Transformers 5 Officially Filming in Detroit

With the assist of $21 million in tax incentives from Michigan, Paramount has agreed to film "major portions" of Transformers 5 in Detroit. It is estimated $80 million will be used to film the movie (so my rough guesstimate means about 70% or so the movie will be filmed there) that will including hiring around 450 Michigan residents (for essentially part time work) and 700 extras.

“Michigan has been so welcoming of Michael Bay and the ‘Transformers’ movies over the years and we are thrilled to be returning for this next incredible installment,” said Lee Rosenthal, president of physical production at Paramount Pictures.

“Having one of the highest-profile film franchises created in Michigan is a major economic boost and a testament to the talent of the state’s production community,” said Jenell Leonard, commissioner of the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office. “The production and economic investment is now happening sooner rather than later, and obviously, the project is a certainty rather than merely a possibility.”

According to Deadline, Michigan ended the film incentive program in July 2015 but Paramount was already approved for $42 million tax refunds for "Looking for Alaska" and "Beverly Hills Cop IV" which the studio is no longer planning on making. The remaining $21 million goes back to the state. TF5 is slated for release on June 23, 2017 so I suspect Michael Bay will start filming sometime around May.

Transformers 5 Casting Call, Filming In Detroit and London

Transformers 5 is starting to rev up its engines to begin principle photography. With it comes news about possible filming locations and that means calls for extras. CBS Detroit (via TFW2005) is reporting that Transformers 5 (using code E75, where TF4 was E74, TF3 was E73, etc) has started its extra search in Detroit. The plan apparently is to start filming in London, England around June 2016 and also in Detroit.

It seems a bit early to start looking for extras and crew if Detroit is after England so suspect the shooting schedule is still being ironed out. Filming in England doesn't come as much of a surprise as the country offers tax breaks for movies (they almost snagged The Hobbit films with those breaks until New Zealand passed a 11th hour sweetheart deal) and is also a reason the Marvel movies (and Walking Dead) have been filming in south Georgia (which actually is a bit of surprise Paramount isn't pushing to film there for additional tax refunds). Any case if in the Detroit area click here to find out about auditioning for the movie and here if want to try to join the movie crew. There is also a rumor TF5 may film some in Iceland but no confirmation.

Paramount Confirms Cheaper Bumblebee Movie

Paramount pictures has confirmed that they plan to release a Bumblebee spin-off movie on June 8 2018 and they plan to produce it a cheaper cost than the Transformers films. The need to clarify was due to the initial announcement from Paramount that simply said they were releasing three Transformers films in the next three years. Its unclear if they referred to them as Transformers 5, 6, and 7 or if media outlets just assumed it. About half a hour later during their investor conference call Hasbro re-iterated the news only they were more specific saying it would be Transformers 5, a Bumblebee movie, then Transformers 6. It was interesting to read the news that day as could see which outlets re-wrote what Deadline, THR, etc had (incorrectly) reported versus which outlets verified and correctly combined the news reports. Deadline, etc just went the route of doing a separate news story about the 'Bee movie.

"There are characters in the Transformers universe that can be and should be made into their own movies,” Paramount Pictures chairman and CEO Brad Grey told The Hollywood Reporter. “We will make the first movie with Michael and go right into a Bumblebee movie, which will be at a lower cost.”

Which other characters are up for spin-offs was not mentioned nor what "cheaper" means. The Transformers films have been landing in between $150 to $200 million each so my best guess is they are hoping for $100 million or less cost. CGI is expensive so simply having Bumblebee as the only TF in robot mode in the movie would drop the cost significantly as would keeping him in vehicle mode as much as possible. I suspect a road movie mixed with Furious 7 vibe will be the script's goal. If this formula of key movie > spin-off > key movie sounds familiar, it is the same formula that Star Wars has committed to starting with The Force Awakens. Clearly Paramount is hoping to replicate to same box office success.

