Frank Welker Speaks Out

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!!!

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!

Oh no, he said "self flaggelation!"

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.

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?

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

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

Except Mel Brooks.

Burn wrote:

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

Except Mel Brooks.

Mel Blanc

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! >_<

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!!!!!

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

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!

michael bay fuck you
go to char where megatron and im talking g1
not that movie shit 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

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!

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.

Uncrazzimatic wrote: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.

Bah, Kaye's Megs has become too bland and watered down since the beastie days.

I actually rewatched the final 5 from BW season 2 earlier this week, my first exposure to BW in YEARS, and it's amazing what Kaye crafted back then. Certainly nothing great about the Megatrons he's been stuck with since.

As for Welker, the youtube vid sounded great to me. Perhaps with a sequel, and a new body for Megs, Welker can be reconsidered?

I love Frank Welker's work, I really do... despite his lack of Meggin' it in the movie, They got him for the game, so we can see, probably through cinematics from the game vs. scenes from the movie, which one was the better choice. Who knows, if Frank turns out to be the better Megatron, then for TF2 or 3 they may make the change!

Poor Frank I think that Bay is too stupid do realise that Welker has improved his voice in his 20 year absence and I can never get over the fact that Hugo Weaving is playing Megs

I say we petition to get 2 separate audio tracks on the 2007 movie DVD: one with Weaving doing the voice and the other one with Welker.

While I'm still angry that Welker didn't get the movie role of Megs, I'm more pissed off that it was in place of Hugo Weaving of all people. Yeah I know a lot of people have convinced themselves that Weaving is a good choice, but I firmly believe those are the same people that would have been happy with *anyone* that Bay ultimately chose to voice Megs. It probably could have been Bruce Willis for Nick Cage for all they care.

It seems, from what we've heard thus far, that Weaving doesn't do anything voice acting wise that anyone couldn't have done, and that's what makes it hard to deal with - knowing that an iconic voice from Welker was sacrificed for any Joe Nobody to do instead. And as Ryan said, it doesn't even seem that the movie crew care all that much about promoting the fact that it's Weaving doing the voice. He's just kind of... there. Whereas if it was Welker AND Cullen, all the right people would have been buzzing. IMO anyway.

opjet wrote:michael bay **** you
go to char where megatron and im talking g1
not that movie shit 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

Is this some sort of lame haiku?

Welker should be Galvatron next time around.

Did anybody check out the youtube link in the interview?

Welker's voice seems appropriate for the model, but then again I have fond memories of Welker's Megatron, so I'm a little biased.

Mr. Welker should have been Megs voice, not Hugo Weaving! Even if Megatron may not be speaking that much, Welker's Megatron voice would have made those few lines awsome!

While I wish Welker was Megs again I'll get over it. On record I did enjoy his work as g1 Megs, evil, maniacle with a little bit of humor mixed in.

I thought they gave him another role in the movie though?

thats sad i was expecting him to protray another chacter in teh film since he wasnt playing megatron gut guess not that sucks would have liked it if he did bonecrusher, or frenzy or maybe scorponok

dragons wrote:thats sad i was expecting him to protray another chacter in teh film since he wasnt playing megatron gut guess not that sucks would have liked it if he did bonecrusher, or frenzy or maybe scorponok

Yeah, because nobody uses proper grammar, spelling, or punctuation on message boards.

The only way Mr. Welker could've done movie Megatron right is if he: toned his voice down, made the voice more calm, more sinister, and not make Megatron sound like he has fluid in his vocal chords. And he could've done that too, he is very talented. I guess Bay and the audio team were a bit stubborn.

Frank Welker is Megatron!!!! No one else could ever be Megatron!!!!!!

It's always cool to see an accomplished voice actor take such pride in what would seem to be a footnote in a long career...maybe there's some greater significance to this "Transformers" thing after all...

Still, if the original buzz about Megs going "boom" at the end of the movie is to be believed, and the producers' current statements that the second movie is still in the brainstorming stage...maybe there's a chance this wouldn't be the last we've seen of Megs, and as such, maybe he would return in a new form differing enough from the "cyberspook" body that he would have an altogether different voice...

Hey, it worked for Galvatron. And though changing the name might be one step too much, it'd be cool if the change in Megatron would be enough of an open door to dismiss Weaving (who, if there is no publicity for his role, is either a "surprise" or he's not coming back for future involvement in the project) and give Mr. Welker a chance to reprise his old role. Not to besmirch Weaving's quality of performance--he could deliver his lines flawlessly--but it seems as though the concept of having the old Cullen-Welker "rivalry," along with having two veterans of this particular kind of acting, still wins out for a film series "in tribute" to the Transformers.

