Transformers (film series)
Transformers | |
---|---|
![]() Franchise logo for the first three films | |
Directed by |
|
Produced by |
|
Starring | |
Music by | |
Distributed by |
|
Release date | 2007–present |
Running time | 760 minutes (5 films) |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $972 million |
Box office | $4.333 billion |
Transformers is a series of American science fiction action films based on the toys created by Hasbro and Tomy. Michael Bay has directed Transformers (2007), Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Dark of the Moon (2011), Age of Extinction (2014) and The Last Knight (2017). [1][2][3] A Bumblebee spin-off, directed by Travis Knight, is scheduled for 2018, and a sixth film is to be released in 2019. The series has been distributed by Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks.
The series has received mostly negative critial reception. Most of them due to its convoluted plots, crude humor, racist estereotypes, overuse of product placements and overt sexualisation of underaged characters. It is the 10th highest-grossing film series, with a total of $4.2 billion; two films in the series have individually grossed over $1 billion, most of it from Chinese audiences.
Films
Transformers (2007)
Transformers is the first film in the series, released on July 3, 2007. It grossed $709 million worldwide, and garnered mixed to positive reviews, scoring 57% on Rotten Tomatoes. It was directed by Michael Bay from a screenplay by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci and a story by Kurtzman, Orci and John Rogers, and starred Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is the second film in the series, released on June 24, 2009. It grossed $836.3 million worldwide, and garnered negative reviews, scoring 19% on Rotten Tomatoes. It was directed by Michael Bay from a screenplay written by Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, and starred Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
Transformers: Dark of the Moon is the third film in the series, released on June 29, 2011, in 3D and IMAX 3D. It grossed $1.124 billion worldwide, and garnered bad reviews with a 35% rotten score on Rotten Tomatoes. It was directed by Michael Bay from a screenplay written by Ehren Kruger and starred Shia LaBeouf and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
Transformers: Age of Extinction is the fourth film in the series, released on June 27, 2014, in 2D and 3D. It grossed $1.104 billion worldwide, and garnered negative reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with a score of 18%. It was directed by Michael Bay from a screenplay written by Ehren Kruger, and starred Mark Wahlberg and Stanley Tucci.
Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
Transformers: The Last Knight is the fifth film in the series, released on June 21, 2017 in 2D and 3D. It grossed $517.4 million worldwide, and garnered negative reviews as the worst-rated on Rotten Tomatoes, with a score of 15%.[4] It was directed by Michael Bay from a screenplay written by Art Marcum, Matt Holloway and Ken Nolan, and stars Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Hopkins. This film was the final to feature Michael Bay as the director, as the franchise will search for a new director for future sequels.
Future
Transformers Universe: Bumblebee (2018)
Transformers franchise leader for Hasbro, Tom Warner, announced on February 12, 2016, that the next film in the series would be released on June 8, 2018. Later it was revealed that rather than a main entry, the film is to be a spin-off, starring Bumblebee and Hailee Steinfeld with Christina Hodson writing the script and Travis Knight directing the film as his live-action directorial debut.[5][6][7][8] Later, Jorge Lendeborg Jr. was cast in the male leading role.[9] In March 2017, it was revealed that the plot will focus on a younger-age Bumblebee making the film a prequel set in 1985.[10][11] Filming is to begin in July 2017.[12]
Untitled sixth Transformers film (2019)
In his February 12, 2016 announcement, Tom Warner, the Transformers franchise leader for Hasbro, also stated that a sequel to Transformers: The Last Knight, is to be released on June 28, 2019. It has been called "Transformers 6", but is untitled now and the studio is in search for a new director for the sixth film.[5][13][14]
Other films in development
In May 2015, it was reported that a film centered around the origins of the Autobots and Decepticons, tentatively titled Transformers One, is in development with Ant-Man and the Wasp screenwriters Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari. This followed a writers' room collaboration rendered by Paramount Pictures to determine the future of the Transformers franchise.[15]
On March 28, 2013, during the release of G.I. Joe: Retaliation, producer di Bonaventura announced that he is open to doing a G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover.[16] On July 26, 2013, G.I. Joe: Retaliation director Jon M. Chu stated that he is also interested in directing a Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover film.[17] Despite di Bonaventura stating that a crossover was not likely to happen in June 2014,[18] he later said that a crossover was still a possibility.[19] On October 23, 2015, Jon M. Chu confirmed his intentions to make a crossover film between Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Jem.[20] On October 29, 2015, Chu hinted about Transformers possibly doing crossovers with other Hasbro products.[21] On January 18, 2017, D.J. Caruso, who is set to direct the third G.I. Joe movie, stated that the script for the crossover movie is being written.[22]
In April 2017, Michael Bay stated that, as a result of the writers' room, there are fourteen stories completed for potential future Transformers films.[23]
Expanded universe
In addition to the films, the film series has a promotional expanded series that is set both before and after the events of the films. This includes comic books, video games, and novels. While the novels are partially based on the films themselves, and the video games aren't in the same continuity as the films, the comic books and graphic novels are in the same continuity and fill in several parts of the stories from the films.
