Who SHOULD have directed Transformers?

[Lord of Nonsensical Crap]

Okay, we all saw Transformers, and most of us will agree that Michael Bay's suckitude lived up to its hype. That said, if YOU were in charge of getting a director for Transformers who would NOT have ruined it and would have stayed true to the cartoon, who would you pick?

Me....call me crazy, but somehow I think James Cameron would have done a good job. What about you guys?

[Captain Trips]

I think you should read the Transformers movie thread on here before making the statement that most of us agree it sucked. The vast majority of comments from posters on there have been positive.

I loved the movie and think Bay did a really good job. Although, I will admit that Cameron would have been a good choice. Pretty much everything he does is good.

[Lightbend]

Considering the immense amount of crap that Titanic was, as well as some of his later movies and projects, I am personally glad Cameron did NOT direct this.

I enjoyed the movie immensley, but I am one of those people who admit that the 80's have NOT AGED WELL.

[Dr. Banner]

I have no complaints about what Michael Bay brought to this movie at all. I enjoyed it a heckuva lot.

Way more than some of his past efforts. But this one was well worth the hype.

[Captain_Video]

I think you should read the Transformers movie thread on here before making the statement that most of us agree it sucked. The vast majority of comments from posters on there have been positive.

I loved the movie and think Bay did a really good job. Although, I will admit that Cameron would have been a good choice. Pretty much everything he does is good.

Agreed.

I watched a brief bit of Terminator 2 the other night ( the truck sequence ) and I could not help thinking watching it that Cameron was the man for Transformers.

Transformers is entrenched in the 80s mentality, explosions, bravado, so on the surface Bay is a good pick, but he does not understand the simplistic heart of the show was what made kids respond to it above the other blander cartoons, Optimus Prime was like an understanding ever patient father figure, John Wayne without the twinge of nastiness.

A good director is qualified in my opinion by very little other than taste, Cameron is very tasteful with his excess.

Of course this is all based on how the script turns out, anyone who has read Camerons Spider-man script will know that he could be worse than even Bay.

[The Batman]

This is the first Michael Bay movie I can honestly say I loved. Transformers was great, and great fun. I think Speilberg made the right call when he hand picked Bay for this project.

As for another director, I'm sure super talented guys like Cameron, the above mentioned Speilberg, George Lucas, or even someone like Luc Besson who can do the fantastic really well would almost definately turn in a good Transformers movie but I bet that the fan boys that are complaining would still complain because the Camerons, the Lucases, the Speilbergs of the world would probably make changes just like Michael Bay did.

[GRANT!]

Cameron is doing Battle Angel Alita in a few years. Which is way more interesting then Transformers.

I would go see a Cameron Transformer movie but I think the material is kind beneath him. After Titanic he can pretty much do whatever he wants and I don't see what he'd get out of directing Transformers.

[GRANT!]

As for another director, I'm sure super talented guys like Cameron, the above mentioned Speilberg, George Lucas, or even someone like Luc Besson who can do the fantastic really well would almost definately turn in a good Transformers movie but I bet that the fan boys that are complaining would still complain because the Camerons, the Lucases, the Speilbergs of the world would probably make changes just like Michael Bay did.

Pretty much. In fact Spielberg was the one who insisted on a human centric story.

[jesse_custer]

Paul Verhoeven.

I haven't actually watched Transformers yet--I'm more inclined to watch Herzog's new film, Rescue Dawn--but from what I've read of the dialogue, a lot of the humor seems really cheesy and dumb. Of course, the movie has to be over-the-top because it's about alien robots, so get Verhoeven. He has shown over and over again that he can make over-the-top movies with the appropriate amount of clever, dark humor to make it fun.

[The Mirrorball Man]

I haven't seen the movie, but a cartoon adaptation sounds like something that is right up Michael Bay's alley. Someone like Cameron, is, frankly, too talented to waste months on a Transformers or a My Little Pony project.

[GRANT!]

I haven't seen the movie, but a cartoon adaptation sounds like something that is right up Michael Bay's alley. Someone like Cameron, is, frankly, too talented to waste months on a Transformers or a My Little Pony project.

Not to mention the fact Cameron could make up his own movie (like Avatar) or take a lesser known but better work like Battle Angel Alita and still get Fox to sign the check.

For better or worse I say Michael Bay is the best director Transformers could get. I don't think there's ant directors out there right now with the same amount of affection that Sam Raimi has for Spider-man or Peter Jackson has for LOTR.

