The Energon Pub

Do you guys think there will be a 4th movie?

Short Answer: Yes

Long Answer: Yes. The Movie Franchise has been Hasbro's most bankable and lucrative line in years, and they'd be foolish to think Universe-esque lines or Cartoon Lines would produce the revenue the films have. I'm not saying they shouldn't bother with things like Generations or a Transformers: Prime toyline, just that continuing to produce a movie franchise as financially succesful as this one would be a no-brainer.

...but most likely without Bay and some of the human stars.

Rodimus Prime wrote:...but most likely without Bay and some of the human stars.

I think Bay has stated this would be his last film in the series as director, and Shia and company are only contracted for 3 films.

I could see this trilogy wrapping up with the Autobots victorious on Earth, but at the end of TF 3 we get teased that Unicron has awakened and threatens to destroy what remains of Cybertron, shifting focus for future films to saving Cybertron while maintaining a watchful eye over humanity on Earth. Just an idea though.

Joker'sRequiem wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:...but most likely without Bay and some of the human stars.

I think Bay has stated this would be his last film in the series as director, and Shia and company are only contracted for 3 films.

I could see this trilogy wrapping up with the Autobots victorious on Earth, but at the end of TF 3 we get teased that Unicron has awakened and threatens to destroy what remains of Cybertron, shifting focus for future films to saving Cybertron while maintaining a watchful eye over humanity on Earth. Just an idea though.

And a good one. Taking the story back to Cybertron would definitely symbolize a new series of films, while at the same time keeping its main ties to the story already in place. Unless of course TF3 goes back to Cybertron, but from the filming shots and scenes we've seen, it doesn't look like it. Maybe we'll see Cybertron in flashbacks from Shockwave or something...

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Joker'sRequiem wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:...but most likely without Bay and some of the human stars.

I think Bay has stated this would be his last film in the series as director, and Shia and company are only contracted for 3 films.

I could see this trilogy wrapping up with the Autobots victorious on Earth, but at the end of TF 3 we get teased that Unicron has awakened and threatens to destroy what remains of Cybertron, shifting focus for future films to saving Cybertron while maintaining a watchful eye over humanity on Earth. Just an idea though.

And a good one. Taking the story back to Cybertron would definitely symbolize a new series of films, while at the same time keeping its main ties to the story already in place. Unless of course TF3 goes back to Cybertron, but from the filming shots and scenes we've seen, it doesn't look like it. Maybe we'll see Cybertron in flashbacks from Shockwave or something...

Exactly what I had in mind. With all the filming locations they have scheduled (Chicago, Gary, Detroit, other parts of the world) I can't see them fitting in Cybertron that much if at all. And even if we would all like to see Unicron, I'd prefer him to be a new trilogy, than have him attack Earth or something forced just for the sake of his inclusion.

They could take cues from multiple sources. Autobot City? Why the hell not. Put Magnus in charge of it. Hot Rod? I certainly would support his introduction. Obviously a CGI rehash of the '86 movie isn't what I'd have in mind, but elements from it could be used. Sam could still play a large role, just one shifted away from his parents and more towards being a galactic hero.

Joker'sRequiem wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Joker'sRequiem wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:...but most likely without Bay and some of the human stars.

I think Bay has stated this would be his last film in the series as director, and Shia and company are only contracted for 3 films.

I could see this trilogy wrapping up with the Autobots victorious on Earth, but at the end of TF 3 we get teased that Unicron has awakened and threatens to destroy what remains of Cybertron, shifting focus for future films to saving Cybertron while maintaining a watchful eye over humanity on Earth. Just an idea though.

And a good one. Taking the story back to Cybertron would definitely symbolize a new series of films, while at the same time keeping its main ties to the story already in place. Unless of course TF3 goes back to Cybertron, but from the filming shots and scenes we've seen, it doesn't look like it. Maybe we'll see Cybertron in flashbacks from Shockwave or something...

Exactly what I had in mind. With all the filming locations they have scheduled (Chicago, Gary, Detroit, other parts of the world) I can't see them fitting in Cybertron that much if at all. And even if we would all like to see Unicron, I'd prefer him to be a new trilogy, than have him attack Earth or something forced just for the sake of his inclusion.

They could take cues from multiple sources. Autobot City? Why the hell not. Put Magnus in charge of it. Hot Rod? I certainly would support his introduction. Obviously a CGI rehash of the '86 movie isn't what I'd have in mind, but elements from it could be used. Sam could still play a large role, just one shifted away from his parents and more towards being a galactic hero.