Production and development
Transformers
For the first film, producer Don Murphy was planning a G.I. Joe film adaptation, but when the United States launched the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, Hasbro suggested adapting the Transformers franchise instead.[24] Tom DeSanto joined Murphy because he was a fan of the series.[25] They met with comic book writer Simon Furman, and cited the Generation 1 cartoon and comics as their main influence.[24] They made the Creation Matrix their plot device, though Murphy had it renamed because of the film series The Matrix.[26] DeSanto chose to write the treatment from a human point of view to engage the audience,[27] while Murphy wanted it to have a realistic tone, reminiscent of a disaster film.[26] The treatment featured the Autobots Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Jazz, Prowl, Arcee, Ratchet, Wheeljack, and Bumblebee, and the Decepticons Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Ravage, Laserbeak, Rumble, Skywarp and Shockwave.[28]
Steven Spielberg, a fan of the comics and toys,[25] signed on as executive producer in 2004. John Rogers wrote the first draft, which pitted four Autobots against four Decepticons,[29] and featured the Ark spaceship.[30] Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, fans of the cartoon,[31] were hired to rewrite the script in February 2005.[32] Spielberg suggested that "a boy and his car" should be the focus.[33] This appealed to Orci and Kurtzman because it conveyed themes of adulthood and responsibility, "the things that a car represents in the United States".[34] The characters of Sam and Mikaela were the sole point of view given in Orci and Kurtzman's first draft.[35] The Transformers had no dialogue, as the producers feared talking robots would look ridiculous. The writers felt that even if it would look silly, not having the robots speak would betray the fanbase.[31] The first draft also had a battle scene in the Grand Canyon.[36] Spielberg read each of Orci and Kurtzman's drafts and gave notes for improvement.[33] The writers remained involved throughout production, adding additional dialogue for the robots during the sound mixing (although none of this was kept in the final film, which ran fifteen minutes shorter than the initial edit).[37] Furman's The Ultimate Guide, published by Dorling Kindersley, remained as a resource to the writers throughout production.[37] Prime Directive was used as a fake working title. This was also the name of Dreamwave Productions' first Transformers comic book.[38]
Michael Bay was asked to direct by Spielberg on July 30, 2005,[39] but he dismissed the film as a "stupid toy movie".[40] Nonetheless, he wanted to work with Spielberg, and gained a new respect for the mythology upon visiting Hasbro.[39] Bay considered the first draft "too kiddie", so he increased the military's role in the story.[39][41] The writers sought inspiration from G.I. Joe for the soldier characters, being careful not to mix the brands.[42] Because Orci and Kurtzman were concerned the film could feel like a military recruitment commercial, they chose to make the military believe nations like Iran were behind the Decepticon attack as well as making the Decepticons primarily military vehicles.[43] Bay based Lennox's struggle to get to the Pentagon phone line while struggling with an unhelpful operator from a real account he was given by a soldier when working on another film.[39]
Orci and Kurtzman experimented with numerous robots from the franchise, ultimately selecting the characters most popular among the filmmakers to form the final cast.[25] Bay acknowledged that most of the Decepticons were selected before their names or roles were developed, as Hasbro had to start designing the toys.[citation needed][44] Some of their names were changed because Bay was upset that they had been leaked.[45] Optimus, Megatron, Bumblebee and Starscream were the only characters present in each version of the script.[31] Arcee was a female Transformer introduced by Orci and Kurtzman, but she was cut because they found it difficult to explain robotic gender; Bay also disliked her motorcycle form, which he found too small.[42] An early idea to have the Decepticons simultaneously strike multiple places around the world was also dropped, being used later in the film's sequels.[35]
Revenge of the Fallen
In September 2007, Paramount announced a late June 2009 release date for the sequel to Transformers.[46] A major hurdle that was overcome during the film's production was the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, as well as possible strikes by the Directors Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild. Bay began creating animatics of action sequences featuring characters rejected for the 2007 film; this would allow animators to complete sequences if the Directors Guild of America went on strike in July 2008, which ultimately did not happen.[47][48] The director considered making a small project in between Transformers and its sequel, but knew "you have your baby and you don't want someone else to take it".[49] The film was given a $200 million budget, which was $50 million more than the 2007 film,[50] and some of the action scenes rejected for the original were written into the sequel, such as the way Optimus is reintroduced in this film.[51] Lorenzo di Bonaventura said the studio proposed filming two sequels simultaneously, but he and Bay concurred that was not the right direction for the series.[52]
Writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman originally passed on the sequel because of a busy schedule. The studio began courting other writers in May 2007, but as they were unimpressed with their pitches, they convinced Orci and Kurtzman to return.[47] The studio also signed on Ehren Kruger, as he impressed Bay and Hasbro president Brian Goldner with his knowledge of the Transformers mythology,[53] and because he was friends with Orci and Kurtzman.[54] The writing trio were paid $8 million.[47] Screenwriting was interrupted by the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, but to avoid production delays the writers spent two weeks writing a treatment, which they handed in the night before the strike began,[54] and Bay expanded the outline into a sixty-page scriptment,[55] fleshing out the action, adding more jokes,[54] as well as selecting the majority of new characters.[56] The three writers spent four months finishing the screenplay while "locked" in two hotel rooms by Bay: Kruger wrote in his own room and the trio would check on each other's work twice a day.[57]
Orci described the film's theme as "being away from home", with the Autobots contemplating living on Earth as they cannot restore Cybertron, while Sam goes to college.[58] He wanted the focus between the robots and humans "much more evenly balanced",[59] "the stakes [to] be higher", and the science fiction elements more prominent.[60] Lorenzo di Bonaventura said that in total, there are around forty robots in the film,[50] while ILM's Scott Farrar has said there are actually sixty.[61] Orci added that he wanted to "modulate" the humor more,[62] and felt he managed the more "outrageous" jokes by balancing them with a more serious plot approach to the Transformers' mythology.[63] Bay concurred that he wanted to please fans by making the tone darker,[64] and that "moms will think its safe enough to bring the kids back out to the movies" despite his trademark sense of humor.[65]
Before Transformers was released, producer DeSanto had "a very cool idea" to introduce the Dinobots,[66] while Bay was interested in an aircraft carrier, which was dropped from the 2007 film.[67] Orci claimed they did not incorporate these characters into Revenge of the Fallen because they could not think of a way to justify the Dinobots' choice of form,[58] and were unable to fit in the aircraft carrier.[68] Orci also admitted he was also dismissive of the Dinobots because he does not like dinosaurs. "I recognize I am weird in that department", he said,[69] but he became fonder of them during filming because of their popularity with fans.[70] He added "I couldn't see why a Transformer would feel the need to disguise himself in front of a bunch of lizards. Movie-wise, I mean. Once the general audience is fully on board with the whole thing, maybe Dinobots in the future."[71] However, Michael Bay said he hated the Dinobots and they had never been in consideration for being featured in the movies.[72]
Dark of the Moon
For the third film, as a preemptive measure before the release of Revenge of the Fallen, Michael Lucchi and Paramount announced on March 16, 2009, that a third film would be released in IMAX 3D on July 1, 2011, which earned a surprised response from director Bay:
I said I was taking off a year from Transformers. Paramount made a mistake in dating Transformers 3—they asked me on the phone—I said yes to July 1—but for 2012—whoops! Not 2011! That would mean I would have to start prep in September. No way. My brain needs a break from fighting robots.[73]
Screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who had worked on the two previous Transformers films, declined to return for the third film, with Kurtzman declaring that "the franchise is so wonderful that it deserves to be fresh, all the time. We just felt like we’d given it a lot and didn’t have an insight for where to go with it next".[74] Revenge of the Fallen's co-writer Ehren Kruger became the sole screenwriter for Dark of the Moon. Kruger had frequent meetings with Industrial Light & Magic's (ILM) visual effects producers, who suggested plot points such as the scenes in Chernobyl.[75]
On October 1, 2009, Bay revealed that Dark of the Moon had already gone into pre-production, and its planned release was back to its originally intended date of July 1, 2011, rather than 2012.[76] Due to the revived interest in 3-D technology brought in by the success of Avatar,[77] talks between Paramount, ILM, and Bay had considered the possibility of the next Transformers film being filmed in 3-D, and testing was performed to bring the technology into Bay's work.[78] Bay originally was not much interested in the format as he felt it did not fit his "aggressive style" of filmmaking, but he was convinced after talks with Avatar director James Cameron,[79] who even offered the technical crew from that film. Cameron reportedly told Bay about 3-D, "You gotta look at it as a toy, it's another fun tool to help get emotion and character and create an experience."[80] Bay was reluctant to film with 3-D cameras since in test he found them to be too cumbersome for his filming style, but he did not want to implement the technology in post production either since he was not pleased with the results.[81] In addition to using the 3-D Fusion camera rigs developed by Cameron's team,[80][82] Bay and the team spent nine months developing a more portable 3-D camera that could be brought into location.[79]
