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Tag: Transformers

  • New CG Animated ‘Transformers’ Film and TV Series in Development

    New CG Animated ‘Transformers’ Film and TV Series in Development

    Paramount is going crazy, as they are announcing one project after another. We’ve known for some time that they are working on reviving the live-action Transformers franchise with the upcoming Rise of the Beasts film, which we even got some looks from behind-the-scenes, but it looks like they aren’t quite done yet. During their Earnings Call, they have revealed they are working on a CG animated feature-length film eyeing a 2024 release alongside a new TV series a year earlier.

    There’s no word what exactly the series or film will be about, and if they might even be connected. It’s surprising that with all these spinoff announcements for various projects they didn’t talk about any additional live-action projects outside of Rise of the Beasts setting up a new trilogy. They may also not have finalized any plans which is why they haven’t announced anything and are looking to evolve the series. Of course, given its roots an animated film and series makes sense to prioritize especially as they continue to grow the brand, but it is a curious observation.

    Source: Twitter

  • Paramount’s ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ to Release a Week Early, Animated ‘Transformers’ Eyeing 2024 Release

    Paramount’s ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ to Release a Week Early, Animated ‘Transformers’ Eyeing 2024 Release

    Paramount has shifted many of its upcoming releases, including a few of its highly anticipated animated films from well-loved IPs. Luckily, unlike the recent Mission: Impossible delays, we’ll be getting the projects earlier than initially expected, something we haven’t seen much lately in the countless delays from production studios during the pandemic. Not all news from Paramount is just about changes in release schedules, as we also have also gotten a release date for their animated adaptation of Transformers.

    After some movement in the Paramount release schedules, we have news that the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film will now release on August 4, 2023, instead of the original date of August 11. It’s nice to get an earlier release for once, likely in an effort to move things around to better fit the newly delayed Mission: Impossible movies into the seemingly crowded 2023 lineup. In other news, we also now know the release date of a new Transformers animated movie, which is expected to release on July 19, 2024. We do not currently know the title of the film or any official information about the plot for now.

    While the live-action Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films left a lot to be desired for fans of the franchise, maybe a return to animation will be a welcome change and get both franchises back on track. There still is a live-action Transformers film in development as well. So, we’ll see how they’ll try to make the animated one stand out from that as well. These franchises are near and dear to many people’s hearts. Hopefully, this leads to a future more exciting than what we have had over the last few years.

    Source: Twitter

  • IDW Will Lose ‘G.I. Joe,’ ‘Transformers’ Licenses at the End of the Year

    IDW Will Lose ‘G.I. Joe,’ ‘Transformers’ Licenses at the End of the Year

    It’s official: IDW will lose the G.I. Joe and Transformers license at the end of 2022.

    The news was announced on Thursday by the comic book publisher. Back in December, it was announced that Robert Kirkman‘s Skybound imprint was in talks to pick up the licenses from Hasbro. Now, IDW has confirmed the news. However, fans of the G.I. Joe and Transformers comics can rest easy knowing the stories will continue throughout the remainder of the year.

    In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, IDW commented on the news. “At the end of 2022, IDW will bid a fond farewell to the publication of G.I. Joe and Transformers comic books and graphic novels. We’re exceedingly proud of our stewardship of these titles – 17 years with the Robots in Disguise and 14 years with A Real American Hero – and thank the legion of fans for their unwavering support, month in and month out. We’re also eternally grateful to every one of the talented creators who helped bring these characters to four-color life through our comics.”

    The monthly Transformers titles will come to an end around mid-summer, along with Transformers: Beast Wars series. While IDW is still preparing for a milestone issue of G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero with issue no. 300 with writer Larry Hama on board.

    While the publisher will be losing the licenses for G.I. Joe and Transformers, however, it will retain the licenses for both My Little Pony and Dungeons & Dragons. As it stands, Skybound, Kirkman‘s imprint, has yet to comment on the potential deal with Hasbro.

    Source: THR.

  • Steven Caple Jr. Shares New Look at Optimus Prime As Production Wraps on ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’

    Steven Caple Jr. Shares New Look at Optimus Prime As Production Wraps on ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’

    All eyes have been on the new entry in the Transformers franchise. The subtitle Rise of the Beasts promises a very different take on the characters we’ve seen in cinemas so far. We’ll get to explore many different factions of the famous alien robots and director Steven Caple Jr. has been actively giving us a good look at their production. He shared a look at the Autobots and Decepticons earlier this month but remains coy on the Predacons and Terrorcons who are rumored to appear in the series. Now, as production wraps up, he shared a new look at Optimus Prime’s truck design in the film.