I think with using filming technology that Avatar used, we could easily see the next gen. of TF movies or at least just the 4th set on Cybertron. With the succes of the first 3 movies (well usuming the 3rd does well) hasbro and paramount should have no problems budjeting for the next installment.

i would love to see it go and battle for cybertron.

I'll never get enough of TF movies. I hope they keep making them like the Bond and Star Trek people do.

I've not yet watched Avatar,but until it came out I told myself that only George Lucas could afford to create an entire CGI planetscape without creative compromise as he did in his Prequels, (that is, that Cybertron would be an avoidable setting costwise).

At the moment, I tell myself that even tho I wish for as many TF movies as possible, the creators will eventually run out of storytelling space on Earth in one way or another and will need to reboot or alter location somehow.

Having seen Bay's re-interpretation of the Pretenders, and the famous Japanese Banzai guy's redesign of the Transformers with Beast Wars elements (I know R.I.D did that first), I'm really interested to see a movieverse reinterpretation of the minicons and believe a hunt for them a la Armada could be one way to support the fundamental framework for another trilogy.

I don't feel Transformers movies should rely on 3d and hope this is used only here and there:Story first and make up second.I believe that existing black and white (and full color) films on the timeless classics list have remained on the list because the people who wrote them had capability and balls.I reckon reliance on 3d can threaten to convert a film into a fad and do not wish that for the TF films,as fads go away.The TF storyline was already great work before the films and,in my opinion,never needed help from 3d in the first place.
I hope the technology,and each new technology, is approached with more than reactionist focus on #1 ticket sales position,as a decision that a TF instalment is a flop because it came 2nd is a fast way to cut down on plans for future films,and worry more about why the Joneses' came first than why the TF line was so good that it was worth making multiple cartoon series,an animated film,a movie trilogy and then some about...

Edit: Speaking only for my own preferences as they stand today, I'd also be more enthusiastic if the story in the movies kept going forward, rather than, for instance, build up a very good forward momentum which would then be put to ground by a sudden decision to go backwards and do an origins series as a non-seperate endeavor, or even more frightening (to me) go sideways and do something insane like Transformers meet G.I joe or Batman or Wonder Woman or something else that will brainwash kids into shopping for two product lines but completely pidgeonhole the freedom that the TF movieverse has to move around and flex in right now.
I would very much love to see Autobot survivor #1,in movie umpteen,on alt.mode # 7, twenty years from now,telling Autobot survivor#2 how interesting the new human cars are compared to the old stuff from 'the arrival' "which one do you reckon I should mimic? The hoverhuffer or the 360 degree electric window? I think this stilt-parking-stair-climber really suits my protoform colour" and so on.

In short: I think there is a desire and plans for many more movies, but I believe they're only looking at the exact next step right now (i.e:only the procession from TF3 to TF4) and aren't willing to say anything on TF5 in order to keep the future malleable.
My personal belief is that they are safe to make several more as long as they do not fear what other moviemakers are doing,as experience in specifically telling TF stories will gather and give them all the insight they need.
My fears are that they will forget how well the TF pre-movieverse can already support them (and itself) and they will bet on the performance on each one film independently,and use that as the augury to determine how the TF movieline is faring and what to do next,which from my point of view threatens the bigger picture of how far the backstory and the creators can carry the films for if they tag team to compliment each others appeal.

a cybertron series of films would be cool as long as the jackass isn't directing I'd see it

The trend certainly seems to be rebooting series after a director leaves, so hopefully with Bay leaving after this one, we get a fresh take on the TF universe from someone new. A Cybertronian series would either equal a huge FX budget, or would probably turn out lame.

Skywarp_86 wrote:The trend certainly seems to be rebooting series after a director leaves, so hopefully with Bay leaving after this one, we get a fresh take on the TF universe from someone new. A Cybertronian series would either equal a huge FX budget, or would probably turn out lame.

IMO, a complete reboot for the next film in the series would be premature. If Hasbro wants to keep releasing films roughly every 3-4 years, we'd be lucky to see a complete reboot within 10 years. I think a simple shift in focus would keep the franchise fresh. Three films set entirely on Earth is plenty, and doing a set of three primarily on Cybertron with Earth as a secondary setting would appease G1 fans and keep the settings from getting stale.

Regardless of how Michael Bay is perceived as a director, the films have made money. A lot of money. And the design the series has established has taken hold in the larger public, who make up the majority of the viewing audience. I don't think Hasbro would take an established film's distinct image and in a few years try to "erase" that image with a completely new design. I think I could see him becoming a producer for later films alonside Speilberg, with the director's chair to be filled.

I'd love to see a total reboot. More or less what Hasbro does with pretty much every incarnation of TFs.

