The Energon Pub

News Credits: 24 · by **Albershide** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:35 am

Moviemikes.com took an interview from Lester Speight in which he stated that the movie "has just eclipsed “Titanic” as the largest budgeted film ever. $400 million and still going north".

Here is the part from the interview about TF3:
"MG: Tell us about your role in the upcoming “Transformers 3″?
LS: I am not sure if you know but “Transformers 3″ has just eclipsed “Titanic” as the largest budgeted film ever. $400 million and still going north! We are totally taking over downtown Chicago. The city is buzzing and it is crazy around here. I play Hardcore Eddie. Tyrese’s character Robert Epps calls me in. I was in a war with his father. I always told his dad I would look out for him and watch his back. I am doing all the heavy shooting, rocket launchers and kicking ass. Hardcore Eddie is old school soldier who has seen it all and done it all. I am just kicking ass and blowing up ****. Michael (Bay) just created such a great character."

The whole interview you can read here: http://moviemikes.com/2010/08/interview ... r-speight/

This is huge if the numbers are right. For comparison the most expensive movie till now is "Pirates of the Caribbean: At world's end" ($300 million). Also just for information ROTF cost $200 million so the third part is 2 times bigger (and we had Devastator in ROTF).

Here is a list of the most expensive films: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mo ... sive_films

News Credits: 24 · by **Albershide** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:39 am

Now I see that while I was making this thread the news crew posted the same interview. So sorry for the duplication.

News Credits: 37 · by **SlyTF1** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 5:20 pm

Damn! It beat Pirates of the Caribbean 3! Now I really cant wait!

News Credits: 668 · by **Autobot032** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 6:43 pm

SlyTF1 wrote:Damn! It beat Pirates of the Caribbean 3! Now I really cant wait!

As much as I love the Bayverse movies, I have to say that this is not indicative of a good thing.

Possibly? Sure. The movie could make it's money back and then some. But I wouldn't bank on it.

POTC3 wasn't the best film. Most certainly not the best of the franchise.
TF3 could end up being a total crapfest and being the worst of the franchise.

Even I can admit that it's not perfect and the money it's made so far is nothing short of miraculous.

However, if this doesn't pan out, if this bombs at the box office, you might just have to kiss TF4 (or a new movie series) goodbye.

This pricetag is a really, really risky gamble. I'm worried they've bitten off more than they can chew.

FYI: If the movie makes it's money back worldwide, but fails to break even domestically, it's generally considered a dud. If it can't hit the mark in it's home country, it usually doesn't do all that well in other countries as well. Sure, the final tally will end up being more than what it cost them to make it, but one of the biggest concerns is the domestic take.

Do I think it'll earn it's money back? Yes.
Do I think it'll be a hit? I hope so.
Would it surprise me if it went bust? No.

Anything can happen, and a pricetag of this size is just a dangerous game.

by **Evil_the_Nub** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:23 pm

The only thing that worries me is all the criticism has brainwashed people into not liking the movies. I doubt that's a high percentage anyway, most people probably loved them and don't care what the critics think. Plus there won't be a writer's strike this time screwing with production, so I seriously doubt they will have as much to complain about.

by **Sky-Quake** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:32 pm

I'm gonna laugh so hard if it bombs

News Credits: 668 · by **Autobot032** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 11:11 pm

Sky-Quake wrote:I'm gonna laugh so hard if it bombs

You say that now, but if it takes the entire franchise with it (not just the movies, but TransFormers as a whole), you won't be laughing then.

$400 million is not a small number. That's not a gamble anyone should be making.

News Credits: 24 · by **Albershide** » Thu Sep 02, 2010 1:59 am

And here is Michael Bay's reaction: http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/sh ... post147145

by **Prime Riblet** » Thu Sep 02, 2010 2:04 am

Sky-Quake wrote:I'm gonna laugh so hard if it bombs

Do you like the Transformers franchise? Do you want the franchise to keep flourishing as it has since the 07 movie? It is a serious question.

If you care about the franchise, then you will hope the next movie isn't a flop.

