Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article or section contains information about one or more scheduled or expected films. The content will change as the film's release approaches and more information becomes available. |
| Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen |
|
|---|---|
 Countdown image on Michael Bay's website |
|
| Directed by | Michael Bay |
| Produced by | Steven Spielberg Lorenzo di Bonaventura Tom DeSanto Don Murphy |
| Written by | Roberto Orci Alex Kurtzman Ehren Kruger |
| Starring | Shia LaBeouf Megan Fox Josh Duhamel Tyrese Gibson Jon Voight John Turturro Peter Cullen (voice) |
| Cinematography | Ben Seresin |
| Editing by | Roger Barton |
| Distributed by | DreamWorks Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | June 26, 2009 |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| Preceded by | Transformers |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen[1] is an upcoming science fiction 3-D film scheduled for release in 2009.[2] It is the sequel to the 2007 film Transformers, which was the first live action Transformers film. Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg return respectively as director and executive producer, while Shia LaBeouf reprises the role of Sam Witwicky, the human caught in the war between the heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons. Shooting began in May 2008 for a June 26, 2009 release date.
Bay desired to give Transformers 2 a bigger budget for a global scale and better characterization for a larger cast of robots. The main hurdle in getting the film produced was overcoming the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, as well as possible strikes by the Directors Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild. Bay met his shooting date with the help of previsualization and a scriptment by his writers Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and series newcomer Ehren Kruger.
Contents |
[edit] Premise
Roberto Orci described the film's theme as the robots confronting "being away from home",[3] with the focus between the robots and humans "much more evenly balanced".[4] The tone will be similar to the first film, but "the stakes will be higher",[5] (with a more global sensibility),[6] and there will be more focus on the science fiction elements. Orci also said "we'll be better at modulating [the humor] this time". Structually, the plot will be "more organically interconnected in that TF1 had the structure of 3 story lines coming together at Hoover. TF2 will have a different structure."[5]
[edit] Production
Before Transformers was released, producer Tom DeSanto said he had come up with "a very cool idea" to introduce the Dinobots and Constructicons,[7] while Bay was interested in an aircraft carrier, which he considered for the first film.[8] In September 2007, Paramount announced a June 26, 2009 release date for Transformers 2,[9] and Bay began creating animatics of action sequences featuring characters rejected for the first film. This would allow animators to complete sequences if the Directors Guild of America went on strike in July 2008.[10] The director considered making a small project in between Transformers and its sequel, but knew "you have your baby and you don't want someone else to take it".[11] The film was given a larger budget than the first film, which cost $151 million,[12] and some of the action scenes rejected for the original were written into the sequel.[13]
Writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman originally passed on the sequel because of a busy schedule. The studio began courting other writers in May 2007, but as they were unimpressed with their pitches, they convinced Orci and Kurtzman to return.[10] The studio also signed on Ehren Kruger, as he impressed Bay and Hasbro president Brian Goldner with his knowledge of the Transformers mythology.[14] The writing trio were paid $8 million.[10] Kurtzman created the film's title.[15] Screenwriting was interrupted by the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, but to avoid production delays the writers spent two weeks writing a treatment, which they handed in the night before the strike began.[16][17] Bay expanded the outline into a sixty-page scriptment:[18] Orci explained Bay "came up with some really fun gags and a few descriptions of the kind of hardware he will need for production".[19]
Filming began in Los Angeles, California in May 2008.[20] From June 2,[18] three days were spent on an action sequence at the Bethlehem Steel site in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which doubled for a fictional Chinese city.[21] Afterwards, they shot at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.[22] The crew moved to Philadelphia on June 9, where they will shoot at the Exelon plants in Delaware, the University of Pennsylvania and the Eastern State Penitentiary.[23] A total of $5 million will be spent during filming in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, and New Jersey.[21] Filming during July takes place at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group in Tucson, Arizona,[24] and in Sedona.[25] Filming will also take place in Jordan,[26] and New Mexico (which stood in for Qatar in the first film).[27]
