that I read who have similar movie tastes to me.
They watch the crap films so I don't have to.
Now let me get back to watching 'Bride of the Monster'.

[5FDP]

Now let me get back to watching 'Bride of the Monster'.

How very fitting for your 666th post :p

[griffin]

Now he's never going to post again, just to keep that number next to his name... :p

[i_amtrunks]

Lucky that the movies sold so many tickets, even with the lacklustre reviews for the sequels, as the toyline surely would not have been enough to convince hasbro to make another movie.

Like many of you, heres to a new aesthetic, and hopefully a new direction. (Doubt either will happen). Who knows, perhaps the soft reboot will be a "prequel" of some sorts, set mostly in space? :rolleyes:

Allows them use of all the dead characters.

[theheretic]

I'm sure I'm gonna love the movie BUT I'd love to see some really good toys come of it. I'm pretty tired of Bumblebee repaints too. What I'd LOVE to see is a WFC/FOC movie :-D Now them some pretty bots!

Example - http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/video-games-17/happy-valentines-day-from-grimlock-and-activision-174404/

[Arcee]

I just hope they won't expose OP's abdominal organs this time...and less human...don't spend 40min on a stupid building destruction work by a big brainless worm...

Without Soundwave and Shockwave it's hard to imagine it being exciting...more so if Megatron is resurrected again. It'd be better if they change the characters completely, no more endless OP against Megatron where neither of them ever really dies.

[Hursticon]

I have several movie critics that I read who have similar movie tastes to me.
They watch the crap films so I don't have to.
Now let me get back to watching 'Bride of the Monster'.


How very fitting for your 666th post :p


Now he's never going to post again, just to keep that number next to his name... :p


Nice! :D

[Paulbot]

"Sources" say...


A source close to the production of Transformers 4 has cleared up some elements about the film. While the term 're-imagining' was thrown around, the fourth film will be a straight up sequel to the last movie. It just won't be told through Witwicky's point of view. As to whose point of view it will be told through, that's unclear right now, but it's also unclear which - if any - human characters will be back.

The thing I was really curious about was how this 're-imagining' impacted the tone of the movie. The three films so far have been remarkably violent and dark for a series based on toys, and I wouldn't expect that to change. What I would expect to change is the humor - Bay seems intent on cutting down on the goofy, tone-deaf comedy bits that have seen some of our finer actors pissed on and tickled by giant robots.

"Michael realized it needs to be more like the last hour [of Dark of the Moon]," this source told me. So expect lots of big action, lots of carnage, lots of military badasses, very few silly bits.

Source (http://badassdigest.com/2012/02/15/insiders-say-transformers-4-will-have-more-action-less-jokes) via Bleedingcool (http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/02/15/transformers-4-to-be-stuffed-with-carnage-military-badasses-and-not-full-of-jokes-apparently/)

[Doubledealer]

http://www.forkparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/rsz_picture_21.jpg

[theheretic]

Oh god! I just had a horror day dream after I read that "source". Please god don't let it be Bumblebee's view! I love Bays movies. It if it's Bumblebee's view I'm not gonna be able to take it or the hundreds of repaints/redeco's of him for TF4.

That being said this COULD be some great news. Bring on Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge and the sweeps! Maybe a little Unicron action leading into TF5! I'd even welcome Hot/Rodimus Prime if it means less Optimus repaints

[GoktimusPrime]

I agree with what Sky Shadow said. One really annoying thing about the Bay films is that it's too much about the humans -- Sam is always the protagonist, the Autobots are essentially Sam's accessories and the Decepticons have sweet bugger all characterisation and are treated as nothing more than set pieces. I understand the need to have a human in the story for the audience to empathise with -- but that's it. The human doesn't need to become the main character.

And yeah, Beast Machines is actually a well written story. It's just doesn't fit into the overall Transformers lore very comfortably. The main problem with the ending isn't that it's poorly written, but because it created a "dead end" for the G1 continuity family. But if you look at Beast Machines as a story in its own right, it's not too badly written. I quite liked how BM obscured the line between the concepts of "good" and "evil" and it was more about two conflicting causes, both of whom considered themselves as righteous.


That being said this COULD be some great news. Bring on Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge and the sweeps! Maybe a little Unicron action leading into TF5! I'd even welcome Hot/Rodimus Prime if it means less Optimus repaints
Bring on proper stories with consistent plotlines that are driven by character development!!!

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Well, I guess another poorly-written movie sequel is better than a more-of-the-same 're-imagining' from the same one-trick pony as before. At least this way when they eventually do a reboot it'll be an actual reboot.