In a hidden extra for the Blu-ray release of Revenge of the Fallen, Bay expressed his intention to make Transformers 3 not necessarily larger than Revenge of the Fallen, but instead deeper into the mythology, to give it more character development, and to make it darker and more emotional.[83] Unicron is briefly shown in a secret Transformers 3 preview feature in the Revenge of the Fallen Blu-ray disc. Ultimately, the producers decided to forgo a plot involving the planet-eating Transformer, and no further comments were ever made on the subject.[83] Having been called Transformers 3 up to that point, the film's final title was revealed to be Dark of the Moon in October 2010.[84] After Revenge of the Fallen was almost universally panned by critics, Bay acknowledged the general flaws of the script, having blamed the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike prior to the film for many problems. Bay promised to not have the "dorky comedy" from the last film.[85] On March 19, 2010, the script was said to be finished.[86]
Age of Extinction
In February 2012, producer di Bonaventura stated that a fourth film was in the works, aiming for a 2014 release, with Michael Bay to direct and produce.[87] On the same day, Paramount Pictures and Michael Bay announced a June 27, 2014 release date for a fourth film.[88] Ehren Kruger would pen the script and Steve Jablonsky would score the film, as each had for the previous film.[89][90] The film is set five years after the events in Transformers: Dark of the Moon.[91] Shia LaBeouf did not return in any future installments. Mark Wahlberg was instead cast in the lead role.[92][93][94] In November 2012, casting began to search for two more leads. Isabelle Cornish, Nicola Peltz, Gabriella Wilde and Margaret Qualley were all considered to play the daughter of Mark Wahlberg's character, while Luke Grimes, Landon Liboiron, Brenton Thwaites, Jack Reynor and Hunter Parrish were all considered to play the race-car-driving boyfriend.[95] Bay announced on his website that Reynor would be the boyfriend and that the fourth film would start the next installment in the overall series; the film was to be a darker sequel to Dark of the Moon and have a different feeling.[96] Peter Cullen, who voiced Optimus Prime in the films, was to reprise his role.[97] Tyrese Gibson was in talks to reprise his role.[98] Glenn Morshower stated that he was contracted for two films and he was to reprise his role,[99] but it was later confirmed that Morshower would not be returning.[100] With a budget of $165 million, filming was expected to take place in London between April and November 2013 – once Pain & Gain, another film that Bay was directing, had finished editing.[101][102]
On January 8, 2013, it was announced that Reynor was joining Wahlberg in the lead. On the Michaelbay.com forums, Nelson, the administrator of the website, confirmed that filming would take place in Chicago.[103] On March 20, 2013, the film's plot read: "As humanity picks up the pieces, following the conclusion of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Autobots and Decepticons have all but vanished from the face of the planet. However, a group of powerful, ingenious businessman and scientists attempt to learn from past Transformer incursions and push the boundaries of technology beyond what they can control – all while an ancient, powerful Transformer menace sets Earth in his crosshairs. The epic adventure and battle between good and evil, freedom and enslavement ensues." But this was later found to be inaccurate.[104][clarification needed]
On March 26, 2013, Nicola Peltz was cast as the female lead.[105] Bay confirmed that the movie was to be in 3D.[106] Bay revealed to Collider that actor Stanley Tucci had joined the cast, and that the film would be the first feature film to be shot using smaller digital IMAX 3D cameras.[107] On May 1, 2013, actor Kelsey Grammer was cast as the lead human villain named "Harold Attinger".[108] On May 6, 2013, actress Sophia Myles was cast in a major supporting role.[109] That same month, Chinese actress Li Bingbing and comedian T. J. Miller joined the cast.[110][111]
Actor T. J. Miller was confirmed to have joined the cast, playing Mark Wahlberg's character's best friend who is a mechanic.[112] Also revealed were two Autobots who would have the following alternate modes — a black-and-blue 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse named "Drift", and a green 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray concept named Crosshairs. A truck from Western Star Trucks would be Optimus Prime's new alternate mode for the movie.[113] Bumblebee's new alternate mode was revealed to be a modified vintage 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, which later transforms into a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro concept.[114] A green military vehicle (later confirmed to be Hound) and a white emergency response vehicle were also revealed.[115]
Filming began in June 2013, in Detroit,[116] Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong.
The Last Knight
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2017) |
Future and shared universe
On March 28, 2013, during the release of G.I. Joe: Retaliation, producer di Bonaventura announced that he is open to doing a G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover.[16] On July 26, 2013, G.I. Joe: Retaliation director Jon M. Chu stated that he is also interested in directing a Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover film.[17] Despite di Bonaventura having stated on June 23, 2014, that a crossover was not likely to happen,[18] he later stated that a crossover was still a possibility.[19]
In March 2015, Akiva Goldsman was tasked to create a "Transformers Cinematic Universe", as to oversee the development of a multi-part sequel, along with prequels and spin-off films in a "writer’s room" style brain trust.[117] In May 2015, Deadline reported that Robert Kirkman, Zak Penn, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway, Jeff Pinkner, Andrew Barrer, Gabrial Ferrari, Christina Hodson, Lindsey Beer, Ken Nolan, Geneva Robertson-Dworet, and Steven DeKnight are to write spin-offs, potentially titled Beast Wars and Transformers One, and sequels for the franchise.[118][119][120][121][122] At least 12 films are to be pitched for the "Transformers Cinematic Universe".[123] On September 17, 2015, Deadline reported that Barrer and Ferrari are to write an animated film that will explore the origins in Cybertron, with a working title Transformers One.[124]
