Michael Bay Dot Com'Transformers II' update
By Jay A. Fernandez, Special to The Times
October 10, 2007
Well, DreamWorks and Paramount are finally moving forward with their inevitable “Transformers” sequel, and they’ve done it by putting an enormous down payment on a unique, blockbuster screenwriting crew. In a deal that could ultimately pay out more than $8 million, the studios have hired Ehren Kruger (“The Ring,” “Scream 3″) to write the film’s screenplay with original “Transformers” scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, whose four credited films have produced $1.4 billion in worldwide box office.
DreamWorks’ willingness to agree to a combined team of A-listers, especially at such lofty rates, speaks to the studio’s faith in the writers’ ability to deliver (it also, one insider notes, effectively discourages the studio from spending more money to hire someone to rewrite their work).
Producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and DreamWorks executives had been inviting writers to propose takes on the sequel as early as May, two months before the first film’s Independence Day opening. The studio has been looking at the “Transformers” property as an extended saga, with an expansive mythology built into at least two more films.
But Kurtzman and Orci have been jammed with high-profile writing and producing assignments (“Star Trek,” “Eagle Eye”) and originally passed on writing the sequel to avoid overextending themselves. With returning director Michael Bay looking to keep them involved and no killer pitches forthcoming, last month the studio finally persuaded them by suggesting they team with another writer (for the second film only; Bay has not committed to a third either.)
As producers, Kurtzman and Orci had hired Kruger to pen another DreamWorks project, “Nightlife,” and apparently enjoyed the relationship enough to collaborate with him as writers. (Kruger had recently adapted Stephen King’s “The Talisman” for Steven Spielberg, a “Transformers” executive producer.)
Even with the added partner, the logistics should prove complicated. The new “Star Trek,” which Kurtzman and Orci are producing and writing for Paramount, and “Eagle Eye,” which they’re producing for DreamWorks, start shooting on the same day next month. And “Fringe,” the sci-fi series Kurtzman and Orci sold to Fox TV last week, starts shooting by year’s end.
So Kurtzman and Orci will somehow be writing their part of the “Transformers” script while bouncing around three sets. (At least “Fringe” is co-written and co-executive-produced by “Trek” director J.J. Abrams, so lunch breaks on the “Trek” set should prove productive.)
No deadline has been set for the screenplay, though the film does have a release date: June 26, 2009. So the hiring of several writers was less about trying to complete a script before the potential Writers Guild walkout on Nov. 1 than about having access to numerous voices to address the inevitable changes as this behemoth progresses through its years-long development and production process.
Just the same, the three writers are already pooling their ideas to nail down the detailed story line while Bay has begun pulling together some digital pre-visualization robot designs that didn’t make it into the first film. An added benefit lost on no one is that with a CGI-heavy film like this, the preliminary work provides an effective cushion if the writers (or directors and actors next summer) do strike — effects crews can work ahead and compile action sequences during any stoppage.
Source: LATimes
"Transformers 2" writers
By Borys Kit
Scribe Ehren Kruger and the writing team of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are in negotiations to team to write the screenplay for DreamWorks/Paramount’s “Transformers 2.”
Director Michael Bay, star Shia LaBeouf and producers Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Don Murphy are back in their respective chairs, as is exec producer Steven Spielberg.
The teaming of A-listers to write such a huge project might be an industry first and could have been necessary because Kurtzman and Orci — who wrote the $315 million-grossing first “Transformers” movie — also are busy writing J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” movie for Paramount and producing “Eagle Eye” for DreamWorks.
But the teaming will not be a case of complete strangers being thrust together, as the three writers are working together on “Nightlife,” a DreamWorks serial-killer project that sees Kruger adapting a Thomas Perry novel, with Kurtzman and Orci producing along with Neal Moritz. Kruger also adapted the Stephen King tome “The Talisman,” which Spielberg is exec producing for TNT.