News Credits: 668 · by **Autobot032** » Thu Sep 02, 2010 4:17 am

Albershide wrote:And here is Michael Bay's reaction: http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/sh ... post147145

Called him a moron? ouch.

by **Just Negare** » Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:16 pm

Hopefully this doesn't end up as an example of "More dollars then sense".

by **G1 Smoketreader** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 11:32 am

Someone else will buy the Franchise if Hasbro goes down,which they won't.They will kill Transformers before they go down,because it is what they do.

Were Hasbro to die AND simultaneously try to take the franchise down with them,somebody will step in and either inherit,legally wrest custody of,or just plain sell out on the decision to take TFs down anyway,because it is what they do,tho most likely the Head Hasbroian who is responsible for the fragged decision will be kicked out of command,with worst case scenario being someone will step in and buy Hasbro at a hilarious price,because that,again,is what they do.

Whatever happens,it's just another reboot.As above,so below.

If fans were irrational to try and prevent the last reboot why should fans worry now about the next one?

by **Joker'sRequiem** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 1:32 pm

orriezaros wrote:Someone else will buy the Franchise if Hasbro goes down,which they won't.They will kill Transformers before they go down,because it is what they do.

Were Hasbro to die AND simultaneously try to take the franchise down with them,somebody will step in and either inherit,legally wrest custody of,or just plain sell out on the decision to take TFs down anyway,because it is what they do,tho most likely the Head Hasbroian who is responsible for the fragged decision will be kicked out of command,with worst case scenario being someone will step in and buy Hasbro at a hilarious price,because that,again,is what they do.

Whatever happens,it's just another reboot.As above,so below.

If fans were irrational to try and prevent the last reboot why should fans worry now about the next one?

With regards to the bold: Are you really trying to infer that Hasbro wants Transformers to go under? What has the fandom come to...

And in the unlikely event Hasbro does go bankrupt, I highly doubt it would be because of TF3. It's going to make money. Whether or not the 10,000 vocal fans or 100 or so critics see it, millions more will see it regardless of critical reception carrying over from ROTF. The toys will continue to make money. The movie line has been Hasbro most successful in recent memory, and shows no sign of slowing down.

And I really wouldn't trust too many toy companies out there with having the resources to A) acquire the TF license and B) being able to continue the production and quality level we have now. Hasbro is one of the few giants in the US Toy industry market left. They make just about every popular toy under the sun that falls in the Boys Age 7+ category. Call me a cynic, but I don't think someone like Mattel or Bandai would suffice.

Like GEEWUN on Facebook · by **GEEWUN** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 1:56 pm

Prime Riblet wrote:
Sky-Quake wrote:I'm gonna laugh so hard if it bombs

Do you like the Transformers franchise? Do you want the franchise to keep flourishing as it has since the 07 movie? It is a serious question.

If you care about the franchise, then you will hope the next movie isn't a flop.

Seriously though the transformers movies have been the most profitable thing ever brought to Hasbro's table. And even IF The movies flop the toys will still bring in money. 400 million DAAAAAAAYAAANG!!!!

by **G1 Smoketreader** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:55 pm

Joker'sRequiem wrote:
orriezaros wrote:Someone else will buy the Franchise if Hasbro goes down,which they won't.They will kill Transformers before they go down,because it is what they do.

Were Hasbro to die AND simultaneously try to take the franchise down with them,somebody will step in and either inherit,legally wrest custody of,or just plain sell out on the decision to take TFs down anyway,because it is what they do,tho most likely the Head Hasbroian who is responsible for the fragged decision will be kicked out of command,with worst case scenario being someone will step in and buy Hasbro at a hilarious price,because that,again,is what they do.

Whatever happens,it's just another reboot.As above,so below.

If fans were irrational to try and prevent the last reboot why should fans worry now about the next one?

With regards to the bold: Are you really trying to infer that Hasbro wants Transformers to go under? What has the fandom come to...

And in the unlikely event Hasbro does go bankrupt, I highly doubt it would be because of TF3. It's going to make money. Whether or not the 10,000 vocal fans or 100 or so critics see it, millions more will see it regardless of critical reception carrying over from ROTF. The toys will continue to make money. The movie line has been Hasbro most successful in recent memory, and shows no sign of slowing down.

