When it comes to
Transformers, there's definitely more to meet the
eyes.
Paramount and DreamWorks have ramped up development on a sequel
to the summer blockbuster that will likely see Michael Bay back at
the helm and
Steven Spielberg again serving as executive
producer, a DreamWorks rep confirmed Thursday.
"Obviously you have a movie that's made as much money as
Transformers has, you'd want to do another one," spokesman
Marvin Levy told E! Online.
The Viacom-owned studios have set a tentative release date for
June 26, 2009, but as Levy was quick to caution, the timing depends
on when all the principals are signed.
"Things are moving along, but until everyone says, 'Now we have
everything; we have the script and everybody tied in,' we can't say
it's greenlit yet," Levy added.
Combining the nostalgic appeal of the 1980s toy/'toon franchise
with eye-popping special effects and the adrenaline rush of
explosion impresario Bay, the robots-in-disguise flick blasted its
way to $695 million worldwide since its July 3 release. A two-disc
special-edition DVD set is due out Oct. 16.
While Bay has yet to officially be signed, he has signaled his
interest in directing the sequel and a deal should be concluded
fairly soon. Star Shia LaBeouf also figures to return for another
go-round.
No word yet on the status of LaBeouf's costars, including Megan
Fox, who played his character's love interest,
Jon Voight as the Secretary of Defense and
Josh Duhamel as one of the soldiers who helps
the valiant Optimus Prime and the Autobots thwart the villainous
Megatron and the Decepticons in their plot to wipe out
humankind.
News of a Transformers follow-up could indicate that
behind-the-scenes tensions at the studio may be slackening.
Last week, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman indicated that DreamWorks
bosses Spielberg and David Geffen were "completely immaterial" to
Paramount and the studio would suffer no ill effect should they
decide to exit when their contract expires in late 2008.
That ticked off DreamWorks' other principal, Jeffrey Katzenberg,
who labeled Spielberg "nothing short of a national treasure" and
deemed Dauman's remarks "ill advised."
The spat has led to speculation that the DreamWorks heads will
indeed sever their relationship with Paramount and Viacom. Should
they depart, however, Transformers and any other projects
DreamWorks currently has on the drawing board would remain with
Paramount.
For now, though, both DreamWorks and Paramount executives are
hoping to fast-track development of Transformers 2 and
start production before a potential strike by the actors guild
next June.
It will be a close a call—given the complex effects work
required and the need for an approved script, it's hard to imagine
cameras rolling before next summer.
By that time, Paramount and Spielberg will be in full gear
promoting the hugely anticipated Indiana Jones and the Kingdom
of the Crystal Skull, which costars LaBeouf alongside
franchise mainstay
Harrison Ford.
Speaking of which, an extra named Tyler Nelson who was due to
perform as a "dancing Russian soldier" in Crystal Skull
and apparently doesn't give one iota about working in Hollywood
again gave an interview to Oklahoma's Edmond Sun newspaper
giving away key plot points of the movie.
We won't list them here, but the leak has the studio ticked.
While refusing to confirm the accuracy of said spoilers, Levy did
point out the blabbermouth actor violated a nondisclosure agreement
signed by every Crystal Skull participant and could be
held liable.
"People signed nondisclosures, and he disclosed some things that
might be right and might not be right," said the rep. "Whether they
are right or not right, doesn't really matter.
"The less that you know, even if none of the things he said were
quite right, the better, because the most fun is when you know the
least."
Nelson could not be reached for comment. But his agent at the
Thomas Talent Agency told the New York Post, "He's in
trouble. He's got to know that he can't do that."
