Japanese entertainment magazine The River, once again sat down with Transformers Live Action Movie Series producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura to discuss the future of the series.
The usual question of whether Transformers: Bumblebee is a Prequel or a Reboot is asked once again; but this time with regards to the statement made by Hasbro during Toy Fair 2019, where it was described as a ‘new storytelling universe’.
It is also implied that the series will now take a similar approach to Warner Bros.’ DC Series course correction; where the attention is given to each individual film while not focusing on a broader “Cinematic Universe”.
Other notable questions:
- Possible return of Travis Knight for the sequel of Transformers: Bumblebee.
- Robot designs.
- Sequel to Transformers: The Last Knight.
- Role of Unicron on future movies.
Due to the length of the interview, we will only be translating the parts highlighting the future of the franchise, and you can read it all, after the jump.
The River: Is Transformers: Bumblebee a reboot or a prequel?
Lorenzo di Bonaventura: That’s a good question (laughs). In fact it is a spin off. It is a story before the series, set in 1987. In other words, neither a reboot nor a remake. It is a story before [2007] starts. So you can fill in the blank time from 1987 to the first Transformers movie.
The River: “Transformers: Bumblebee is a new storytelling universe”. What does that statement mean to you?
Lorenzo di Bonaventura: “Freedom”, isn’t it? The difficulty in developing a movie series is the fact that constraints increase as you move forward. In the early days of the series, you have the freedom to start new things. You do not have to follow the rules established in other films. In Bumblebee, different approaches and different productions were possible.
The River: Do you have plans for a new film maker in addition to Michael Bay and Travis Knight in future works?
Lorenzo di Bonaventura: For the sequel to Transformers: Bumblebee, I hope Travis Knight will return. On the other hand, I do not yet know what to do with the ‘Transformers” main series’. I am currently working on a script. I learned many things in Bumblebee, so I think it will be useful in the Transformers series. More emotional, more character-oriented, etc.
The River: What exactly do you mean by ‘character oriented’?
Lorenzo di Bonaventura: Even if there are no big explosion or anything, the audience will accept the patience to concentrate on one character. In Bumblebee, I wanted to make a film that feels emotion and warmth, but I think that it requires patience to continue to observe the relationship developed between the two. Don’t do a big explosion every few minutes. I have learned that you can like this style as well. I think that it will be utilized in the sequel of both Bumblebee and Transformers.
The River: Certainly, Bumblebee has changed the style significantly. Were you concerned?
Lorenzo di Bonaventura: While there are many characters in ‘Transformers’, there are only 3 characters in “Bumblebee” (and 4 if we count Optimus). About 15 characters were made for ‘The Last Knight’, so it was a big difference. I was worried when I thought of this. But there was no reaction regarding what I was concerned about. I enjoyed the characters depicted in this work, and I also liked the Decepticons. So in future works, I wonder if the characterization should be more complicated.
The River: The transformation sequences of the Autobots were also great. It reminded me of my childhood when I transformed toys.
Lorenzo di Bonaventura: The first request from Travis was to reduce parts. With each ‘Transformers’ movie, the part count increased. ‘The Last Knight’ had about 1,000 parts per body. I cannot concentrate on the transformation scene. I thought that the movement of parts was well understood [in Transformers: Bumblebee] and fresh when tried to make it simple.
The River: Lorenzo, tell us about the business that drives a big series like Transformers.
Lorenzo di Bonaventura: “I’m going to make a series”, I will fail if I have an arrogant idea like that. The movie series I’ve been involved with was always about “I’m making a movie”. Focusing on just one, and then there is the next. Because it worked well. It is tough to do with the idea of making three from the beginning. It’s hard to make a good movie.
Culture has changed in the last few years, and people’s preferences have also changed. In a series like ‘Transformers’ I always push the visual side and flashy battles. Technology also evolves, so you can do more big things and change things. If you keep doing the same thing, you will be told by the fans “make something like the previous one.” But if you do it, you get bored. The reason is that while the elements of the previous work are also required in part, it is important to have a balance that incorporates new things. So I try to make small changes every time.
The River: That’s difficult, isn’t it? You are asked for the same thing, but you need change, but you cannot do too much change.
Lorenzo di Bonaventura: Exactly! That’s right. In the long journey so far, we have done a lot of experiments. Sometimes I use script to extend an idea and try out the feel. At one point, I would like to change the direction slightly in the middle, in order to introduce a new idea that floated in the midst of production.
