Transformers 2: Weapon Modes Confirmed, Arcee Details, Possible Trailer Dates and More
It has been a few days since our last Transformers 2 update, so lets get to it.
A description of a Transformers 2 video game leaked onto the web yesterday:
The key line is “A new transformation system gives you more detailed control as you can switch between Robot, Weapon, and Vehicle modes” Recently screenwriter Roberto Orci revealed that there will be Transformers that transform into weapons in the sequel. But could this mean that all of the Autobots and Decepticons will have a third weapon mode in the new film?
The photo above gives you an idea of what Arcee might look like in alt mode. Will Kenefick tells the Ventura County Star the he created six custom motorcycles (three hero bikes and three stunt bikes) for Transformers. This pretty much confirms that three motorcycles will combine to form Arcee. According to Kenefick, 2309 hours were put in and each bike cost over $40,000, with $10,000 spent on paint alone. I’ve herd the actual bikes feature the pink and black paintjob seen in the unused concept art from the original Transformers below.
IESB explains what exactly happened in the Jonah Hill situation. Apparently Jonah was offered the part, but walked out of Michael Bay’s office after reading 20-pages of the script. Apparently the character he was to play was Shia’s chubby sidekick named “Jonah”.
And many people are wondering when we might possibly see the first teaser trailer. The mars rover teaser spot was released on June 29th, almost a year to the day of the release of the first film. Transformers 2 is scheduled to hit theaters on June 26th 2009, could that mean a new teaser trailer will hit by months end? Screenwriter Roberto Orci responded on Don Murphy’s message boards saying “Probably in fall — maybe late summer…” Eagle Eye, also starring Shia and produced by Speilberg, is the next big Dreamwork/Paramount release that fits in the same genre. If I had to guess, I would say the studio is shooting to release a trailer attached to Eagle Eye. But who knows…. I also can’t see Bay and company going to Comic Con in July empty handed.
The photo below above is our first look at Ramon Rodriguez who plays Leo in the sequel. He was spotted filming a scene at the Richmond Power Plant on Saturday with Megan Fox and Bumblebee. Is MEgan Fox on Ramon’s lap? Could this be confirmation that Sam (Shia) and Mikaela (Fox) are no longer an item in the second film? It would further explain the frat party scenes that Shia filmed opposite Isabel Lucas. Or maybe Leo is Mikaela’s brother?
And meanwhile, a scale model of an F-22 Raptor (Starscream) was spotted being unloaded from a trailer.
contributing sources: Movie Chronicles, neogaf, TLAB, filmonic, TFW2005
So Why Did Jonah Hill Turn Down Transformers 2?
One day at the end of April we heard news that Superbad actor Jonah Hill was in talks to appear in Transformers 2. However, a few days later it was reported that he was no longer in talks. I was happy about this because I wasn’t too keen on him being in Transformers 2, and it turns out he wasn’t either.
IESB got some interesting info about why he turned the role down:
“Apparently, Jonah was more or less offered the part in the room, but then had to go into Bay’s office to read the script - because it’s so super top secret and the plot is so extra-specially complex, you know.”
“Jonah sits down, opens the script. The character of the chubby sidekick is named “Jonah.” How perfect. Jonah reads 20 pages of the script, puts it down, and silently walks out of the room. Wants no part of it. Next thing you know, his reps call Bay, he’s off the project.”
Turning down a huge movie like Transformers 2 is a bold move, however I can see why he did it. He probably doesn’t want to be typecast as the chubby funny sidekick for the rest of his life. He played a chubby sidekick called Jonah in Knocked Up and he had been offered to play a chubby sidekick called Jonah in Transformers 2.
There was a time when Shia LaBeouf himself played the comic relief side kick, in movies like I,Robot, Charlies Angels: Full Throttle and Constantine. Thankfully, he’s kissed Steven Spielberg’s ass enough so he no longer has to play them roles now, instead he’s getting comic relief sidekicks of his own.
Could we be seeing Jonah Hill leading a sci-fi action franchise sometime in the future? Time will tell…
Edward Norton Not Given Writing Credit For The Incredible Hulk?
According to IESB, Zak Penn has been given the sole writing credit for The Incredible Hulk, despite the fact that Edward Norton re-wrote his draft. It is well known that one of the only reasons Norton agreed to do Hulk were if he had creative input, in this case re-writing the script.
The IESB contacted Zak Penn’s office to ask about the credit. They confirmed Penn will be receiving sole writing credit on the film.
Universal reps are saying, “WGA determined the writing credit not Zak or Edward or Universal or Marvel. WGA always determines final writing credit for our films right before the film comes out. Up until that time, we include the writers on the project to date.”
A call to the WGA got this response, “Zak Penn is receiving sole credit for story and screenplay.”
Apparently, there was arbitration, which is quite common since two screenwriters were listed. The WGA sided with Zak Penn.
In my opinion it wouldn’t be hard just to give them both credit. I’m not a WGA script expert but it would seem the logical and fair thing to do. It’s not as though the script had input from many writers such as Catwoman (14 writers in total). In cases where there are lots of writers then I suppose this process of choosing is better, but when only two writers have worked on the script it would see, fair to credit both.
If everyone from the catering ladies to the lighting guys get credited than surely one of the writers should get credit somewhere.
Warner Bros. and Peter Segal Doing Jonny Quest? Supermax Now Titled Green Arrow
IESB speculates that director Peter Segal, currently attached to helm a Shazam feature for Warner Bros., might also be the man who brings the studio’s planned tentpole, Jonny Quest, to the world as well for Summer ‘09. Apparently the script by Dan Mazeau is quite strong and in better shooting condition than Billy Batson and the Legend of Shazam. Moroever, the site spoke to Segal recently, who was enthusiastic about the latest screenplay, noted his involvement with getting a Quest flick off the ground in the past, and even discussed casting preferences (The Rock for special agent Roger “Race” Bannon). As you might recall, for over a year now Dwayne Johnson has been attached to play Shazam’s Black Adam.
At the center of the Jonny Quest franchise is the Hanna-Barbera cartoon, about the titular young boy, his scientist father, his adopted Indian brother, a spastic bulldog, and a snowy haired special agent/bodyguard who hop around the globe pursuing epic cryptozoological and sci-fi adventures. Quest is one of several retro tentpole projects on Hollywood’s burner, including Buck Rogers, Spielberg/Jackson’s Tintin, the now filming Transformers 2, and another live-action He-Man flick (also buzzing loudly at Warner Bros.). Of course, the recent wipe-out of the similarly cheeky/mothballed Speed Racer is no doubt being taken into consideration when updating Quest.
Also of note: David Goyer’s Supermax, which now looks to have broader box office potential after the success of Iron Man, has been retitled Green Arrow. The well-reviewed script, which sees Green Arrow facing off in a high security prison with DC villains like The Riddler, is by Justin Marks, who wrote the aforemenioned He-Man script that’s driving the Internet nuts right now.