The Energon Pub

[Sabrblade]

I'm more than okay with Bay continuing, just give us a decent screenwriter. That's all I want.

Well that and if Bay is ever replaced they bring in Uwe Boll so all you Bay-haters get what you really deserve.

Yeah, getting rid of Bay won't solve everything. There's still the producers and writers to contend with.

[Gunmetal]

He's never leaving, is he?

More like, "They're never letting him go, are they?"

I really get the feeling that he'd gladly be done with doing these movies, but the financial success the films keep bringing in keep having the higher ups want to keep pulling him back into doing them.

That's the sense I got too.

I recommend the whole article. Like him or not, it's pretty interesting (but does have a minor TMNT2 spoiler).

[ZeroWolf]

I'm interested in where they are taking the live action movie series (let's hope the writers room pays off) though I'm really hoping that the creators aren't the quints.

As for bay, it was inevitable that those in charge would want him back, no matter the cost. I just hope all those that dislike him realise he is only a small part of their problems as he doesn't do everything in the movie himself.

[Insurgent]

I like the movies. But after 4, they are getting samey with the big fights at the end. I want a new director simply to see what someone else would do with them.

[griftimus prime]

its good when he IS involved?

[First Gen]

Transformers 5: End of the Universe.


In this installment, Lock down is now a portable restroom who holds the secrets of the TRUE origins of the TF race.

[william-james88]

I'm more than okay with Bay continuing, just give us a decent screenwriter. That's all I want.

Well that and if Bay is ever replaced they bring in Uwe Boll so all you Bay-haters get what you really deserve.

Yeah, getting rid of Bay won't solve everything. There's still the producers and writers to contend with.

I agree with all of you. Reading the article sheds Bay in a very interesting light. He doesnt need the money, clearly, and doesnt need to actually work. But the fact that the effects would look bad if he wasnt in charge keeps him there, its interesting. There is also an ego thing going on. And yeah, like all you guys mention, its about the screenwriters. As the article shows, Bay feels the responsibility on the effects and how it looks. That is what he excells at and it shows. But beyond that, there is only so much a director can do with a script, he doesnt even have final cut.

Anyways, Bay is not the problem, and I am pretty certain that if he werent the director of the previous films, they would have been worse. Then again, maybe that would have been better, they would have bombed and maybe a new approach would have been taken Bof, who knows, but its hard to deny that Bat isnt a master of his craft.

I always found this video pretty interesting:

[Kyleor]

The 'Bayverse' movies are not bad action movies, but they're also not good Transformers movies.

If keeping him involved keeps movies from being 'worse', what if someone else were brought in to make the movies *good* instead?

[Glarryg]

I want a new director simply to see what someone else would do with them.

I second this. Someone at TFW2005 mentioned that there are no other big movie franchises that have had the same director for five films. Plus, the article makes it sound like he's over-extending himself. Why be sloppy at five things when you could be thorough with one or two? Don't keep making the movies because they "won't be good if you don't," especially when you don't even know that for sure. Let 'em go, dude; you didn't even create the IP of the movies you're most famous for now.

Glarryg

[o.supreme]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I think TF4 was a huge improvement over 2&3. Losing Shia LeBouef was a HUGE plus. Also losing most of the gutter humor helped as well. Sure I'd love to see another director, but I still think the continuity should continue, NOT be restarted. Like it or not, we are never going to get an Original TF "cartoon" accurate film, and even if we did, it might not translate as well on film as we'd like.

I think the best we can hope for is still an all TF movie with no humans. *Still* holding out hope that someone will make this happen someday.

[ZeroWolf]

What other directors would people suggest that aren't locked on other projects that won't run foul of bays problems (you know, like script editing etc..) I'm struggling to think of any that would care enough about what people think are just giant robots beating each other up.

As for the tf movie without humans, sarblade pointed out a few pages ago that we had a TV movie that did just that. General movie audiences probably won't care for a film like that. Unless it's a kids film, though I could see a rescue bots movie doing alright

[Sabrblade]

What other directors would people suggest that aren't locked on other projects that won't run foul of bays problems (you know, like script editing etc..) I'm struggling to think of any that would care enough about what people think are just giant robots beating each other up.