Sources are pegging the writing deal, which is not yet closed, in the $5 million-$7 million range, which also might be an industry high for a nonoriginal screenplay. Reflected in the price is the pressure to perform: With the studio hoping to make the movie before a potential talent strike, the writers are going to have to type fast.
Kruger met with Bay and Hasbro president Brian Goldner and impressed the duo with his knowledge of the “Transformers” mythology.
Kruger also has “Torso,” a graphic novel adaptation that has David Fincher directing, set up at Paramount. He is repped by Paradigm and Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern.
Orci and Kurtzman are repped at CAA.
Source: THR
Bay pumps news blood into "Friday the 13th"
By Borys Kit
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - “Transformers” director Michael Bay is reviving the “Friday the 13th” franchise through his low-budget production company.
The remake of the original 1980 horror classic, which turned the villainous Jason into a cultural icon, is being produced for New Line Cinema by Bay’s Platinum Dunes banner. Platinum Dunes was also behind the revival of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Hitcher.”
In the original “Friday the 13th,” the serial killer made only a brief appearance in the final frames and never killed anyone. Jason didn’t even don the famous mask until the third movie. The remake, however, will focus on Jason — who will wear the mask and kill — and keep the famous setting of Crystal Lake.
Damian Shannon and Mark Swift will write the script. They wrote 2003′s “Freddy vs. Jason,” the killer’s last big-screen appearance. That film grossed more than $82 million domestically.
Source: Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Transformers 2 scheduled for summer 2009
Nelson here….
According to the LATimes, Transformers 2 is scheduled for the summer of 2009.
…He and director Michael Bay have signed on to make “Transformers 2,” scheduled to hit theaters in the summer of 2009.
Stay tuned for more details.
Transformers in IMAX!
Click here to purchase your Transformers IMAX tickets for this limited time engagement.
The NYTimes interviews Bay in 1996
Nelson here….
Now that the New York Times has opened their vault without charging, I found this little gem of an interview of Michael around the premeire of The Rock. It’s an interesting piece. One of the quotes:
“Optimism is what being a photographer is about,” he said. “You look through the lens at the ugliness in this world, and there’s always some beauty to find.”
IMAX and the DVD
I saw the IMAX print and it is awesome! It is the future of cinema to see movies in this format. I’m going to see Tranformers one last time and get ready to gear up for Transformers 2. I added two minutes of stuff for IMAX that will never make into any DVD’s. There will never be an extended edition.
About the DVD. I like the two disc set. I has all the extras that the others don’t have. It is the definitive edition of Transformers. It really breaks down how we made the movie.
Anyway hope you like the IMAX print!
Bay
Transformers IMAX release to include additional footage
Nelson here…
I contacted Michael to verify if the IMAX release of Transformers will include additional footage not seen in the first theatrical release, and he has confirmed that there will be about 2 extra minutes.
Transformers DVD goes on sale October 16
From Director Michael Bay and Executive Producer Steven Spielberg Comes the BIGGEST Original Blockbuster of the Year, TRANSFORMERS
$650+ Million Smash Hit from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures Rolls out on DVD and HD DVD October 16 in Two-Disc Sets Bursting with a Universe of Bonus Features to Immerse Fans of All Ages in the World of the Legendary ROBOTS IN DISGUISE
HOLLYWOOD, Calif.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-The armies of CYBERTRON invaded theaters with a juggernaut fury that shook the summer of 2007, but on October 16, 2007 fans of all ages will discover that there is far “More Than Meets The Eye” to the massive mechanical behemoths when TRANSFORMERS arrives on Earth in spectacular DVD and HD DVD two-disc Special Edition sets as well as on a single disc from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures; distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment.