    It feels like production started just recently. So, it’s always a surprise when they share the announcement that production has wrapped up. Caple Jr. has been great at actively sharing from the production, as it offers some insight into what we can expect. The designs seem closer to that what we saw in the Bumblebee film, which was one of the standout aspects of that film. In the film’s opening, we see the blocker designs from the classic cartoons and toy lines. Of course, it still had some elements from Michael Bay‘s run to keep the complexity of what is beneath their exterior.

    Source: Twitter

  • First Official Look at ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Autobots and Decepticons

    First Official Look at ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Autobots and Decepticons

    In July, we got our first glimpse at Bumblebee and Optimus Prime from the set of Transformers: Rise of the Beast. It was only a leak at the time, but Steven Caple Jr. has taken to Instagram to give us our first look at the team of Autobots and what may be this film’s Decepticons. We heard that they’ll be joined by Predacons and Terrorcons with Ron Perlman voicing Optimus Primal, but they commonly have animal-inspired base forms.

    The image only shares their car forms, but they still offer a good glimpse at the designs they are going for. Bumblebee has seemingly gone through another redesign. It also doesn’t fully match the set photos that we saw, which might hint at him going through another change. The bike does hint at the inclusion of Arcee potentially in the film.

    We still haven’t gotten a confirmation of which members of each team will be represented. It does seem like they are focusing on a more grounded story as the showcased Transformers are mainly car-based this time around. There’s always the chance they simply aren’t included in these set photos. There are very likely quite a few mystery additions that Caple Jr. is keeping from fans and this might simply be scratching the surface of what is heading our way once it hits theatres.

    Source: Instagram

  • Leaked ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Set Photos Offer First Look at Optimus Prime and Bumblebee

    Leaked ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Set Photos Offer First Look at Optimus Prime and Bumblebee

    It’s only been a few weeks since we got our first details on the Beast Wars-inspired Transformers film. Steven Caple Jr. is directing the film titled Transformers: Rise of the Beasts that will introduce moviegoers to a variety of new factions including the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons. We did get the hint that Optimus Prime will return and some new leaked set photos to confirm exactly that alongside what is very likely Bumblebee.

    Yellow with two black stripes is his iconic look. The design also seems very similar to the one we see him transform into at the end of the Bumblebee film. So, it may be our first hint at it being a direct sequel rather than a full-on reboot of the franchise. We also get a good look at Optimus Prime, whose truck form seems strongly inspired by the IDW comics. The set photos were shared by Twitter user @3CFilm.

     

    It’s uncertain if the white truck next to Optimus Prime might also be another Autobot, but it might be likely. Of all the franchises, Transformers didn’t seem like the kind of film that would have set leaks, but car designs can say a lot about the film’s direction. Optimus Prime’s simpler design may be an optimistic hint that they will continue the more cartoon-accurate designs from Bumblebee. It’ll be interesting to see if they have practical Maximals on set as well. We are moving away from the classic designs with more animalistic base forms. Now that Michael Bay has left the franchise, there’s a great chance to redefine the story moving forward and these are some good hints that they are doing that exactly.

    Source: Twitter

  • Ron Perlman Voicing Optimus Primal in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’

    Ron Perlman Voicing Optimus Primal in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’

    It looks like Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will change the status quo, as Collider has just revealed that Ron Perlman will voice Optimus Primal. He is taking over the voice from Garry Chalk, who many might remember from the CG animated series, Beast Wars: Transformers. The Maximals will be joined by the Predacons and Terrorcons. It’s uncertain how they’ll appear in the series and how they’ll interact alongside the classic Autobots and Decepticons. The series will take place in Brooklyn in the 1990s, which is the same year the original Beast Wars toyline was first released. The film will be directed by Steven Caple Jr. with Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback confirmed. It isn’t the only film of the franchise in development, as Angel Manuel Soto got hired to direct another entry which is in early development.

    There is still no official confirmation if this upcoming entry will continue the Michael Bay films, or act as a quasi reboot through the Bumblebee film. The new direction of introducing the Beast Wars concept will certainly make the next entry in the franchise stand out from the rest. They may also make this an unofficial reboot of the entire franchise, as Optimus Primal could take on the role of Optimus Prime moving forward. They aren’t the same character, as Primal is actually a descendant of the Autobot and took on his name. The smae rule applies to the Megatron during the Beast Wars era, who may also get cast in the near future.

