The Energon Pub

Pain & Gain

Yes it's coming in April!

It's my $26 million dollar film that I've had for many years, finally I had a moment to shoot it, and it that was a blast! I filmed it in Miami. Pain & Gain is still in the cutting room.

But what I can say this film is a funny, twisted, true crime story. The people who have seen it say to me it's totally original in its style. But you guys will be the judges. One thing I do know is studios are now a days so shy to make these type of movies, but I know audiences love to still see them.

What I really like about the film are the quirky and rich characters. Why was it fun? Because, simply, my amazing cast. Marc Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie were a great trio together. But also working with Ed Harris, who I loved working with in The Rock. Also Tony Shalhoub, not only the greatest guy but an amazing actor. Rebel Wilson, Rob Cordry, Ken Jeoung, and Michael Rispoli round out the cast. And also a new find, Bar Paly.

But I must say Wahlberg and Johnson play totally fresh characters and that's why it's so fun to watch them on screen. The editing process is a bit slower on this one because I'm in the middle of launching my three TV shows and prepping Transformers 4–which is going in a total new direction and in a way to really broaden the franchise to give it lasting legs.

Bubbah wrote:Ya know, I like the Bay movies, for what they are... Transformer action flicks made by an idiot.

What I really like about the film are the quirky and rich characters.

redoutlander wrote:Well considering the rumors that Season 3 of prime might be the last season with the current characters and the new "Beast Hunters" brand I'd say it looks like a full force Beast wars revivial. I'm not all to sure what to expect. I do have a few younger friends (20s) who love that franchise.

Sodan-1 wrote:Coming from this guy that could mean anything, but it also probably means that I still won't like it.

Bubbah wrote:Ya know, I like the Bay movies, for what they are... Transformer action flicks made by an idiot.

Is he an idiot though? I can't stand the guy and I completely agree with what you said about how highly he seems to rate himself. I really don't like the live-action Transformers movies, and as I've gotten older and become more versed in the ways of the world, I've gone back and watched some other Michael Bay movies that I used to really enjoy and I've realised just how shallow they are. Bad Boys, Bad Boys 2, Armageddon, Pearl Harbour. (OK, so I always knew Pearl Harbour was bad, but I know have a new appreciation of just how bad.) But you have to admit the guy knows how to make movies that appeal to the masses, and he does so with a scary efficiency. I've started to wonder who I should have the bigger problem with: Bay for (in my opinion) mocking a franchise I love to bits, or the popcorn munching masses that have provided the demand that he supplies.

Why do you want to do it? I was under the impression that you were done after "Transformers 3"?
I thought I was done. Then the ride came out [at Universal Studios Hollywood] and the two-and-a-half-hour lines. And then you're thinking, Oh my God, someone's going to take this over. And you start doing a lot of soul-searching. Like, OK, I'm about to do a little movie, "Pain & Gain" ... and the studio says they want to restart the franchise. And someone could come in here and screw it up, you know? So I'm thinking that if I do this last one, we set it on a new footing, we change a lot of things -- but we keep the history of the three in place. But we broaden it so it can be set up and be carried on -- it would have a better chance for survival, I guess. You know?

Right.
So it was just one of those things. It's like, when you look what's going on in the film business with the franchise frenzy right now, why is Cameron doing two more "Avatar" movies? Why is Peter Jackson doing three more "Hobbit" movies that are in the same world as "Lord of the Rings"? When you have a franchise, it's very hard to give it up.

Well, looking at how "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" did at the box office, it's obvious that people like these movies. So I can see your hesitation to give it up.
Well, no, you've got to do different things in life. But it doesn't matter. This is probably the last one.

So with the plot of "Transformers 4," it's not like the other three movies didn't happen? It's not a reboot?
No. We're basically taking from the history of where it was -- or where we left it in Chicago. And we're going to carry it on from there.

I spoke to Peter Cullen at Comic Con earlier this year. He said he doesn't know if he's going to be back as the voice of Optimus Prime or not. He'll be back, right?
Of course! Of course.

Before the first "Transformers," you got some heat for the whole "flames on Optimus" thing.
Yeah, I know.

But if you got rid of Peter Cullen, people would be extremely upset.
Listen, when I heard his voice, it gave me chills.

redoutlander wrote:Oh I didn't know about season 4. all i heard is that Hasbro wants to change to a new cast of characters and that Beast Hunters would be next. Ether way I'll watch it and will probalby get most of the main figs.

Bubbah wrote:As for who to have the problem with, the general public doesn't realize what he's doing to the franchise, hell they think it's all based off a cartoon from the 80's. I would absolutely blame him for the mocking, not the people who go see it, because frankly they don't know better, which is sad.

Mr. Bay, I apologize, you're not an idiot ... You're a giant douche.

And someone could come in here and screw it up, you know?

optimuscarlos wrote:

And someone could come in here and screw it up, you know?

Yeah!!, Because He did it all right.!!!
How much can someone else screw it up?