Michael Bay to direct TF4 - Peter Cullen returns as Optimus

[Jinto]

Can I get a collective Darth Vader style 'Noooooooooo!'?

An article from Seibertron: Bay claims he'll be directing TF4. The article also says that we can expect an entirely new cast for this movie and robot redesigns.

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/tf4-last-transformers-film-for-bay-will-feature-character-redesigns-and-new-entirely-new-cast/25013/

[gantz]

"DOTM will be my last TF film. I am done with the series"

Pretty sure it were words to that effect.

[1orion2many]

Can I get a collective Darth Vader style 'Noooooooooo!'?

An article from Seibertron: Bay claims he'll be directing TF4. The article also says that we can expect an entirely new cast for this movie and robot redesigns.

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/tf4-last-transformers-film-for-bay-will-feature-character-redesigns-and-new-entirely-new-cast/25013/

Fingers crossed on the new designs at least but not holding my breath on a decent storyline with Bay involved.

[Sharky]

whole new cast i wonder if they will be stepping into the future a little bit. Galvatron... Rodimus Prime....Daniel Witwicky....Autobot City on Earth...

[Paulbot]

New cast means new humans. I'd be sure there'd still be robots called Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

Looking at the positives here: Redesigns could be good. Ratchet needs an overhaul for sure, and a different looking Bumblebee wouldn't be bad either.

[Sharky]

New cast means new humans. I'd be sure there'd still be robots called Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

Looking at the positives here: Redesigns could be good. Ratchet needs an overhaul for sure, and a different looking Bumblebee wouldn't be bad either.

one that can actually speak.....

[kup]

"DOTM will be my last TF film. I am done with the series"

Pretty sure it were words to that effect.

He said that for every movie

He sure knows how to increase his paycheck :rolleyes:

[i_amtrunks]

IMO the best parts (visually) of DotM were the scenes set in space, here's hoping that this may be more "transformers in space" than the first three.

I live action version of the 1986 movie could be hilarious too...

[5FDP]

If they're going for redesigns they should enlist the help of Matt Tieger and High Moon Studios. If the bots are anywhere near half as cool as the FoC designs, they'll be on a winner. That would also open up a lot of creative freedom without being restricted to licenses.

Of course, none of this will ever happen.

[Trent]

Why won't he just stop???:mad:

[Decepticon]

Brillliant!! Cant wait. :)

[SkyWarp91]

Yes this may be good for his wallet, but isn't it bad for his career if he wants to try out new movies? Won't other producers just refer to him as the Transformers guy for the rest of his life in Hollywood? It's kind of like George Lucas, who most people recognize for Star Wars and Indy.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Yes this may be good for his wallet, but isn't it bad for his career if he wants to try out new movies? Won't other producers just refer to him as the Transformers guy for the rest of his life in Hollywood? It's kind of like George Lucas, who most people recognize for Star Wars and Indy.Wasn't he already just "The explosions guy" anyway? Besides the Bad Boys series he didn't seem to have much of a reputation outside of that IIRC.
No, wait...there was the "US Army" bit too.

Either way, it's a safe bet it'll be more of the same - light on plot/characterisation, long on length, big on explosions and the US Army, and a few decent toys.
Maybe they can can TF Prime just as it's really getting into the swing of things for it this time.

[GoktimusPrime]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/jaam_shoulders.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/facepalm_movieprime.jpg

If the next Transformers movie actually:
+ Has a coherent story/plot
+ Treats the Transformers as characters and not set pieces/space-monsters
+ Focuses on the Autobots as the primary protagonists instead of humans
+ Develops the Decepticons as meaningful antagonists - more than just mere complications for the protagonists
+ Doesn't contain gratuitous female booty shots
...I'll eat my hat.


Wasn't he already just "The explosions guy" anyway? Besides the Bad Boys series he didn't seem to have much of a reputation outside of that IIRC.
No, wait...there was the "US Army" bit too.
Bay's relationship with the military is very impressive, you have to admit that. Few other directors can get that level of intimate cooperation with the US armed forces. And it makes sense for the story to involve the military, as surely humans won't just sit around while alien robots wage an intergalactic war on Earth (like say, in TFPrime where they appear to be awfully inactive (<_<)). But at the same time I don't like it when the focus on the military gets overdone and takes the limelight away from the Transformers.


Either way, it's a safe bet it'll be more of the same - light on plot/characterisation, long on length, big on explosions and the US Army, and a few decent toys.
The toys will be up to HasTak. Decent may be the best to hope for... I don't have great faith in media-based TF toys and much prefer TFs to be made as toys first, but for the live action movies I can understand the need to design them as screen characters first (not so much for the cartoons though).


Maybe they can can TF Prime just as it's really getting into the swing of things for it this time.
Oooh, maybe they'll axe TF Prime just as things are getting really good, just like they did with Beast Wars and Animated! :D :p

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

+ Doesn't contain gratuitous female booty shotsTo be fair, I quite enjoyed the gratuitous female booty shots.:D

Bay's relationship with the military is very impressive, you have to admit that.I'll pay it's impressive, but I'd kind of like a Transformers movie to be more about the actual Transformers than their pet human soldiers.
I mean, it's sort of like if Michael Bay did Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and made them space aliens or something instead of mutant ninja turtles...oh, wait.:p
The toys will be up to HasTak. Decent may be the best to hope for...Credit where credit's due, between the legions of Bumblebees we have got some sweet toys out of the Movie lines, especially some of the Scouts. They're mostly characters who didn't actually appear in the movies, sure, but toys like Deluxe Wreckage and DotM Voyager Skyhammer are pretty damn good. I really liked RotF Brawn despite his kibble, Ransack/Divebomb was just awesome (I mean, a biplane? That's freaking cool), and Recon Ironhide is a solid figure with oodles of guns. And of course RotF gave us Voyager Bludgeon, even if the design sort of predates RotF.
Oooh, maybe they'll axe TF Prime just as things are getting really good, just like they did with Beast Wars and Animated! :D :pYay!:rolleyes: C'mon Hasbro, bring back Animated for Season 4 please. *sigh*

