“Transformers: Dark of the Moon” changes release date
Paramount Pictures has announced that “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” the Michael Bay-directed third film in the “Transformers” saga, has changed its release date. The film’s release date has moved up. Previously scheduled for release on Friday, July 1, 2011, the film will now open on Wednesday, June 29, 2011.
“Transformers: Dark of the Moon” stars Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Wiley, Tyrese Gibson and Josh Duhamel.
- Matt Price
Josh Duhamel says “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” will be “more human”
Optimus Prime in "Transformers: Dark of the Moon."
From Friday’s Summer Movie Preview at NewsOK:
Michael Bay’s third big-screen, big-robots adventure “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” will bring more bangs than a hundred fireworks displays to the Fourth of July holiday. But the three-quel also comes with promises from Bay and the cast to bring more humanity to the franchise than did 2009′s “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” which did boffo box office despite a story critics felt was less than meets the eye.
Steve Blum voices the “megalomanical” robot Starscream in “Transformers Prime”
A scene from "Transformers Prime."
Voice actor Steve Blum has voiced villains from Captain Cold to Fin Fang Foom, but he’s really gotten a chance to dig into his dark side for his current role as the scheming robot Starscream in “Transformers Prime.”
“It was really fun to make him darker,” Blum said in a recent phone interview. “He still has that megalomaniacal delusional thing about
Steve Blum
him, but he seems equally capable of causing a lot of havoc. So it was fun to dig a little bit deeper into that, into the emotional side of his psyche, too.”
Starscream is one of the Decepticons, a cadre of sentient, evil alien robots who can transform into forms resembling earth vehicles. They’re opposed by the Autobots, robots from the same planet who want to protect earth’s inhabitants. Based on the toy line from Hasbro, the Transformers first appeared on television in a 1980s animated series, and have since appeared in multiple animated incarnations and two live-action feature films, with a third set for this summer.
Blum got his start as a voice-actor doing English dubs of anime programs, and is perhaps best-known for voicing the Marvel Comics hero Wolverine in multiple animated incarnations. He said when working on a vocal performance, he goes first with instinct.
“I always go with the gut first, and then I let the directors and producers dial me in to what their vision of it is,” he said.
In the case of Starscream, his instinct was to take the deadly Decepticon to some dark places.
“And as he’s developing throughout the season, we get to go a little bit farther and farther with him each time,” Blum said. “They’re very open to suggestions, and they’re very open to what I’ve been thinking about him, but they also have a very clear idea of where the arc is going to be going, and how they want him to develop. It’s definitely a team effort.”
The new “Transformers Prime” series, which airs on the Hub network, features two voices well-known for their association with the characters. Frank Welker, who voices Decepticon leader Megatron, and Peter Cullen, who voices the heroic Autobot leader Optimus Prime, reprise their roles in this series. They first voiced the characters in the 1980s cartoon series, and Cullen also worked on the Michael Bay films as the voice of Optimus Prime.
The vocal performances of “Transformers Prime” are done in a “cast record,” so that Blum and the other voice actors are recording together at the same time.
“That is probably the greatest joy of the whole project for me, is seeing Frank and Peter working together,” Blum said. “Even just being a fly on the wall in that room is like a fanboy’s dream come true. These guys are so incredibly talented, and they have such a rich history together. … And when the two of them get together, they’re like little kids, or Abbott and Costello, depending on their mood.”
Blum said at times the pair can “take over the room and fill it up with greatness,” which impresses him and the rest of the cast.
“I think we’re all fans of the Transformers franchise, so for all of us it’s a great thrill just to be there, just to be a part of it,” he said.
- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
IDW has big plans for G.I. Joe, Transformers in 2011
G.I. Joe Civil War #0
The world of the Transformers, robotic aliens who can shape-shift into cars and planes, will expand this summer with a third Michael Bay-directed film. IDW Publishing plans to give fans additional tie-ins in comics to further explore the characters and storylines based on the Hasbro toys.
IDW also holds the rights to the G.I. Joe license from Hasbro, and the anti-terrorist team of military specialists will receive a revamp this year as Cobra Commander, the leader of the Cobra terrorist organization, has been killed.
Megan Fox out of Transformers 3
Megan Fox (AP)
Deadline Hollywood reports that Megan Fox has been dumped from the Transformers sequel. A spokesman for Megan Fox tells Deadline it was Fox’s decision not to return, and she wishes the franchise the best.