Well, since I don't know about the personal day-to-day busynesses that most directors (even Bay himself) have to go through, I don't feel that I could really answer this question since any potential director I could name might fall into the category you speak of without my knowing.

As for the tf movie without humans, sarblade pointed out a few pages ago that we had a TV movie that did just that. General movie audiences probably won't care for a film like that. Unless it's a kids film, though I could see a rescue bots movie doing alright

What's more is that a TF movie with no humans would have no real need to be filmed in live action since all the TF characters are CG cartoons anyway. Might as well make the backgrounds and environments animated as well since there really aren't that many films out there that went the route of Dinosaur by having all CGI characters in realistic backgrounds/environments with no human actors.

[o.supreme]

Yes I know, and as I replied, Predacons Rising was amazing!. But I did specify a theatrical film with no humans. I guess that is where the disconnect is. If I were making a film. I would make a film that would try to appeal to fans, not just the "general" populace. It probably wouldn't be a financial success, but in terms of quality, it would be far better. Of course I would want to fund it myself, so I would not have to rely on a large studios restrictions, but alas, I am not a multi-millionaire, so it will never happen.

Directors not locked in other projects? -Well that pretty much eliminates everyone. That's like asking mid-way through the NFL season who would you want to coach your team that doesn't have a job. But after the season (as in today), there are several vacancies. Of course, there are no directors available today. But making the deal now, or in the near future and having them direct the 6th film, or next spinoff might be viable. Guillermo del Toro comes to mind. Not just because of Pacific Rim, but because he has a love of Japanese robots going back to his childhood as they were very popular in Mexico. I think he would do well bringing out some of the original ideas and personality traits of the transformers that have largely been ignored. Gareth Edwards (depending on how Rogue One turns out), would be another good choice.

[Insurgent]

What other directors would people suggest that aren't locked on other projects that won't run foul of bays problems (you know, like script editing etc..) I'm struggling to think of any that would care enough about what people think are just giant robots beating each other up.

As for the tf movie without humans, sarblade pointed out a few pages ago that we had a TV movie that did just that. General movie audiences probably won't care for a film like that. Unless it's a kids film, though I could see a rescue bots movie doing alright

Guillermo del Toro.


Since Godzilla has killed any chance of Pacific Rim 2, I say let the guy have a crack at the Transformers.

[william-james88]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I think TF4 was a huge improvement over 2&3. Losing Shia LeBouef was a HUGE plus. Also losing most of the gutter humor helped as well.

Oh I think you are more the majority than minority. I think the sme way and so did many critics. Its just that they had overrated the previous 2 (giving 2-3 stars on 5 instead of 1) so the improvement didnt show in the scores.

What other directors would people suggest that aren't locked on other projects?

JJ Abrams, Roland Emmerich, Joss Whedon, and Justin Lin have all completed their latest projects. I would be happy to see any of their visions. Though a change in screenwriter is far more important than a change in Director.

Also, to those asking if another director has made 5 theatrical films within the same franchise, the answer is yes George Miller. As of right now he has directed 4 Mad Max films and planning the next one. Same as Bay with Transformers. I am surprised people have totally ignored that.

[Sabrblade]

Brad Bird is good at making films with likable characters and fun stories.

Another director who, like Bay, is good at making his films look visually stunning, but might be more of a bold choice since he's not as well known as an action film director but has done some action films, is Kenneth Branagh.

But no Roland Emmerich, please! The guy can't make any other kind of flick beyond disaster flicks, and those are a tired and tried genre already.

[o.supreme]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I think TF4 was a huge improvement over 2&3. Losing Shia LeBouef was a HUGE plus. Also losing most of the gutter humor helped as well.

Oh I think you are more the majority than minority. I think the sme way and so did many critics. Its just that they had overrated the previous 2 (giving 2-3 stars on 5 instead of 1) so the improvement didnt show in the scores.