And I really wouldn't trust too many toy companies out there with having the resources to A) acquire the TF license and B) being able to continue the production and quality level we have now. Hasbro is one of the few giants in the US Toy industry market left. They make just about every popular toy under the sun that falls in the Boys Age 7+ category. Call me a cynic, but I don't think someone like Mattel or Bandai would suffice.

I read the whole thread before replying,but don't know how to quote multiple posts so I quoted none,which I guess fudges context.
I'm just saying,in the corporate reality, a lot will happen before Transformers are never made again.
I'm not trying to infer that Hasbro wants TFs to go under.I AM inferring the corporate world is cutthroat enough to delegate a fall out to someone else.

Dead Transformers always get ressurected in new realities under conditions implying they were never dead.As above,so below.

News Credits: 37 · by **SlyTF1** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 9:16 pm

Autobot032 wrote:
SlyTF1 wrote:Damn! It beat Pirates of the Caribbean 3! Now I really cant wait!

As much as I love the Bayverse movies, I have to say that this is not indicative of a good thing.

Possibly? Sure. The movie could make it's money back and then some. But I wouldn't bank on it.

POTC3 wasn't the best film. Most certainly not the best of the franchise.
TF3 could end up being a total crapfest and being the worst of the franchise.

Even I can admit that it's not perfect and the money it's made so far is nothing short of miraculous.

However, if this doesn't pan out, if this bombs at the box office, you might just have to kiss TF4 (or a new movie series) goodbye.

This pricetag is a really, really risky gamble. I'm worried they've bitten off more than they can chew.

FYI: If the movie makes it's money back worldwide, but fails to break even domestically, it's generally considered a dud. If it can't hit the mark in it's home country, it usually doesn't do all that well in other countries as well. Sure, the final tally will end up being more than what it cost them to make it, but one of the biggest concerns is the domestic take.

Do I think it'll earn it's money back? Yes.
Do I think it'll be a hit? I hope so.
Would it surprise me if it went bust? No.

Anything can happen, and a pricetag of this size is just a dangerous game.

Well, I loved POTC 3. Its MY favorite of the trilogy and maybe my 6th favorite movie ever.

by **Sky-Quake** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 10:02 pm

Prime Riblet wrote:
Sky-Quake wrote:I'm gonna laugh so hard if it bombs

Do you like the Transformers franchise? Do you want the franchise to keep flourishing as it has since the 07 movie? It is a serious question.

If you care about the franchise, then you will hope the next movie isn't a flop.

what kind of question is that I have been a fan all my life I am Port Alberni's biggest TF fan I have a huge collection I buy all the merchandise I can I even saw both films in theatres I've read countless comics I've seen almost all of G1 I've watched every beastwars episode a thousand times over my collection takes up 97% of my room I constantly make references to every transformers series ever in public, at home and in other towns and cities I would love to see this franchise have the same longevity DC comics and Marvel ever had I said that I'd laugh if it bombed out of disrepect for michael bay if the film flops Hasbro can retreat back and reboot the film series and quite possibly make a few more seasons and toys of animated now tell me would you prefer a michael bay film or one done by a better writer and director

News Credits: 37 · by **SlyTF1** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 5:13 pm

Sky-Quake wrote:
Prime Riblet wrote:
Sky-Quake wrote:I'm gonna laugh so hard if it bombs

Do you like the Transformers franchise? Do you want the franchise to keep flourishing as it has since the 07 movie? It is a serious question.