[GoktimusPrime]

As a reboot, the next TF movie might be okay. Because the first Transformers movie was fairly enjoyable. It was pretty simple and captured the spirit of the G1 cartoon fairly well. It didn't have much story depth, but as a first movie that introduces the audience to the world of the Transformers, that's fine.

The sequels should be where the story delves deeper into the finer workings of that story's world. Look at say X-Men compared to X-Men 2 -- the first one was a simple but enjoyable story, and X2 was much more character-story driven (primarily around Wolverine). Ditto A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back and numerous other examples that I'm sure we can all think of. The problem with ROTF and DOTM isn't that they didn't try to dig deeper into the world of the Transformers - they did. The problem is that they didn't do a terribly good job of it. When delving into the depths of world-building, the stories of ROTF and DOTM is like watching someone clumsily fall down a flight of stairs. I hope that Bay takes the opportunity of doing a re-boot and improves on the weaknesses of the trilogy. Otherwise, what's the point of doing a reboot? If we're gonna have more of the same old same old, then I'd honestly rather have a sequel to DOTM... seriously.

And I hope Hasbro takes notes from the way they badly handled the DOTM toy line... but ya know... it's Archer... his learning curve is haphazard at best. (-_-)

[orionpax1]

Well hopefully the "source" is wrong and they do a proper reboot and actually follow the canon of transformers. Then again if it is a sequel i will still watch it ( loved the last one ) and the toys, well never gave crap about them anyway, just happy to have more transformer movies.

[griffin]

And I hope Hasbro takes notes from the way they badly handled the DOTM toy line... but ya know... it's Archer... his learning curve is haphazard at best. (-_-)

Aaron Archer is just one in a chain of people who approve of or decides what happens with Transformers. Targeting one person out of the several layers of management is like blaming a one person at KFC for those dreadful Fresh Subs (http://griffinofoz.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/kfc-hot-wings-fresh-range-subs.html) they are currently selling.

So far you've blamed him for everything since Beast Wars (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=274709#post274709)to the current Movies. He's been promoted through several levels of Management during that time, and each step of that management ladder would be just one stage of approvals/decisions... meaning that decisions pass through him, but are hardly exclusively his. Anything specific that fans dislike about the Transformers toys, went through several people before it got to him, and until recently, still had to go through people above him. (and even still, the CEO would probably still have some say in the direction of the Brand)


And Hasbro won't learn, or change, because they would still see DotM as a success. The movie made them heaps of money, and the toys were still bought up by retailers to almost the same level as RotF.
It's kinda like Coles or Woolies being open late (or those 24 hour department stores) - at certain late hours they are operating at a loss per hour, but over the day as a whole, those meager sales have added to their total sales for that day, making it look better than if they closed early.
Hasbro may have taken a loss on maybe 3 or 4 DotM toy moulds (and that's only if they never re-release them - but they will eventually), but those smaller sales made from a limited production run adds to their total sales figures for the Brand as a whole - which is all they target and later boast about to their shareholders.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

I dunno, the image of an Angry Archer-esque Aaron Archer swinging away from TRU backrooms with sacks of DotM Quejacks is pretty amusing IMO.

"Tally ho! Thou whiny fans shalt not have thine plastic idols this day!":D

[kup]

Well hopefully the "source" is wrong and they do a proper reboot and actually follow the canon of transformers. Then again if it is a sequel i will still watch it ( loved the last one ) and the toys, well never gave crap about them anyway, just happy to have more transformer movies.

With Michael Bay as the director, there won't be much of a 'reboot' even if they do indeed do that. Bay is a formulaic director, all his movies run under similar templates and this is ever more apparent with the Bayformer movies. They all follow the same formula because Michael Bay doesn't really care to do much else, specially now that he is only directing this as a means to an end since he never liked Transformers to begin with. The first movie was better because there was clearly another influence there (Spielberg) but it is clear that for the sequels, Bay was given full rein and I don't see that changing by TF4.

Plus every single movie has been a somewhat soft reboot anyways. The 'Sam part' of the stories has some progress but the Transformer stuff is all over the place. If the continuity within the same movie is questionable at best, what about the whole trilogy?

TF4 may be a 'reboot' because there is probably not going to be a Sam story anymore but he will likely be replaced by another actor (Billy?) who follows the same identical template story. The TF stuff will be as chaotic, nonsensical and shallow as ever.

You want to know what TF4 will be like? Then watch ROTF and DOTM because you will get the same identical movie.