[GoktimusPrime]

I'll pay it's impressive, but I'd kind of like a Transformers movie to be more about the actual Transformers than their pet human soldiers.
^agree


Credit where credit's due, between the legions of Bumblebees we have got some sweet toys out of the Movie lines, especially some of the Scouts. They're mostly characters who didn't actually appear in the movies, sure, but toys like Deluxe Wreckage and DotM Voyager Skyhammer are pretty damn good. I really liked RotF Brawn despite his kibble, Ransack/Divebomb was just awesome (I mean, a biplane? That's freaking cool), and Recon Ironhide is a solid figure with oodles of guns. And of course RotF gave us Voyager Bludgeon, even if the design sort of predates RotF.
Well exactly - most of the best designs from movieverse were toys not designed for the film. Toys designed as toys... the way Transformers should be IMO. (but then when it happens, some people complain that the toys aren't "screen accurate" even though those toys came first... Hasbro just can't win :rolleyes:)

[liegeprime]

Why won't he just stop???:mad:

reason? - Kaching Kaching$$$$$$$:p

[griffin]

The reason why the non-cast toys were probably better was because they had more time to engineer them. 18 months is a rough time frame for normal TFs toys, but the Movie toys have to be rushed out in under 12... and even still, script or cast changes during the last 12 months are pretty much too late to change in the toyline (Optimus Swords, Wreckage in TF1, Skids & Mudflap in TF3) and we saw how much Bay likes to change his mind while filming, and even in post-production (TF3 was supposed to have the Twins in it, and Megatron was supposed to live at the end).

This link is of the Hasbro tour at BotCon 2007 (http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc07/bc07ht.html), which details the lengthy process they have for creating Transformers (scroll down to just on half-way, you can go back and read the rest later). It's a good archival resource which I've been meaning to re-upload for a couple years now.

The rest of the BotCon 2007 report hasn't been uploaded yet (I'm still editing a few pages), so don't click on any of the links at the bottom, as they don't go anywhere yet.

[griffin]

Oh, and that Hasbro Tour showed the process when Hasbro were the senior "partner" for the First Movie project. With TF3 (and even TF2 to an extent), Bay seemed to be in the position of having the final say, so the Hasbro designers just gave character suggestions (like Shockwave, Laserbeak, Mirage, Wheeljack & Prime's trailer) and just had to work with what he gave them (Dino & Que were examples of this).

[GoktimusPrime]

Oh, and that Hasbro Tour showed the process when Hasbro were the senior "partner" for the Movie project. With TF3 (and even TF2 to an extent), Bay seemed to be in the position of having the final say, so the Hasbro designers just gave character suggestions (like Shockwave, Laserbeak, Mirage, Wheeljack & Prime's trailer) and just had to work with what he gave them (Dino & Que were examples of this).
. . . . . . . . . :rolleyes::o

[fatbot]

Bay on TF4:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=91761

[SharkyMcShark]

Sounds okay. He'll need a complete set of new baddies though - who is left?

[SkyWarp91]

Unicron?

As for the budget decrease, perhaps they expect the movie to make a billion therefore they can expect more revenue!

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm quite happy that it's not a reboot. :)


Sounds okay. He'll need a complete set of new baddies though - who is left?
+ Galvatron (the original toy tech specs doesn't make him out to be Megatron - that was something the cartoon created; Galvatron's a separate character in the IDWverse).
+ Bludgeon (though it may retcon the movie comicverse)
+ Straxus/Darkmount
+ Jhiaxus
+ Ratbat
+ Mega Zarak (I'm just suggesting this name since Scorponok's taken for a different character)
+ Thunderwing
+ Trannis (a very obscure character, but so was Sentinel Prime)
+ Gigatron
+ Overlord
+ Deathsaurus
+ The Liege Maximo

...or they could use any other Decepticon -- it doesn't have to be named after a pre-existing Decepticon leader, does it? I just hope they don't go reviving Megatron or any other Decepticon that they've previously killed. Dead Transformers need to stay dead in the movieverse IMHO.

[Megatron]

I'm quite happy that it's not a reboot. :)


+ Galvatron (the original toy tech specs doesn't make him out to be Megatron - that was something the cartoon created; Galvatron's a separate character in the IDWverse).
+ Bludgeon (though it may retcon the movie comicverse)
+ Straxus/Darkmount
+ Jhiaxus
+ Ratbat
+ Mega Zarak (I'm just suggesting this name since Scorponok's taken for a different character)
+ Thunderwing
+ Trannis (a very obscure character, but so was Sentinel Prime)
+ Gigatron
+ Overlord
+ Deathsaurus
+ The Liege Maximo

...or they could use any other Decepticon -- it doesn't have to be named after a pre-existing Decepticon leader, does it? I just hope they don't go reviving Megatron or any other Decepticon that they've previously killed. Dead Transformers need to stay dead in the movieverse IMHO.

If I could ask for just ONE thing for TF4... :(
If they don't I'm just not going to bother watching TF4 at all.

[Verno]

The 4th and final film. They need a new baddy. The temptation would be too large not to use Unicron.

[theheretic]

The 4th and final film. They need a new baddy. The temptation would be too large not to use Unicron.

Sorry to disappoint but it's only the final film for Michael Bey, there's supposedly going to be atleast one more. Maybe his new direction will be full of beast modes :-)

[Verno]

Sorry to disappoint but it's only the final film for Michael Bey, there's supposedly going to be atleast one more. Maybe his new direction will be full of beast modes :-)

Just like #3 was meant to be the final film for Michael Bay?

