Kruger Returns for Transformers 4

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Film Group President Adam Goodman confirmed that Ehren Kruger is returning to write Transformers 4. The writer co-wrote Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and soloed on Transformers: Dark of the Moon. He also mentioned something about if could have a do-over would have released Transformers through the Nickelodeon label. Not exactly sure what difference that would have made on marketing or production of the film.

THR: Is making Transformers 4 without Shia LaBeouf risky? Is he out?
Goodman: The story is going in a different direction now. Ehren Kruger [who wrote the past two Transformers movies] is writing it for us, and we're starting to engage, but I can't say anything more.

THR: Michael Bay is re-envisioning Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for Nickelodeon movies. What are your plans for Nick?
Goodman: We want it to be family adventures and really hard-core family comedies. If I was starting again, I would have put Transformers through Nick. Upcoming movies that could be released through the label are Christopher Columbus' The Secret Lives of Road Crews or Etan Cohen's Boy Scouts vs. Zombies.

Orci, Kurtzman Not Returning

Roberto Orci has confirmed that he and his writing partner Alex Kurtzman are not returning to write Transformers 3 on the Don Murphy forums.

So Bob and Alex is it true. you wont be involved this time round.
It's true.

Sorry to hear that Roberto, really I am. Are we in good hands with Mr. Kruger? Does he know his Transformers?
He does. He really did his homework. He's awesome.

There you have it. Orci and Kurtzman are out, Ehren Kruger is in. Whether that is good news or not probably depends on your feelings regarding much of the humor of the second film (the Twins, Devastator's balls, etc) as most of that came from the minds of Bay and Kruger. As always, time will tell. Link from TFW2005.

Transformers 2 Writers Signed

The LATimes is reporting that Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Ehren Kruger have officially been signed on as the screenwriters for Transformers 2. It was previously reported that they where in negotiations but now the contracts have been signed to an estimated paycheck of $8 million payday for each.

According to the article, "Producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and DreamWorks executives had been inviting writers to propose takes on the sequel as early as May, two months before the first film's Independence Day opening. The studio has been looking at the "Transformers" property as an extended saga, with an expansive mythology built into at least two more films." This may explain the treatment that leaked online as one submitted version from an unknown writer.

Exactly when the scripts will be written and how hands-on Orci and Kurtzman will be is anyone's guess as they have a full plate with shooting for Star Trek XI (which they wrote and one assumes be on set for) starting next month. Also Eagle Eye, a film they are producing, begins at the same time. After that, the pilot for Fringe, which they wrote and exec produce, will begin shooting by year's end. How they can bounced between all those sets and write indicates to me that at least for the early drafts, most of the detail work will come from Kruger with the other two just providing the "big" ideas.

The article notes that Bay has already begun digital pre-visualization for the film from designs not used in the last film (and probably coming up with new ones along the way). In theory, strike or no strike next June, visual effects work would continue but I have my doubts.

Transformers 2 Screenwriters Announced

The Hollywood Reporter has announced the writing team for Transformers 2. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (Transformers, Star Trek XI, Mission Impossible 3) are being joined by Ehren Kruger (The Ring 2, Brother Grimm).

Scribe Ehren Kruger and the writing team of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are in negotiations to team to write the screenplay for DreamWorks/Paramount's "Transformers 2."

Director Michael Bay, star Shia LaBeouf and producers Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Don Murphy are back in their respective chairs, as is exec producer Steven Spielberg.

The teaming of A-listers to write such a huge project might be an industry first and could have been necessary because Kurtzman and Orci -- who wrote the $315 million-grossing first "Transformers" movie -- also are busy writing J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" movie for Paramount and producing "Eagle Eye" for DreamWorks.

But the teaming will not be a case of complete strangers being thrust together, as the three writers are working together on "Nightlife," a DreamWorks serial-killer project that sees Kruger adapting a Thomas Perry novel, with Kurtzman and Orci producing along with Neal Moritz. Kruger also adapted the Stephen King tome "The Talisman," which Spielberg is exec producing
for TNT.

Sources are pegging the writing deal, which is not yet closed, in the $5 million-$7 million range, which also might be an industry high for a nonoriginal screenplay. Reflected in the price is the pressure to perform: With the studio hoping to make the movie before a potential talent strike, the writers are going to have to type fast.

Kruger met with Bay and Hasbro president Brian Goldner and impressed the duo with his knowledge of the "Transformers" mythology. Kruger also has "Torso," a graphic novel adaptation that has David Fincher directing, set up at Paramount. He is repped by Paradigm and Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern.

Orci and Kurtzman are repped at CAA.

Torso is becoming a movie? Sweet. Brian Michael Bendis' Powers would make a fantastic franchise.

Anyway back to Transformers. That $5-7 million payday for each member of the writing team is quite nice, with a probably rush job surcharge added on with the studio trying to beat the strike deadline. The strike and because Orci and Kurtzman will probably be on set for Star Trek XI in November, is probably why Kruger was added to the team. The other two come up with the outline and the "big" ideas and Kruger is the man that cleans it up why they work on Star Trek.

Keep in mind that everyone is working against a clock right now. Not because of the strike but because of the year and more lead time that Hasbro needs to make sure the toys are ready in time for the movie. Since the movie is aiming for June 26, 2009 that means that more then likely the script (and cast of characters) along with pre-production designs must be completed by end of April (to be generous). I am thinking as a result drafts have to be slammed out by end of November at the latest. For movie scripts that is not much time at all. Hopefully the writers knew this was coming and already has started work on the script. The shooting draft doesn't have to be completed by then but the major scenes, sets, and characters have to be in place so that pre-production knows what to do in preparation.

The payday that is coming for the writers is a precursor for the large payday coming to Bay and Shia (which the article is saying are coming back). It wouldn't surprise me that when its all said and done (not including profit sharing) that about $35 million (I suspect it will be about $50 million when said and done) of the budget will go to just paydays. I think this is the movie that Shia will cross the $10 million per movie threshold. I don't think he is worth it but the studios tend to believe the hype they themselves manufacture. No idea how the paydays work the for producing team which is a carry over from the first film. The issue between Spielberg and Paramount is still rumbling around so not sure what, if any, impact that may have on the film.

Over all the takeaway is that all the major players for the first film are coming together for the sequel, with an additional writer. If you loved the first film, that's good news. If you didn't, there is a nearly $700 million gross that says too bad. Thanks to various site readers for the article.