[Sutton]

...Targeting one person out of the several layers of management is like blaming a one person at KFC for those dreadful Fresh Subs (http://griffinofoz.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/kfc-hot-wings-fresh-range-subs.html) they are currently selling...

Obscure and hilarious.

[Sutton]

With Michael Bay as the director, there won't be much of a 'reboot' even if they do indeed do that. Bay is a formulaic director, all his movies run under similar templates and this is ever more apparent with the Bayformer movies. They all follow the same formula because Michael Bay doesn't really care to do much else, specially now that he is only directing this as a means to an end since he never liked Transformers to begin with. The first movie was better because there was clearly another influence there (Spielberg) but it is clear that for the sequels, Bay was given full rein and I don't see that changing by TF4.

Plus every single movie has been a somewhat soft reboot anyways. The 'Sam part' of the stories has some progress but the Transformer stuff is all over the place. If the continuity within the same movie is questionable at best, what about the whole trilogy?

TF4 may be a 'reboot' because there is probably not going to be a Sam story anymore but he will likely be replaced by another actor (Billy?) who follows the same identical template story. The TF stuff will be as chaotic, nonsensical and shallow as ever.

You want to know what TF4 will be like? Then watch ROTF and DOTM because you will get the same identical movie.

Personally, I felt Sam was probably most relevant in Movie number 3 because he wasn't relevant. There was no magic cube or magic sandy sock this time around - he became relevant through his actions.

DOTM was an overwhelming and exhausting movie in the cinema, it was too long and too busy, but at home (where there's a pause button) I find it to be a good fun ride of a movie.

As with any movie, once a bit of time passes you can start to forgive (or at least ignore) it's failings and better appreciate the parts they got right. I can enjoy The Phantom Menace a lot more these days than I did when it first came out.

[GoktimusPrime]

Aaron Archer is just one in a chain of people who approve of or decides what happens with Transformers. Targeting one person out of the several layers of management is like blaming a one person at KFC for those dreadful Fresh Subs (http://griffinofoz.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/kfc-hot-wings-fresh-range-subs.html) they are currently selling.
Gooollllldddddnnnnneerrr!! *shakes.fist*


And Hasbro won't learn, or change, because they would still see DotM as a success. The movie made them heaps of money, and the toys were still bought up by retailers to almost the same level as RotF.
So short sighted. :( But typical of Hasbro... they only care about what retailers are buying and not what the end consumers are buying (or not buying). Hasbro reps should be paying attention to shelf warmers because obviously if toys shelfwarm, they're dead stock to the retailers, who in turn will be reluctant from reordering more stock in the future if existing stock is still cluttering their shelves. IMHO Takara (and even the less caring TakaraTOMY) care more than Hasbro -- they try to make products that are pleasing to the end consumer, which in turn sells the toys which in turn encourages retailers to order more stock. It's not rocket science.

[Robzy]

Happened to be browsing on Michael Bay's website (http://michaelbay.com/) for another reason (honestly, I'm ashamed to say I was there :o). From the horse's mouth... he's directing another film first, then TF4. :rolleyes:

Damn, I actually believed that there might be a reboot. Fresh ideas. Fresh perspectives.

I never intended watching another Bay TF film after the dreadful ROTF, but I was duped by a few reviews and fanboys, who declared DOTM to be "brilliant", and saw it as a result. They were wrong! At least, I can safely say I won't be fooled again.

[GoktimusPrime]

Damn, I actually believed that there might be a reboot. Fresh ideas. Fresh perspectives.
"Bay will bring audiences a new take on the “Transformers” franchise" <--does this mean reboot? (although with Bay at the help there won't be much in the way of fresh ideas or perspectives ;))

They should just keep TF4 in the same continuity as the first three films if they're gonna keep Bay as the director, honestly. IMO I'd rather see either a Bay-directed sequel to DOTM or a non-Bay directed reboot. Don't see the point of a Bay-directed reboot...


I never intended watching another Bay TF film after the dreadful ROTF, but I was duped by a few reviews and fanboys, who declared DOTM to be "brilliant", and saw it as a result. They were wrong!
DOTM was brilliant compared to ROTF!! You see, everything's great when you lower your standards! :p ;)

[SharkyMcShark]

It has been confirmed as a reboot

[1orion2many]

Sigh! I'm not a fan of bay movies, I can sit through the first one every now and then, I have watched ROTF twice and that was one time too many and haven't even bothered with a DVD of the DOTM movie or seen it again as I'm sure it'll make me ill. I'm not going to rant and rave and refuse to see the next movie as I'm sure I will, This doesn't mean I think it's going to be any good it just means I'm a glutton for punishment and OCD where TF's are concerned:D

[Jinto]

It's official (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-4-release-date-revealed-174395/). Michael Bay will be directing TF4 which is set for release on June 29, 2014.

