Michael Bay’s Film Weekly Podcast

This interview comes from The Guardian’s “Film weekly” interview with Michael Bay and was posted to the official Michael Bay site.

Bay is not quitting Transformers

Some interviews recently spun the “I’m taking a break” stance Michael Bay has on Transformers 3 to give the impression he was quitting the franchise altogether. This is not the case and in all likelihoods Michael Bay shall direct Transformers 3, due for release in 2012.

GM provided 67 vehicles for Transformers 2

USA Today have a short article on the Transformers/GM relationship and an interview with Michael Bay.

“They were responsible for building the cars, and I was trying to get my check because we built the cars, fronted them the money, and they were late on paying us,” Bay says. “I was like, ‘We better get our check fast before they go bankrupt.’

Chevy won’t reveal what it cost to provide cars, but spokesman Steve Janisse says 67 vehicles were used, and 52 of those were “non-salable,” specially built prototypes used for testing, engineering and display.

[…]

Bay says the cars themselves become like celebrities, something he witnessed while shooting in a remote part of the Middle East. “The money they spend is pennies for the amount of goodwill. Bumblebee is one of the most famous cars in the world,” the director says. “Literally, we’re in this poor little town in Jordan, and all these kids surrounded (the car). They all knew Bumblebee’s name.”

Nascar 18 wrapped in M&Ms and autobots

Number 18 has been covered in an M&Ms and Transformers themed coat — full gallery available at Joe Gibbs.

Shia has “The Touch”

Shia performs a rendition of Stan Bush’s “The Touch” to much amusement and pain.

Obama in Revenge of the Fallen

The movie in some way includes Obama, to which Bay comments, via Digital Spy,

Bay said: “The Obama thing? I met him in an airport where he was carrying his bag by himself and we talked about movies and apparently he likes my movies. So I figured we’ll just put him in.”

The director joked that he was able to include the up-to-date reference because he had only completed making the film last Wednesday [June 10th].

Michael Bay in Guiness Book of World Records

Michael Bay is now in the record books for the largest explosion filmed whilst actors are present. It was shot in New Mexico. The NZ Herald, from whence this news came, offer up and expansive overview of Transformers 2 and have some tidbit interview comments from Megan Fox and Shia as well,

“If Michael Bay can make me look that good in shorts, then I don’t mind if people think I’m being exploited. And it gives me an advantage because even if I do a mediocre performance, people don’t expect anything of me, so they’re impressed.” And incidentally, although she is adorned with tattoos, claims to be bisexual, and does her best to come across as “dangerous and dark” a la Jolie, she insists it is not calculated. “It’s more of a curse than a blessing to look like Angelina,” she says, straight-faced. “Seriously, there are a lot of films I’ve had to pass on because I don’t want people to think I’m trying to emulate her.” (Apparently she was offered the next Tomb Raider but turned it down for this reason.) As for Lebeouf, an edgy leading man and an example of the core audience of a film like this, says, “Transformers is escapism in the same way Star Wars was for its generation. If you want magic tricks, theme park rides, the roller coaster vibe, Transformers is for you.“

Film Journal talks with Orci and Kurtzman

After recovering from the Star Trek press tour, Orci and Kurtzman answered some questions from the folks at Film Journal. Points include the story’s emotional core, the strike and the inspiration for the sequel.

“For us, the action always emerges from the characters; the audience tunes out random action scenes that don’t move the plot forward or take the characters in some new direction,” Kurtzman says. “So in Revenge of the Fallen, there are several sequences that we pitched to Michael in detail as part of the characters’ stories and he ended up shooting them almost exactly as we pitched them. Of course, he also comes up with great ways to embellish the sequences and no one is better at that than he is.”

That information will come in handy as the duo makes their long-planned transition to directing. “The plan is to find the right film for us to direct in the next couple of years,” Orci reveals. “We’re happy being the guys that write the words, but we want to try everything. It’s possible that we’ll each direct our own projects, but we might be too jealous of what the other is doing and so we’ll both have to do it!” While neither claims to have a dream project right now, there is one franchise that Orci says he’s hoping to see realized on the big screen someday. “I’d love to see [Nintendo’s] The Legend of Zelda done right.”

Film Journal

Video game previews and walkthroughs

More Revenge of the Fallen video game previews have surfaced at Game Trailers, including Art Director and Producer interviews, a Sideways and Devastator walkthrough and an Optimus Prime downtown walkthrough. Following these there are tow YouTube videos, including the opening scenes and a Breakaway training routine.

Human Alliance video review

Not strictly press, but not really big enough for its own post, another Human Alliance video review:

ET Interviews

Included after the break because these flash embeds are notorious for misbehaving:

TF2 cut complete

This Friday actors viewed the fruits of their efforts, as reports Tyrese on his twitter:

What is gonna be the best part of your Friday?? I’m gonna go first. Today @3pm me ; the cast are gonna see the final cut of Transformer 2!!

Chevy Camaro commercial

GM have started airing a new Chevy Camaro commericial that features Bumblebee and a slither of new footage.

Toy news

New Blaze Master pictures (view gallery)
Deluxe Jolt pictures (view gallery)
Deluxe Stalker Scorponok pictures (view gallery)
Power Bots Sideswipe (view gallery)

Twins Ice Cream Truck Toy

The first pictures of this toy in the wild:

Michael Bay talks to Forbes

Bay has been talking money with Forbes — interesting facts from the interview; Bay takes approximately 8% of profits from toys based on the movies. As a producer Bay brings in an average 8% of a film’s net earnings. Bay also made a whopping $40m from the atrocious Pearl Harbor movie.

Transformers 2 contests

The Vancouver Province newspaper are offering two passes to a Revenge of the Fallen screening two days prior to release, posters and video games for runners up. View contest

Total Assault are giving away a Linkin Park and Transformers 2 themed guitar. View contest (Thanks Deanna!)