On October 23, 2015, Jon M. Chu confirmed his intentions to make a crossover film between Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Jem.[20] On October 29, 2015, Chu hinted about Transformers possibly doing crossovers with other Hasbro products.[21]
Crew
Crew/Detail | Transformers (2007) |
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) |
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) |
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) |
Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Director | Michael Bay | ||||
Producer(s) | Lorenzo di Bonaventura Don Murphy Tom DeSanto Ian Bryce | ||||
Writer(s) | Roberto Orci Alex Kurtzman |
Ehren Kruger Alex Kurtzman Roberto Orci |
Ehren Kruger | Ken Nolan & Art Marcum and Matt Holloway | |
Editor(s) | Paul Rubell Glen Scantlebury Tom Muldoon |
Tom Muldoon Paul Rubell Roger Barton Joel Negron |
Roger Barton William Goldenberg Joel Negron |
Roger Barton William Goldenberg Paul Rubell |
Mark Sanger John Refoua Debra Neil-Fisher Roger Barton Adam Gerstel Calvin Wimmer Julie Monroe |
Cinematography | Mitchell Amundsen | Ben Seresin | Amir Mokri | Jonathan Sela | |
Composer | Steve Jablonsky | ||||
Production companies | Di Bonaventura Pictures Hasbro Studios Angry Films | ||||
Distributor | DreamWorks Pictures Paramount Pictures |
Paramount Pictures | |||
Running time | 143 minutes | 150 minutes | 154 minutes | 165 minutes | 150 minutes |
Release date | July 3, 2007 | June 24, 2009 | June 29, 2011 | June 27, 2014 | June 21, 2017 |
MPAA rating | PG-13 | ||||
BBFC rating | 12 |
Reception
Box office performance
Film | Release date | Box office revenue | Box office ranking | Budget | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North America | Other territories |
Worldwide | All time North America |
All time worldwide | |||||
Transformers[125] | July 3, 2007 | $319.2 million | $390.5 million | $709.7 million | #36 #114(A) |
#69 | $150 million | ||
Revenge of the Fallen[126] | June 24, 2009 | $402.1 million | $434.2 million | $836.3 million | #18 #81(A) |
#44 | $200 million | ||
Dark of the Moon[127] | June 29, 2011 | $352.4 million | $771.4 million | $1,124 million | #27 #129(A) |
#10 | $195 million | ||
Age of Extinction[128] | June 27, 2014 | $245.4 million | $858.6 million | $1,104 million | #91 | #14 | $210 million | ||
The Last Knight[129] | June 21, 2017 | $102.1 million | $329.6 million | $496.5 million | #603 | #218 | $217 million | ||
Total[130] | $1,421 million | $2,784 million | $4,206 million | $972 million | |||||
List indicator(s)
|
Critical and public reception
Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore |
---|---|---|---|
Transformers | 57% (221 reviews)[131] | 61 (35 critics)[132] | A[133] |
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen | 19% (244 reviews)[134] | 35 (32 critics)[135] | B+[133] |
Transformers: Dark of the Moon | 35% (247 reviews)[136] | 42 (37 critics)[137] | A[133] |
Transformers: Age of Extinction | 18% (188 reviews)[138] | 32 (38 critics)[139] | A-[133] |
Transformers: The Last Knight | 15% (171 reviews)[140] | 28 (46 critics)[141] | B+[133] |
Average | 29% | 40 | A- |
Academy Awards
Award | Film | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Transformers (2007) |
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) |
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) |
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) |
Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) | |
Sound Editing | Nominated | Nominated | |||
Sound Mixing | Nominated | Nominated | Nominated | ||
Visual Effects | Nominated | Nominated |
Cast and characters
See also
- The Transformers: The Movie, a 1986 animated film based on the TV series
- Transformers: The Ride, an amusement ride based on the film series
- G.I. Joe film series (soon to be a shared cinematic universe with ROM, M.A.S.K., Visionaries and Micronauts)
References
- ^ Beard, Lanford (February 14, 2012). "Michael Bay will direct the next 'Transformers,' but first he's pumped for 'Pain and Gain'". Insidemovies.ew.com. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
- ^ "Michael Bay To Direct 'Transformers 4,' Producer Confirms". Movienight.mtv.ca. February 14, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
- ^ "Producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura Says 'Transformers 4' Coming For Summer 2014 | The Playlist". Blogs.indiewire.com. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
- ^ "Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- ^ a b "Bumblebee Spin-Off Film Coming in 2018". ComingSoon.net. February 12, 2016. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Fleming, Jr, Mike (November 11, 2016). "Paramount Buzzing Over Christina Hodson 'Bumblebee' Transformers Spinoff Script". Deadline.
- ^ Busch, Anita (March 2, 2017). "Travis Knight To Direct 'Transformers' Spinoff 'Bumblebee' at Paramount". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- ^ "Pitch Perfect pop star Hailee Steinfeld hits charts with Most Girls single and lands Transformers". rolenews.com.au. June 10, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
- ^ Ford, Rebecca (July 11, 2017). "'Transformers' Spinoff 'Bumblebee' Casts Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Male Lead (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ "What The Bumblebee Transformers Spinoff Is Going To Be About". April 6, 2017.