Earning over $650 million at the global box office to date, the massive production exploded onto screens from the creative minds of director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg, in association with Hasbro, taking audiences by storm and becoming the biggest original film of the year. The first live-action film based on the enduringly popular “robots in disguise”, TRANSFORMERS features the ultimate battle between good and evil, as the peace-loving AUTOBOTS seek to protect humanity from the evil forces of the DECEPTICONS. The action-packed film stars a hot young cast of up-and-coming actors including Shia LaBeouf (Disturbia), Josh Duhamel (Las Vegas), Tyrese Gibson (Four Brothers) and Megan Fox (Hope & Faith), as well as seasoned performers such as Jon Voight (National Treasure) and John Turturro (The Good Shepherd). But the biggest stars are the TRANSFORMERS robots themselves – including fan favorites OPTIMUS PRIME, MEGATRON, BUMBLEBEE, RATCHET, JAZZ and more – brought to life by revolutionary new VFX techniques developed by the innovative digital wizards at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).
The TRANSFORMERS Special Edition two-disc sets provide an incredible experience with an arsenal of bonus material that delivers excitement and fun for long-time fans, as well as for viewers who are new to the TRANSFORMERS universe. The extensive special features include commentary by Michael Bay and two multi-part in-depth documentaries exploring the human elements of the film as well as the phenomenal robot stars. Presented in multiple parts, “Our World” and “Their War” include segments with Steven Spielberg discussing his love for the franchise and the early concept for the movie, the extensive casting process, the training, consultants and real-world weapons provided by the military to lend authenticity to the film, the evolution of the robots from Hasbro’s iconic toy line to big-screen stars, the unique vehicles created for the movie, a discussion with ILM’s legendary digital artists and much more.
The discs go even further behind-the-scenes with early sketch concepts of the robots and an in-depth look at the making of the SKORPONOK attack from writing and conceptualization through the creation of the stunning visual effects.
Out-Of-This World High-Def Content:
In addition to superior picture and sound and all of the above bonus material presented in high definition, the HD DVD presentation provides consumers with a host of web-enabled features, which are accessible through all connected HD DVD players. The web-enabled features take advantage of technology that allows the studio to present the content in a new way. These cutting-edge, online features can be updated, providing consumers with an evolving entertainment experience months, or even years, after the disc is physically produced. Initial features include a TRANSFORMERS Intelligence Mode in which an on-screen dashboard over the film provides information about the robots and weapons, their strength levels, character updates and more. Plus, a GPS Locator that can access a map and GPS coordinates. Paramount’s TRANSFORMERS HD DVD connectivity capabilities will reveal additional HD DVD exclusive features at street date and at various time periods in the future.
The HD DVD also includes a TRANSFORMERS H.U.D. (Heads Up Display) that lets viewers access running text commentary while watching the film and even view relevant behind-the-scenes footage in a picture-in-picture window. Additionally, viewers can explore the main robots’ individual details in high definition with the TRANSFORMERS Tech Inspector.
DVD:
The TRANSFORMERS DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround and Spanish 5.1 Surround with English, French and Spanish subtitles. Total runtime is 143 minutes.
TRANSFORMERS Special Edition DVD bonus features include:
Disc 1:
- Feature film
- Commentary by Michael Bay
Disc 2:
Our World
- The Story Sparks - Steven Spielberg discusses his love for the franchise and early concept art for the film. Explores how the writers adapted the cartoon into a live action movie and why Michael Bay is the perfect director for the film.
- Human Allies - A look at how the actors were selected and their experiences on the set.
- Fight Giant Robots - An exploration of the military training that Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson underwent for their roles and the various stunts that the actors were asked to perform.
- Battleground - A piece on the senior officials from the Department of Defense and Air Force who consulted on the film to give it authenticity and the key locations that the U.S. government provided access to.
Their War
- Rise of the Robots - Explores the interaction between Hasbro designers and Michael Bay to bring the toy line roaring to life.
- AUTOBOTS Roll Out - Michael Bay discusses working with Chevy and its designers and the modifications that were made to the cars seen in the film.
