Random Thoughts While Reading Transformers Script

There are more spoilers here. I comment on what I thought while reading the entire script, its all rough and random, will write a more formal writeup later. Its generally cryptic so doesn't reveal everything but there are spoilers a plenty. Its in "invisio-text" so highlight it, as if doing a cut and paste, to read it.

Script progression, more or less:
1897 Artic discovery by a Witwicky ancestor > Vortex attack in the desert > introduce the human heroes and their situations > Soundwave (now Frenzy) on Air Force One > Bumblebee/Sam stuff > Scorponok attack > little plot development > Brawl on the hunt > Bumbleebee vs Brawl and Sam vs Frenzy > Introduction of the Autobots > a TF history lesson > Searching for some glasses > blackout > Bumblebee captured > preview trailer in context > Decepticons move out > Area 52 > Megatron and the Cube revealed > Decepticons Attack > Autobots (& Humans) vs Decepticons or Michael Bay making many things go boom > Optimus Prime vs Megatron > Defeat > Home

Lose some of the forced humor ("4.) Get female passenger. That one, he circles.") its either comes naturally or don't bother. In case the line works, the emphasis not so much.

Maggie - suffers from vomiting of the mouth
Sam Witwicky - cocky smartass...without any reason to be a cocky smartass. Basically a role that apparently was written with Shia in mind cause definitily see him and those words. Very similar to his role in Hellblazer, Battle of Shaker Heights, Holes, and ...you get the idea.

Great grandfather's glasses somehow become a family hierloom that Sam decides to sell on eBay. Yeah a family keeps something for over a hundred years and suddenly decides...eh lets eBay it. To bad this point is critical to moving forward in the story so the audience either better not notice it or just shrug it off and move on.

The Witwicky family moments read as too cute. I don't know, the actors might pull it off, but on the page it creates an inclination to smirk and roll your eyes.

Few little remarks that will date the movie such as mentions of American Idols and the like. Sure American Idol is "current" now, but what if next it tanks or in a few it gets cancelled. Why date a movie that quick if don't have to.

The use of Bumblebee and the radio...nice touch and if going to use a famous slogan no harm in using it to help land the girl.

Solid attempt and making creative transitions from scene to scene. I am a fan of that kind of creative thinking even though realize it can be a total pain in the rear to deal with and keep. Be surprised if any half of em make it to the final cut.

One character makes quite a leap in logic to suddenly decide that sentient machines may exist. An unneeded leap of logic considering the actions of the Transformers should make it obvious to the audience.

Considering what happens with Frenzy probably a good thing the name was changed, otherwise fandom would have been pissed.

Clearly the writers are fans of Beast Wars between the use of Scorponok, "trans-scanning" (how the beast forms chosen in the CGI series), and the use of "sparks" (think lifeforce or souls in tangible form)

Comedic beats...good for the movie and a distraction that takes away from the film?

(FYI, the inner geek in me reads "Praxus" I think Star Trek VI and the exploding moon opening sequence.)

Megatron and Optimus Prime...brothers? Hmmm after digesting this idea, me likes if done well.

I just can't go with the name of "The Energon Cube", its just too strange, even ignoring its more common usage in the cartoons (basically a gasoline can). Any name would be better, like many "the Matrix" would be good, but really try out some other ideas cause "The Energon Cube" does not sound like a source of supreme power.

Hmm Megatron as a spark vampire (shades of Machine Wars). Not sure liking, depends on how its used does allow effective way to scream "evil" without having to go through a tons of gyrations to prove it.

Side note, Optimus Prime is a leader of a planet, so he should get a hint faster then most. Why Sam searches for the code, might be a good idea to switch Optimus with different character if doing the scene as is cause it makes him look slow on the uptake.

Tranformers have a language, a "sonic burst of percussive language." Alien planet, sentient robots, makes sense. Be interesting to see what the sound mixers create.

Uh how did Sam learn the sentient robot race is called Transformers? (I guess the implication is he is making it up on the spot.)

Slick, instead of our technology leaps coming from Area 51 Roswell crash...it came from Megatron.

Why now? Its not really explained how Megatron made it to earth in the 1800s and why its takes over a 100 years before the Transformers make the next move. What's the trigger?

That's where the Transforming iPod rumor comes from. I hope they keep it, if for no other reason then I love to buy a toy version of it.

Megatron as a jet. Its just scream power like a big old tank barrel or the like does. At least its explained, Megs was entombed before could "trans-scan" and alter form.