[griffin]

I thought TF2 was meant to be the last film for Michael Bay. :p

(then Hasbro gave him complete creative control, and commission for every TF Movie toy sold to get him back for the third one... I wonder what they gave him this time to sign onto a fourth. :( )

[Verno]

I thought TF2 was meant to be the last film for Michael Bay. :p

(then Hasbro gave him complete creative control, and commission for every TF Movie toy sold to get him back for the third one... I wonder what they gave him this time to sign onto a fourth. :( )

Directorial control of Season 4 of TF: Prime.

[Trent]

I thought TF2 was meant to be the last film for Michael Bay. :p

(then Hasbro gave him complete creative control, and commission for every TF Movie toy sold to get him back for the third one... I wonder what they gave him this time to sign onto a fourth. :( )

His very own explosion factory. In his opinion the only thing you need to make a quality movie.

[Starscream77]

I know I will cop flack for this but I really enjoyed most of 1 & 3, there were moments I cringed but overall I like them. Number 2 was horrid

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

His very own explosion factory. In his opinion the only thing you need to make a quality movie.Hey now, that's not fair.
Michael Bay knows there are other things you need to make a good movie too - things like boobs, butts, fart jokes, and the US army.

I for one eagerly await the coming of Michael Bay's 'Pride and Prejudice'.

[1orion2many]

I know I will cop flack for this but I really enjoyed most of 1 & 3, there were moments I cringed but overall I like them. Number 2 was horrid

I think they were all horrid, It's just number 2 made number 1 & 3 look less horrid:p:D

[theheretic]

I think ROTF was good but DOTM and Transformers was awesome. I guess you can't please all the fans. I mean look at Beast Machines.

[Trent]

First movie was good. I could overlook the flaws and see a pretty decent movie.

The rest blow. Plain and simple.

[GoktimusPrime]

The first movie was good -- it captured the spirit of G1 cartoon quite well.
The second movie was just too "try hard," the first movie was simpler and worked better. The 2nd movie got too convoluted for its own good and got tied up in its own inconsistent mess.
The third movie was better than the second, but still too convoluted and not enough plot consistency.

The entire trilogy lacks substance and real character driven stories. So many of the Transformers, especially the Decepticons are NOT treated as characters but as set pieces... like giant robots coming to get-choo!

Good characters are ones that the audience empathises with and emotionally invests in; we have to CARE about them. Okay, I was upset when they killed Ironhide -- that was well done. And when Bumblebee was about to be executed, that was a really emotionally tense scene -- my heart was pounding and I was at the edge of my seat during that moment! So well done there too. But I didn't really care about the deaths of any other Transformer in the entire trilogy. The death of Optimus Prime in ROTF was done well too -- but as a long time fan that has no effect on me since we all know that Hasbro would never allow anyone to kill Optimus Prime permanently. :p But maybe that was a tense moment for non fan audiences. But other than that... meh. Megatron died twice, both times I didn't really care either way.

Look at The Dark Knight Rises... I was able to empathise with all the main characters in that film at some stage at some level -- even Bane. A good story is one where you give a crap about the characters and what happens to them. I find that the Bay movies don't develop the Transformers enough as characters that makes audiences have that emotional connection with them. Instead it's mostly watching them do cool action fight stuff and go "WWWHHHHHOOOOOOOAAAAA!!" Look at Yoda... his best moments wasn't when he was jumping around with a light sabre during the Clone Wars, but when he was a decrepit hermit living in a swamp teaching Luke Skywalker how to be a Jedi. I mean, if you'd never seen the Original Trilogy before, and you were watching the Prequels for the first time -- if Yoda had been killed in Attack of the Clones or Revenge of the Sith, I don't think audiences would've really cared -- not much more than say the deaths of any other Jedi in those movies (Qui Gon Jinn, Mace Windu, Aayla Secura, Kit Fisto, Even Piel, Coleman Trebor, Plo Koon, Ki Adi Mundi and the rest of the Jedi who were killed under Order 66). But when we see Yoda dying in Return of the Jedi, and Luke goes, "Master Yoda, you can't die..." <--- that was really emotional! No fancy CG effects and explosions... just a muppet with a throw blanket. ;)

[Demonac]

None of the movies are good.
They might be enjoyable, but don't get that confused with quality.

[gamblor916]

None of Michael Bay's movies are good.
They might be enjoyable, but don't get that confused with quality.

Fixed it for you :p

[Megatron]

...
Good characters are ones that the audience empathises with and emotionally invests in; we have to CARE about them. Okay, I was upset when they killed Ironhide -- that was well done. And when Bumblebee was about to be executed, that was a really emotionally tense scene -- my heart was pounding and I was at the edge of my seat during that moment! So well done there too. But I didn't really care about the deaths of any other Transformer in the entire trilogy. The death of Optimus Prime in ROTF was done well too -- but as a long time fan that has no effect on me since we all know that Hasbro would never allow anyone to kill Optimus Prime permanently. :p But maybe that was a tense moment for non fan audiences. But other than that... meh. Megatron died twice, both times I didn't really care either way.
...


Yeah, well, I'm sure he wouldn't care about you either. ;)

Actually whilst we're on this topic, I remember Jazz's demise in the first movie absolutely shocked and devastated me... I still can't bring myself to watch that scene again.

[griffin]

Before this degenerates into yet another round of Bay-bashing, be mindful that his movies had lots of fans and supporters, who may start feeling threatened, or unwelcome here if it starts snowballing from a small number of members.
There are review topics for criticisms of his work. Let's just leave the news topics for comments on those specific news items... not him and his work.

[theheretic]

I think all I need to end this is $1,123,746,996... From one movie!

