IGN recently had an interview with Transformers 5 script writer Akiva Goldsman, who recently headed a writer’s room room to pen story ideas for a Transformers Cinematic Universe. In the interview Goldsman talks about the writer’s room, the connectivity of future Transformers films, and the importance of the human element in Transformers. Here is what he had to say about that last subject:
Do I think Transformers can live without humans? Sure. Do I think humans can live without Transformers? Sure. In Transformers movies? Sure! But, fundamentally, there seems to be something really great about the interaction between the two species. I think that, in the main, I would suggest that that would be something you wouldn’t want to squander. Although that doesn’t mean that you couldn’t do all sorts of things for a little while.
Furthermore, Goldsman also mentions the animated prequel that takes place before the events of the previous live action films.
Check out the full interview at IGN!
Autovolt 127
I don't know how I'd feel about that.
KaonKoopa
#ClooneyIsBatman
Lord Tron
I'm aware of the IDW comic they are without doubt the best version of the franchise.
Not insulting so much as stating things people overlook my comment in short is basically every form of the franchise except the comics are guilty of all the things the movies are and make almost all the same mistakes. The robots being complex and fleshed out characters in g1 and beast wars and many others is not true.
Fans are holding the franchise to a standard where other than the comics it's never been. That's the basics of my comment and really don't reply to someone if you didn't read their comment it's very likely they bring up whatever your response is, for example I mention the great quality of the IDW comics. Read what people post or don't bother replying to them.
Dinobot Snarl
I'm not reading all of this, but from the first sentence I can tell you might need to read MTME, There you will find real characterization. But yeah I consider huge blocks of text insulting.
Lord Tron
I question how much you know about transformers most of you actually you've seen it but it's clear you're seeing something else I don't mean to insult my franchise but hey it's necessary. The robots are rarely ever complex or even deep characters that's all in your head. In g1 no character was complex or even interesting iron hide had no more personality than his movie counterpart nor did wheel jack or even ratchet. Jazz talked more but he was no deeper than the movie. Movie soundtrack the only thing separating them is the voice that's it. There were a few exceptions like rodimus but for the most part though I do not like this word, but all the transformers barring a very select few had one really quality that defined their personality. You talk about stereotypes but nearly every g1 character was what you would define as one not always racial though there were some of them too.
Beast wars did not improve Rat trap was a jerk this was the main thing about him he had one real dynamic Dinobot and for the most part it was just bickering. Cheetor was the typical teenage rebel and he did not develop until beast machines. The predacons were even worse quick strike typical moronic henchmen, inferno his loyalty was literally his only quality. The only characters with any development were Dinobot, Silver bolt though only his relationship with blackarchia who also develops one could make a case for Rhinox.
That's not a well developed cast that's a likable cast and people really need to learn the difference just because you don't like a character doesn't mean they were poorly written and a fun and likable doesn't mean they are well written it doesn't work that way. The Beast wars cast when it came to actual development wasn't much better than G1.
Also this whole Beast wars on pedestal isn't accurate either it has all the flaws prime does, optimus stayed dead three episodes, the psychic link between the spiders four episodes, the time storm undone in the premiere, Dinobot's betrayal undone at the end of the episode, the consequences of it explored in really only one episode, protecting the arc and the original transformers only focused on in the last four episodes. Depth charge and rampage sounds like arichanid and Arced with one difference Arcee let's go of her hatred in the end and actually develops depth charge doesn't.
There are others the ark story in season two hinted at in two episodes plays out in the finale, the vok are easily comparable to mech, dropped story arcs the vok pretty much the tripedious council. Even the complaints about the finales can apply the idea behind nemesis is the exact same as the endgame of the agenda. Even the whole good guy death thing doesn't hold weight Dinobot was the only maximal death until literally the last three episodes technically the finale before that only predacons died.
The point I am making is you're seeing something that isn't there unless you're looking at the comics and really only IDW in truth, you're seeing transformers for something it's not you expect it to be something that for most of it's existence it's never been, yes things can change but to expect this of the movies when nothing else did is absurd. This whole the animated movie, beast wars and animated were well written is bogus almost everything you complain about in the movies poor writing, lack of development other than a select few, one dimensional villains and stupid humor and an over focus on action (seriously how many episodes were there where half the episode was just a battle scene) guess what Beast wars was guilty of all of it as was animated in a lot of areas. You're living in the days of your childhood and allowing yourself to believe a perception that isn't true.