*sigh*, and I was really enjoying Transformers Prime. Does this mean that, like Animated, another series is going to be cancelled in it's, er - 'prime'? :confused:


Two years is a long time. Who knows what could happen in the meantime.

The fandom may revolt and Hasbro directors will be found dead with a different Bumblebee repaint stuffed into every orifice.

Or they might surprise us and we may look forward to the movie greatly.

Viva la revolution! :p

[griffin]

*sigh*, and I was really enjoying Transformers Prime. Does this mean that, like Animated, another series is going to be cancelled in it's, er - 'prime'? :confused:

Nah... don't worry. Animated looked to be axed to be able to help launch their new TV Network (The HUB) with an all new lineup of shows of their main brands.
I think Animated was on the decline, but seemed to still have the legs to go another year at least, if the HUB wasn't created.

And even if TF4 is given priority with design & development of toys, TFPrime will just be squeezed to one side like it did last year... and like Generations 2 years before that. It'll just mean having a break from TFPrime toys being released to stores for 6 or so months while Hasbro release their flood of Movie toys.

[Gutsman Heavy]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/the-big-picture/5384-Untransformed

Movie Bob touches on this subject.

[Paulbot]

Maybe they'll go for a younger audience this time?

TF4 starring Atticus Shaffer as Raf, Selena Gomez as Miko, and Justin Bieber as Jack

[Hursticon]

TF4 starring Atticus Shaffer as Raf, Selena Gomez as Miko, and Justin Bieber as Jack

Dude, that's just horrible; don't even joke like that! :eek:
(;):p)

[Sky Shadow]

Maybe they'll go for a younger audience this time?

TF4 starring Atticus Shaffer as Raf, Selena Gomez as Miko, and Justin Bieber as Jack

What do we think are the chances that it will be set on Cybertron and not have any humans at all? 0.01%?

[Hursticon]

What do we think are the chances that it will be set on Cybertron and not have any humans at all? 0.01%?

I think you'll need to move that decimal point a little further backwards mate. ;):p

[Doubledealer]

I wouldn't mind if the new movie ripped off Alien a bit. Something like: Movie starts with a small military team (with new exoskeleton armour developed for them by their Autobot allies) leaving Earth alongside a handful of Autobots. Their mission? I dunno, not important at this stage. :p

En route they are ambushed by a small team of Decepticons (no more than 5) and accidentally manage to space bridge themselves, along with most Decepticons (we'll say one dies in process) to a random destination (ice planet would be pretty cool). Through damage sustained in the ambush they are forced to crash land their ship on a planet they know nothing about. Oxygen reserves for the humans are running low (:D), one Autobot is severely wounded, and 4 powerful Decepticons are out there somewhere looking for them (along with who-knows-what is out there, spooo-ooky!). Nice mix of story, action, some memorable one liners and a few tugs on the old heart strings along the way. :)

[Hursticon]

I wouldn't mind if the new movie ripped off Alien a bit. Something like: Movie starts with a small military team (with new exoskeleton armour developed for them by their Autobot allies) leaving Earth alongside a handful of Autobots. Their mission? I dunno, not important at this stage. :p

En route they are ambushed by a small team of Decepticons (no more than 5) and accidentally manage to space bridge themselves, along with most Decepticons (we'll say one dies in process) to a random destination (ice planet would be pretty cool). Through damage sustained in the ambush they are forced to crash land their ship on a planet they know nothing about. Oxygen reserves for the humans are running low (:D), one Autobot is severely wounded, and 4 powerful Decepticons are out there somewhere looking for them (along with who-knows-what is out there, spooo-ooky!). Nice mix of story, action, some memorable one liners and a few tugs on the old heart strings along the way. :)

This one post has more premise than ROTF had, that's for sure and that's coming from a fan of that film; as it had Transformers in spades and Pyramids! :D:cool:

[Skullcruncher]

And yet you'll all go and see it and feed the machine. :cool:



And many will see it more than once... and on blue ray/dvd..... and on tv....or maybe thats just me :D



Whoever directs it, I could care less as so long as it's entertaining and keeps Transformers in the minds of non-fanatical fans - I'm for it. ;):)
These movies have done more good than people give them credit for and All TF Fans have benefited from them immensely. :cool:

For sure - how many members have rekindled their interest in transformers since or becuase of one of the bay movie?