... and that's where the X-Box 360 rumors came from. I am all for product placement if means a sweet Transformer toys comes out of it. Before moan, remember that the TFs where all about real world objects turning into robots. I think an iPod and 360 qualify for that.

Damn, what Megs does to -- ...that's going to be sweet!

Ouch on paper the football analogy reads as corny. Have to see how its works out on film to see if it works or not.

When did Megatron have time to learn English? And why not more of him? I guess with the good villains you have to leave the audience wanting more.

Overall, I have to say I am looking forward to the film. A little to much human in it but that's to be expected. Like many I just want to see many things go boom and robot on robot butt whippings.

A "die-cast metal, its a lost art" moment as a Decepticon goes down a little to easily. Just one shot?

What giveth can taketh away? Need more Optimus v Megatron is what I am saying.

Overall, a very interesting read. The movie seems exciting, some of the humor forced, and in many cases , I can see why certain people where cast. Having seen previous work, their "voices" do seem to register correctly with their characters, well in most cases anyway. I wouldn't mind less human and more robot action, but its the first movie. Have to do the origin bit.

Want A Copy of Transformers Script?

There be spoilers here! If you don't want to know, don't click any links in this post. Reading this script can be hazardous to your fandom self especially if do not have a fondness for spoilers. Consider yourself warned.

How long the link remains valid is unknown. Final note: The script, if valid, if a draft, of many drafts, of the Transformers movie. What remains, what was added, what was changed could be very little to alot. Whatever the script says is not final even if its the shooting script as the director, editors, writers, actors, etc can change it as much or as little as the mood strikes. Final warning, read at your own risk.

Transformers Leaked Script in the Wild

The message boards over at TFW2005.com have revealed that a February draft of the Transformers movie script hit the net, at least briefly anyway. Sadly I didn't see the post until the script was pulled from the hosting website. If anyone snagged a copy feel free to email it to me at canowupass at yahoo dot com. I can't host it but I can post a invisible-text comment on it so don't spoil stuff for some users.

Speaking of spoilers, a site claims to have one of the last pages of the script that involves Megatron and Optimus. What version of the script, is it the shooting script, so forth is unknown. If don't want to know, don't click this link. Was thinking of doing a screenshot and posting it below, but not sure if good idea. Also the scrolling options for the shot has been disabled so need a high resolution monitoring to get it all.

Transformers vs Die Hard IV in 2007

20th Century Fox has announced that a sequel to the Die Hard franchise will be released on July 29th 2007, just five days before Transformers plans to take it bow. The movie, titled "Live Free or Die Hard" stars Bruce Willis and is directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld).

The plot is retired John McClane must stop terrorists from disrupting the countries computer intrastructure over the course of three days, with the July 4th holiday being a component of the story.

This is probably bad news for Transformers producers who, until now, had virtually no competition for their release date, especially after the Fantastic Four sequel caved a few weeks earlier and bumped their desired release date to a few weeks after.

for these expensive "tent-pole" films, usually the companies like to only have one per 7 day period whenever possible. We already saw this year with the July 28th release of Superman Returns followed by July 4th release of Pirates of the Caribbean, that the market can bear to huge releases in the same one week period, but one does have to wonder that if those two titans hadn't gone head to head, how much more money would each have made? In this case, Pirates won the fight hands down, but that doesn't mean that could happen next year. I doubt neither Fox nor Paramount will blink first. I think that Fox will decide to release Die Hard 4 on Wednesday 7/27/06 just to squeeze a few more buck out before Transformers drops the following Wednesday. Next year should be an interesting fight for box office supremacy.

(source)

Movie Budget Apparently $140 Million

A bonus of Don Murphy's post on pic posting is that the budget of the Transformers movie has been revealed when he stated "If it were my $140 million."

That is a lot less then my estimation of $200 then $175 million. Shan repeatedly said in various post comments said it was $145 so he was the closest of I saw anywhere. He gets the "No Prize" award for that.

That size budget is actually fairly low by today's standards for summer movies which seem to hover in the $200 million mark. Then again, since this film has so far avoided the highly priced (and in my opinion highly overpaid) "A-list" actors that usually populate those films, they probably saved $30 million or so. Well at least for now since the voices haven't been cast yet but I would assume an actor doesn't get the usual rate for spending a day or two in an ADR room. This also indicate that use of the Transformers will be done very carefully to get maximum bang for the buck as any scene that so much as shows a TF finger has high CGI costs associated with it.