You could argue Spielberg could have made a better movie and has a love for the material but if he wanted to direct Transformers he would have.

[Magneto_X]

Kerry Conran from Sky Captain.

del Toro (Hellboy) would make a great TF, too.

Same thing with Robert Rodreguiz (sp?).

Peter Jackson would be an excellent director for it. He'd also bring in WETA for the special effects. They'd do a far better job then ILM did.

[Norrin Radd]

Okay, we all saw Transformers, and most of us will agree that Michael Bay's suckitude lived up to its hype. That said, if YOU were in charge of getting a director for Transformers who would NOT have ruined it and would have stayed true to the cartoon, who would you pick?

Me....call me crazy, but somehow I think James Cameron would have done a good job. What about you guys?

Any variety of competent directors could have done a better job, if they had a superior script to work from.

[The Batman]

Kerry Conran from Sky Captain.

del Toro (Hellboy) would make a great TF, too.

Same thing with Robert Rodreguiz (sp?).

Peter Jackson would be an excellent director for it. He'd also bring in WETA for the special effects. They'd do a far better job then ILM did.

Sky Captain, while visually impressive, was a bit of a mess as a movie.

del Toro might be interesting - he did the Hellboy movie right? I don't remember that being too terrible.

As for Jackson . . . well at least he'd be fair and give everyone their own personal slow motion scene and not just Ironhide. Can you imagine Jazz's or Megatron's death in slow motion? What about that guy Megatron flicked across the road for touching him? Oh man, so many slow motion deaths I'd have to book the day off of work just to see the 13 hour monster that Jackson would put out.

[The Batman]

Any variety of competent directors could have done a better job, if they had a superior script to work from.

Really?

Any competent director?

So a guy like Tim Burton, who I think is a great director btw, could've made a better movie about car chases, explosions, and giant transforming robots fighting an epic civil war across galaxies than Michael Bay?

[Captain_Video]

Paul Verhoeven.

I haven't actually watched Transformers yet--I'm more inclined to watch Herzog's new film, Rescue Dawn--but from what I've read of the dialogue, a lot of the humor seems really cheesy and dumb. Of course, the movie has to be over-the-top because it's about alien robots, so get Verhoeven. He has shown over and over again that he can make over-the-top movies with the appropriate amount of clever, dark humor to make it fun.

Verhoeven would put out an amazing peice of satire with it like he did with Starship Troopers ( Still don't know how he got away with that one ).

Spielberg is far too careerist at this point to do what he wants to, he is too busy living up to the Speilberg brand, whatever that is this week ( let us remember he didn't direct Poltergeist after all ).

I don't know obviously we are talking idealistically here, realistically the sort of Transformers movie that the accept no substitute G1 fans would like could not happen for another generation, the way a good Marvel comic book movie could not have happened in the 70s, you have to wait until there is a consensus that the original stuff is worth reverence.

[Jared]

Peter Jackson would be an excellent director for it. He'd also bring in WETA for the special effects. They'd do a far better job then ILM did.

Wow. I doubt even the guys from WETA would be willing to make such a boast right now. Did you actually have a problem with the special effects quality?!

I think Spielburg would have considered Transformers much more like a kids' movie. At its core, it'd be Bumble-Bee the Extra Terrestrial.

Paul Verhoven, on the other hand, would have given vagina-mouths to all the Decepticons.

I think Bay's distinctive visual style, in which even the dirt looks glossy, worked amazingly well for Transformers. He didn't go as overboard with the kinetic camera work and jump-cut editing as he did in the unwatchable Armageddon. When he did shake the hell out of the camera, it at least helped convey a sense of the incredible power of the machines, and the peril of the humans caught in their midst.

[Legato]

Im on the James Cameron should do Transformers Bandwagon also. Looking at his track record when it comes to Sci-Fi movies he would have made Transformers into one of the most Epic Sci-Fi movies instead of some weekend Popcorn action flick. From the talk of these forums Die Hard is getting more praise than Transformers.

[Magneto_X]

The biggest problem with Cameron is that it would take years before he'd end up making the film. He's to busy with other projects (Battle Angel Alita, Avatar) & even then it takes him forever to get down to business.

[Legato]

The biggest problem with Cameron is that it would take years before he'd end up making the film. He's to busy with other projects (Battle Angel Alita, Avatar) & even then it takes him forever to get down to business.