Anywho replace Bumbleebee with wheelie I say and have the autobots fight a massive pretender army......and might as well throw in a few zombies for good measure.

[Hursticon]

And many will see it more than once... and on blue ray/dvd..... and on tv....or maybe thats just me :D

No, no your not the only one. ;):cool:


For sure - how many members have rekindled their interest in transformers since or because of one of the bay movie?

Not only that, but the earnings from those movies have been directly funnelled into the development and production of all the TF: Animated, Classicsverse, TF: Prime, Masterpiece, Alternity and Kreo toys; as well as the TF Animated/Prime Cartoons and other ventures - Hell even a couple of amusement rides! :eek:

For as narratively boring the movies may of been for some, there is no denying that we've all benefited some how; mainly, the brand awareness of a hell of a lot more people and most importantly - Kids! ;):)


Anywho replace Bumbleebee with wheelie I say and have the autobots fight a massive pretender army......and might as well throw in a few zombies for good measure.

I think Wheelie would actually be the more popular character at this point, lol! :p:D
(I'm definitely Pro-Pretenders, less so the Aussie-cardboard Tongue-actor types though :cool:)

[SkyWarp91]

Bay-lovers can keep defending and Bay-haters can keep hating, but at the end of the day...

http://assets.diylol.com/hfs/199/381/492/resized/creepy-michael-bay-meme-generator-i-want-to-create-an-explosion-in-your-mouth-df987e.jpg?1311656382.jpg
*meant to be an image here*

[Sky Shadow]

Bay-lovers can keep defending and Bay-haters can keep hating, but at the end of the day...

http://assets.diylol.com/hfs/199/381/492/resized/creepy-michael-bay-meme-generator-i-want-to-create-an-explosion-in-your-mouth-df987e.jpg?1311656382.jpg
*meant to be an image here*

At the end of the day he's a creepy-looking old man who once posed for a photo with at least one person with fake boobs? :confused:

[SkyWarp91]

At the end of the day he's a creepy-looking old man who once posed for a photo with at least one person with fake boobs? :confused:

More like he'll keep making TF movies for the monies for da boobies

[Hursticon]

More like he'll keep making TF movies for the monies for da boobies

LOL, that sounds quite like his movie's target audience there. ;):D
Mind you, I'm of the opinion that if you can touch them they're real - I am yet to be able to test this theory though... again. :p:D

[kristofferrer]

I won't be a Michael Bay basher, but personally I'd like to see a reboot with another director and producer.

agreed

[kup]

LOL, that sounds quite like his movie's target audience there. ;):D
Mind you, I'm of the opinion that if you can touch them they're real - I am yet to be able to test this theory though... again. :p:D

It's very easy to tell fake boobs from real ones by touch although it can be obvious by look alone as you can see by the Bay pic. We are getting way off topic here...Then again this is a Bay thread but he seems to be more into butt shots.

[Skullcruncher]

At the end of the day he's a creepy-looking old man who once posed for a photo with at least one person with fake boobs? :confused:

There are many worse photos than this on many transformer boards with creepy old dudes posing with transformers.

Who cares if theres fake boobs! Jelly much?


We are getting way off topic here...Then again this is a Bay thread but he seems to be more into butt shots.

Yes - so why do certain users keep making it about bay when they 'hate' him?

[Demonac]

Who cares if theres fake boobs! Jelly much?



I haven't seen a chest like that since Star Trek II.
We are talking about Mr. Bay's cleavage? Right?

[kup]

I haven't seen a chest like that since Star Trek II.
We are talking about Mr. Bay's cleavage? Right?

http://static.moviefanatic.com/files/ricardo-montalban-as-khan.jpg

http://cdn.screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/star-trek-2-khan-570x407.jpg

[GoktimusPrime]

Not only that, but the earnings from those movies have been directly funnelled into the development and production of all the TF: Animated, Classicsverse, TF: Prime, Masterpiece, Alternity and Kreo toys; as well as the TF Animated/Prime Cartoons and other ventures - Hell even a couple of amusement rides! :eek:
That's not entirely true. Most of the money would have been pocketed by Michael Bay and Paramount/Dreamworks. Yes, Hasbro would also make a handsome earnings on the side because of royalties/licensing for using the Transformers names, images etc. - but I don't know if I'd call that "direct funnelling." <shrug>

Also...
+ Masterpiece came out long before the movie (2004)
+ Classics also started before the movie (2006)
+ While Animated came out after the first movie, it was conceived/developed before it. Animated was to be Hasbro's "back up" in case the first movie flopped.
+ Alternity <---as a TakaraTOMY developed line, I really don't know how much movie earnings from Hasbro would have gone into this. I would be surprised if Hasbro split their earnings with TakTOM.