- DECEPTICONS Strike - The film’s military advisors discuss the “toys” they allowed the production to borrow: F-22 Raptors, Ospreys and A-10 Warthogs.
- Inside the AllSpark - ILM’s digital artists discuss the challenges of bringing the TRANSFORMERS to life.
More Than Meets The Eye
- From Script to Sand: The SKORPONOK Desert Attack - An in-depth look at the making of this particularly epic and challenging scene from initial storyboarding through production and visual effects.
- Concepts - Early sketch concepts of the robots.
- Trailers
TRANSFORMERS HD-DVD
The HD DVD is presented in 1080p High Definition with English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus and English, English SDH+, French, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese subtitles. In addition to the above features that will be presented in high definition, the TRANSFORMERS HD DVD will also offer the following exclusive content:
Disc 1:
- TRANSFORMERS H.U.D. (Heads Up Display)-In this mode, viewers can access running text-based behind-the-scenes background information on the production during the feature. Users can also watch relevant picture-in-picture b-roll and video with Bay, Spielberg and other filmmakers during select sequences.
- Transformers Intelligence Mode web-enabled features consist of:
- Transformation ModeHealth, Meter Weapon Mode, Robot Bio, In Scene Indicator, Text Ticker, GPS
Disc 2:
- TRANSFORMERS Tech Inspector - Gives viewers an unprecedented look at the TRANSFORMERS robots through the exquisitely detailed models created by ILM artists. Users can zoom in on each detail for a closer examination and pause and change the rotation of the models.
Marketing Support:
Paramount Home Entertainment will support the home video debut of TRANSFORMERS with one of the biggest media campaigns in the division’s history. The multi-million dollar blitz will include television, print, radio and online advertising reaching a four quadrant audience. The expansive campaign also will include a viral marketing program in which fans can go online to customize a message for their friends from OPTIMUS PRIME and send it via telephone or email. In addition, an array of high-impact displays will be deployed to retail locations across the country. Promotional partners including Chevrolet and Hostess will also extend the TRANSFORMERS message to millions of people.
Each TRANSFORMERS DVD will include an insert alerting consumers to Chevrolet’s “The Bumblebee Camaro Sweepstakes”. Beginning October 17, 2007, fans can enter to win one of three customized Chevy Camaro cars styled after the TRANSFORMERS AUTOBOT BUMBLEBEE at chevy.com/camaro. The sweepstakes also will be promoted with a wide-reaching television, print and online advertising campaign that will further extend the DVD messaging and excitement.
This October, Hostess, the maker of America’s most iconic snack cakes, will be launching a national consumer promotion on approximately 17 million TRANSFORMERS themed packages at convenience and grocery/mass merchandiser retail stores. Consumers will be directed via www.hostesscakes.com to a Hostess micro-site where they can play an instant-win game for a chance to win a 50” Plasma TV and Home Entertainment system, portable DVD players and other prizes.
The HD DVD version and two-disc standard-def special edition will both be priced at $39.99, with the standard-def single-disc at $19.95 MAP.
Transformers score coming October 9, 2007
Pre-order the Transformers score CD at Amazon.com
Track listing below.
1. Autobots
2. Decepticons
3. All Spark
4. Deciphering the Signal
5. Frenzy
6. Optimus
7. Bumblebee
8. Soccent Attack
9. Sam at the Lake
10. Skorpinok
11. Cybertron
12. Arrival to Earth
13. Whitwicky
14. Downtown Battle
15. Sector 7
16. Bumblebee Captured
17. You’re a Soldier Now
18. Sam on the Roof
19. Optimus vs. Megatron
20. No Sacrifice, No Victory
New design and new forum
Nelson here…
As you can see, we have a new look. If you catch any broken links or broken image links, please email me at webmaster@michaelbay.com.
As for the forums, you will have to re-register. Once, you do, I will update your post count to match that of the old boards when they close (please register with your OLD USERNAME so I can easily track and assign you your correct post count).