Yet while his projects are lengthy could mean they stand a chance of being really good films. if he rushes them then the results may not turn in his favor.

[Thorlief]

Yet while his projects are lengthy could mean they stand a chance of being really good films. if he rushes them then the results may not turn in his favor.

the result is not necessarly a good movie..LXG has been in production for years and it sucked really bad. Sometimes when a project is being delayed too much its better if it doesnt come out

for what's intended to be, Transformers and Bay are a good couple, I couldnt think of another director. It won't make you forget all the bs he's made in the past but at least its got Megatron instead of Nicolas Cage

[spoon_jenkins]

I think you should read the Transformers movie thread on here before making the statement that most of us agree it sucked. The vast majority of comments from posters on there have been positive.
Agreed. I thought the movie was pretty good. And I'm not particularly a Bay fan; I stopped watching Armageddon after 45-60 minutes because it was so awful.

[Legato]

the result is not necessarly a good movie..LXG has been in production for years and it sucked really bad. Sometimes when a project is being delayed too much its better if it doesnt come out

for what's intended to be, Transformers and Bay are a good couple, I couldnt think of another director. It won't make you forget all the bs he's made in the past but at least its got Megatron instead of Nicolas Cage

Also Bumblebee has turned into a huge star because of Bay's Transformers.

[Magneto_X]

Wow. I doubt even the guys from WETA would be willing to make such a boast right now. Did you actually have a problem with the special effects quality?!

I'd say they're not saying that because either 1) they're humble in their abilities) or 2) it would hurt their image to the public and/or the Hollywood system. ILM is tied to both Spielberg *and* George Lucas. They wouldn't like it if WETA started saying stuff about ILM.

I really believe they are above ILM at this point. Whatever advancements ILM makes they do okay most of the time, but WETA *perfects* it.

WETA is doesn't limit itself to pure CGI. Their minitures are breath-taking and their out of the box creativity is excellent. They'll use everything and anything to get the job done --- and make it look *good*.

I think Spielburg would have considered Transformers much more like a kids' movie. At its core, it'd be Bumble-Bee the Extra Terrestrial.

That's exactly the problem. Spielberg has the skills, but not the will to use them. And he'd make it for five year olds.

Paul Verhoven, on the other hand, would have given vagina-mouths to all the Decepticons.


Loved his Starship Troopers. He'd have great for TF! To bad they couldn't get the mechs for ST.

[kmeyers]

Really? I thought the answer to this question was "yer mom."

mostly because it's a ridiculous question. Since most everyone likes this version.

the question should be, "Who can make it better-er" which is unecessary.

Good is good.

So I guess my answer is, if it aint broke, don't fix it.

[StoneGold]

Russ Meyers. Then Optimus could have had a huge pair of juggs.

[the goddamn batman]

I don't even understand the point of this thread. Bay directed it, and that's that. What's the point of some pie in the sky nonsence like who should have directed it?

I mean, c'mon, it's only Transformers... who really cares that much?

[StoneGold]

I mean, c'mon, it's only Transformers... who really cares that much?

http://www.makezine.com/blog/284855547_4d9ec99ee2.jpg

[the goddamn batman]

Yeah, and I saw a viedo on youtube where some kids made Transformer suits that actually transformed.

So, some losers don't have lives and dress up like their favorite 80's cartoon, which, by the way was a TERRIBLE show, doesn't mean anyone really should care this much. It's a movie about giant robots from space that turn into cars. C'mon. How can anyone in their right mind take it that seriously?

[Kevin M.]

Yeah, and I saw a viedo on youtube where some kids made Transformer suits that actually transformed.

So, some fucking losers don't have lives and dress up like their favorite 80's cartoon, which, by the way was a TERRIBLE show, doesn't mean anyone really should care this much. It's a movie about giant robots from space that turn into cars. C'mon. How can anyone in their right mind take it that seriously?


I take it you were a Go-Bots fan.

[the goddamn batman]

Nope. I loved Transformers when I was 5... and shortly after that I grew up, and it lost all it's charm. Outside of nostalgia, I don't care about the toys, or the show.

I enjoyed the movie. I mean, giant robot battles. That's sweet. But I don't care if they took liberties with the characters or stories. And I certainly don't care if Bay directed the ultimate Transformers movie or not... or if someone could have done better. We got what we got and that's the end of it.

