The Energon Pub

So, with Transformers raking in money and the sequel already greenlit, we're all set...

...except for a director.

With Paramount and Dreamworks probably anxious to get started right away, but Michael Bay showing interest in reuniting with Bruckheimer and Disney for Prince of Persia, as well as his interest in his "smaller" project, Pain and Gain, we might be minus a director(Bay isn't officially inked to come back, but he does have the first option).

If Bay passed on the sequel, who would you want to see take the reigns for the next movie?

(And guys, I know I'm probably fighting a losing battle... but can we try to keep it to discussion and avoid the "movie sucks/rules loop here?)

Two names that are "free agents" with clear slates to take on the movie: Gore Verbinski(Pirates of the Caribbean) and Sam Raimi(Spiderman). Of the two, I'm actually partial to Verbinski, but both would be fine choices. I also think, truth be told, neither would want to jump off of the trailing end of one mega-franchise to another.

There are three guys who I could see doing a really great Transformers movie...

o Brad Bird - I'm not sure this really needs much explanation. If you look at Bird's filmography, he's really partial to strong character development, and he's remarkably inventive.

o Robert Rodriguez - Rodriguez can do action remarkably well, and he's got plenty of experience with effects. He's also someone who's dealt with adaptations and high expectations before(Sin City).

o Zach Snyder - I've not seen 300, but if you go off Dawn of the Dead, he'd be a pretty interesting choice. I love his style, and I think it would translate well to Transformers. And he could be finished with Watchmen in time to jump on this one. The only down side? His movies tend to be rated-R kinds of violent. =p

KoH4711 wrote:
o Robert Rodriguez - Rodriguez can do action remarkably well, and he's got plenty of experience with effects. He's also someone who's dealt with adaptations and high expectations before(Sin City).

o Zach Snyder - I've not seen 300, but if you go off Dawn of the Dead, he'd be a pretty interesting choice. I love his style, and I think it would translate well to Transformers. And he could be finished with Watchmen in time to jump on this one. The only down side? His movies tend to be rated-R kinds of violent. =p

yeh robert would be a ticket choice, i think he could pull it off, he also has a good way of merging action with the story

as for zach, I CANT BELIEVE YOU HAVENT SEEN 300!!!!, if i didnt love tf so much id seriously say it is the best movie i have ever viewd in my life!, how ever i dont think zach could do tf, he just doesnt have the right vibe

The only director I can really think of (I know, not too broad) is Peter Jackson if he's available. He can do action films, deal with special effects and tell a good story IMHO. I'm sure there are some of you out there with a better perspective, so I am really interested to hear opinions on PJ.

JJ Ambrams. The man is a walking sci-fi encyclopedia, is willing to take risks with camera, stories, and effects.

Maybe leave it to Speilberg all the way the man knows how to make a movie and his input in the 1st one was awesome.

If Bay left I'd want Bay. TF matches his style perfect and no one would be a good substitute. Maybe Cameron, but Cameron's tone is too heavy for TF.

Bay all the way.

KoH4711 wrote:o Robert Rodriguez - Rodriguez can do action remarkably well, and he's got plenty of experience with effects. He's also someone who's dealt with adaptations and high expectations before(Sin City).

No way. Keep Robert Rodriguez away from TFs. As well as the guy who did Pirates. There both terrible. No Sam Raimi, I loved Evil Dead, but hated the Spiderman trilogy, and neither of those styles would work for TFs. No Peter Jackson, he would make it too epic, and I've see the LOTR trilogy already. I don't want TFs to end up that way.

Zach Snyder, maybe. He's good, I loved DOTD '04, he'd be interesting.

If we don't get Bay, I think we should get Bryan Singer. Xmen and Xmen 2 are awesome. I would also like James Cameron, he'd be good.

Oh and anyone who says the Matrix jerk wads gets the angry face of doom. The Matrix flicks all sucked, and anything those puds touch turn to crap.

James Cameron.

I seem to recall starting this thread as "If Michael Bay wasn't directing the first movie who would you prefer?" quite some time back.

I would probably have said Gore Verbinski if it wasn't for the complete dogs breakfast he made of POTC3.

I'm still a fan of Ridley Scott.


Can you imagine a Quentin Tarantino-styled Transformers 2? Or maybe David Lynch. Now there's a movie that wouldn't make much sense on the first and second viewings.

Speilberg gets my vote

Christopher Nolan.

If not, James Cameron.

If not, then Steven Spielberg

James Cameron.
just look at the future scenes in terminator 2.
I think he would be able to handle the action scenes much better and give a better sense of scale to the robot action.
Also, he would handle the comic relief better.
also, the movie would be cut better. editing in this dumper of a movie was really, really bad. especially durring the final battle scene.