[Hursticon]

Then again this is a Bay thread but he seems to be more into butt shots.

And I thank him all the more for that. ;):cool:


That's not entirely true. Most of the money would have been pocketed by Michael Bay and Paramount/Dreamworks. Yes, Hasbro would also make a handsome earnings on the side because of royalties/licensing for using the Transformers names, images etc. - but I don't know if I'd call that "direct funnelling." <shrug>

Also...
+ Masterpiece came out long before the movie (2004)
+ Classics also started before the movie (2006)
+ While Animated came out after the first movie, it was conceived/developed before it. Animated was to be Hasbro's "back up" in case the first movie flopped.
+ Alternity <---as a TakaraTOMY developed line, I really don't know how much movie earnings from Hasbro would have gone into this. I would be surprised if Hasbro split their earnings with TakTOM.

Oh yeah Goki, there's no doubt that the largest proportion of returns would've been directed at Michael Bay, the Actors, Paramount & Dreamworks but of that pie Hasbro (As you say) would've definitely made a nice return for themselves and after shareholders have taken their part the rest I'm sure would've gone into R&D. :)

So whilst most of the money would've gone else where, funds still would've definitely been directly designated for R&D IMO. :cool:


Whilst the Masterpiece line certainly was in production before the movies, funds still would've flown onto the line in the cases of MP-9, MP-10 & MP-11.
Indeed, the 'Classics' line was made during the production of the 1st film but the Universe 2.0, Generations & Reveal The Shield would've certainly been beneficiaries.
Again; whilst it would've initially been funded prior to the movie, Animated by the end of it's run was sure to have received financial benefits derived from said earnings but unfortunately for it and Hasbro - Cartoon Network execs are D***s.
Being that HasTak are so intertwined with their most profitable major property, I'd be very surprised indeed if the Japanese blokes didn't receive their due for the IPs they created - In a lot of ways Hasbro is just a bloated marketer for TakTom IMO, as most of the work on the toys are done by the Japanese and as evidence you only need to compare TFs with Starwars TFs; the later of whom have definitely been confirmed to be developed by Westerners at Hasbro. ;):)

[Demonac]

That's not entirely true. Most of the money would have been pocketed by Michael Bay and Paramount/Dreamworks. Yes, Hasbro would also make a handsome earnings on the side because of royalties/licensing for using the Transformers names, images etc. - but I don't know if I'd call that "direct funnelling." <shrug>


Brian Goldner is listed as the executive producer of all 3 TF movies (as well as Rise of Cobra). Hasbro probably made more profit from the box office take than from the toys.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

And I thank him all the more for that. ;):cool:I've gotta admit, I enjoyed the first Carly shot in DotM. Pity about the rest of the movie.

OK, Sentinel Prime was cool too.

[GoktimusPrime]

Brian Goldner is listed as the executive producer of all 3 TF movies (as well as Rise of Cobra). Hasbro probably made more profit from the box office take than from the toys.
Fair point. I'm still not sure about them sharing those profits with TakaraTOMY though.

[griffin]

I think TakaraTomy are getting the short end of the stick these days. They do the work with design/complex-engineering, and "own" the management of the outsourced, 3rd party Chinese factories on behalf of Hasbro, but it would appear that Hasbro has control over whatever the factories produce because retail prices (and obviously wholesale prices) in Japan are as high as they are here... So TT do all the work designing and getting the toys built, but Hasbro owns the physical product to actually sell to TT and the non-US Hasbro branches (which they do at more than twice the price they sell to their own US retailers, to make more commission-per-unit, out of foreign sales than they do from domestic sales). Which makes more work for those non-US markets/Branches to sell the Brand to retailers at that higher cost.

That's a pretty sweet arrangement for US Hasbro - they manage their Brand's direction and make the millions each year, but it's other bodies, before and after they get their hands on the toy-products, that do all the "heavy lifting" to give consumers & fans these toys.

[kup]

Brian Goldner is listed as the executive producer of all 3 TF movies (as well as Rise of Cobra). Hasbro probably made more profit from the box office take than from the toys.

I think this is true. As far as the movies are concerned, the toys appear to be little more than merchandising. This is a reverse from past history in which the media was there as support from the toys which were the main factor.