[GrimShadow]

Great so you dont care, so why not allow the discussion to proceed for those that want to discuss what if Transformers was diricted by [insert director here] and how it would effect it compared to Bay's version.

[the goddamn batman]

I'm not stopping anyone. Just saying that I don't see the point of even talking about it.

What's the point? Can you tell me? Maybe some people need to get over it, or get something else to do. Maybe I do. Who can truely say.

All I know is that I fail to see the point. But again, I'm not stopping anyone from doing anything. If they choose to reply to me instead, they're stopping themselves.;)

[KenK]

Kerry Conran from Sky Captain.

Robert Rodreguiz (sp?).

If you want a stylized cartoon, which I wouldn't have wanted, personally.

del Toro (Hellboy) would make a great TF, too.

I love Del Toro, but if he did Transformers, the whole thing would take place in a sewer.

Peter Jackson would be an excellent director for it. He'd also bring in WETA for the special effects. They'd do a far better job then ILM did.

Stop smoking crack. It's bad for you. King Kong was great and all, but nothing they've done even begins to suggest they could do what ILM did for Transformers.

[The Xenos]

Screw Cameron working on Transformers. I want him to make me an amazing Battle Angel Alita movie NOW. Seriously, if he does it right, it's going to be some of the most amazing action scenes ever put to film. I can't wait for this damn film to finally get going.

Pretty much. In fact Spielberg was the one who insisted on a human centric story.

Ah. So I shouldn't blame Bay totally for that. Though I still blame him for the crappy script leaden with lame jokes and lame humans.

Even if Speilberg came up with the human idea, I think he would have pulled it off much better and much less corny.

I take it you were a Go-Bots fan.

lol :D I used to mix then together. In hindsight, they were like the special ed Transformers.

Nope. I loved Transformers when I was 5... and shortly after that I grew up, and it lost all it's charm. Outside of nostalgia, I don't care about the toys, or the show.

See, I did that with He-Men. Transformers always still seemed cool even with its flaws. Though not as much as GI Joe and definitely nowhere near Ghostbusters.

To me, Bay should have fixed those flaws and preserved what was good. Instead, I think he threw the baby out with the bathwater and did his own thing which stinks in its own way.

Anyway, as for other ideas.

DelToro is more of a monster man than a mecha one. (Though I could see him doing the silicon creatures of a Blame! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blame!) movie if such a dream project ever could happen. That's more horror with action scenes than action.)

The Wachowskis? I guess I'd trust them with it. They seem to be off to a good start on Speed Racer.

Alex Proyas due to his amazing work on Dark City?

Alfonso Cuarón? He's done amazing chases in Chilren of Men as well as done big summer fare like Harry Potter.

Of course maybe we should be talking about writers too. Bay's Transformers was written by the same idiot who did The Core and Halle Berry's Catwoman. Another reason I refused to see this crap.

[KenK]

Spielperg would have ended the movie in some ridiculously contrived fashion, ala War of the Worlds. No thank you.

[StoneGold]

If you want a stylized cartoon, which I wouldn't have wanted, personally.


.

Think about that one for a few minutes.

[Dipset Byrd Gang]

A have no problem with BAy. I liked Bad Boys 1 and 2 and the Island as well and the Rock. He is an action film director. And I like those types of movies as well as good plots.

[Patient Boy]

Actually, I now wonder why Spielberg didn't choose to simply direct this one himself. Has this come in interviews before?

[nervmeister]

Transformers: an Ang Lee film.

[twilight]

Sofia Coppola was the only logical choice.

[Dr. Banner]

Of course maybe we should be talking about writers too. Bay's Transformers was written by the same idiot who did The Core and Halle Berry's Catwoman. Another reason I refused to see this crap.

Picking and choosing 1/3 of the story team to suit your arguement? (John Rogers didn't even write the screenplay).

As a fan of Alias and some of their other work, I'm siding with the majority of the writing staff (the ones who actually created the screenplay) rather than the minority in this case.

[Deep_Sleeper]

I really liked Transformers, but I would say that James Cameron would have done a better job with it.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Kevin Smith is the logical choice.

Bonus points is Jason Mews voices Bumblebee, Jason Lee is Starscream, and Ben Affleck is Optimus Prime.

[Kevin M.]

Bay did a good job with the movie. But for the sake of the thread, I would like to see Wolfgang Peterson try his hand at the movie. He is experinced in doing big, Scifi films, and could bring the world of Transformers to life. Also, he can create some big, and crazy fight scens.