The producers expect that with a bigger budget and the special effects worked out, the Transformers will have a larger role. Peter Cullen recalled, "Don Murphy mentioned to me, 'Only because of the tremendous expense to animate Optimus Prime, he'll be in just a certain amount of [the first film].' But he said, 'Next time, if the movie is a success, you're gonna be in it a ton.'"[28] The director hopes to include more close-ups of the robots' faces.[29] Scott Farrar returned as visual effects supervisor, and anticipated moodier use of lighting as well as deeper roles for the Decepticons. He stated that with the bigger deadline, post-production will be a "circus".[30] Hasbro became more involved in the designs of the robots than in the first film.[5]
[edit] Cast and characters
[edit] Humans
- Shia LaBeouf plays Sam Witwicky.[20]
- Megan Fox plays Mikaela Banes, Sam's girlfriend.[20]
- Josh Duhamel plays Captain William Lennox, an ally of the Autobots.[20]
- Tyrese Gibson plays Air Force Technical Sergeant Robert Epps, an ally of the Autobots.[20]
- Jon Voight plays United States Secretary of Defense John Keller.[20]
- John Turturro plays Reggie Simmons, former agent of the terminated Sector 7 unit, which monitored Autobot/Decepticon activity on Earth.[20]
- Matthew Marsden plays Graham, a member of the United Kingdom Special Forces.[31]
- Isabel Lucas plays Alice, a new character.[32]
- Kevin Dunn and Julie White play Ron and Judy, Sam's parents. Orci wrote, "Love them! Gotta have them back."[33] He confirmed they learned the truth about the Transformers while off-screen in the last film.[34]
- Ramon Rodriguez plays Leo.[35]
- Rainn Wilson cameos as a University Professor.[20]
[edit] Transformers
- Peter Cullen voices Autobot leader Optimus Prime.[36] He will retain his alternate mode of a blue Peterbilt truck with red flame decals.[37]
- The voices of the other robots are unconfirmed
- Bumblebee, the Autobot who befriended Sam and had an alternate form of the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. Mark Ryan voiced the character for his two lines at the end of Transformers, as for most of the film his vocal processors were damaged.
- Ratchet, the Autobot medic, will retain his Hummer H2 form.[38] Robert Foxworth voiced him in the first film.
- Ironhide, the Autobot weapons specialist, will retain his GMC Topkick form.[38] Jess Harnell voiced him in the first film.
- Arcee, an Autobot motorcycle with a feminine personality and appearance.[35] Arcee was dropped from the first film, as the writers felt there was not enough time to explain her "gender".[39] Arcee has been redesigned from the concept art used for her toy and comic book appearances.[40]
- Starscream, the Decepticon air commander and Megatron's general. He flew into space after fleeing the climactic battle in the first film, betraying his leader. Orci confirmed he will have more dialogue.[5] Starscream transformed into an F-22 Raptor and Charlie Adler voiced him.
- Barricade will return after disappearing in the first film.[34] He will still be a Saleen Mustang police car.[41] Jess Harnell voiced him in the first film.
- Soundwave, Megatron's most loyal lieutenant.[42] Orci "duly noted" his minions Ravage and Laserbeak would need to appear as well.[43] In the 1980s toy line, Soundwave was a tape deck. The filmmakers had tried to work him into the first film twice, and these roles eventually evolved into Blackout (a MH-53 Pave Low helicopter) and Frenzy (who changed into a CD Player and later into a mobile phone). The latter character was particularly thought to be too different from the original.[44][45]
- Jetfire, a Decepticon SR-71 Blackbird.[35]
Other robots include the Autobots "Stinger"; "Wheels"; twins who combine into an ice cream van; a Decepticon Audi R8; and a "Constructicon earth mover".[35] Names of the individual twins and Constructicons will be determined in post-production,[46] as the dialogue can be re-recorded with the animation.[47] Hasbro stated "a key character from the first movie [would] make a dramatic comeback and attempt to settle a score": Megatron (Hugo Weaving) was among those killed in the first film.[1] There will be around ten robots on each side:[48] Orci confirmed the Decepticons will have whole dialogue scenes to themselves.[5] Bay promised a geriatric robot.[18]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Transformers 2 News", Hasbro, 2008-06-05. Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
- ^ "'Tintin', 'Transformers 2' getting 3D release", Comics2Film, 2008-05-13. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-02-22). The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-02-25). The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
- ^ a b c d e "More on Transformers 2 From Writer Roberto Orci", Seibertron.com, 2008-02-18. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-02-18). The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
- ^ "Transformer Producer Wants Dinobots in TF2", UGO Networks, 2007-06-05. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.