Personally, I think that Bay wouldn't want to leave this megaseries. But if he did, I'd want either...

Steven Spielberg- He worked on the first one and he usually makes great movies.

George Lucas- The man behind Star Wars could really do something with this. It would have a lot of action, but it would be very character-driven. He'd also work well with Spielberg.

please don't even think about lucas.
The franchise would become completly about sam and his new powers after touching the cube.

Kronos wrote:James Cameron.

WTF?! His Movies Suck! And Have You Seen Big love?! He Would Rape Megan Fox Or Something!!

Edit-Wrong person but I do know he would still rape my Megan Fox

Reel in the Beast Wars crew...
...it's the last time I can remember the Transformers not leaving me wanting to stab my brain with a pencil (and the old, more dangerous lead-filled kind, too).

Michael Bay is the only transformers director for me.

Tarentino would be awsom

he would cast Sam Jackson as SoundWave

pictur his voice synthized "say what again, i dare u"


Gore virbinski would do a great job, speilberg to

I think you guys are throwing a lot of extremely unrealistic names out here.

James Cameron would never do it.

Ridley Scott would never do it.

Quentin Tarantino would never do it.

Those guys would never be able to see it as anything other than "a toy movie" or "a kid's movie".

There's no way George Lucas would ever direct the sequel to Transformers. I mean come on.

Of course it'd be really cool if Steven Spielberg did it but I doubt he would.

Christopher Nolan would be cool but I really doubt he'd be interested.

Gore Verbinski's an interesting choice, his style is pretty similar to Bay's.

J. J. Abrams is probably too busy with Star Trek.

Sam Raimi's style is a bad fit for this franchise.

Robert Rodriguez is a terrible choice. Those stupid "Spy Kids" movies have THE WORST CGI I've ever seen.

Bryan Singer might be a good choice although I think his style isn't really gritty enough.

Joss Whedon would be really cool but I doubt he'd be interested. He has the perfect balance of humor and action.

What about Louis Leterrier? I thought the "Transporter" films, while kid of ridiculous, had a really edgy/gritty/yet-polished style that would work well for TF's.

Phenotype wrote:Of course it'd be really cool if Steven Spielberg did it but I doubt he would.

He worked on the first one, works well with the special effects team, and is a huge fan of Transformers. He'd be one of the most likely choices.

Phenotype wrote:Christopher Nolan would be cool but I really doubt he'd be interested.

Christopher Nolan hates using CGI. He wouldn't touch this with a ten-foot clown pole.

Phenotype wrote:I think you guys are throwing a lot of extremely unrealistic names out here.

James Cameron would never do it.

Cameron is busy directing Avatar.

Ridley Scott would never do it.

Scott is too busy trying salvage Blade Runner.

Quentin Tarantino would never do it.

Tarantino doesn't like the major studoes.

Those guys would never be able to see it as anything other than "a toy movie" or "a kid's movie".

Plus they are all busy with other projects.

There's no way George Lucas would ever direct the sequel to Transformers. I mean come on.

Why would I want Geroge Lucas directing it, he's not that great to begin with, plus he tied up with Indiana Jones 4.

Of course it'd be really cool if Steven Spielberg did it but I doubt he would.

He's currently busy with the above mentioned Indiana Jones 4.

Christopher Nolan would be cool but I really doubt he'd be interested.

Tied up with Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Gore Verbinski's an interesting choice, his style is pretty similar to Bay's.

Is rumored that he's involved with Pirates 4.

J. J. Abrams is probably too busy with Star Trek.

That and his 1-18-08 secert film.

Sam Raimi's style is a bad fit for this franchise.

Agreed.

Robert Rodriguez is a terrible choice. Those stupid "Spy Kids" movies have THE WORST CGI I've ever seen.

I wouldn't go that far but like Taranito he seems to have a
mistrust or a strong dislike of big studio films.

Bryan Singer might be a good choice although I think his style isn't really gritty enough.

Singer is extremly over-rated as a director his films are OK
but nothing special.

Joss Whedon would be really cool but I doubt he'd be interested. He has the perfect balance of humor and action.

Whedon is also tied up with a Wonder Woman film and is trying to get money for his Spike TV or direct to DVD movie.

What about Louis Leterrier? I thought the "Transporter" films, while kid of ridiculous, had a really edgy/gritty/yet-polished style that would work well for TF's.

How about Rob Cohen instead?

Micheal F'n Bay... This movie was awesome and only he can do the other movies.

Alfonso Cuarón.

Or, if you want to retain the same humorous style as the first film, the guys who directed Epic Movie.

thank primus no one said Uwe Boll. *shiver* Just saying his name makes Freddy Krueger Cry.