In particular, I'd love to see a director prove that the classic aesthetic can not only work, but look extraordinary on the big screen, as I believe it can. And I really want to see more of Cybertron; this is something that would be a phenomenal spectacle for film, period, if done correctly.

I hope so.

Who could ever get sick of seeing a car or something with a faction symbol come to life and kick ass??!!

After 2 TF films, the first encounter with Blackout at Soccent (especially his transformation!) gives me chills.

It is so goddamn awesome.

Bring on #3 and more!

How about prequels?

jaws wrote:How about prequels?

Easily doable in countless old and new ways- even pre-prequels can be done! I just hope they don't stop the sequels in order to install the prequels. Prequels can exist alongside without rubbing any other continuity the wrong way.

Seeing other Primes and a Cybertron of antiquity would be awesome! Any number of other Alien races could be explored and fated out, and especially waiting quietly for attention are the other TF colonised planets (jungle, Giant,Speed etc)of which there could be more (sun,night,whatever) in a time when the key-bridges are still open. Oh, and also the various gimmickbots from G2 (Sparkabots,Throttlebots,Turbomasters,Water pistol toting dudes,Illuminators, etc)Some of whom could appear,perhaps, as people who created Minicon-replacing equpiment after the Minicons were sent away...

The saga of the Primes, a la Beast wars/Beast machines cgi animated quality, I think would be very interesting and theoretically mass marketable-(Lost and Stargate showed wider audiences are ready for that overall gist)-planet hopping all over the place, leaving descendants everywhere; Organising the Energon for them but not herding them along-leaving them free to wander or follow,opening up Cybertronian primitive cousin colonies everywhere...which becomes a limitless fluff supply for all other TF storytelling areas (comics etc) with non intrusive consequences on parallel stories (until war erupts between two fledgeling Space ages) (resulting in the celebration of a new toy line)!!!!.

TigerHawks' Saga (as prophet of the time-war)is another one that could be told with mass continuity-enveloping properties, and could go as far as to bind all continuities into one (and as such stands as the ultimate Transformers reboot!!). He is also the one most likely to appear in any part of any timeline in order to complete his quest/endeavor, so he's perhaps the ultimate mid-series reboot as well!!.

Theoretically, after 25 years, the Transformers storyline is still up to the prologue.Nothing is fixed yet except for the Transformation capabilities of Organisms still in the early evolutionary stage, of whom there is a unifying Matrix that can project itself outside of a timeflow upheaval at the moment of the upheaval as a safety mechanism, and then space -bridge everything it's the Matrix of into the new time thread.
The only thing that prevents the TFs from being masters of the Universe-which Megatron wants- is the need to adjust to the laws of the new timeline and re-evolve,slowly re-remembering any 'past lives' if and when strong enough to do so.

Hmm, that's a good idea. I think prequels would be easier to write and make as well, because there are less boundaries story wise.

jaws wrote:How about prequels?

well the pretty much have a prequel it ain't live action just a motion comic I would like them to do this again as an animated feature though
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsC1YrBc_nE

Wait a couple years and then just re-freaking-boot it. Do a cartoon like SW:Clone Wars.

jaws wrote:How about prequels?

It worked by X-men (after the horror that was the third movie), but I don't see how it could work for the TF Movie franchise other than tieing up the million loose ends for those who didn't follow the prequel/sequel comics.

eventhough I am not for it, but do you think there is the chance that Transformers could get rebooted in the near future?

Depends, if 3 can bring in more money than 1 or 2, it's possible, but not a similar concept. I thought about this yesterday. They have yet to introduce Primus and Unicron, and there are still a lot of G1 classic characters left out. Plus, there has never been shown a clear representation of Cybertron itself in the movies, except for when Megs and Screamer visit the Fallen. But there is no real action on the planet. Earth may still play a part, but with new humans and possibly farther in the future.

yeah, because in recent years, nowadays, movie franchises tend to end after a Trilogy, after the Trilogy ends, there is either a Prequel or a Reboot, with a lot of comic-book movies, Spider-Man, X-Men. The G1 characters I want to see for the Autobots are Prowl, Wheeljack, Gears, Huffer, Windcharger, Trailbreaker, Bluestreak, Sunstreaker, Mirage, Cliffjumper, Hound. For the Decepticons, I want to see Shockwave, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Dirge, Ramjet, Thrust, Laserbeak, Reflector, Insecticons(Bombshell, Kickback, Shrapnell), but I doubt we won't even get to see half of them, because I hear Michael Bay wants to distance the live-action Transformers movies away from the original as much as possible.

I hope so. Who ever does it, I hope they continue the story and not reboot. I dont want to start over again and have 2 movie toy collections.