Fox famously sparred in the press with director Michael Bay, particularly after “Transformers 2,” so both of them may be happier being professionally paired with someone else. Fox is in this summer’s “Jonah Hex,” and is involved with developing “Fathom,” based on the Michael Turner comic book series.
What are your thoughts? And who comes out better from this, Fox or Bay?
- Matt Price
Megan Fox: Nerdage’s #2 actress
Megan Fox (AP)
Megan Fox takes the #2 position in Nerdage’s list of actresses with geek appeal. She’s starred in two “Transformers” films and is set for a third. She’ll appear in the DC Comics property “Jonah Hex” this summer. She’s producing, along with Brian Austin Green, a film based on “Fathom,” the comic-book series by the late Michael Turner.
Fox may star as lead character Aspen Matthews, or possibly not, she told Celebrity Mania last year. But either way, she wants someone who loves the character to play that starring role.
“I want someone who loves her and loves the comic to play her. It doesn’t have to be me, but I just didn’t know of any actresses at the time who loved the comic or even knew about it,” Fox said. “So I was sort of fiercely protective of it, because I didn’t want it played by someone who doesn’t give a s— about it.”
Rumors have circulated of Fox taking on other comic book roles, from Catwoman to Wonder Woman to Red Sonja, but those have all been dismissed as untrue.
- Matt Price
Click past the cut for more Megan Fox photos.
Ironhide and Skywarp revealed for Transformers: War for Cybertron
Two new playable characters – Ironhide and Skywarp – were revealed today by Activision for Transformers: War for Cybertron on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.
Info about the characters:
IRONHIDE
Autobot
Class: Soldier
Chassis: Truck
Primary Weapon: EMP Shotgun
Abilities: Whirlwind, Dash
Description: Ironhide is the oldest Autobot on the team. He is the slowest Autobot on the team. He is also the meanest, toughest, orneriest Autobot on the team. He is most definitely yesterday’s model, but he was built to last – seemingly forever. He is a soldier, first and foremost, but his tough exterior hides a deep compassion for life. He is one of Optimus’ most trusted advisors on all matters.
SKYWARP
Decepticon
Class: Scout
Chassis: Jet
Primary Weapon: Thermo Rocket Launcher
Abilities: Cloak, Dash
Description: Skywarp possesses cloaking technology which he uses to sow destruction upon his enemies. Skywarp isn’t the most intelligent Transformers character in the Decepticon force, so he needs to be continually guided and told what to do. Regardless, once set upon a path, Skywarp will achieve his goal with quiet, ruthless efficiency.
For more information about the game, check out www.TransformersGame.com.
The game is set for a June 22 release.
- Matt Price
Click past the cut for art of the robot and vehicle forms of Ironhide and Skywarp.
Transformers 3 release date set
According to Deadline Hollywood, Michael Bay officially signed on to Transformers 3 today, and confirmed the film’s release date of July 1, 2011. 
Michael Bay even got in a small dig at one of his stars, Megan Fox, in his announcement on his site about the film.
“Megan Fox, welcome back,” Bay wrote. “I promise no alien robots will harm you in any way during the production of this motion picture.”
Click past the cut for some recent pictures of Megan Fox promoting her recent film, “Jennifer’s Body.”
- Matt Price
Transformers 2 has $112m weekend; $201m so far
According to the AP, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will crack $200 million in ticket sales in just 5 days. Paramount reports Transformers 2 with an estimated $112 million weekend, and $201.2 million since the Wednesday opening.
The film shows itself to be virtually critic-proof, as the huge opening is despite a 20 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Transformers 3 is already set for a July 1, 2011 opening, according to Variety, though it’s not yet clear whether director Michael Bay will return.
- Matt Price
Transformers 2 has 2nd-best midnight opening ever
According to Variety, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen pulled in $16 million in midnight screenings, making it the best-ever Wednesday a.m. opening, and second-best midnight ever behind Dark Knight’s $18.5 million. It passed Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’s $12 million from 2007.
However, the bright light of day hasn’t helped the critical response any, as the film sits now at 21 percent positive on Rotten Tomatoes. Will Transformers 2 continue to break records? Or will word-of-mouth stall the film’s momentum? We’ll see in the coming days.
- Matt Price