Bay and the studios may have gotten a huge cut from the movie but Hasbro still profited immensely.

[Magnus]

I know I'm more than a bit late to this discussion, but I'm actually looking forward to Transformers 4.

While a different PoV (the 'reimagining') should be interesting for a change of pace or tone, I'm glad it's not going to be a reboot, especially so soon after the third movie. (I was never really a fan of the trend of rebooting franchises - it seems like an 'easy way out', in my opinion). Also, I'm actually quite fond of the movie design aesthetic, which a reboot could potentially change.

[Doubledealer]

I think it's wrong for Michael Bay to be directing this film if it is indeed a reboot. If everything else is different, why shouldn't the director change too? I believe it should be someone else's interpretation of the Transformers universe, not this idiots second chance draw...

[kup]

I know I'm more than a bit late to this discussion, but I'm actually looking forward to Transformers 4.

While a different PoV (the 'reimagining') should be interesting for a change of pace or tone, I'm glad it's not going to be a reboot, especially so soon after the third movie. (I was never really a fan of the trend of rebooting franchises - it seems like an 'easy way out', in my opinion). Also, I'm actually quite fond of the movie design aesthetic, which a reboot could potentially change.

Since Michael Bay is coming back I think that it's clear what to expect.

[kristofferrer]

Sigh! I'm not a fan of bay movies, I can sit through the first one every now and then, I have watched ROTF twice and that was one time too many and haven't even bothered with a DVD of the DOTM movie or seen it again as I'm sure it'll make me ill. I'm not going to rant and rave and refuse to see the next movie as I'm sure I will, This doesn't mean I think it's going to be any good it just means I'm a glutton for punishment and OCD where TF's are concerned:D

Im in agreement - its not really a reboot if it's still directed by bay.
it's clear after his TF trilogy than he can't improve over his own work, nor does he understand what comprises a good movie.

It pains to watch the movie when there's evidence that Hasbro/etc is very capable of producing quality work. There's other TF series like animated and prime with fantastic plots, scripts and cinematography.

We're indeed devoted fans - we'd still watch the crap that bay produces. Perhaps Hasbro/produces interpreted this as the go signal for making profit.

Being fan

[Slag]

I think it's wrong for Michael Bay to be directing this film if it is indeed a reboot. If everything else is different, why shouldn't the director change too? I believe it should be someone else's interpretation of the Transformers universe, not this idiots second chance draw...

+1. 4th chance.

[theheretic]

It's awesome he's directing number 4! Means it'll be action packed, a stunning visual masterpiece, with a couple of bad actors in it for good measure. Bring back Ironhide!

[Decepticon]

It's awesome he's directing number 4! Means it'll be action packed, a stunning visual masterpiece, with a couple of bad actors in it for good measure. Bring back Ironhide!

Ummm........Im not sure if you are taking the @#$@ but I agree with you!! He is good at what he does.

[theheretic]

No I'm serious. I love the TF movies! Sure he could have been given a better story to work with but I think he has done some awesome work. And I think the sales from DOTM show that. I wouldn't mind if he re did the original (and the best) G1 movie, that'd be sweet! Although I'm sure all the hard core G1 fans would cry out in anger and say things like "you've had unwanted sexual relations with my childhood memories" or something along those lines.

[gavnushkatron]

I really hope there will be more Transformers, and less (if no) humans!

[Magnus]

No I'm serious. I love the TF movies! Sure he could have been given a better story to work with but I think he has done some awesome work. And I think the sales from DOTM show that. I wouldn't mind if he re did the original (and the best) G1 movie, that'd be sweet! Although I'm sure all the hard core G1 fans would cry out in anger and say things like "you've had unwanted sexual relations with my childhood memories" or something along those lines.

I agree. Ok, they weren't perfect, but they were still immensely entertaining, which, after all, is what movies like this are for, and the sequels (particularly DotM) show that feedback is taken into consideration.

And far from having my 'childhood ruined', I would say the first movie took me back to my childhood; the experience of seeing these colossal robots on screen left me gawking at the screen in amazement like a little kid.

[theheretic]

^ aww yeah!

[Hursticon]

And far from having my 'childhood ruined', I would say the first movie took me back to my childhood; the experience of seeing these colossal robots on screen left me gawking at the screen in amazement like a little kid.