[Sky Shadow]

"I thought I was done. Then the ride came out [at Universal Studios Hollywood] and the two-and-a-half-hour lines. And then you're thinking, Oh my God, someone's going to take this over. And you start doing a lot of soul-searching. Like, OK, I'm about to do a little movie, "Pain & Gain" ... and the studio says they want to restart the franchise. And someone could come in here and screw it up, you know?"

"And I wanted that someone to be me." ;)

[Trent]

"And I wanted that someone to be me." ;)

That goes without saying.

I reckon he'd be more worried about someone doing a better job than him. The mans ego is matched only by the size of his explosions budget.

[Decepticon]

ROTF was the best. Lots of action and a good storyline. DOTM was rushed. I somehow can't stand to watch the first one now. Seems slow paced.

Lets hope No 4 will be a mixture of the 3. I love Bays work. And he has done a brilliant job of getting the Transformers franchise out of the 80s and into the 'real' world.

[kup]

"And I wanted that someone to be me." ;)

That's exactly what I thought when I read that :)

[theheretic]

ROTF was the best. Lots of action and a good storyline. DOTM was rushed. I somehow can't stand to watch the first one now. Seems slow paced.

Lets hope No 4 will be a mixture of the 3. I love Bays work. And he has done a brilliant job of getting the Transformers franchise out of the 80s and into the 'real' world.

Glad to see some Bay love. He's done so much good for Transformers and while it's not perfect, it is great. Pity about the toy line, hopefully they fix that up this time around.

[SkyWarp91]

The way I see it Bay won't let go of the TF movies until he ends them on his own terms. Then maybe, a couple of years lafter a new director can take the franchise in their own direction.

But for now, I'm going to sit back and see where he takes TF4

[kup]

The way I see it Bay won't let go of the TF movies until he ends them on his own terms. Then maybe, a couple of years lafter a new director can take the franchise in their own direction.

But for now, I'm going to sit back and see where he takes TF4

I am pretty sure he will take it in the same direction. Whether you like or hate his movies, it is clear that Bay does not deviate much when it comes to his established directing and 'story telling' style.

[fatbot]

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/more-transformers-4-update-from-michael-bay-peter-cullen-will-return/25870/

It's good that Cullen is staying on as Prime, Maybe if we all bitched enough we could get ol' Frankie in as Megs?

[theheretic]

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/more-transformers-4-update-from-michael-bay-peter-cullen-will-return/25870/

It's good that Cullen is staying on as Prime, Maybe if we all bitched enough we could get ol' Frankie in as Megs?

Megatron's dead. It looked to me like it would take a lot of repairing to fix him this time. Unicron might be of some help but then who can voice galvatron? Not sure Spock would want to do a second character.

[LordCyrusOmega]

The movies were good to watch. The first time. Visually excellent, just not story/ character driven.

I like the second more then 1 and 3. After transformers (not counting Frenzy) getting about 40 minutes screen time ( I timed it but am not sure on the actual time, it was smaller then expected though) RotF was well received by me. Watching Optimus die was emotonal for me. I knew he'd be back but still.

At this point if number 4 is a continuation of the trilogy then I want Michael Bay to do it. If they are doing a complete reboot then get someone else. He had his chance.

[Robzy]

I thought the whole point to TF4 was that it was supposed to be a "reboot". :confused:

But now Bay is coming back to direct, Cullen is back as Prime, and it's a continuation from the last movie with different actors... sounds more like a sequel that a reboot. And if that's the case, count me out. I'm not interested in more of the same. I'll support TF as a brand as much as I can, but I just can't sit through another Baysplosion flick.

[Magnus]

I'm all for it. Having enjoyed all three of the previous movies (I'll admit that I felt something 'wasn't quite right' with RotF the first time I saw it, but to be fair, the movie was rushed due to the writers' strike in 2008), I'm glad he's decided to come back for a fourth one, and that it won't be a reboot; I feel that reboots are an 'easy way out', and besides, I think it's way too soon for a reboot.

[GoktimusPrime]

I feel that reboots are an 'easy way out', and besides, I think it's way too soon for a reboot.
+10000000000000000000000000.3

I also don't want to see Megatron come back -- they've killed him TWICE now. That's enough. There are plenty more villains and Decepticon commanders they can use other than Megs... bringing Megs back is just lazy and unimaginative.

[Trent]

+10000000000000000000000000.3

I also don't want to see Megatron come back -- they've killed him TWICE now. That's enough. There are plenty more villains and Decepticon commanders they can use other than Megs... bringing Megs back is just lazy and unimaginative.

Imo ROTF & DOTM were really bad movies so I could pick them apart all day. But the thing that bugged me the most about them was that Megatron, the baddest mofo Cybertron had ever seen, was someones bitch. He played second fiddle to both The Fallen and Sentinel Prime.

That s$%t don't fly with me. So yeah, keep him dead.

[griffin]

Problem is, Hasbro's most marketable Decepticon/Evil(tm) character (to the general public, which is where most of their profit comes from) is Megatron. As frustrating as it may be, don't be surprised if he is resurrected, again. No other Decepticon is as well known by non-fans than Megatron. We may think Galvatron, Unicron, Starscream, Soundwave or Shockwave would be worthy leaders or main villains, but the first two are unknown to the general public, while the last three are just as dead as Megatron... so resurrecting one but not allowing for another, wouldn't make much sense.
I'm not defending it... just pointing out the reality of a multi-billion dollar, multi-national franchise that will always put first, the chance to make profit over what makes sense in a story (or the dedicated fans). It's just the way capitalism works, and we just have to make the most of any easter eggs they throw our way in the process.

