The Energon Pub

News Credits: 409 · Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:52 am

The Transformers Movie is right around the corner and all of the voice actors are now billed, but what happened to Frank Welker?!

For those of you who don’t know (or have been hibernating in a cave) – Frank Welker has done many of the Transformers voices that you know and love, including Soundwave, Sludge, and most notably Megatron (to name a few). Frank’s voice as Megatron has become legendary over the years just like Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime. So when Michael Bay announced a few months ago that he had passed over Frank in the upcoming movie, fans were quite shocked about the decision.

For all of you fans that have wanted to hear from Frank about the decision- your wait is finally over: Frank Welker finally sits down with Chud.com and fills us in.

Click here to read the interview.

News Credits: 26 · Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:08 am

I feel so bad that Frank was passed over.Its like smacking the face of a legend

Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:11 am

Not so much an 'interview' but good to see Frank passionate enough about his creation after all these years.

Sad that he felt the need to defend his work, it being loved so much by the fanbase.

Hopefully this will end up being a decent game. One WORTHY of Cullen and Welker's time.

Stormrider wrote:The Transformers Movie is right around the corner and all of the voice actors are now billed, but what happened to Frank Welker?!

For those of you who don’t know (or have been hibernating in a cave) – Frank Welker has done many of the Transformers voices that you know and love, including Soundwave, Sludge, and most notably Megatron (to name a few). Frank’s voice as Megatron has become legendary over the years just like Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime. So when Michael Bay announced a few months ago that he had passed over Frank in the upcoming movie, fans were quite shocked about the decision.

For all of you fans that have wanted to hear from Frank about the decision- your wait is finally over: Frank Welker finally sits down with Chud.com and fills us in.

Click here to read the interview.

News Credits: 226 · Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:19 am

Well that wasn't overly exciting.

Seriously though, once people see the movie and hear how few lines Megatron has, they'll probably be happy that Welker didn't "waste his time" with things.

Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:42 am

WOW. Welker has the respect he can get in my book. To assume that Welker couldn't scale down Megs for screen is just ridiculous. The guy can do WHATEVER he wants with his voice. Hopefully the movie spawns some cartoon series that Welker can run his one man show on.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Pepsimus · Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:11 am

I am still amazed that Frank was passed over. Forget his Megatron voice for a moment and just look over his large body of work. He is a voice acting legend who has created an insanely large number of voices. Megatron is not Frenzy is not Dr. Claw is not Slimer is not Fred (Scooby Doo) is not Hefty Smurf... etc., but they all come from the same man. He has done many voices for many movies (both cartoon and live action) and would have been able to adapt to the needs of the movie.

Oh well. Since he's doing Megs in the video game, it'll be easy to "lift" his voice and dub it over Hugo in the movie.

It touched me though that after all the voices he's done in his extremely long career he still thinks quite fondly of his work on Megatron.

Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:12 am

Burn wrote:Well that wasn't overly exciting.

Seriously though, once people see the movie and hear how few lines Megatron has, they'll probably be happy that Welker didn't "waste his time" with things.

I really hope its more than a few lines...I mean, if that's the case, what's the point of even having a voice actor? I mean really!!!!! :-x

Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:18 am

Welker has done more for voice acting than possibly any other voice actor. If you have the Futurama DVDs (and I am guessing most in this crowd do) you can listen to several commentaries by the cast of that show and their incredible respect and awe for Welker. Whenever his work comes up in that show, everyone agrees that it was a blessing to be able to work with such a legend.

Good to see that he is also a class act himself!

News Credits: 1 · Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:22 am

Oh no, he said "self flaggelation!"

Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:23 am

I too am sad he's not in the movie....he's as much a class act as Cullen, and I'm happy that he's at least in the game. He will always be the one true Decepticon leader to me....in front of a long line of pretenders and also-rans.

News Credits: 1 · Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:30 am

I like the little YouTube clip with the audio from the 80's movie. Welker's voice fits PERFECTLY. Hiring Weaving was just a move to get more well-know actors into the movie. They're trying to pull in the different crowds by featuring everyone from Bernie Mac to Hugo Weaving. With the latter, maybe they think they're somehow going to attract the V for Vendetta crowd. I don't know. In the end, though, it's just sad they didn't go with Welker. I'm not swinging a sword and calling for blood, here. I just think the voice is perfect and Hugo Weaving doesn't need another X-number million dollars to take over a role someone else made popular. As many people have said, it's nice Welker got the game role, but what does that say about Weaving? Was he not willing to contribute?

Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:40 am

I didn't realize Welker had done so many characters, but I still hate his Megatron.

News Credits: 226 · Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:08 am

RichGarner wrote:Welker has done more for voice acting than possibly any other voice actor.

Except Mel Brooks.

Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:15 am

Burn wrote:
RichGarner wrote:Welker has done more for voice acting than possibly any other voice actor.

Except Mel Brooks.

Mel Blanc

News Credits: 1 · Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:17 am

I too was surprised to learn that Welker was not chosen for the movie in the end, but then one I saw the deformed construction they had planned for the movie Megatron I wasn't really all that upset any longer. I honestly think I'm more interested in the video game XD.

It's great to hear Welker defend this with such passion. ;)^

News Credits: 3642 · Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:38 am

His comments make me feel sad. I had really wanted him to reprise his Megatron role. I wasn't horribly disappointed in the use of Hugo Weaving but I think they made a big mistake by doing that. Heck, they're not even really promoting Weaving's role in the movie so I don't understand the decision.

Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:59 am

Seibertron wrote:His comments make me feel sad. I had really wanted him to reprise his Megatron role. I wasn't horribly disappointed in the use of Hugo Weaving but I think they made a big mistake by doing that. Heck, they're not even really promoting Weaving's role in the movie so I don't understand the decision.

yeah no doubt, i have seen a million adverts saying voice legend Cullen but nothing saying amazing actor hugo weaving.... Hugo is cool and all but I really wanted to see well I mean hear Welker as Megatron. In fact thats the only reason I am buying the video game just to hear his megatron again. Welker is the megaman and always will be. and dont go thinking I am some old G1 dude complainin about things I am only 21 and even I know Welker was the best Megatron ever.

Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:08 am

Eh, I wanted Welker or even Dvid Kaye but if Megs has that few lines it would be a waste of their time. At least he got the part for the game, some people know talent when they hear it.

Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:40 am

I may not know how "realistic" a voice has to be to made it into a live movie and frankly, I don't care! For me Welker's voice sound as good as any other voice! >_<

News Credits: 5 · Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:42 am

Burn wrote:
RichGarner wrote:Welker has done more for voice acting than possibly any other voice actor.

Except Mel Brooks.

Yes but Welker is the only man that can sign off his e-mails publicly with Megatron leader of the Decepticons.. and be completely unchallenged!!!

Welker and Cullen on the game itself, laughing and funny...Note: This may have already been noted as news..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4tNz_3dGBA

Burn, your Darn Sig is freaking Distracting!!!!!

News Credits: 1 · Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:52 am

Poor Welker :S ... Omg how could Bay chose Agent Smith instead of Frank? ... oh my

Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:15 am

Who in hades is Devin Faraci?! I've never heard of this nut. He certainly doesn't speak for me. Incidentally, I have no trouble "making myself clear," Mr. Faraci, you're opinion is worthless! I'm stunned Frank Welker even bothered to contact you. You're not worthy to shine his shoes. Do us all a favor and stop inhaling. [I've not wanted to punch somebody in the face more than I want to sock Mr. Faraci right now]. Grrr!

Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:26 am

michael bay **** you
go to char where megatron and im talking g1
not that movie **** that ye crapped out
your bad boys ass he will stad there
with his fusion cannon i say die you
human and guess what prime and jetfire
will stand there and say this is more entertaining
that and arcee and Elita One peep show
done frank welker you r a god in my mind

Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:40 am

Seibertron wrote:His comments make me feel sad. I had really wanted him to reprise his Megatron role. I wasn't horribly disappointed in the use of Hugo Weaving but I think they made a big mistake by doing that. Heck, they're not even really promoting Weaving's role in the movie so I don't understand the decision.

Agreed! All I ever hear about, in terms of voice acting, is about Cullen. If you hired a semi-big name actor to provide a voice, then why not promote the movie with him? It's kind of a waste of money to hire Weaving, where Welker would have done a better job and pleased fans at the same time! All we're getting with Weaving is a voice, whether it sounds good or not.

As far as this "interview" goes, I couldn't disagree with our "interviewer" more! This just proves that you don't dis the baddest villian in the universe and get away with it!

News Credits: 3 · Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:01 pm

Seibertron wrote:His comments make me feel sad. I had really wanted him to reprise his Megatron role. I wasn't horribly disappointed in the use of Hugo Weaving but I think they made a big mistake by doing that. Heck, they're not even really promoting Weaving's role in the movie so I don't understand the decision.

Considering that Megatron apparently doesn't even show up until the last 1/5 of the movie, I'm not really surprised.