Me too and that is why I went back to the Cinemas a further 3 times, ditto for ROTF & twice for DOTM - Loved these films and hope the 4th at least equals their success. ;):)

[KalEl]

Me too and that is why I went back to the Cinemas a further 3 times, ditto for ROTF & twice for DOTM - Loved these films and hope the 4th at least equals their success. ;):)

Hursti I'm with you, i have quite pleased with the films. They didn't ruin my childhood nor did they replace any particular part of the canon for me.
As stand alone films they are great and i know of many non-transfans that love the films.
I have no doubt that a forth instalment will be just as good and will receive the same praise and the same heat no matter how good or bad it is.

[orionpax1]

I too love these movies and i also saw these a couple of times at the cinema, of course ROTF left a bit to be desired but there were writing and shooting the movie at the same (due to the writers strike). I still fast skip to the scene when the Autobots (the first movie) arrive and we see them transform for the first time (Optimus was awesome). I would like to see a reboot and maybe follow the original story line.

[griffin]

Tyrese Gibson has commented (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/tyrese-gibson-expresses-his-interest-in-transformers-4/24779/) about being interested in returning to the Transformers franchise, if his character returns.

[AJ_Prime]

Yep definitely agree, I started collecting just prior to the announcement of the first Bayformers movie but aside from a couple of generations figures there wasn't a lot around that appealed to me. Of course once the movie was announced and the screenshots and shorts were released I was completely captivated!

I remembered collecting the figures as a child and watching the series on tv and it brought back all those memories, but better still it really peaked my interest. The more "organic" feel to the Baybots really appealed to me and I've really enjoyed the subsequent toyline.

Since then I've started collecting various paraphanalia from various lines and have gotten into most of the takes on the franchise since. I think each take has its own individual appeal and as a fan I am not necessarily partial to one over another, I can appreciate each interpretation of the story for what it is.

So whoever directs TF4 (if indeed they make a TF4), I'm not too fussed about as long as they create something the fans and others will enjoy.

[GoktimusPrime]

Yep definitely agree, I started collecting just prior to the announcement of the first Bayformers movie but aside from a couple of generations figures there wasn't a lot around that appealed to me.
:confused: The first movie was announced in June 2003 (there's even a reference to it in the 2006 film "Clerks 2"), and Generations came out in 2010. Unless you're thinking about Classics, but that came out in 2006. :confused:


I remembered collecting the figures as a child and watching the series on tv and it brought back all those memories, but better still it really peaked my interest. The more "organic" feel to the Baybots really appealed to me and I've really enjoyed the subsequent toyline.
The first movie was the best of the trilogy. It's story was relatively the most simple, but it was the most coherent. ROTF and DOTM got too complicated and got tangled up in it's own mess (esp. ROTF).

I don't mind the 'organic' look of the characters either, although they are hard to translate as toys. But they also do enable a much greater range of motion while keeping the models looking realistic. If the Transformers looked more G1 like in the films, they'd move around like Power Rangers Zords... (-_-) :p Anyone who's ever done Transformers cosplay will know how restrictive traditional Transformer body shapes are to movement.


So whoever directs TF4 (if indeed they make a TF4), I'm not too fussed about as long as they create something the fans and others will enjoy.
Here's what I'd like to see in a future TF movie:

1. A coherent plot and storyline. This is the MOST important thing. Movies are a story-telling medium and special effects etc. are nothing more than tools to tell a story. Audiences will prefer a movie with an awesome story, even if the special effects aren't as good, compared to superior special effects with a not-so-good story. Just look at the Star Wars Original Trilogy vs Prequel Trilogy. The visual effects in the Original Trilogy are primitive compared to the Prequels, yet many fans prefer the Original Trilogy. Go and ask a dozen people what their favourite Star Wars movie is... most people will say either "The Empire Strikes Back," or "Return of the Jedi." I don't know too many people who'd cite "The Phantom Menace" or "Attack of the Clones" as their favourite, despite the superior visual effects. :/ Yoda was way cooler as a rubber puppet giving sagely spiritual advice to Luke compared to a CG model leaping around like a frog duking it out with Sith Lords.

2. The Transformers should be treated as characters and not caricatures or set pieces.

3. The story should be character driven. Crappy development of the protagonist(s) = crappy story. You can either take a single protagonist and focus on developing him/her to drive the story (e.g. X-Men 2), or focus on lower-level development of a cast ensemble of protagonists, but still maintaining definitive story drive (e.g. Avengers). Or heck... you could even work on developing the protagonist _and_ antagonist (e.g. Return of the Jedi -- we saw change in both Luke and Anakin Skywalker).

...if they can manage to maintain these basic fundamental elements of story telling, then I'll be happy. :)