I've said it before and I'll say again if the movies had the exact same story minus some of the humor but the robots were the main character you wouldn't be complaining. And if the animated movie had the exact same script but the focus was similar to DOTM you wouldn't love the movie which likely confirms what I already know you're not paying attention to the actual story nor do you care about it.
Dinobot Snarl
I'm okay with humans, tired of Bay's formula his cgi crew too. It's like none of them have ever seen transformers technology, they make up stuff that could be in any sci-fi movie and brand Transformers on it.
Bay's checklist: (note: not just for Transformers)
– Explosions (with fireworks)
– Sexy girl
– Sports cars
– Random Marines
– American Flags
Everything else he could give a shit.
– None of the Transformers have character….except Lockdown…who's dead.
Imagine if Del Toro, or JJ Abrams took over… Imagine.
Autobot Burnout
Actually, I have to wonder if it might not be in everybody's best interest if the Transformer films simply didn't have a toyline anymore.
SouthtownKid
I like that in your mind, there is more chance of creating great writing out of a children's toy brand than out of a movie featuring real people aimed at adults.
Autovolt 127
Transporter is different, it was created to just be an action movie vehicle for Jason Statham while Transformers is a major toyetic brand that could potentially become a great written franchise based on a couple of really solid instalments.
That is brilliant quote. I wish i knew who said that.
Chopperface
I recall that someone once said here that we don't need human characters, we need human characters. Meaning actual, human characters, not necessarily Homo sapiens.
RazorclawX
Hate to break it to you, but sci-fi studies fantastic situations like giant alien robots coming down to your planet.
Gordon_4
At risk of pissing even further on your parade, the second and third DragonBall Z: Budokai games also did cell shading, and they looked great.
Yeah the action scenes are, well they're big, but personally I'm finding it hard to care what's going since I'm not resonating with many of the characters – if any of them. I mean Dredd has some great action scenes, but what makes it meaningful is all the stuff that happens, mainly to Anderson. Lennox and Epps are great, but I'm still holding up the Colonial Marines are one of the best sci-fi action military ensembles, with a distinction going to the Squaddies in Dog Soldiers.
Shizuka
Oh shit! Action movies being action movies!? Who would have thought it!? I was just thinking that The Transporter should be rebooted for because of its lack of plot, over-reliance on action and no character development.
Autovolt 127
I agree completely. If they had a role that wasn't to one up and steal screen time from the robots we paid to watch, sure why not.
Bay never considered these comics canon, so I doubt it.
Raiju
Not exactly. These are summer action blockbusters with sci-fi elements, not strictly sci-fi movies. Transformers is definitely not 2001: A Space Odyssey, for example. Similarly, the first Alien was a horror movie with sci-fi elements.
Agreed that the films need to define their "human element" better. I always felt that they should've concentrated much more on Lennox, Epps, and the rest of the NEST team humans and how they related to their Autobot allies, not focus on Sam and whatever silly hijinks he's up to now (co-starring his dumb, dysfunctional parents). Shifting the human element to Cade and his dysfunctional relationship with his daughter and her boyfriend wasn't much of a change for the better, nor was completely disbanding NEST and making the human military adversaries rather than allies.
Autobot Burnout
Don't forget Mrs. Witwicky going off after eating a pot brownie and "there is no tighter shirt – we checked."
Makes sense in a college humor film. Not so much in a film where the main attraction is robot battles, not Sam getting settled in a location he quickly leaves and never goes back to by the time the film is a third over.
Chopperface
The human element wouldn't be so bad if half of the cast weren't babbling baboons who made raunchy jokes that belong in Epic Movie/Disaster Movie, or just ad libbing nonsense (Hardcore Eddie the former NEST member thinks he didn't sign up for a battle with Decepticons? Shia has to go "DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!?" every two words? Malkovich has to painfully stop the scene to bitch about a red cup?), or could do more than blandly deliver shit lines without direction ("We don't have a home, dad… It blew up.").
eagc7
Indeed, all of us need to keep in mind we are just the minority.
SouthtownKid
Some posters need to learn this is a movie franchise aimed at a wide, general audience. Not only at the 9,000 hardcore TF fans.
eagc7
lets all remember, if they are doing stories in Earth, Humans have to appear in some capacity.