New Transformers

In a message from Michael Bay over at his forums, he talks about the hard work of doing Transformers, especially the robots. He always talks about the influence or rather the lack of influence that Tom DeSanto and Don Murphy had on the movie. The original post is here, or was rather as it seemed to have been pulled.

Update: Pulled text of post by request. Decided to out of fairness to respect the request.
Another update: It appears based on recent mentions of the Wrap Poem and posting of Bay's message on another site (Defamer) that if it becomes news I will repost the text.

Luckily someone over at Seibertron.com had already grabbed the entire message. This is the Hollywood behind the scene stuff I like, the politics and intrigue that goes on cause the public face is shiny happy people and with the money and egos involved there is no way that is the truth. Thanks to Chad for the info over at the blog forums.

The message:

The movie is over.

Wow that was a hard one, but I must tell you it was so much fun. The most difficult actors I’ve ever worked with, besides Bruce Willis, are Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. They took every single one of my days for a year. But they are well worth the work. I’ve just traveled 36,000 miles around the world (in two weeks) and had the most amazing premiere at the Taormina film festival in an ancient, Greek-built theatre that existed well before the birth of Christ. I loved seeing the reactions to the film from so many different cultures. This movie really travels around the world. I’m so excited for everyone to see it. Thanks to all you that supported me on this film.

Just so I set the story straight, my budget started a $145 Million it crept to $150 and some change – I’m very proud of that – the fact that we are half the cost of all these other summer blockbusters. I see people doubt that out on the net, but anyone want to challenge me I’ll put a ten thousand dollar bet down on the table right now.

Even when the studio tried to ship me out to Canada or shoot down with Aussies - I looked but I knew we were dead up there. I needed my crew that I have been loyal to for years, they are the best in the world. Besides I believe American movies that portray America, should be made in America. I cut my fee 30% so I could make this at home. I knew this was right for the movie so I asked the other producers to join – Ian and Lorenzo did, and the two others (that came attached to the project) Tom Desanto and Don Murphy did not. That was my introduction to them – they did not want any part of their fee going to make a better movie. Things like that don’t usually sit well with me.

Now that the movie is done I get strange questions from the press. Like “how did Tom control the set”? What? “ How did Tom and Don control you?” What the fuck. “How was it working with Tom and Don who knew Transformers so well?” “We heard Tom wrote the story – he had a 90 page treatment, right?” Okay stop. Let me take you back in time. Tom and Don are very nice guys, but let’s get some facts straight.

Tom had one creative meeting with me for one hour and ten minutes to be exact about a year ago. He told he was the über fan boy and was going to protect me from the minefields. The type of minefields on the Net like “Damn you Michael Bay” “You wrecked my childhood Michael Bay” and other various web death threats I received. Tom proceeded to tell me how much he had problems with the robot designs and script issues. I realized he was worlds apart in my vision. I said thank you very much, and then showed him my office door - I never really spoke to him again other then to mutter hello. He would occasionally come to the set with guests like it was some theme park. I never spoke creatively with Don. I read his notes kind of trashing the script and making me and the writers feel like a big shit pile. But during production Don was nice to me, he knew I was not going to talk creative with him.

One day not too long ago, the writers of our movie Alex and Bob called me in a panic saying all of a sudden after the movie was almost finished in post that Tom was applying for writer's or story credit. I was appalled because neither the writer’s nor I ever saw any treatment. Well, he applied for credit, but the Writer’s Guild shot him down, denied him.

But what made my blood curl was something that was on the Net with Tom at the Saturn awards on IESB.net where they interviewed him about the movie – a movie I might add he had not seen yet. He acted very much like he did. Check it out as he vamps through the questions, and how Hugo put his “thumb print on it”. Give me a break the guy was lying through his teeth - he had seen nada, nothing until the press screening.

So that’s the real truth, I had to say it, cause I'm tired of answering these questions.

What these guys did do was stuck with a ‘silly toy movie’ and pushed it around town and kept the faith after everyone turned them down, always with the hope that maybe someone somewhere would make it. Now I commend them on that. Hats off to them, but trying to taking creative credit in the press let me just say it – irks me. Too many credits are given to too many people who had nothing to do with the movie. Hell even investment bankers with not the slightest idea of how to make a movie all of a sudden are big producers in town.

I guess that’s how it goes in Hollywood.

Bay

Update: I re-added the message because this letter is indication of a problem between Bay and Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto that ultimately removed those two form the Transformers II as producers.

The U.S. HBO First Look at Transformers has been posted on YouTube for all to see. A lot of it is the usual cheerleading style that's designed to sell the movie. Most of the movie footage has already been seen in previously released clips and trailers but there are small new bits. There is a good amount of behind the scenes footage, explanations of how the Scorponok stuff is done, and some of the training the actors did to prepare.

This is probably the most seen of Rachael Taylor yet who has kind of disappeared because of the spotlight shown on Megan Fox. Not sure why, would think throw both eye candy at the press for selling the movie. Maybe she is doing the overseas press stuff.

As a whole its fine for trying to sell the movie, but I am really hoping that when do the DVD extras its a real behind the scenes deal that was shown in some parts only much longer. If people bought the DVD, they don't need another cheerleading "watch this movie" session. They have already been sold, now they want information. Thanks to Trailer for the links and "jombyd" who uploaded it on YouTube.

New Transformers

First 3 Minutes of Transformers

"Before It's Too Late" Music Video

Michael Bay Message

"Live from the Web Carpet" Interviews

Movie Clip: Megatron Speaks

Transformers: HBO First Look On YouTube

Today Show Shia Interview

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