[Sky Shadow]

It doesn't matter what the Decepticon leader's name is - Thunderwing, Jhiaxus, Bludgeon, Ratbat, Liege Maximo, Deszaras, Devil Z, Octus, Legonis, Seizer, Zarak, Straxus or Violen Jiger - he'll almost certainly get exactly the same 'characterisation', i.e. none. The only time Megatron was even vaguely interesting in the first three films was when he was a beponchoed hobo. That said, I hope the rumour that the new films will feature 'a new line up (http://tformers.com/transformers-4-hasbro-reveal-plans/18346/news.html)' from the first three is true. Anything that distances and refreshes Transformers 4 (and 5 (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/glenn-morshower-talks-transformers-4-and-5-filming-starts-december-175984/)) from the existing films will be an improvement.

[theheretic]

May need to change the title to "Michael Bay to direct TF4 and probably TF5" with the latest reveal that the films will be shot back-to-back.

[Megatron]

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/more-transformers-4-update-from-michael-bay-peter-cullen-will-return/25870/

It's good that Cullen is staying on as Prime, Maybe if we all bitched enough we could get ol' Frankie in as Megs?

Yessss... pleaseeee. Even if they just brought Megs back... It would just about almost make me forgive Bay and his filming style. :eek:


Imo ROTF & DOTM were really bad movies so I could pick them apart all day. But the thing that bugged me the most about them was that Megatron, the baddest mofo Cybertron had ever seen, was someones bitch. He played second fiddle to both The Fallen and Sentinel Prime.

That s$%t don't fly with me. So yeah, keep him dead.

I really like when he is not characterized as a one dimensional, predictable, invulnerable character - that's boring and doesn't allow for growth of said character. Why should he be fixed in a stereotype? I want him to return for TF4.


Problem is, Hasbro's most marketable Decepticon/Evil(tm) character (to the general public, which is where most of their profit comes from) is Megatron. As frustrating as it may be, don't be surprised if he is resurrected, again. No other Decepticon is as well known by non-fans than Megatron. We may think Galvatron, Unicron, Starscream, Soundwave or Shockwave would be worthy leaders or main villains, but the first two are unknown to the general public, while the last three are just as dead as Megatron... so resurrecting one but not allowing for another, wouldn't make much sense.
I'm not defending it... just pointing out the reality of a multi-billion dollar, multi-national franchise that will always put first, the chance to make profit over what makes sense in a story (or the dedicated fans). It's just the way capitalism works, and we just have to make the most of any easter eggs they throw our way in the process.

YaY!! I hope you're right! :) :) :) :) While they're at it I hope they bring back Starscream, Soundwave and Shockwave as well... (and Jazz, would be nice too). I just don't want a TF movie without these guys, so I hope they resurrect them all.

[5FDP]

Problem is, Hasbro's most marketable Decepticon/Evil(tm) character (to the general public, which is where most of their profit comes from) is Megatron. As frustrating as it may be, don't be surprised if he is resurrected, again. No other Decepticon is as well known by non-fans than Megatron. We may think Galvatron, Unicron, Starscream, Soundwave or Shockwave would be worthy leaders or main villains, but the first two are unknown to the general public, while the last three are just as dead as Megatron... so resurrecting one but not allowing for another, wouldn't make much sense.
I'm not defending it... just pointing out the reality of a multi-billion dollar, multi-national franchise that will always put first, the chance to make profit over what makes sense in a story (or the dedicated fans). It's just the way capitalism works, and we just have to make the most of any easter eggs they throw our way in the process.

And it is for this very reason we will also be bombarded with new waves of Bumblebee toys ;)

[Bartrim]

And it is for this very reason we will also be bombarded with new waves of Bumblebee toys ;)

What?!?!? We will be getting more Bumblebees?!?!!? Awesome!!!!!!!:p

[tinyJazz]

Do you think they could afford a voice actor for Bumblebee this time? :rolleyes: It's like he's just a big robot puppy with guns and not a real character anymore.

[5FDP]

What?!?!? We will be getting more Bumblebees?!?!!? Awesome!!!!!!!:p

They're all for you Damien (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7N7TDBceHY) ummm... I mean, Bartrim :D

[GoktimusPrime]

Problem is, Hasbro's most marketable Decepticon/Evil(tm) character (to the general public, which is where most of their profit comes from) is Megatron. As frustrating as it may be, don't be surprised if he is resurrected, again. No other Decepticon is as well known by non-fans than Megatron. We may think Galvatron, Unicron, Starscream, Soundwave or Shockwave would be worthy leaders or main villains, but the first two are unknown to the general public, while the last three are just as dead as Megatron... so resurrecting one but not allowing for another, wouldn't make much sense.
I'm not defending it... just pointing out the reality of a multi-billion dollar, multi-national franchise that will always put first, the chance to make profit over what makes sense in a story (or the dedicated fans). It's just the way capitalism works, and we just have to make the most of any easter eggs they throw our way in the process.

I think a good director/story teller could put in another Decepticon leader and pull it off. Michael Bay was willing to use really obscure characters as the main villains in ROTF and DOTM -- as others have mentioned, Megatron was like a 'sidekick' to The Fallen and Sentinel Prime in those films, and they were both fairly obscure characters before the films came along (although Sentinel Prime had became more prominent after Transformers Animated).

So long as you make the character really awesome, audiences will be drawn. Look at the Dark Knight Rises -- Bane isn't the most well known of Batman villains, no where near as well known to the general public as say the Joker, the Riddler, Penguin or even Dr. Freeze etc., but Nolan put him in his 3rd Batman film - and the movie was freaking awesome! Even Batman Begins used lesser known villains - i.e. Scarecrow and Ra's Al Ghul (whose story intertwines in DK Rises).