The River: Well, as a fan of the series, I am concerned about the continuation of the main series. In the previous work ‘The Last Knight King’, it ended with the suggested appearance of Unicron. What’s going on? According to what I heard, Lorenzo does not like Unicron (laughs).
Lorenzo di Bonaventura: Yes, that’s right.
The River: The sequel to ‘The Last Knight’ has to be the story of Unicron, right?
Lorenzo di Bonaventura: I will tell you why (laughs). Unicron is too big to be caught up with fear. The size is beyond imagination. How on Earth are you going to fight it? It would not be good if it was a big one.
The River: When will we see the sequel to ‘The Last Knight’? The sequel to Bumblebee is being considered, and there is also the possibility of a new spin-off. What will be the next work for ‘Transformers’?
Lorenzo di Bonaventura: I do not know what will be the next work. It’s up to the screenplay. Currently, two scripts are in progress; one of them is the main series sequel. It doesn’t feel like I’ll start with that script. We are still in the process of putting together ideas with scriptwriters. We all like the idea of a Bumblebee and Optimus Prime buddy movie, but that may change in the future. Maybe if someone brought in a great idea for an Optimus Prime solo film, and it would be “Good! Let’s do it!” (Laughs). The plan is undecided, but it is also an interesting part of this job.
marktron
like you post bro…
Michael Payton
Y'all got name dropped by one of the biggest entertainment bloggers on YT. (Don't feel the need to start a new thread as this video directly references this news article.)
hthrun
Yeah, I prefer explosions for movies. If I'm reading a book I prefer well written characters. Both would be ideal.
Autobot Burnout
I was talking more about the fact they were CGI films that had live action elements but did NOT rely heavily on them. WALL-E only has two short clips of the President and the gallery of ship captains, while Lego movie LEGIT had live action after Emmet falls "out" of the LEGO world.
They are by definition live action films even if the actual live action is neither the selling point nor ultimately important to the plot as being live action.
TheSoundwave
I've seen both, Wall-e is actually in my top five favorite movies.
Despite the animation being somewhat photorealistic in both, I'd argue they're not quite live action. Wall-E's last two thirds are pretty cartoony. The Lego movie could almost pass for stop motion, but animating fairly simplistic Lego bricks is probably less expensive than photorealistic robots.
I do think an animated Transformers movie is feasible, maybe with CGI on-par with those WFC/FOC cinematic trailers. If it was set on Cybertron, it could probably pass for live-action. I just can't see them doing a human-free TF movie with Bumblebee/Bayverse-level CGI, and real environments.
Also, aside from the cost factor, I don't think we've seen anything like that since that Dinosaur movie in the 2000s. That's the only movie I'm aware of with exclusively CGI characters against real backgrounds. It's a neat idea, but it just doesn't seem like something Hollywood really does at the moment. Maybe the new Lion King is doing that? I suppose if that's successful, we could start seeing more.
Autobot Burnout
I take it you've never seen WALL-E or The Lego Movie, then.
Dinobot Snarl
The only thing that can fix this mess, is news that Travis Knight's will be directing. Because it sounds like Paramount doesn't have a clue yet.
Hanzkaz
Some people like watching movies with well-written characters and stories, while others prefer seeing things getting blown up.
The thing is, explosions tend to get boring for most people after a while, especially as they get older, but a good story with characters they actually care about will keep them coming back.
And one thing, I'll point out, (and this may upset some people), and one that some may not want to admit. If you're planning to sell a movie abroad, know your audience.
'Soldiers' aren't always popular in a lot of countries, and when the Autobots are repeatedly, movie after movie, portrayed as apparently being part of the US army, (bear in mind, a lot of people in foreign countries can't tell the difference between regular army, NEST or Cemetery Wind, and even in Western countries, we're sometimes left wondering WTF is going on) a lot of audiences abroad have begun to view the Transformers almost as US military propaganda, and that can be off-putting for some.
It may sound stupid, but there is now a cynical attitude towards the live-action Transformers franchise out there, and it's not just due to the bad writing.
Incidentally, I'm not dissing the military. But if you're planning to release a movie abroad, and the way the world is now, make sure you know what kind of audience you're dealing with. Especially if you want their money.
So soldiers in battle may be cool for some, but they won't be for everyone, especially these days (and in my case, I tend to get a bit annoyed because my childhood Transformers would have wiped the floor with the human military. ).
I suppose if I had to portray a special anti-Transformer human military unit (possibly part of a secret global organisation dating back centuries) in a Transformers movie, I'd have them dress very different from 'normal' soldiers – probably something that looks futuristic, and in non-military colours (this particular shade of purple? Some aliens can't handle it.), and arm them with futuristic weaponry.
