Transformers One

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Transformers One
Transformers One Official Poster.jpg
Teaser poster
Directed by Josh Cooley
Written by
  • Andrew Barrer
  • Gabriel Ferrari
  • Steve Desmond
  • Michael Sherman
Based on Transformers
by Hasbro
Produced by
Starring
Edited byLynn Hobson
Production
companies
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date
  • September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Transformers One is an upcoming American animated science fiction action film based on Hasbro's Transformers toy line. Directed by Josh Cooley, the ensemble voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm. The film depicts the origins and early relationship of Optimus Prime and Megatron and how they forever changed the fate of Cybertron, the home planet of the Transformers. It is the first theatrical animated feature film in the franchise since The Transformers: The Movie (1986).

Contents

In March 2015, following the release of Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014), Paramount Pictures tasked Akiva Goldsman with working with Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg, and Lorenzo di Bonaventura to set up a writer's room to create ideas for potential future Transformers films. By May 2015, Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari had joined the writers' room, and one of the ideas that came from there was an animated prequel that would be set on Cybertron. The film was announced in August 2017, and by April 2020, Cooley had been hired to direct. The title and voice cast were revealed in April 2023. Animation services were provided by Industrial Light & Magic.

Transformers One is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States by Paramount Pictures on September 20, 2024.

Premise

TRANSFORMERS ONE is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.

— Transformers One official website [2]

Voice cast

Production

Development

Following the release of Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014), Paramount Pictures tasked Akiva Goldsman, who would later serve as a co-story writer for Transformers: The Last Knight (2017), in March 2015 to work with the film franchise's director, Michael Bay, executive producer, Steven Spielberg, and producer, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, in setting up a "writers' room" to create ideas for potential future Transformers films and spin-off films. [7] After setting up the writer's room, multiple writers were hired to write future installments in the franchise. According to Goldsman, the team would look at various Transformers media created by Hasbro for inspiration; if they found one that interested them, they could submit a treatment, which would then be further developed by the whole team. [8] In late May, Andrew Barrer, and Gabriel Ferrari had joined the writer's room. According to Deadline Hollywood , one of the ideas that came from the writer's room had the working title Transformers One [9] and would serve as an animated prequel focusing on the Autobot–Decepticon conflict that began on Cybertron. [10] [11]

In August 2017, it was reported that an animated Transformers film was officially in the works. [12] Following the release of Bumblebee (2018), di Bonaventura discussed the animated film, clarifying that it was "in the works" and would "tell the whole Cybertron mythology". [13] Bumblebee director Travis Knight additionally expressed interest in the film. [14] [15]

The film's title was revealed at the 2023 CinemaCon. Transformers One logo.jpeg
The film's title was revealed at the 2023 CinemaCon.

In April 2020, it was reported that Josh Cooley had been hired to direct the film and was overseeing the script by Barrer and Ferrari. Hasbro Entertainment and Paramount Animation would produce the film. [16] In February 2022, it emerged that the film would be computer-animated. [17] In December 2022, the title was reported to be Transformers: A New Generation, though di Bonaventura later stated in April 2023 that the title had yet to be finalized. [18] [19] Later that month, at CinemaCon, the title was officially confirmed as Transformers One. [3] di Bonaventura stated that the plot will center around the origins of the Transformers, and explore the events that lead Optimus and Megatron to go from being brothers-in-arms to becoming enemies. [20] In May, Steve Desmond and Michael Sherman were revealed to have contributed to the screenplay. [21]

Casting

The voice cast of the film was announced at CinemaCon in April 2023, consisting of Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry as younger versions of Optimus Prime and Megatron, respectively, alongside Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Jon Hamm, and Laurence Fishburne headlining. [3] In April 2024, Steve Buscemi, who had previously voiced Daytrader in The Last Knight, was cast as the film's antagonist. [1] [6]

When we first listen to Chris Hemsworth's voice, you're like, 'God, is he gonna be a good Optimus!' Obviously, he starts as Orion Pax and you don't become Optimus for a while, so he's not playing, for most of the movie, what we think of as Optimus, Peter Cullen. So it's that transition, and Chris's voice has a timbre that… it’s logical that Peter Cullen would take over that voice, if you would, which is really great, the fans are gonna really feel great.

 — Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura on Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime. [4]

Transformers One marks Hemsworth's first animated feature film. The actor joined the project after being impressed with the screenplay. Hemsworth made efforts to not use his regular speaking voice for Optimus Prime. [22] Hemsworth revealed during CinemaCon 2024 that he had consulted with Peter Cullen on providing his voice. [23] Cooley requested that Key stay close to his regular speaking voice for Bumblebee. [24]

Animation

Industrial Light & Magic, who had provided the visual effects for the prior live-action Transformers installments, returned to provide the animation for the film. [25] The film was in post-production by February 2024. [26]

Release

Transformers One will screen as a work-in-progress at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2024. [27] It is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on September 20, 2024. [28] It was originally scheduled to be released on July 19, 2024, [29] but was initially delayed to September 13, [21] before shifting a week later to its current date to avoid competition with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice . [28] [30]

Future

In April 2023, di Bonaventura stated that there is discussion for Transformers One to become a trilogy of films. [20] By June, he confirmed that the story is mapped out to progress over three movies, detailing the progression of the characters into their depiction in the live-action film series. The producer explained that Hemsworth's depiction will grow into the leader depicted in the previous installments, stating that the transition from Hemsworth's voice to Peter Cullen's will make sense within the story. [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Gardner, Chris (April 11, 2024). "Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Synopsis". Transformers One official website. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rubin, Rebecca (April 27, 2023). "Transformers Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast". Variety . Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 O'Rourke, Ryan (June 7, 2023). "Transformers One Producer Is Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime". Collider . Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film Transformers: One: 'It's Something I've Wanted To Do For A Long Time' (Exclusive)". One Take News. July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Weintraub, Steven; Jones, Tamera (April 18, 2024). "How the World of 'Dune' Influenced 'Transformers One'". Collider.
  7. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 27, 2015). "Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  8. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 4, 2015). "Akiva Goldsman Explains Transformers Writers Room As Paramount Adds Scribe Pair". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  9. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 27, 2015). "Ant-Man Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join Transformers Writers Room: Cybertron Pic In Offing?". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 9, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  10. ↑ Myers, Maddy (September 17, 2015). "Transformers Films Getting Animated Spin-Off". The Mary Sue . Abrams Media. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  11. ↑ Fischer, Russ (September 17, 2015). "Michael Bay In Talks For Transformers 5; Animated Cybertron Origin Movie Confirmed". /Film . Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  12. ↑ Lovett, Jamie (August 6, 2017). "New Transformers Animated Movie Is In The Works". ComicBook.com . Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  13. ↑ Wakeman, Gregory (December 20, 2018). "Will there be a Bumblebee 2? What's the future for the Transformers universe? Here's what its producer told us". Metro New York . Metro International. Archived from the original on April 28, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  14. ↑ Fiduccia, Christopher (December 28, 2018). "Animated Transformers Movie to Explore the History of Cybertron". Screen Rant . Valnet, Inc. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  15. ↑ Scott, Ryan (December 26, 2018). "Animated Transformers Cybertron Movie in the Works". MovieWeb . Watchr Media. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  16. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 30, 2020). "Animated Transformers Prequel Activated; Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  17. ↑ Valentine, Evan (February 16, 2022). "Transformers Confirms New Animated Movie and TV Series in the Works". ComicBook.com . Paramount Global. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  18. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (December 20, 2022). "Twister Sequel Sets Summer 2024 Release Date". Variety . Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  19. ↑ O'Rourke, Ryan (April 23, 2023). "Transformers: A New Generation Is Not the Title of New Animated Film". Collider . Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  20. 1 2 Villei, Matt (April 20, 2023). "Here's What the New Animated Transformers Movie is About [Exclusive]". Collider . Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  21. 1 2 Grobar, Matt (May 24, 2023). "Transformers One: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Media Corporation . Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  22. ↑ Oddo, Marco Vito (June 15, 2023). "Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One". Collider . Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice". Seibertron.com.[ better source needed ]
  24. ↑ O'Rourke, Ryan (December 14, 2023). "Keegan-Michael Key Reveals Exactly What Bumblebee Sounds Like in Transformers One". Collider . Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  25. ↑ Villei, Matt (April 22, 2023). "The New Transformers Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI [Exclusive]". Collider . Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  26. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (February 9, 2024). "Scarlett Johansson To Star In True Crime Thriller Featherwood About Prized FBI Informant Who Infiltrated Neo-Nazi Gang The Aryan Brotherhood; Andrea Arnold Directing & FilmNation Launching Hot EFM Project". Deadline Hollywood .
  27. ↑ Taylor, Drew (April 25, 2024). "Annecy 2024's Slate Includes Terry Gilliam and Transformers". TheWrap . Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  28. 1 2 Rubin, Rebecca (April 18, 2024). "'Aang: The Last Airbender' Delayed to 2026, 'Transformers One' Moves Back a Week". Variety . Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  29. ↑ Romanchick, Shane (January 22, 2022). "New Transformers Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024". Collider . Valnet, Inc. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  30. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 23, 2024). "DreamWorks Animation's 'The Wild Robot' Will Go One Week Later In The Fall". Deadline. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
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