    Source: Collider

  • First Details Revealed for ‘Beast Wars’ Inspired ‘Transformers’ Film

    First Details Revealed for ‘Beast Wars’ Inspired ‘Transformers’ Film

    Finally, we’ve been suspecting the direction for the upcoming Transformers film for some time. It’s been adding one actor after another, as Luna Lauren Velez, Dominique Fishback, and Anthony Ramos joined the franchise’s next film, which will be directed by Steven Caple Jr. Now, details have remained under wraps with only a hint that Optimus Prime will make a grand return once again. Now, Caple revealed in a virtual press event that the title will be Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Not just that, he also offered some interesting details, such as the return of Decepticons alongside new factions known as Predacons, Terrorcons, and Maximals.

    I love the detail that the timeline also matches when the original Beast Wars line of toys got released. It also confirms Ramos and Fishback are going to star in this entry of the franchise. Paramount is already working on another film, which will be directed by Charm City King‘s Angel Manuel Soto. Illuminerdi reported some time ago that the working title was Beast Alliance. They’ve also got the timing right of it being in Brooklyn around the 1990s, but there is no mention of South America being involved. It’s likely that they are keeping that under wraps for now. Illuminerdi also mentioned that the film is a continuation of Bumblebee, which also hasn’t been confirmed yet. It looks like we can expect a very unique take on the franchise moving forward and hopefully we’ll get a look at the newly introduced factions in the near future as they prepare for production.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘TRANSFORMERS 7’ Adds Luna Lauren Velez

    ‘TRANSFORMERS 7’ Adds Luna Lauren Velez

    The cast of Paramount’s newest Transformers film is growing. Luna Lauren Velez has officially boarded the project, as confirmed by the actress herself.  The veteran performer, known for her roles in Into the Spider-Verse and Dexter, revealed the casting news during an interview with Comic Book Movie. While discussing her role in the upcoming action flick Rogue Hostage, Velez dropped the informative bomb that she’d also be appearing in the seventh installment of the Transformers franchise. She stated:

    I’m doing Transformers 7 which I’m very excited about. I play Anthony Ramos’ mom in that film, so there’s some exciting stuff coming up.

    As the conversation continued, the famed television actress added that being a part of the robot-centric film series was a brand new experience for her.

    I have to confess that I haven’t seen any of the films, so to come in a project like this at this moment was really great. I’m excited about that. It’s going to be fun stuff.

    Following the success of the 2018 prequel Bumblebee, Paramount Pictures has committed to continuing the franchise with Caple Jr, director of Creed II, joining the project. It will star up–and-comers Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback in leading roles. The film is set to debut in 2022. It is still uncertain if they’ll reboot the franchise or if they will revisit what was started by Michael Bay. A few months ago, rumors pointed to it potentially exploring a live-action adaptation of Beast Wars. Hopefully, we’ll find out more in the near future.

    Source: Illuminerdi

  • ‘Judas and Black Messiah’s Dominique Fishback Lands Lead in Steven Caple Jr’s ‘Transformers’ Film

    ‘Judas and Black Messiah’s Dominique Fishback Lands Lead in Steven Caple Jr’s ‘Transformers’ Film

    It looks like Paramount has been busy, as Deadline is reporting that the upcoming Transformers film has cast their next lead to star opposite Anthony Ramos. His casting was announced around a month ago for Steven Caple Jr.’s adaptation of the iconic Hasbro franchise. The studio wants to refocus its efforts with the once cash cow that hasn’t seen a new entry since 2018’s Bumblebee. Judas And Black Messiah‘s Dominique Fishback is now in final negotiations to join the project that is eyeing a June 2022 release.

    Deadline offered some more details, as it seems that Ramos has been the front-runner for quite some time and was screen-testing with various female actresses. Fishback won and brought their relationship full circle, as they have worked on a play together in college. It seems that fate has a weird way of bringing people together. She has been building up quite the career since that play, as she recently got nominated for a BAFTA playing Deborah Johnson. She will also be playing opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the upcoming Apple series The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey.

    The return of the Transformers franchise has been highly anticipated, especially now that Michael Bay has parted ways after 2017’s Transformers: The Last Knight. The studio has been focused on revamping the property and even created an entire writer room to develop multiple projects. 2018’s Bumblebee was one of them but momentum died down since. It’ll be interesting to see if this project takes some of the design cues from the 2018 reimagining or if they will still take some inspiration from Bay‘s run on the characters.

    Source: Deadline