If they're going to use Megatron, then I'd like to see a reboot. If they're going to maintain continuity with the previous 3 films, then I'd rather not see Megatron appear; because then it just makes deaths in the story completely frivolous. And not even writers of the G1 cartoon wanted to do that... sure, they brought Optimus Prime back, but that was because Hasbro received a lot of flak from the public after having traumatised kids by killing Prime off in TFTM... and even then they held it out until the very end of Season 3 to bring Prime back properly. Once a character's death loses meaning, it's hard to emotionally connect to that character at all. TF1, Megatron had his Spark destroyed -- then he came back. In DOTM he had his head and spine ripped out and crushed... if the survives that then what's the impetus to care about this villain? They blow him up? Meh, he'll probably survive that too. He becomes more like some kind of Freddy Kruger monster rather than a character to care about, even as a villain (like Bane, Darth Vader or even Rampage in Beast Wars). At best he becomes like a comic relief character like Waspinator or Kenny from South Park.

"Oh my God, they killed Megatron!"
"You sons-of-unwed-parents!"

[Defcon]

Those characters that die in dark of the moon, die really violently, their deaths feel so permanent, for me it would seem strange seeing them in a sequel. If they were just shot down, or had the crap beat out of them, and they just fell into a heap of parts, I'd be ok with seeing the well known characters return from the dead. But seriously these guys were executed with fatalities Mortal Kombat style!
In a sequel I'd like to see lots of new characters, If not I see failure. A new villian would honestly be more exciting.

[Bartrim]

So if it isn't a reboot is he going to use the surviving characters (like Sideswipe) or vanish mysteriously (like Jolt)?

[theheretic]

It's been said that they are picking up where they left off...in Chicago. And it's been confirmed that Peter Cullen is voicing Optimus too

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

I really like when he is not characterized as a one dimensional, predictable, invulnerable character - that's boring and doesn't allow for growth of said character. Why should he be fixed in a stereotype? I want him to return for TF4.If it's character development and depth you're after you might want to pass on the Bay movies. I'm just (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28Animated%29) saying (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28BW%29)...

Do you think they could afford a voice actor for Bumblebee this time? :rolleyes: It's like he's just a big robot puppy with guns and not a real character anymore.My vote goes to Robin Williams.

[GoktimusPrime]

Those characters that die in dark of the moon, die really violently, their deaths feel so permanent, for me it would seem strange seeing them in a sequel.
Megatron effectively had his heart/soul ripped out, then his body dumped at the deepest ocean trench so that his remains could be crushed by a bazillion megatonnes of pressure. Yet some Decepticons managed to casually swim down there, stick a Cosmic MacGuffin(TM) in his chest, and hey presto - he just gets up and flies into space, good to go. :eek: Optimus Prime had the same thing happen, then he was resurrected by another MacGuffin(TM) (now in powder form!) in a sock. I cannot think of a way that Megatron can be resurrected in a way that just doesn't seem totally contrived.

Optimus Prime: "Megatron, you're back! But... how?"
Megatron: "A wizard did it."

[Skullcruncher]

So long as you make the character really awesome, audiences will be drawn. Look at the Dark Knight Rises -- Bane isn't the most well known of Batman villains, no where near as well known to the general public as say the Joker, the Riddler, Penguin or even Dr. Freeze etc., but Nolan put him in his 3rd Batman film - and the movie was freaking awesome! Even Batman Begins used lesser known villains - i.e. Scarecrow and Ra's Al Ghul (whose story intertwines in DK Rises).


I have to agree with Gok here :eek: I didnt even know who Bane was before I watched batman and the movie was so enjoyable I had a lookup a bit more about him. Megatron has had his time plus theres can't be much left of him now anyway. Unless some decepticon (or human?) can somehow put pieces of him together to make Galvatron. To me Unicron would be awesome but he would still need some kind of 2nd in command running around after him.

As long as the alt mode of the main guy is not some kind of animal (Rat, bat, squirrel, gorilla, dinosaur whatever) I will be reasonably happy.

[Megatron]

If it's character development and depth you're after you might want to pass on the Bay movies. I'm just (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28Animated%29) saying (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28BW%29)...

Animated is ok. No to BW (not the same character, and I'm not a fan of the series).

I know Megs mostly likely would not be given that kind of development in TF4, especially if directed by Bay and especially if the movie follows a similar style to the previous live-action movies... but I would rather have Megatron return and continue to be a part of the TFs mythos for as long as it exists, than not have him around. I may very well have to pass on TF4, but I don't want to. :(

Thank you for your input Grasshopper; I do appreciate it from a fellow Transfan, and I hope I'm not pissing anyone off with my view points, as that's not my intent, I only want to stay honest because I do feel kinda strongly about the subject.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Fair 'nuff, no series is for everyone. BW Megs is my all-time favourite TF character, but again he won't be to everyone's taste.

Also to be fair, Bay is very good at what he does, it's just that what he does isn't character and/or plot depth/development. If you want a mindless, explosion-filled action flick with some nice lead-female butt shots then aside from being overly long his TF movies fit the bill quite well - much like Star Wars Episode 3 is actually quite an entertaining movie when you skip all the boring plot and romance bits. IMO there's a place for popcorn flicks that you can just turn your brain off and enjoy watching as well as sweeping narratives, it is nice to just zone out for a while and enjoy watching things blow up sometimes - case in point, I'm playing Just Cause 2 atm and absolutely loving it. When Bay gets around to making Bikini Babe Explosion Squad - Trampolines of Terror I'll probably check it out, but when it comes to character and plot depth I'll look to filmmakers who worry about that sort of thing, and/or replay the Thief series.

By all means let him bring back Megatron, as has been noted it's what the general public knows and expects, but it's still kinda dodgy to definitively off a lead villain and pseudo-magically revive him once, let alone twice. But again, that only matters if you treat it as a semi-serious narrative rather than as a vehicle for sexy butt shots and explosions. Personally, I'm quite content to just take advantage of the occasional awesome toys (RotF Bludgeon especially springs to mind) that come from the Movie line and be happy with that.:)
I cannot think of a way that Megatron can be resurrected in a way that just doesn't seem totally contrived.