If you care about the franchise, then you will hope the next movie isn't a flop.

what kind of question is that I have been a fan all my life I am Port Alberni's biggest TF fan I have a huge collection I buy all the merchandise I can I even saw both films in theatres I've read countless comics I've seen almost all of G1 I've watched every beastwars episode a thousand times over my collection takes up 97% of my room I constantly make references to every transformers series ever in public, at home and in other towns and cities I would love to see this franchise have the same longevity DC comics and Marvel ever had I said that I'd laugh if it bombed out of disrepect for michael bay if the film flops Hasbro can retreat back and reboot the film series and quite possibly make a few more seasons and toys of animated now tell me would you prefer a michael bay film or one done by a better writer and director

There couldnt be a better director for a TF movie other than Bay. But better writers is somthing completely different. I didnt have any problems with the writing of the first 2 its just true that they dont have the best writing. There are things I would have done alot different and better, like adding more robot screen time in the first movie, or made the forest battle longer in ROTF. And have the scale of the invasion bigger, as in giant Decepticon fleets attacking earth and have Optimus die at the end of ROTF and have the third movie pick up right where ROTF left off with giant Decepticon ships dstroying cities on earth. But thats just me.

by **Dagon** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 1:16 am

GEEWUN wrote:
Prime Riblet wrote:
Sky-Quake wrote:I'm gonna laugh so hard if it bombs

Do you like the Transformers franchise? Do you want the franchise to keep flourishing as it has since the 07 movie? It is a serious question.

If you care about the franchise, then you will hope the next movie isn't a flop.

Seriously though the transformers movies have been the most profitable thing ever brought to Hasbro's table. And even IF The movies flop the toys will still bring in money. 400 million DAAAAAAAYAAANG!!!!

Wait, you're suggesting that if the movie doesn't do well, there are other elements of the Transformer franchise that will stay alive? Oh no no no my friend, we all know that if not for the movies then the franchise would have died off a long time ago. Why, 26 years of history is all thanks to movies that started coming out three years ago!

by **Lastjustice** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 12:25 am

Even if the 400 million is true (seems alittle high even for Bay.I'm venturing it will be between 250-300 million.) I don't think for a minute it's all their eggs in one basket here. Revenge of the Fallen made more than that alone. The first movie made hand over fist.

I have little doubt it will make it's money back. If all hatred for critics and internet moaners could have somehow stopped this series Revenge of the fallen would have bombed. Which I am willing bet this will probably end up being opposite of most recent trilogies and be the crown jewel of the series rather than the weakest link.

Lessons have been learned, as much as people bash Bay his people are listening more than people give them credit. I think if the writer strike hadn't happened (or Bay actually waited for it to be over to start shooting.) we'd got a better movie for RotF than we did but I still found it to be a worthwhile movie.

Are they going ever make a carbon copy of G1? probably not, so don't expect this to be it. (thankfully.) For those of you who hated first 2, you can probably save your money and not see it in theathers...(but you probably will anyways so you have something to complain about.)Asa transformer fan, you wouldn't want it to bomb even if you didn't like em. Things like War for cybertron and new series are aftershocks of Transformers proving to the world they're a popular enough IP to be ventured into besides movie tie-ins. Bay will likely be done with the series after the 3rd no matter what. (unless Hasbro drives a long haul sized dump truck of money into his front lawn.) With transformers you don't like the current batch just wait for the season to change.

by **G1 Smoketreader** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 2:42 am

Lastjustice wrote:

I have little doubt it will make it's money back. If all hatred for critics and internet moaners could have somehow stopped this series Revenge of the fallen would have bombed.

>>>>>Slightly off topic and NOT in disagreement with what you've said,just a (proposed) yin to the yang:

I suggest that the FEWish non-fans who paid any heed to the critics' and fans' ACTUAL complaints (not the hyped up versions) would have used the hearsay to go back and educate themselves about TFs on a fractionally deeper level, which I believe is good for us and the TFs.
That is, I suggest that the actual spirit of what the sincere fanbase has out-put would have encouraged the new wave of movie-born TF enthusiasts to delve into the alternate realities,which may not have contributed extra money to the films but would have to the TF franchise overall.
No matter how much we have argued amongst ourselves, there are plenty of things that the fanbase not only redlighted but then expanded upon before greenlighting.I strongly suggest that some things have been corrected by the fanbase alone.I only joined this year but I strongly believe that TF site members before me, from 07 onwards, have done a LOT of mopping up and repairing.I believe I can see the evidence of this in their overall posting.