- ^ "Bumblebee Spinoff Compared to The Iron Giant". collider. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
- ^ "Transformers: Bumblebee Spinoff Sets July Filming Start". April 6, 2017.
- ^ "Paramount Dates A Trio Of 'Transformers' Sequels; Collides With 'Wonder Woman', 'Godzilla 2'". February 12, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Fritz, Ben (October 13, 2016). "Film Studios Recast Writers' Rooms". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Collura, By Scott. "Transformers One Origin Film Reportedly in the Works". Retrieved July 1, 2016.
- ^ a b "G.I. Joe And Transformers Crossover? The Producer Tells Us How It Could Happen". Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ a b "Jon M. Chu Likes the idea of a G.I. Joe/Transformers Crossover Movie". Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ a b "G.I. Joe/Transformers Movie Crossover Not Likely to Happen, Says Producer". June 23, 2014.
- ^ a b "'Transformers' and 'G.I. Joe' Crossover Movie Is Possible, Says Producer". fashiontimes.com. July 9, 2014.
- ^ a b B.G. Henne (October 23, 2015). "John Chu wants to make a crossover film with G.I. Joe, Transformers, and Jem".
- ^ a b "'TRANSFORMERS' : CROSSOVER WITH OTHER HASBRO PROPERTIES POSSIBLE; 'G.I. JOE,' 'JEM THE HOLOGRAM' INCLUDED; HINTED BY DIRECTOR JON CHU". October 29, 2015.
- ^ Chitwood, Adam (January 18, 2017). "Director D.J. Caruso Says His 'G.I. Joe 3' Idea Involved Meeting the Transformers". Collider.
- ^ ExVee (April 4, 2017). "Michael Bay Reveals A Staggering Number Of Potential Transformers Sequels". TFormers.com. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
- ^ a b Kellvin Chavez (February 21, 2007). "On Set Interview: Producer Don Murphy On Transformers". Latino Review.
- ^ a b c "Transformers: The Cast, The History, The Movie". Entertainment News International. June 15, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- ^ a b "Don Murphy at TransformersCon Toronto 2006". TFcon. Archived from the original on August 31, 2006. Retrieved January 7, 2007.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Kellvin Chavez (February 21, 2007). "On Set Interview: Producer Tom De Santo On Transformers". Latino Review. Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2007.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Scott Marble (June 2007). "The Mind of Tom DeSanto". Transformers Collectors Club Magazine. pp. 3, 10.
- ^ "Don Murphy Quotes Special". Seibertron. April 17, 2005. Retrieved February 18, 2007.
- ^ "TF Movie Screenwriter John Rogers Speaks out". Seibertron. November 30, 2004. Retrieved February 4, 2007.
- ^ a b c Zack Oat (January 12, 2007). "Double Vision". ToyFare. Archived from the original on January 17, 2007. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
- ^ "Exclusive: New Transformers Writers". IGN. February 18, 2005. Retrieved September 1, 2006.
- ^ a b Robert Sanchez (June 18, 2007). "Interview: Roberto Orci on Transformers and Star Trek!". IESB. Retrieved June 19, 2007.
- ^ Dave Itzkoff (June 24, 2007). "Character-Driven Films (but Keep the Kaboom)". The New York Times. Retrieved June 24, 2007.
- ^ a b Todd Gilchrist (July 2, 2007). "Exclusive interview: Roberto Orci". IGN. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
- ^ Roberto Orci (March 14, 2009). "Welcome Mr. Roberto Orci, you may ask him questions". TFW2005. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
- ^ a b "Orci and Kurtzman Questions: Post movie". Official site's message board. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
- ^ "Casting Call for Prime Directive". Seibertron.com. April 8, 2006. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Michael Bay (October 16, 2007). Audio commentary (DVD). Paramount Pictures.
- ^ Chris Hewitt (August 2007). "Rise of the Machines". Empire. pp. 95–100.
- ^ "Michael Bay and the Edit of Transformers". Fxguide. July 9, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
- ^ a b "'Transformers' writers: A Revealing Dialogue". Wizard. July 10, 2007. Archived from the original on July 8, 2007. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
- ^ Roberto Orci (January 14, 2009). "Major News/Spoiler Alert Robert Orci confirms..." TFW2005. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
- ^ Adam B. Vary. "Optimus Prime Time". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 7, 2007.
- ^ Roberto Orci (July 11, 2008). "The 'Welcome Mr. Orci Thread'. You may ask questions!". TFW2005. Retrieved July 12, 2008.
- ^ Pamela McClintock (September 26, 2007). "'Transformers' sequel sets 2009 date". Variety. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
- ^ a b c Jay Fernandez (October 10, 2007). "Heavy metal for sequel". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
- ^ Danielle Davidson (January 23, 2008). "Writer's Strike continues; DGA signs deal; Awards questioned". The West Georgian. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
- ^ Adam B. Vary (July 4, 2007). "Optimus Prime Time". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
- ^ a b Nick de Semelyn (February 2009). "20 to watch in 2009". Empire. pp. 67–69.