Transformers Open Casting Call Thursday

Live in California and think have the looks to be in Transformers the movie? Want to point out how that arm way in the back of the scene is yours? Then here is your chance.

Central Casting is holding an open call for 16 & 17 year olds and 18-23 year olds that look like High School students for the new Michael Bay feature film, "Transformers." We need SAG Members and Non-Union. The scheduled work dates are July 10-12, 2006. Dates are subject to change. The open call will be held at Central Casting in Burbank, CA. Anyone interested in attending should call 818-503-3329 for more information.

The Open Call will be held:
Date: Thursday, June 29, 2006
Time: 5PM - 8PM
Location: Central Casting
220 South Flower Street
Burbank, CA 91502

Central Casting is the largest extras casting company in the world and has been in business since 1925. The company casts extras for film, television, and commercials. Central Casting is a division of Entertainment Partners.

(source)

iPod and Xbox 360 in Transformers?

According to an updated post on the Movie Reporter, in regards to the copy of the leaked TF script they had "...forgot to mention... for reasons that I won't get into we see an I-Pod, X-Box 360 and Plasma screens sprout legs and transform just a bit."

As an idea for product placement, its a brilliant, creative idea and toys I wouldn't mind buying for giggles as they would present the original point of the Transformers, ie real world objects turning into robots. However, its one of those ideas that depends on execution. If done poorly, its a groan moment that could rip the audience out of the movie. If done well, it would be something people might talk about later, something the advertisers would love to happen. All this assumes that such an idea is still in the script and is still going to occur which is doubtful. As rumors go though, its a nifty one.

Roberto Orci Drops Some Hints

Roberto Orci is one of the writers on the live action Transformers movie. He decided to head on over to Don Murphy's message board and hint some possibilities on the upcoming movie figuring "why should I be the only one muzzled."

The gist of his hints is that Starscream might show up in his classic treacherous mode, Optimus Prime will clearly the OP, a teaser trailer is coming t hat "will rock" and Soundwave "will be closer to the one you know and love than the rumors would lead you to believe." He also confirmed the TF name alias and aiming for an "official coming out party on July 4th.

Thanks to tformers.com for the message summary.

Transformers: The Movie 20th Anniversary Edition DVD

Sony has announced that they are going to release Transformers: The Movie 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD in November. The included special features will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the movie. No indication on exactly what those features will be but you can go to the official website and sign up for the newletter to find out. Or just wait until I post the info here whenever it becomes available.

Michael Bay buys Digital Domain

Michael Bay has joined George Lucas (ILM) and Peter Jackson (WETA) in directors that own movie effects companies with the purchase of Digital Domain. The company use to be owned and used by James Cameron for effects in "True Lies" and "Titantic" among other films.

"My simple goal is to make Digital Domain an effects powerhouse," Bay said in an interview after the meeting. "I think we can utilize this platform here to expand on production in terms of feature films and animation."

Just speculation, but if your the director and now owner a special effects company that needs a coming out party thats says "use me to make your movie", its seems your next CGI heavy project would be the way to go. Now considering that some of the FX members hired for the film are from ILM and also that some of the pre-prep has been done by ILM, not entirely sure how this would go. Nothing says they can't share the workload, been done before on many movies, but if I was ILM, I would be more then a little pissed by such an arrangement. Time will tell I guess.

Writers asks for Decepticon Top 10

"I can tell you this, it ended up being more than we originally thought or have stated publicly. You can just about double the list we gave out in previous interviews. So maybe a top ten list would be appreciated in the final hours. "
- Roberto Orci, writer on TF Movie

Apparently the script is nearly complete. Now why ask for a top 10 after the script is nearly done? Beats me unless they have spots for generic appearances. Either way you can pipe in with your top 10. Just be aware asking for a list and using a list are worlds apart.

Decepticon Top 10

"News" from the writers

Roberto Orci and Alex Hurtzman has a brief interview with iesb.net about their latest writing assignment, Transformers The Move. The site has a transcript and video of this interview. The two writers most recently cobbled together the script for the latest Zorro sequal and Mission Impossible 3 so that will help determine what level of skill the franchise has been handed over to. The interview has "news" only in the sense that new characters are being introduced but whether those are human or Transformer kind was not clear. Other then that the writers claim to be fans of the franchise and no final decisions have been made on anything from who is in it, to casting, to what shows up or doesn't show up. In other words, everything is still up in the air.