Hm, actually, yeah. Bright colourful Halo Spartan-like armour might be the way to go. Think of the toys.
hthrun
Emphasis on "mildly" imo. For a movie I prefer the soldiers in battle over a teen having trouble with peers .
SPLIT LIP
Because unlike the first five movies, Charlie was actually written well and was an enjoyable character in her own right.
Maybe people just want transformation where they can see what the Goddamn is happening?
Well, they aren't shouting and can use proper punctuation at least.
See, this is what makes people not consider opinions like yours. Your complaints are highly superficial and presented in an almost tantrum-like fashion. Rather than make a level-headed case for your preferences, you personify the very stereotype people have come to loathe from people who are pro-Bay. You think humans are automatically bad, or that all human screentime is equivalent to the farcical levels of the first five movies. You think that because people want transformations we can visually follow with minimal cheating (read: the style of the first twenty or so years of the brand) they must want ridiculously simplified designs akin to the actual toys.
What people really want is a story they can emotionally invest in, and characters they can empathize with. That's all there is to it. People like seeing the humans interact with the Transformers because it makes the Transformers look gigantic and awesome by comparison. They like simpler designs because they can visually identify them at a glance and recognize the characters.
Richard598
Thing is Charlie is actually mildly interesting, unlike the countless generic human soldiers in 4 of the 5 past movies. That said, whenever she’s on screen she’s usually with Bumblebee so in a way we’re still following him around. As for the reduced parts count, I have to disagree with you. I don’t think I’ve heard anyone say they want simpler designs. The Bee movie seems to have the perfect medium of G1 inspired designs and live-action complexity. If we get more of this I’d be more than happy with it
TheSoundwave
I don't think we're ever going to get a (live-action) movie with minimal human screentime. For one thing, it's just not feasible with current CGI budgets. Second, the general audience likes having some kind of human connection. The way I see it, that's what the comics, cartoons, etc. are for. There's plenty of human-free/minimal Transformers media out there. The movies are supposed to be a bit more grounded.
Personally, I like having a human connection. Something like Cyberverse kind of bores me after a while. I like seeing our species interact with these robots, I like seeing the two cultures meet, I like the discovery and wonder of it all. I'd argue the scene where Charlie shows Bumblebee her cassette tapes was better than the entirety of the MTMTE comic (just personal preference). I really liked Charlie's character. If you swapped Charlie's role with another Transformer, I don't think I would have liked the movie nearly as much. I'm not saying every Transformers movie needs to keep this exact formula, but it worked here.
Sephiroth169
This is what i loved in TF 1-5
That is why Transformers is heading in the ENTIRE Wrong Direction.
It is just becoming….bullshit for Geeeewwwunners.
Do not get me Wrong: I like Bumblebee.
BUT:
– In Bumblebee Movie: Charly gets almost more Screentime than Bumblebee himself
> WHAT THE FUCK??? How can "Fans" even like this? The Focus should
not be on Humans. That is what me angered most in Transformers 1-5 (Stupid Military)
– The Parts were reduced at Transforming, i also noticed that in BB Movie
> But at BB Movie it was STILL okay! Transformation was still complex
> NOW the Gewwwwuuuunnnerssss want the Parts to be even more reduced in the
Next Movie > WHAT THE FUCK??????? I do not want to see a 1 Step Changer
at the Big Screen!
Seriously, You guys can not tell me, that you LOVE these 2 Facts that i
have mentioned above; what the Fuck is wrong with everybody????
Focus on Humans, stupid Teen Girls, One Step Changer in a Live Action Movie.
My Prediction: IF they keep this up within the Next Movies, these Movies will FAIL so hard.
More Focus on Robots, less Humans (Like in AoE), No Military, more Robot Personality, better longer fights
= You got the Perfect Transformer Movie. But Paramount will never learn.
SilverOptimus
This interview is the first interview.
Instead of posting the full interview, they posted small snippets. But they are all part of the same.
Then the SXSW 'Reboot' interview happened.
Following that, The River posted the full first interview. This interview predates the SXSW interview.
Large
samisham
I read this in a 1940's horse racing annoucer voice.
BigRed
Show me an english interview where Lorenzo says he wrote a script.
Berser Car
So, if this is the official position at the moment, Bumblebee would be the The Scorpion King and the main TF movies would be The Mummy.
Night Flame
You would have a point if not for the fact he speaks this way in straight English interviews.
BigRed
You… people are aware that the "I I I I I I" comes from translating his answers from japanese to english right? That's a thing in pretty much any amateurly done or rushed translation in that direction.