Optimus Prime: "Megatron, you're back! But... how?"
Megatron: "A wizard did it."I prefer this idea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFnul4k5hUM) myself, but it'd need the right soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wgnmm7Y2c0&feature=related) too.

[griffin]

The movies may well introduce more villains, or have Megatron playing a minor role (even if it is a flashback, just to have him on screen)... but the point I was trying to make was from Hasbro's perspective - no matter what Bay does, they will want to sell as many toys as possible, and that means Optimus, Bumblebee and Megatron.

Look at TF2 & TF3 - as people have pointed out above, Megatron was a sidekick to The Fallen and Sentinel Prime.... but who had more toys and merchandise in the stores?
The Fallen had...
a Voyager toy (in three colour versions),
a Legends toy,
a Robot Replica,
and a Robot Heroes figurine. That's it.

What did Megatron have for TF2?
A Leader mould (done twice),
a new Voyager mould,
a redeco of the 2007 Voyager mould,
a Legion mould (done at least twice between US & JP),
a FAB mould,
a Powerbot,
an Activator,
a Robot Replica,
three different Robot Heroes figurines,
a Battle Charger,
a Speedstars Stealth Force vehicle,
and an RPMs/Speedstars Mini-vehicle (done four times).

The ratio is closer for TF3 between the Megatron and Sentinel Prime toys... but was still in favour of Megatron (7 to 6 - there were over 150 TF3 toys but only 13 were of the two main villains), making Megatron the bigger "villain" cash-cow for Hasbro.

That was my point - ignoring how well someone else can be written in as a character, or how much Bay wants someone new (since he keeps trying to get rid of Megatron), Hasbro will make sure that Megatron is on screen in some way (flashback or in the story), so that they can sell more Decepticon toys, to the kids and parents that Hasbro "feeds off".

The proof is the excessive number of Bumblebee and Optimus toys... produced for the majority of consumers who aren't fans (returning consumers).

[Sky Shadow]

Hasbro will make sure that Megatron is on screen in some way (flashback or in the story), so that they can sell more Decepticon toys, to the kids and parents that Hasbro "feeds off".

The proof is the excessive number of Bumblebee and Optimus toys... produced for the majority of consumers who aren't fans (returning consumers).

That said, Hasbro's supposed belief that "Toy sales were weak on DOTM due to same characters in all three movies" (http://tformers.com/transformers-4-hasbro-reveal-plans/18346/news.html) may theoretically do something towards reversing their traditional supersaturation marketing strategy (which we all hate).

[GoktimusPrime]

Hasbro's focus on movie toys seems haphazard... they allowed Dreamworks to develop Mirage/Dino, but didn't bother to develop a proper action figure for that toy themselves. They also never bothered to release Deluxe Leadfoot, Quejack and Soundwave for their markets either. :/

I can deal with Megatron in flashbacks... that's fine. Then Megatron could pump out repaints of existing moulds and call them, "Shadow Command Old Timey Megatron" etc. (hey, it wouldn't be any weirder than some of the other repaint concepts they've come up with before!)



Also to be fair, Bay is very good at what he does, it's just that what he does isn't character and/or plot depth/development. If you want a mindless, explosion-filled action flick with some nice lead-female butt shots then aside from being overly long his TF movies fit the bill quite well
In other words... a story ;) I agree that his movies are loaded with lots of "WHHOOOAA!!" cool bells and whistles, but strip that all away and what do you have? The Christopher Nolan Batman movies have lots of cool bells and whistles too - but beneath that lies great stories that would still be great without them. Ditto The Lord of the Rings (indeed they started off as novels, which many would argue are still better than the films anyway).


- much like Star Wars Episode 3 is actually quite an entertaining movie when you skip all the boring plot and romance bits.
replied here (http://otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=318663#post318663) :)


IMO there's a place for popcorn flicks that you can just turn your brain off and enjoy watching as well as sweeping narratives, it is nice to just zone out for a while and enjoy watching things blow up sometimes - case in point, I'm playing Just Cause 2 atm and absolutely loving it. When Bay gets around to making Bikini Babe Explosion Squad - Trampolines of Terror I'll probably check it out, but when it comes to character and plot depth I'll look to filmmakers who worry about that sort of thing, and/or replay the Thief series.
Yeah but from a Transformers fan's POV it sucks how Transformers can't be elevated to something better than just a popcorn flick/rollercoaster ride style film. Because we know that Transformers can be so much more than meets the eye. ;)

[Megatron]

Optimus Prime: "Megatron, you're back! But... how?"
Megatron: "Hasbro did it."

;) :D


Fair 'nuff, no series is for everyone. BW Megs is my all-time favourite TF character, but again he won't be to everyone's taste.

Also to be fair, Bay is very good at what he does, it's just that what he does isn't character and/or plot depth/development. If you want a mindless, explosion-filled action flick with some nice lead-female butt shots then aside from being overly long his TF movies fit the bill quite well - much like Star Wars Episode 3 is actually quite an entertaining movie when you skip all the boring plot and romance bits. IMO there's a place for popcorn flicks that you can just turn your brain off and enjoy watching as well as sweeping narratives, it is nice to just zone out for a while and enjoy watching things blow up sometimes - case in point, I'm playing Just Cause 2 atm and absolutely loving it. When Bay gets around to making Bikini Babe Explosion Squad - Trampolines of Terror I'll probably check it out, but when it comes to character and plot depth I'll look to filmmakers who worry about that sort of thing, and/or replay the Thief series.

Yep - I guess we'll never have both great action and a quality storyline in a TF live-action movie, which is sad.

Oh I have Just Cause 2 - haven't played it yet.


By all means let him bring back Megatron, as has been noted it's what the general public knows and expects, but it's still kinda dodgy to definitively off a lead villain and pseudo-magically revive him once, let alone twice.

