UPDATE: Even more “Transformers” Details From Bay’s Blog

(August 21, 2006) — “Transformers, more than meets the eye” – any kid growing up in the ‘80s is familiar with this tag line.

Not only was “The Transformers” one of the biggest kids shows of the 80’s but it was also one of the hottest toy franchises in history generating $100 million in its first year on the market. Its popularity was so high that in 1986 we saw an animated big screen treatment of our favorite Autobots and Decepticons in “Transformers: The Movie.”

Now 20 years later, a live action film based on the Generation 1 (G1) line is being filmed and is set to hit the big screen July 4, 2007.

Today the following details were posted on Michael Bay’s Blog:

“1- They will be releasing more teaser posters in the coming months.

2- Paramount made studies and concluded that the TF “ANNOUNCEMENT” was the 2nd highest rated “teaser” this summer.

3.- They just finished shooting a lot of Pentagon interiors on a soundstage in scenes that involved many Chiefs of staff in their huge war room.

4.- Shia just was recently suspended over the edge of a 20 story building in a very dynamic and intense scene.

5.- The average transformation time from normal mode to alt mode and vice versa is about 3 to 4 seconds.

6.- The leaked pictures are legit (although a somewhat early rendering).

7.- Filming of massive chase scenes will begin in the following weeks.

8.- The CGI transformations by ILM are looking wicked and nastier every single day.

9.- Part 1 will be about why the transformers came to earth.

10.- This movie will be a new start for the live action franchise that will not be based on any particular TF TV series and/or comic book.”

Last Friday, we learnedwho’s going to star in 2007’s big screen live action adaptation. Screenwriters Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman announced the lineup of which favorite Cyberton residents will grace the big screen next year. Joining Optimus Prime in facing off against the dreaded Decepticons will be favorite Autobots Bumblebee, Jazz, Ratchet and Ironhide.

They’ll be facing off against Megatron, Starscream, Frenzy and newcomers Brawl, Bonecrusher, Barricade, Scorponok and Blackout. And if that’s not enough for fans, one lucky entrant will have the opportunity to write a line for the movie… a line for Optimus Prime, no less! More details on the contest will be announced soon on the official movie Web site.

We also know that Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Jon Voight, and Megan Fox will star — Michael Bay will direct — and Steven Spielberg is an Executive Producer.

Internet rumors have been on an all time high with questions like, “Which characters will be in it?”, “Who’s going to star?”, and “Is Soundwave going to be an iPod?” And with the recent announcement that Peter Cullen is returning as the voice of Optimus Prime (which he voiced on the series), fans (like yours truly) across the Web have been clamoring for more details that will satisfy our needs until 2007.

Just to hold us over until the “Autobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons,” be sure to check out “Transformers: The Movie” 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD out November 7th, 2006.