[Legato]

Kevin Smith is the logical choice.

Bonus points is Jason Mews voices Bumblebee, Jason Lee is Starscream, and Ben Affleck is Optimus Prime.

Im all for that.:D Especially if it's a parody like what Spaceballs was for Star Wars.

Personally Matt Damon should be Optimus while Ben Affleck is the voice of Megatron.

[KenK]

Transformers: an Ang Lee film.

LOL! Oh, what fun that would be! :D

[Legato]

LOL! Oh, what fun that would be! :D

I can see it now. Megatron and Optimus at a ranch somewhare cuddling and... well I dont want to go too far.

[nervmeister]

I can see it now. Megatron and Optimus at a ranch somewhare cuddling and... well I dont want to go too far.Or it could be talking............ talking.............talking.............talking... .......................action scene.............more talking................... even more talking...................talking..............tal king................. action scene...............talking.............talking... ........talking...............explosion.........TH E END.

And of course the only two action scenes in the whole goddamn film would be the only scenes in the trailer. Audiences arive with high hopes and leave very pissed off.

[Dr. Banner]

Or it could be talking............ talking.............talking.............talking... .......................action scene.............more talking................... even more talking...................talking..............tal king................. action scene...............talking.............talking... ........talking...............explosion.........TH E END.

And of course the only two action scenes in the whole goddamn film would be the only scenes in the trailer. Audiences arive with high hopes and leave very pissed off.

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"?

[Legato]

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"?

Maybe The Hulk since thare was a trailer whare Hulk smashed alot of stuff but when heading to the movie the only one memorable Hulk moment was when he was Smashing the crap out of the US Army.

[nervmeister]

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"?Look at your own avatar for a clue.

[Eliseu Gouveia]

Can you imagine what David Cronenberg would do with this movie?
Transformers being gutted in excruciating detail, oh my......

No, scratch that!
I want to see Transformers directed by Tim Burton. Oh, the twisted metalness of it all......

[Astonishing X-Fan]

You know what would be legit amounts of awesome?

PIXAR.

[Wenatchee the Hatchet]

Forget all these other guys. Get Mamoru Oshii to do a Transformers movie. If you want a movie about giant robots fighting to work you go to an anime director.

[GRANT!]

You know what would be legit amounts of awesome?

PIXAR.

Considering they have yet to adapt a single property that's kind of a pipe dream. Plus they already had a talking car movie and they have a robot movie coming out next year.

[Wenatchee the Hatchet]

Pixar could make a cool Transformers cartoon but I'm still thinking more anime route. No one said the next Transformers movie had to be live action.

[GRANT!]

Actually, I now wonder why Spielberg didn't choose to simply direct this one himself. Has this come in interviews before?

I figure he's already made his alien invasion movie and robot movie he wants to do something else. Plus with Indiana Jones, the Tin Tin movie and that Abraham Lincoln biopic he seems to have a lot on his plate.

[Legato]

Brian Singer. Sure Superman Returns was a dissappointment but I did enjoy his first two X-Men films.

[stealthwise]

Paul Verhoeven.

I haven't actually watched Transformers yet--I'm more inclined to watch Herzog's new film, Rescue Dawn--but from what I've read of the dialogue, a lot of the humor seems really cheesy and dumb. Of course, the movie has to be over-the-top because it's about alien robots, so get Verhoeven. He has shown over and over again that he can make over-the-top movies with the appropriate amount of clever, dark humor to make it fun.

Hell YES.

Verhoeven's hilarious because once you're actually in on the joke, the fact that he's trashing American audience's tastes while at the same time giving into them in each one of his projects, it makes his films so much better.

Robocop, Total Recall, Starship Troopers, SHOWGIRLS... good gravy that man is talented.

[The Xenos]

Kevin Smith is the logical choice.

Bonus points is Jason Mews voices Bumblebee, Jason Lee is Starscream, and Ben Affleck is Optimus Prime.

Dammit. Have you been peeking at my text file of web comic ideas?

[Cyke]

Frankly, my opinion of the movie is that if Optimus and Bumblebee were a flat-nose and a beetle (respectively), then it would've been perfect.

That said, I would have to say that, for once, Bay's self-indulgent, shallow style-over-substance really worked for Transformers.

[The Xenos]

Ha. I guess that's why I didn't dive into Bay's Transformers. It was too shallow for me and I was afraid I'd hit my head on the bottom. :p