Paramount Pictures just hosted a live virtual event to unveil details about the latest Transformers movie and let's just saw hardcore fans are going to love where this one is headed. Moderated by Anthony Breznican of Vanity Fair with producer Lorenzo Bonaventura, director Steven Caple Jr., and stars Anthony Ramos and Dominque Fishback in attendance, the new films sounds like it will be the perfect mix of spectacle and scope of the Michael Bay films and the humanity and character development of Travis Knight's Bumblebee. Here are some of the highlights:
- The official title is Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
- Given the title, the next chapter of the Transformers franchise will be the Beast Wars
- We will be getting Predacons, Maximals, and Terrorcons, that will be joining the existing battle between the Autobots and Decepticons in the film.
- The film will be set in 1994 in New York, specifically Brooklyn
- A part of the film will also take place in Macchu Picchu, Peru
- The main robot lead for the heroes will once again be Optimus Prime, once again voiced by Peter Cullen. He will also be in classic G-1 form.
- Bumblebee is also returning. His car form will be a classic Camaro/off-road vehicle
- Mirage is also a part of the heroes squad, car form will be a Porche, close connection to the human character in the films
- A female Transformer named Arcee will be featured and she's fiercely loyal to Optimus Prime. Car form is a Ducati 916
- On the villain side we have Scourge, a Terrorcon described as "ruthless" and "scary."
- The second female transformer is also a villain named Nightbird, a Terrorcon whose car form is a Nissan GTR.
- Airazor is one of the Maximals in the film. Described as the "heart of the maximal", "nurturing", and rustic in design
- Rhinox is another member of the Maximals. Desrivved as the "muscle of the group". Producer Lorenzo Bonaventura thinks he'll be a fan favorite.
- The leader of the Maximals is Optimus Primal. Described as the "father figure of the Maximals." He shares similar values to Optimus Prime.
- On the human said we have Noah, played by Anthony Ramos. He's from Brooklyn, living with his mom and little brother after serving in the military. He's a father figure to his little brother and he's trying to find his way after he gets back from his stint in the military. Described as a genius when it comes to electronics, he also is said to have a lot of heart and tenacity.
- Dominique Fishback plays Elena, also from Brooklyn who works at the museum as a researcher of artifacts. She's trying to break the glass ceiling at work but her boss keeps taking credit for all of her work. She is described as a sophisticated thinker.
- Producer Lorenzo Bonaventura said Steven Caple Jr. was chosen to direct because he could capture the scope and spectacle of the Michael Bay films but he also could capture the humanity that Travis Knight excelled at with Bumblebee. He also says Caple Jr. has Transformers in his DNA and he's coming at this project as a true fan.
- Director Steven Caple Jr. says the film is heavily influenced by summer movies of the early '90s.
- Even though the film does have heart and humanity, they're trying to go back to the spectacle of the Michael Bay films in terms of what they're trying to do with effects and action. Bumblebee was a bit on a smaller scale so they want to go a bit bigger while also maintaining the integrity of the characters
- One question that stood out was since they got Peter Cullen back to voice Optimus Prime, would any other familiar voices be returning? There was some laughter and they said it was a question they couldn't answer but based on their reaction, it seems like they're trying to get more familiar vocal talent on board. Stay tuned.
- The film hits screens on July 24, 2022.
What are YOUR thoughts about the next chapter of the Transformers franchise?