'Transformer' Robots May Appear in Film

AP ^ | ANTHONY BREZNICAN

[Sir Gawain]

'Transformer' Robots May Appear in Film

 

Jun 12, 11:13 AM (ET)

By ANTHONY BREZNICAN

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The shape-shifting "Transformer" robots from the 1980s may soon be using 20-something nostalgia to fuel a Hollywood movie.

The Hasbro Inc. (HAS) toy company has teamed with the production company Angry Films to create a live-action version of the popular cartoon series that ran from 1984 to 1987, about a group of alien robots who disguise themselves on Earth as common vehicles.

"The basic thing is that if you've been going to the comic-book festivals and seeing all that stuff, the '80s kind of came back last year in a huge way," Angry Films producer Don Murphy said Wednesday.

"We figured the technology had finally caught up to the point where we could actually show an 18-wheel truck turning into a giant robot," added Murphy, who also helped make the upcoming comic book movie "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."

The story of "The Transformers" centers on a war between two mechanized armies - the heroic Autobots, led by the red tractor-trailer Optimus Prime, and the evil Decepticons, ruled by the gigantic silver gun Megatron. Seeking new sources of energy, both factions crash-land on Earth.

Although the "Transformers" toys have changed over the years - from animal shapes to the current series of futuristic machines - Murphy said the movie would be based on the original lineup.

The 1980s Hasbro toys, which the cartoon helped turn into a money-machine for the company, have recently been reissued by the original Japanese manufacturer, Takara Co. A recent comic book based on "The Transformers" and a DVD of the original cartoon series have also become best sellers.

Murphy and his producing partner, Tom DeSanto, whose credits include "X-Men" and "X2: X-Men United," are still in the early stages of the "Transformers" movie. The project has not yet settled at a studio and no potential release date has been set.

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On the Net:

http://www.hasbro.com/

[Paul C. Jesup]

You never saw the original Transformers series/movie have you?

[Skywalk]

Uh, Bugs Bunny is not nearly on the mythological plane of a Darth Vader or Luke Skywalker.

Such is utter nonsense.

[wimpycat]

I was too old for Transformers when they first came out, and Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Tunes characters were never exclusively for children, but for movie audiences of all ages.

Besides, Bugs reigns supreme. It is an absolute. Therefore, I don't have to have seen the Transformers to know that Bugs could kick their ass.

[wimpycat]

Mythological, schmythological.

Can Darth Vader or Luke Skywalker play baseball or box as well as Bugs Bunny?

I think not.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Besides, Bugs reigns supreme. It is an absolute. Therefore, I don't have to have seen the Transformers to know that Bugs could kick their ass.

You're judge a series you have NOT seen.

Pardon me. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

At the very least go rent the Transformers Movie on DVD. It will blow you away. It is good on so many levels.

The voice actors.

The plot.

The characters.

The violence.

The cheesy (but up-beat and good) 80's music.

The techno music.

The one liners.

Orson Wells, in his last role ever, as a planet devouring Transformer named Unicron. That alone works on so many levels.

[wimpycat]

Can the Transformers sing opera? Bugs Bunny can.

Can the Transformers dance? Bugs Bunny can.

Can the Transformers play baseball? Basketball? Bugs Bunny does.

Are any of the Transformers Sergeant Majors in the Marine Corps? Bugs Bunny is.

Have any of the Transformers won an Oscar? Bugs Bunny has.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Can the Transformers sing opera? Bugs Bunny can.

Why would they want to bring down the house.

Can the Transformers dance? Bugs Bunny can.

Yes.

Can the Transformers play baseball? Basketball? Bugs Bunny does.

Yes.

Are any of the Transformers Sergeant Majors in the Marine Corps? Bugs Bunny is.

The Transformers have their own ranks.

Have any of the Transformers won an Oscar? Bugs Bunny has.

Don't you know the Oscars are rigged. Now go rent the Transformer series/movie on DVD, which you have already stated you have NOT seen or shut up.

[wimpycat]

You obviously have never seen, or don't remember the movie "Stand By Me", where a group of 12 year old boys were debating whether Superman could kick Mighty Mouse's ass.

I have no interest in renting the Transformers, and if you want me to shut up, you'll have to ask pretty please with sugar on top, Junior.

[Skywalk]

LOL

That's what I thought you were doing, hence I didn't respond to the second post to me. :)

BTW, Superman would win.

[wimpycat]

Look, Junior, there's no need to lose your temper. I have nothing against the Transformers, OK? Just look up "parody" in the dictionary, and all will be revealed.

[wimpycat]

Superman and Mighty Mouse were non-Warner Bros. characters, so I'll take your word for it...

:)

[Paul C. Jesup]

You're like a horse who has been lead to water but you refuse to drink.

[Paul C. Jesup]

I have no interest in renting the Transformers, and if you want me to shut up, you'll have to ask pretty please with sugar on top, Junior

I am not your son, don't call me junior.

Since you refuse to see the series. Then what other reason are you here for other than just want to flame people's opinions.

[Paul C. Jesup]

You obviously have never seen, or don't remember the movie "Stand By Me", where a group of 12 year old boys were debating whether Superman could kick Mighty Mouse's ass.

I have seen the movie, I prefer the Unicron versus the Death Star arguement. :p

[wimpycat]

Did you look up "parody" in the dictionary yet, Junior?

[Paul C. Jesup]

I know what parody. I also know how it works in conjuntion with 'fair use'.

[Paul C. Jesup]

I know what the word parody is. I also know how it works in conjuntion with 'fair use'.

[Z10N157]

Me too...we HAVE the technology!

[wimpycat]

Just the same, look it up in the dictionary anyway, for your own edification.

And don't take this all so seriously, and get all worked up over nothing. You got upset because I seemed to cast aspersions on the Transformers. They're just cartoons, after all.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Bugs Bunny is just a cartoon.

You are basically an old-old-school elitest who cannot think outside the box.