Jugo Weaving could do a good Megatron, but I just don't think he has the gusto to properly voice Megatron. Althouhg I was never a fan of the Matrix movies so my opinion of him is lower than others. Frank Welker's Megatron just fits the look of both Megatrons. It's going to be very very hard to top Welker. Personally I just don't think Weaving can do it.

Thunderscream wrote:

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.

That's the point exactly. If Megs isn't in the movie that much, why hire somebody like Weaving over Welker? It doesn't help in the promotion of the movie and how many lines could Megs possibly have to warrant a celeb voice? Sounds a bit screwy to me. Maybe Bay and Weaving are friends or something?

I would never think in a million years that Megatron's voice is silly. I think of it as menacing & terrifying.

I always found Megatrons voice more menacing then darth Vader's cause Vader sounded like my uncle. Megatrons voice was different, terifying and cold. Not silly.

I always saw G1 Megatron as something very terrifying, every part of him was just pure evil in a way that to this day realy has not been surpased.

Icons are rarely silly, Megatron was a Tyrrant in the truest form!

SPOILERS












what if megatron comes back for the sequels but due to the damage done to him from the allspark in the first movie HIS vioce has been messed up....almost like some sort of karma for destroying BB's voice box..and welker can then reprise his role using the megatron voice we all know from g1...gurgly and with that tad bit of crackle at the end of each sentence....what do you guys think?










end spoilers

Most likely Welker will not be associated with the transformers in movie form. As much as people want to play the what if game, its most likely not going to happen. Its something people need to come to the realization of and move on. Tf2 will most likely have someone else be the villain and may not even involve megs at all

People, remember what Burn said: Megs doesn't have many lines in the movie.

Frank is much better off in the game, where he'd get much more exposure.

Flashbang wrote:I say we petition to get 2 separate audio tracks on the 2007 movie DVD: one with Weaving doing the voice and the other one with Welker.

We probably will get better results if we push for Welker in the second movie.

A few thoughts here...

1) First and foremost, Welker is a class act. He disagreed with the guy's opinion, but was very civil about it, and more than willing to have an open dialogue. Gotta love the guy.

2) Reading over Welker's discussion on creating Megatron's voice, I think back on the "against" argument that the voice was cliched and wouldn't fit today. But, thinking back on it... you could make a pretty strong case Welker made that cliche with his performance as Megatron.

3) With the limited amount of dialogue Megatron is supposed to have, it IS surprising they didn't bring Welker in to do it. On the other hand, we haven't heard the auditions, so who knows? It is also worth bearing in mind that Lorenzo di Bonaventura was against using any of the original VAs, so I wouldn't be shocked if, after lsing out with Cullen being in the movie, he pushed for Weaving over Welker and won.

4) Weaving, at face value, isn't a bad choice at all. The guy has range and can act pretty well. However, if they just signed him to come in and ape one of his more familiar performances, like Agent Smith or Elrond, I'd be disappointed.

5) Welker in the game is going to be awesome. And I'm willing to bet Welker ultimately gives us more in character dialogue than Weaving by a large margin.

KoH4711 wrote:A few thoughts here...

1) First and foremost, Welker is a class act. He disagreed with the guy's opinion, but was very civil about it, and more than willing to have an open dialogue. Gotta love the guy.

2) Reading over Welker's discussion on creating Megatron's voice, I think back on the "against" argument that the voice was cliched and wouldn't fit today. But, thinking back on it... you could make a pretty strong case Welker made that cliche with his performance as Megatron.

3) With the limited amount of dialogue Megatron is supposed to have, it IS surprising they didn't bring Welker in to do it. On the other hand, we haven't heard the auditions, so who knows? It is also worth bearing in mind that Lorenzo di Bonaventura was against using any of the original VAs, so I wouldn't be shocked if, after lsing out with Cullen being in the movie, he pushed for Weaving over Welker and won.

4) Weaving, at face value, isn't a bad choice at all. The guy has range and can act pretty well. However, if they just signed him to come in and ape one of his more familiar performances, like Agent Smith or Elrond, I'd be disappointed.

5) Welker in the game is going to be awesome. And I'm willing to bet Welker ultimately gives us more in character dialogue than Weaving by a large margin.

Frnak Welker in my book is one of the top 5 best V-O ever!

But this won't take away from the movie!

timshinn73 wrote:

Burn wrote:

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

Except Mel Brooks.

Mel Blanc

Doh! Thanks Tim. Should never post 5 mins before bed.

Great to see this thread has devolved into another "waaaaahhhhh I didn't get my precious Welker" thread.

Honestly people, get over it. It really isn't a big deal. Weaving does a pretty good job for the few lines that he does have. And last I checked most people don't even want to accept Megatron as Megatron so why the big fuss?

This isn't the 80's. Get over it, move on. It's not going to be the end of Welker's career. He's probably the second best VA in history so he'll always be in demand.

Now go see the movie and then come back and complain.