Well that and US Boxoffice for TF4 being the lowest of them all, but World Wide, 2nd. Transformers may be the first franchise that I care about that actually benefits from having a worldwide appeal, and thus sequels will continue, even TF5 grosses less than 200M stateside, if it makes a Billion worldwide, more sequels are all but guaranteed. But still, I would like the films to improve as I think all fans do. TF 4 just seemed to be an indication, that at least in the United States, fans are done with the franchise.

[william-james88]

Another director who, like Bay, is good at making his films look visually stunning, but might be more of a bold choice since he's not as well known as an action film director but has done some action films, is Kenneth Branagh.

HOLY SH!T, I would be so extatic if Kenneth Branagh expressed any interest in this franchise, the thought alone is insane in a fun way. What a left field yet smart suggestion. That guy sure could add some class to this series.

[Sabrblade]

Another director who, like Bay, is good at making his films look visually stunning, but might be more of a bold choice since he's not as well known as an action film director but has done some action films, is Kenneth Branagh.

HOLY SNOOFENGLOOP, I would be so extatic if Kenneth Branagh expressed any interest in this franchise, the thought alone is insane in a fun way. What a left field yet smart suggestion. That guy sure could add some class to this series.

He did both the first Thor movie of the MCU, and Disney's live action Cinderella from last year, as well.

[ZeroWolf]

That name sounds familiar but I can't place it , guessing he mainly does action movies? As for Del Toro. ..I have a lot of work for him to be doing...like working with Kojima, that mountains of madness movie, a super robot movie like the kind he grew up with (live action mazinger z please)

Not sure JJ Abrams style would be that different from Bay.

[o.supreme]

a super robot movie like the kind he grew up with (live action Mazinger Z please)

Hey I'd love to see a live action Mazinger Z, but I figure Transformers is more viable. Yes GDT has a lot of movies he would "like" to make. But ATMOM & PR2 are pretty much no go from a studio standpoint. Sometimes you have to direct the film someone else wants, for every film YOU want. Not saying he would, but unfortunately that is the industry for you.

Also this may be out in field, but what about Nelson Shin? -He directed the 1986 TF:TM, and currently does work on The Simpsons, but his studio has done work in the past with such popular 90's animated series such as Batman:TAS & X-Men. -If he has a solid well-written script. I think there is some potential there.

[SlyTF1]

AAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Excellent! Eggcelent! AHAHAH! I bet people are already mad as a son of a *****! AHAHAH! Hey, but with new writers though, I'm predicting the script will be a bit better. The only problem I had with AOE was the dialogue, even though there were a few badass lines. Fix the dialogue, and I'll be happy.

[Rodimus Prime]

The 'Bayverse' movies are not bad action movies, but they're also not good Transformers movies.

THIS RIGHT HERE! This is what all the Bay-haters need to understand, especially those in the fandom. Bay doesn't make these movies for the fans, he makes them for the general audience. Doesn't excuse the shoddy writing, but it alleviates some of the blame from Bay.

As for other directors, I can see Guillermo Del Toro, Ridley Scott, J.J. Abrams or Roland Emmerich give it a shot. Personally, I would love to see what Clint Eastwood could do with this, even though he'd never be caught dead around something like this. But putting his personal taste aside, he has the skill to bring a really good story out of pretty much anything, so why not Transformers?

[ZeroWolf]

I don't think bay has been allowed near a script since revenge of the fallen. So since then he's excused from bad scripts and story. he just shoots what's given to him and that's all that's asked of him by the powers that be.

Ridley Scott, that's a name I've not considered but then again I wasn't impressed with Promethus and don't have much hope for the follow up.

Thinking on it, we'll see a new director on a transformers project if hasbro/paramount get their wish with multiple films as well as the main movies.

[cruizerdave]

"It's not good when I'm not involved."

What an @$$hole. Bay is a complete and total @$$hole. I've come to terms that we'll never see a decent Transformers adaption in our lifetimes thanks to him, but I find it amusing that people still eat up the garbage he puts on their cinematic plates.