- ^ Patrick Kolan. "Transformers Roundtable with Michael Bay", IGN, 2007-06-13. Retrieved on 2007-06-13.
- ^ Pamela McClintock. "'Transformers' sequel sets 2009 date", Variety, 2007-09-26. Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
- ^ a b c Jay Fernandez. "'Transformers II' gets an A-Team of writers", Los Angeles Times, 2007-10-10.
- ^ Adam B. Vary. "Optimus Prime Time", Entertainment Weekly, 2007-07-04. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-02-23). The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-05-31). The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
- ^ Borys Kit. "Writing team built fast for 'Transformers 2'", The Hollywood Reporter, 2007-10-04. Retrieved on 2007-10-04.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-06-05). The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-02-14). More Bay Quotes. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-02-14). More Bay Quotes. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
- ^ a b c Anne Thompson. "Oscar Watch: Bay Hosts Transformers Tech Show", Variety, 2008-02-08. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-02-14). More Bay Quotes. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Jay A. Fernandez, Borys Kit. "Rainn Wilson in for 'Transformers 2'", The Hollywood Reporter, 2008-05-29. Retrieved on 2008-05-29.
- ^ a b Michael Duck. "Officials fired up for Bethlehem filming", The Morning Call, 2008-01-17. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
- ^ Keith Knight. "More High-Fliers at Air & Space", The Washington Post, 2008-06-07. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
- ^ Michael Klein. "Roll 'em", The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2008-06-08. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
- ^ Phil Villarreal. "Moviemaking at local resort provides glitz, economic lift" (Registration required), Arizona Daily Star, 2008-06-05. Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
- ^ "Sedona Film Office Winter Update", Sedona Film Office, 2008-04-03. Retrieved on 2008-04-04.
- ^ Ali Jafaar. "Jordan unveils projects, initiatives", Variety, 2008-05-15. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen to be filmed in New Mexico", KVIA-TV, 2008-06-09. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
- ^ Anthony Breznican. "Fan buzz: Flesh out those 'bots", USA Today, 2007-07-12. Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
- ^ Michael Bay's DVD audio commentary for Transformers, 2007, Paramount
- ^ Cindy White. "Transformers 2 More Ambitious", Sci Fi Wire, 2007-10-01. Retrieved on 2007-10-01.
- ^ Larry Carroll. "EXCLUSIVE: Matthew Marsden Joins ‘Transformers 2’ Cast", MTV, 2008-06-02. Retrieved on 2008-06-04.
- ^ "Isabel Lucas Joins Cast of Movie Sequel", TFormers, 2008-05-07. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-02-23). The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
- ^ a b Roberto Orci. "Orci and Kurtzman Questions: Post movie", Official site, 2007-07-06. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.
- ^ a b c d "TF2 Call Sheet Reveals New Actors, Bots, Plot Points", TFormers, 2008-06-05. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
- ^ Heather Newgen. "Peter Cullen Talks Transformers", Superhero Hype!, 2007-10-13. Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ Tim Formas. "Optimus Prime Vehicle Sighted, More Proof of Transformers Sequel Filming Setup?", TFW2005, 2008-04-02. Retrieved on 2008-04-11.
- ^ a b "Transformers 2 Vehicle Sightings - Ratchet and Ironhide", TFW2005, 2008-04-03. Retrieved on 2008-04-11.
- ^ Todd Gilchrist. "Exclusive interview: Roberto Orci", IGN, 2007-07-02. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-05-07). The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ "Transformers 2 Filming in Culver City and the Return of Barricade", TFW2005, 2008-03-28. Retrieved on 2008-04-11.
- ^ "Orci on Transformers 2, Trek", IGN, 2008-05-16. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-02-18). The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
- ^ Their War: Decepticons Strike, 2007 DVD featurette
- ^ Roberto Orci (2007-05-19). Roberto and Alex: Questions. Official site. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-05-07). The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-05-08). The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Roberto Orci (2008-02-21). The All New "Hey Roberto" Thread. Don Murphy. Retrieved on 2008-02-21.
[edit] External links
- Transformers 2 at the Internet Movie Database
- Transformers 2 at Allmovie
- Transformers 2 at Rotten Tomatoes
- Transformers 2 at Yahoo!
|
|||||