I also suggest that fans should always be allowed to be there to let the public know what the verdict is according to the people who have maintained the unbroken 26 year relationship with the TFs.We regularly, albeit eventually, relabel something 'preposterous' into something 'awesome',which, to me, is a particularly good trinket of news to let 'the outside world' know about, not in regards to us, but in regards to our recommendations to them to see/own/appreciate the finer details of the movies as a part of the greater whole.

Critics can critique a movie, Filmakers SHOULD have the last word on film-making (even against Hasbro/Takara), and Hasbro/Takara should make the decisions for Hasbro/Takara,but if the fandom says "yadda character has been cheated/underdepicted/etc here (or TRULY HONORED/beautifully overhauled there)", the rest of the mass/multimedia should make way for this news to make its' run of the circuit.It doesn't mean there should be a primetime tv show about the fans latest rants, but it should be accessible and acknowledged information, as should the counterarguments as opposed to the demands for it to stop.Every storm will blow itself out.

I personally believe, perhaps mistakenly, I must admit, that 'the major minority' who considers the film (RotF) a flop is Hasbro, alone.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Which I am willing bet this will probably end up being opposite of most recent trilogies and be the crown jewel of the series rather than the weakest link.

>>>>>I like to believe that the creators are gathering so much TF-specific storytelling experience that it'll become second nature to them.Instinct.

--------------------------------------------------------------

as much as people bash Bay his people are listening more than people give them credit.

>>>>>Respectfully, I don't think anybody has had something bad to hold up about Bays' people,at least not since I opened an account here.And Bay-bashing is almost gone altogether,I reckon, which I truly believe is what every serious body wants-the guy is a human being and if the abuse hasn't taken a toll on him,then, yeah, well...

Having said the above, I also encourage the complainer-bashers to keep attacking the (words of) complainers (who are also human beings), as it keeps the motives of both sides tidied up.

"We'll never work out how we would have wanted to grow up until we become solely responsible for someone elses' child".-Anon.(Vague selection of quote, maybe, but significant to me).

Please acknowledge my non-polemic intentions.

by **Joker'sRequiem** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 9:15 pm

Dagon wrote:
GEEWUN wrote:
Prime Riblet wrote:
Sky-Quake wrote:I'm gonna laugh so hard if it bombs

Do you like the Transformers franchise? Do you want the franchise to keep flourishing as it has since the 07 movie? It is a serious question.

If you care about the franchise, then you will hope the next movie isn't a flop.

Seriously though the transformers movies have been the most profitable thing ever brought to Hasbro's table. And even IF The movies flop the toys will still bring in money. 400 million DAAAAAAAYAAANG!!!!

Wait, you're suggesting that if the movie doesn't do well, there are other elements of the Transformer franchise that will stay alive? Oh no no no my friend, we all know that if not for the movies then the franchise would have died off a long time ago. Why, 26 years of history is all thanks to movies that started coming out three years ago!

No, you have Beast Wars to thank for saving the franchise and giving us another 14 years to enjoy

Regardless of how you or I feel about the movie(s), you can't ignore the huge surge in popularity the films have provided. Did they save a franchise on life support? Not exactly, but it has been the single-most profitable sub-franchise in TF history. That's not something to frown at, because the movies are allowing a new generation to fall in love with Optimus, Megatron, Bumblebee and co. like G1 fans did, like Beast Wars fans did, etc. And that's what the franchise is about. Continuing the years into the future by evolving the brand. Not rigidly holding onto the past years like a sacred text that should never be questioned or altered.

As for the final budget, I'd be shocked if it came near $400 million. It just seems too high, even for a film this huge and with this kind of a production. But if the films maintain there level of financial success, a $400 million budget wouldn't be too hard to completely surpass, with ticket prices increased from 3D prices, to a continued success of the film's toyline, to a generally positive audience receptiveness towards the film franchise.

News Credits: 1 · by **Berserker Prime** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 4:12 am

After listning to Bay talk about how much he watches $ and cuts things here and there to make things cheaper I highly doubt that he would do $400,000,000. I did it with the zeros so people could see how big that number really is. Even in the movie biz.

And for it tanking hasbro if it fails... no f-ing way. They make so much different toys that it would hurt but not destroy. Its the production companys that would have to worry the most.