More video game footage from E3

New Divide Making of

Shia & TF2 secrets

Talking with Yahoo movies, about injuries on and off set:

“He hurts his hand in the middle of a human transfer,” LaBeouf explains cryptically. “Sorry this is so mysterious. There’s just certain words I can’t say.”

“Revenge of the Fallen” begins with LaBeouf’s character, Sam Witwicky, heading off to college to distance himself from his shape-shifting robot friends. Sam’s beloved Camaro, which transforms into Bumblebee, sits in the garage “sort of like his (parole officer), his guardian,” LaBeouf said during a recent interview.

While at school, Sam starts seeing symbols through “epileptic seizure-type fits of information transfer,” LaBeouf said. “He just becomes a factual volcano.” The symbols form a map to an energy source the robots need to control sentient beings, LaBeouf said.

The actor becomes visibly excited when talking about “Transformers,” his slight frame buzzing in a button-down shirt and skinny black tie. His left hand is wrapped in gauze, with a splint propping up one finger. “It’s like 11 days out of surgery,” he said, referring to a procedure to remove screws that stabilized his digits after the accident. “It’s not broken, but it’s newly not-broken,” LaBeouf said.

“There’s far more stunts this time,” he said. “Aside from the fact that I was making the whole movie with a broken hand, my knee has stitches, my eye had stitches, my back was gouged.”

During one scene, LaBeouf said he “literally stabbed myself in the eye” and had to be treated at a military hospital. Though credit may be due for toughness, it’s LaBeouf’s natural warmth that makes him perfect to play Sam, the film’s screenwriters say.

On offer is a ‘Generation 1 Ironhide unlockable’, a red painted Ironhide with touches of yellow.

Pre-order Playstation 3 video game

Pre-order Xbox 360 video game

You can only get this if you pre-order the game via Amazon.

Joystiq meanwhile has posted a video showing off the game’s multiplayer modes as well as a hands-on review and some screenshots:

Hands-on review

Ironically, the most improved part of the game are the transformations, which look terrific. If you jump off a building and transform into an auto or a jet on the way down, you’ll either hit the ground with wheels screeching, or rocket off into the sky — pretty thrilling stuff. A couple of the characters, like Sideways, are armed with sniper rifles, allowing you to grab a good vantage point and take a few shots before zooming off to a new spot. Translation: kablam, transform, roll out, transform, shoot again.

We also get our first look at The Fallen in the video game:

Video

Press Release

ACTIVISION SECURES ALL-STAR TALENT LINE-UP FOR TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN VIDEO GAME

Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Peter Cullen and Frank Welker

Return to Provide Voice-Over Performances

Santa Monica, CA — May 15, 2009 — Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) has assembled an all-star cast for the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game, including the film’s leads Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, who will reprise their starring roles in the game, and fan favorites Peter Cullen and Frank Welker, the voices of OPTIMUS PRIME and MEGATRON from the original animated series. In the new game, developed under license from Hasbro, players are thrust into an adrenaline-pumping battle to defend Earth from a DECEPTICON attack that threatens mankind.

“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen features an extensive line-up of film actors, along with the voice talent that fans will recognize from the classic animated series,” said Rob Kostich, head of marketing for licensed properties, Activision Publishing, Inc. “The diverse cast allowed us to not only capture the epic storyline from the film, but also seamlessly expand the fiction to create a unique and authentic TRANSFORMERS experience that fans of all ages will enjoy.”

In addition to Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Mark Ryan (Bumblebee), Jess Harnell (Ironhide), Charles Adler (Starscream) and Robert Foxworth (Ratchet) reprised their film roles for the game. Voice-over veterans John Di Maggio (Sideways) and James Arnold Taylor (The Fallen) also join the roster.

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game is based on the upcoming live-action feature film from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures in association with Hasbro, which opens nationwide on June 24, 2009.* The game lets players take on the role of their favorite AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS, picking from the largest, most diverse range of playable Transformers — each with their own distinct abilities and weaponry. Set in unique environments across the globe such as Cairo and Shanghai, the game allows players to instantly switch between vehicle and robot modes as they drive, fly, fight and blast their way through intense, pressure-packed levels. After engaging in single player action, players for the first time ever will be able to go online and battle friends in all-new multiplayer modes.

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game is currently in development by Luxoflux for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system, and is rated “T” (Teen — Mild Language, Violence); the Windows PC version is being developed by Beenox Studios and is also rated “T” (Teen — Mild Language, Violence); the distinct Wii and PlayStation2 computer entertainment system versions are being developed by Krome Studios and are rated “T” (“Teen” — Fantasy Violence); two unique AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON-specific Nintendo DS versions are being developed by Vicarious Visions and are rated “E10+” (Everyone 10 and older — Fantasy Violence); the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system version is being developed by Savage Entertainment and is rated “E10+” (Everyone 10 and older — Fantasy Violence).

For more information on the game and to receive exclusive updates about the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game, visit www.TransformersGame.com.

* In the highly anticipated “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” debuting June 24, 2009, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) again joins with the AUTOBOTS against their sworn enemies, the DECEPTICONS. Michael Bay directs from a screenplay written by Ehren Kruger ; Roberto Orci ; Alex Kurtzman. DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures Present, In Association with Hasbro, A di Bonaventura Pictures Production, A Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy Production, A Michael Bay Film “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and John Turturro. The film is directed by Michael Bay from a screenplay written by Ehren Kruger ; Roberto Orci ; Alex Kurtzman. Based on Hasbro’s TRANSFORMERS Action Figures. Produced by Don Murphy ; Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce. Executive producers are Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian. This film has not yet been rated.