- ^ "Transformers: Behind the scenes" (Video). The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 3, 2009.
- ^ Brian Savage. "TCC Exclusive: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen at Toy Fair 2009". Transformers Collectors Club. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
- ^ Borys Kit (October 4, 2007). "Writing team built fast for 'Transformers 2'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
- ^ a b c Alex Billington (January 14, 2009). "Kicking Off 2009 with Writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci – Part Two: Transformers 2". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved January 14, 2009.
- ^ Anne Thompson (February 8, 2008). "Oscar Watch: Bay Hosts Transformers Tech Show". Variety. Retrieved February 19, 2008.
- ^ Patrick Lee (March 31, 2009). "Orci & Kurtzman reveal Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen details". Sci Fi Wire. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
- ^ Stephanie Sanchez (September 17, 2008). "IESB Exclusive: Kurtzman and Orci on Transformers 2!". IESB. Retrieved September 17, 2008.
- ^ a b Josh Horowitz (July 24, 2008). "Writers Reveal Theme Of 'Transformers' Sequel. The Bad News? No Dinobots". MTV Movies Blog. Retrieved July 25, 2008.
- ^ Orci, Roberto (May 25, 2008). "The official "Hey Roberto" Thread". Don Murphy. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
- ^ Topel, Fred (July 21, 2008). "Transformers 2 Scribe Sets Record Straight". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
- ^ David S. Cohen (March 31, 2009). "Michael Bay keeps VFX shops busy". Variety. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
- ^ "More on Transformers 2 From Writer Roberto Orci". Seibertron.com. February 18, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2008.
- ^ Eric Goldman (January 14, 2009). "Transformers 2 Rumor Confirmed". IGN. Retrieved January 14, 2009.
- ^ "Exclusive Video: Director Michael Bay talks TRANSFORMERS Revenge of the Fallen". Collider. February 9, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
- ^ "Q&A With Michael Bay". Toy Fair 09, New York City. 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "Transformer Producer Wants Dinobots in TF2". UGO Networks. June 5, 2007. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
- ^ Patrick Kolan (June 13, 2007). "Transformers Roundtable with Michael Bay". IGN. Retrieved June 13, 2007.
- ^ "Roberto Orci — Soundwave will not be a Pick Up In Transformers Revenge of the Fallen". TFW2005. October 18, 2008. Retrieved October 19, 2008.
- ^ Roberto Orci (October 20, 2008). "he All New "Hey Roberto" Thread". Don Murphy. Retrieved March 17, 2009.
- ^ Roberto Orci (June 19, 2008). "The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread". Don Murphy. Retrieved June 25, 2008.
- ^ Roberto Orci (August 8, 2008). "Welcome Mr. Roberto Orci, you may ask him questions". TFW2005. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
- ^ "Michael Bay on the Dinobots: "I hate them."". Seibertron.com. July 27, 2009. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
- ^ "Transformers 3 release date". Michael Bay. March 17, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
- ^ Wayland, Sara (August 10, 2009). "Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman talk STAR TREK Sequel, COWBOYS AND ALIENS, TRANSFORMERS 3, VIEW-MASTER Film, More". Collider. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
- ^ Desowitz, Bill (July 6, 2011). "A Colossal Transformers Sequel| By". Animation World Network. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
- ^ "Transformers 3: July 1st, 2011". Michael Bay. October 1, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
- ^ "Michael Bay Testing 3-D for Transformers 3". /Film. February 26, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
- ^ Cohen, David S.; Sunhee, Han (February 2, 2010). "Korea's Stereo Pictures cues 'Cats' – Is Warner on 3-D overdrive?". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
- ^ a b Bowles, Scott (June 28, 2011). "'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' aims to revive 3-D movies". Gannett Company. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- ^ a b "Michael Bay & James Cameron Talk 3-D (Extended)". Michael Bay Official Youtube Channel. YouTube. June 26, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
- ^ Ditzian, Eric (April 2, 2010). "'Breaking Dawn,' 'Transformers 3' And Other Films That Might Go 3-D". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
- ^ "Cameron's Avatar Cameras used for Transformers: Dark of the Moon". mystrious.com. June 10, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- ^ a b "Transformers 3 (2011) Hollywood Film Release Date-DVD-Cast and Crew-Trailer". Calcutta Tube. September 1, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
- ^ Fischer, Russ (October 6, 2010). "Third Transformers Film Titled 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon'". /Film. Retrieved October 6, 2010Template:Inconsistent citations
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help)CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ^ Wintraub, Steve (December 8, 2010). "Collider.com article about DOTM". Collider.com. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
- ^ "'Transformers 3' Script Complete, Josh Duhamel Says". MTV. Viacom. May 19, 2010. Retrieved March 21, 2010.
- ^ Chitwood, Adam (February 15, 2012). "Paramount Eyeing a 2014 Release for TRANSFORMERS 4? [Updated with Details]". Collider.