10 years and running…
Nelson here…
Ten years ago I started this site using Adobe Pagemill 1.0 and a cracked version of Photoshop running on a Cyrix 286 system operated by Windows 95. The page had a image of Michael, a bio, and the list of his films (Bad Boys and The Rock). A lot has happened since then.
On behalf of Michael, I would like to thank all of you who have visited and supported the site over the years.
Thank you.
Sacred Emotion
Back in 1988, Michael was given the opportunity to direct his first music video. It was a comeback song titled “Sacred Emotion” for Donny Osmond.
Enjoy.
Michael Bay HD-DVD post
Last night at dinner I was having dinner with three Blu-Ray owners, they were pissed about no Transformers Blu-Ray and I drank the kool aid hook line and sinker. So at 1:30 in the morning I posted - nothing good ever comes out of early am posts mind you - I over reacted. I heard where Paramount is coming from and the future of HD and players that will be close to the $200 mark which is the magic number. I like what I heard.
As a director, I’m all about people seeing films in the best quality possible, and I saw and heard firsthand people upset about a corporate decision.
So today I saw 300 on HD-DVD, it rocks!
So I think I might be back on to do Transformers 2!
Michael Bay
Transformers goes IMAX on September 21
One of the Biggest Movies of 2007 Gets Digitally Enhanced into The IMAX
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - IMAX Corporation, DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures announced today that “TRANSFORMERS,” one of the highest grossing movies of the year, will be digitally re-mastered into IMAX’s immersive format and released to IMAX(R) theatres on September 21. The Michael Bay-directed movie, which has already generated $310 million in gross box office receipts domestically since its premiere in conventional theaters on July 3, will be enhanced into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) through IMAX’s DMR(R) (Digital Re-Mastering) technology.
“IMAX’s all-encompassing format takes ‘TRANSFORMERS’ to a whole new level of detail and intensity,” said Michael Bay, the film’s director. “I am very excited to work with the team at IMAX to create this turbo-charged version.”
“As fans of ‘TRANSFORMERS’ await the release of the DVD in the fall, they will have a brand new way to experience the adventure — as if they are actually part of the movie,” said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. “The images and sound in ‘TRANSFORMERS’ are perfectly suited to The IMAX Experience and we are very excited to share the IMAX version with the film’s present and future fans.”
“When you combine Michael Bay’s action packed brand of filmmaking with The IMAX Experience, you get a movie that plays to the elusive and extremely valuable tech-savvy demographic,” added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “We are very excited to offer moviegoers a chance to experience one of the highest grossing and most popular films of the year in a premium way that cannot be replicated anywhere else, and we are delighted to once again work with the talented team at Paramount Pictures to make this happen.”
Source: Imax
Transformers to be released on standard definition DVD and HD-DVD only
Nelson here…
It appears that Transformers will be released on on regular DVD & HD-DVD only and not Blu-Ray.
Paramount/Dreamworks has decided to drop it’s support for Blu-Ray. That means you must either own a Toshiba HD-DVD player or have the HD-DVD add-on for the xBox 360 to view Transformers in HD.
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. and DreamWorks Animation SKG , each announced today that they will exclusively support the next-generation HD DVD format on a worldwide basis. The exclusive HD DVD commitment will include all movies distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films, as well as movies from DreamWorks Animation, which are distributed exclusively by Paramount Home Entertainment.The companies each said that the decision to distribute exclusively in the HD DVD format resulted from an extensive evaluation of current market offerings, which confirmed the clear benefits of HD DVD, particularly its market-ready technology and lower manufacturing costs. Paramount Home Entertainment will launch its exclusive HD DVD program with the release of the blockbuster comedy hit “Blades of Glory” on August 28th and follow with two of the biggest grossing movies of the year “Transformers” and “Shrek the Third”. These three titles alone represent more than $1.5 billion in box office ticket sales worldwide.
Source: CNN