I agree. It would take a very talented writer to pull that one off in a way that is both acceptable and believable.


I prefer this idea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFnul4k5hUM) myself, but it'd need the right soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wgnmm7Y2c0&feature=related) too.

lol... that was heartwarming, thanks... love the last line there too, "It's Hook or me this time..." I don't think the soundtrack is right, though. Something from RotF (or DotM) movie soundtrack would be better suited. ;)


The movies may well introduce more villains, or have Megatron playing a minor role (even if it is a flashback, just to have him on screen)... but the point I was trying to make was from Hasbro's perspective - no matter what Bay does, they will want to sell as many toys as possible, and that means Optimus, Bumblebee and Megatron.

Look at TF2 & TF3 - as people have pointed out above, Megatron was a sidekick to The Fallen and Sentinel Prime.... but who had more toys and merchandise in the stores?
The Fallen had...
a Voyager toy (in three colour versions),
a Legends toy,
a Robot Replica,
and a Robot Heroes figurine. That's it.

What did Megatron have for TF2?
A Leader mould (done twice),
a new Voyager mould,
a redeco of the 2007 Voyager mould,
a Legion mould (done at least twice between US & JP),
a FAB mould,
a Powerbot,
an Activator,
a Robot Replica,
three different Robot Heroes figurines,
a Battle Charger,
a Speedstars Stealth Force vehicle,
and an RPMs/Speedstars Mini-vehicle (done four times).

The ratio is closer for TF3 between the Megatron and Sentinel Prime toys... but was still in favour of Megatron (7 to 6 - there were over 150 TF3 toys but only 13 were of the two main villains), making Megatron the bigger "villain" cash-cow for Hasbro.

That was my point - ignoring how well someone else can be written in as a character, or how much Bay wants someone new (since he keeps trying to get rid of Megatron), Hasbro will make sure that Megatron is on screen in some way (flashback or in the story), so that they can sell more Decepticon toys, to the kids and parents that Hasbro "feeds off".

The proof is the excessive number of Bumblebee and Optimus toys... produced for the majority of consumers who aren't fans (returning consumers).

I don't think anyone misunderstood your original point. And for me if that's what it takes to have Megatron in future movies, then I hope that Hasbro's money-making motivations win over Bay.

Still... there was no DotM Megatron leader toy... and it's my favorite design of all the 3 movies... :(


I can deal with Megatron in flashbacks... that's fine. Then Megatron could pump out repaints of existing moulds and call them, "Shadow Command Old Timey Megatron" etc. (hey, it wouldn't be any weirder than some of the other repaint concepts they've come up with before!)

I don't want flashbacks. I'd be happy even if he just had a minor role, and a new villain was introduced (like they did with the Fallen)... better that than not at all.


Yeah but from a Transformers fan's POV it sucks how Transformers can't be elevated to something better than just a popcorn flick/rollercoaster ride style film. Because we know that Transformers can be so much more than meets the eye. ;)

Agreed, but it's better than nothing I guess.

[Defcon]

I don't want flashbacks. I'd be happy even if he just had a minor role, and a new villain was introduced (like they did with the Fallen)... better that than not at all.
.

I could handle flashbacks. There could be a scene where optimus is at a memorial, and he is remembering the War on cybertron, the early days of the war. Could be like the Siege of Iacon, Megatron leads an army inside, and then Optimus and Megatron clash in combat.
Besides a new villian could spout all kinds of references to the reign of Megatron, saying he was a weakling and a coward, and so on. So Megatron wont be completely absent or forgotten. Which is something I would welcome.

[Megatron]

bleh.. but I wants moar than just flashbacks and references... :p

You know, for a good portion of the past five years or so (since the Bay movies came out)... you would NEVER have seen me advocating for the return of Bayverse Megatron, or anything Bayverse for that matter - oh, how I hated what he did with the franchise... but, to cut a long and personal story short, I have turned right around on some things. I still can't stand Bay's directing techniques... but now I actually like Bayverse Megs, to the point where I would now be sad to see the last of him.

[tron07]

ROTF was the best. Lots of action and a good storyline. DOTM was rushed. I somehow can't stand to watch the first one now. Seems slow paced.

Lets hope No 4 will be a mixture of the 3. I love Bays work. And he has done a brilliant job of getting the Transformers franchise out of the 80s and into the 'real' world.

I am not that demanding, I like all the 3 shows... it could had been better and its not bad like ghost rider 2.

Most comments from non TF fans is the 3rd movie is all about fighting and explosions, they didnt know who is who, what is happening, which is the good and bad and the show just ended after a roller coster ride into the hurricane.

For me I love it, just dont like some part which is very illogical in the 3rd movie so thats why I say it could be better.

[Decepticon]

You NEED fighting and explosions in these movies. It would be hell boring watching Decepticons prancing around with pansies on their heads.

[Robzy]

You NEED fighting and explosions in these movies.
Sure, but you don't need fart, sex, and drug jokes! :cool:

People blame the script writers a hell of a lot, but I've seen many Bay movies and they all have the SAME injections of "content" in them all. As for action, I think a lot of Bay's action sequences are boring because they're not well choreographed. Sure, they're loud and explosive, but I personally find them repetitive, and hard to follow at times. Good action maintains a sense of perspective and space (think Terminator 2, for example). Bay doesn't seem to get this. But, to be fair, not many directors do... only the exceptional ones! Most actions films these days rely on disorienting the viewer to add to the "chaos". It's more distracting than anything else.

If Bay spent more time on character development, I think many people would forgive his shortcomings. He's a great Music Video or Super Bowl Ad director. When it comes to story... I always liken it to a Fireworks display. Sure, fireworks are loud, bright, pretty and exciting - but I'm not emotionally invested in them in any way.

Just my 2 cents! :)