- ^ Chitwood, Adam (February 13, 2012). "Michael Bay Returning to Direct TRANSFORMERS for June 2014 Release". Collider. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ Goldberg, Matt (April 26, 2012). "Ehren Kruger Returns to Write TRANSFORMERS 4; Shia LaBeouf Definitely Out". Collider. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ Sol Fury (June 16, 2012). "Steve Jablonsky Scoring Transformers 4 – Transformers News". TFW2005. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ Goldberg, Matt (November 11, 2012). "TRANSFORMERS 4 to Take Place Four Years after TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON". Collider. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Mark Wahlberg May Star in TRANSFORMERS 4". Collider. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Michael Bay Considering Mark Wahlberg for TRANSFORMERS 4". Collider. November 7, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Mark Wahlberg Confirmed for TRANSFORMERS 4, Plus a New Logo for the Film". Collider. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "TRANSFORMERS 4, DIVERGENT and NEED FOR SPEED Casting Additions". Collider. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Jack Reynor : Michael Bay Dot Com". Michaelbay.com. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Michael Bay Talks Transformers 4 – Peter Cullen Is Returning As Optimus Prime — Transformers News". TFW2005. September 21, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Tyrese Gibson In Talks For Transformers 4 – Transformers News". TFW2005. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Glenn Morshower Talks Transformers 4 And 5 – Filming Starts December — Transformers News". TFW2005. September 23, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Glenn Morshower Will Not Be Returning for Transformers 4". Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "Michael Bay Talks Transformers 4 – New Cast, Plot And The Budget — Transformers News". TFW2005. June 21, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Transformers 4 to Film on Location in London — Transformers News". TFW2005. October 21, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Jack Reynor Lands Starring Role in 'Transformers 4'". The Hollywood Reporter. January 8, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "Transformers 4 Plot Summary Inaccurate?". Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "Nicola Peltz cast as Transformers 4 female lead". Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "Transformers 4 will be in 3D". Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "Exclusive: Michael Bay Reveals TRANSFORMERS 4 Will Shoot the 'Showcase Scenes' With the New IMAX 3D Digital Camera". Collider. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "Kelsey Grammer Lands Lead (Human) Villain In 'Transformers' Sequel". Deadline. May 1, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "Sophia Myles to Join Mark Wahlberg in Michael Bay's 'Transformers 4' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "China's Li Bingbing Boards 'Transformers 4'". The Hollywood Reporter. May 19, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "T.J. Miller Joins 'Transformers 4'". The Hollywood Reporter. May 28, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "T.J. Miller joins Transformers 4 Cast". Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "Optimus Prime in Transformers 4 feat Autobots — First Look Photos". MOVIETAROT. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ^ "Transformers 4 Bumblebee New Vehicle Mode Confirmed – Official Photo Revealed". Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "New Transformers 4 Set Images Featuring New Vehicles". Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "Transformers 4 filming in Detroit". Detroit Free Press. July 31, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
- ^ Mike Fleming Jr (March 27, 2015). "Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Fleming, Jr, Mike (May 20, 2015). "'Transformers' Spinoff & Sequel Scribes Set: 'Walking Dead's Robert Kirkman & More". Deadline.
- ^ Fleming, Jr, Mike (May 27, 2015). "'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room: Cybertron Pic In Offing?". Deadline.
- ^ Fleming, Jr, Mike (June 2, 2015). "No Boys Club In 'Transformers' Writer Room: Christina Hodson, Lindsey Beer Join Brain Trust". Deadline.
- ^ Fleming, Jr, Mike (June 4, 2015). "Akiva Goldsman 'Transformers' Writers Room As Paramount Adds Scribe Pair". Deadline.
- ^ Fleming, Jr, Mike (June 8, 2015). "'Daredevil's Steven DeKnight Rounds Out 'Transformers' Writers Room". Deadline.
- ^ David Gonzales (June 8, 2015). "Paramount's Transformers Story Room will pitch at least a Dozen New Movies". Forbes.
- ^ Fleming, Jr, Mike (September 17, 2015). "'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps: Akiva Goldsman Scripting 'T5', Animated Film By 'Ant-Man' Scribes Barrer & Ferrari". Deadline.
- ^ "Transformers (2007)". Box Office Mojo. December 12, 2012.
- ^ "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)". Box Office Mojo. December 12, 2012.
- ^ "Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon (2011)". Box Office Mojo. December 12, 2012.
- ^ "Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)". Box Office Mojo. July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)". Box Office Mojo. June 11, 2017.
- ^ "Transformers Movies at the Box Office". Box Office Mojo. July 14, 2014.
- ^ "Transformers". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
- ^ "Transformers". Metacritic. CNET Networks, Inc. November 29, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e "Cinemascore". Cinemascore.com.
- ^ "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
- ^ "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen". Metacritic. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
- ^ "Transformers: Dark of the Moon". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
- ^ "Transformers: Dark of the Moon". Metacritic. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ "Transformers: Age of Extinction". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
- ^ "Transformers: Age of Extinction". Metacritic. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
- ^ "Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ^ "Transformers: The Last Knight reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg/34px-Wikiquote-logo.svg.png)