2016 New York Toy Fair Transformers Toys

Over this weekend the 2016 New York Toy Fair was held to announce a planned slate of toys for at least some of 2016. Hasbro was on hand to reveal their planned first wave releases of Transformers: Titan Wars and Robots in Disguise season 2 figures. For Titans War, the main gimmick was Titan Masters which is the catch all name for G1s Head Masters, Target Masters, and Power Masters. The signature figure was Fortress Maximus whose retains the G1 gimmick of his head transforming into Deluxe scaled Cerebros and his head in also a Titan Master called Emissary. Below is a link to the official pictures (really computer renders) and show room galleries for these upcoming Transformers. No release dates but presentation suggested Fall 2016 for Titan Wars (which makes me wonder what the next 8 or so months of TF toys will be).

Hasbro Presentation
- Most of presentation was to reveal the toys below but here are a few additional nuggets
- IDW Robots in Disguise comics (the cartoon) will return in the Fall.
- Fan choice Trypticon still in the design phase but little shorter then Metroplex due to hunch
- Transformers: Robots in Disguise season two begins February 20th, season two trailer here.

Titan Wars
Fortress Maximus - Two feet tall with light and sound effects, comes with Cerebros and Emissary.
Platinum Edition - Sweeps Three pack with Cyclonus, Scourge, and Sweep (modified repaints of previous Generation releases)
Deluxe - Blurr (w/ Hyperfire), Scourge (w/ Fracas), Mindwipe (w/ Vorath), and Chromedome (w/ Stylor)
Legends - Laserbeak, Rumble, and Wheelie. Alt modes no longer a cassette but something new but similar.
Leader - Soundwave (w/ Soundblaster)
Showroom Galleries: One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six
Video - A look at the showroom floor via Seibertron.com.


Robots In Disguise
Platinum Edition Two Pack - Contains Warrior class Bumblebee with Vouager class Grimlock where Grimlock is modified from a Japanese mold for Fall of Cybertron Grimlock.
Power Surge Optimus Prime - A pretty slick take on RID Prime with lights and sounds. Comes with mini-con Aerobolt.
Warrior - Look at really deluxe scale of Windblade, Scorponok and smaller version of Power Surge Prime.
Showroom Galleries: One | Two |
Videos - Two videos from the showroom floor RID toys via Seibertron.com

Misc
Kids Logic Devastator - These are mini-figures with gigantic heads. I don't believe these transform or combine but are really 7 extra figures, six for the Combaticons and 1 bigger one for Devastator. Additional Galleries: One | Two
Comicave - A look at 1/22 scale Age of Extinction Prime and Bumblebee poseable, not transformable action figures (think Hot Toys). Additional gallery.

Paramount: A Transformers Film Per Year Scheduled

Today Paramount announced the planned release dates for the next Transformers films.

Transformers 5 - June 23, 2017
Bumblebee Movie - June 8, 2018
Transformers 6 - June 28, 2019

Michael Bay is set to direct Transformers 5 with Mark Wahlberg as the star. To maintain that ambitious release schedule, where each film needs about 18 to 24 months each to make, Paramount has pretty much guaranteed Bay will not be directing Transformers 6 (but nothing stopping him from doing TF 7) as Bay seems to like a year break from the TF franchise. This may explain why Transformers: Robots in Disguise is ending after only two seasons. At this point the cartoons exists to fill in the gap between movies and there will be no gap for three years (at least).

Transformers: Earth Wars Mobile Game Announced

Hasbro with Backflip Studios and Space Ape Games have announced a new "free" mobile game that is designed to be a real-time combat strategy game (like Clash of Clans) that is designed to inspire you to made in game purchases to level up. In general you use Autobot and Decepticon "Hero" characters (in the G1/Combiner Wars style) to create and defend bases while trying to take down your enemy. According to USA Today, the story line is from long time Transformers comics writer Simon Furman and its suggested in the press release (below) that this is based on the third "Wars" trilogy that Hasbro had planned following Combiners Wars and Titan Wars. TF cartoon (and now movie) veterans Frank Welker and Peter Cullen will supply voices for Prime and Megatron. It is set for release sometime in the Spring 2016. You can pre-register for the game at Transformers: Earth Wars. An interview with Space Ape executives pitching the game can be found at Games Industry.


Press Release:

Hasbro, Backflip Studios and Space Ape Games Bring The Fight Home with TRANSFORMERS: EARTH WARS; Game Coming To iOS And Android in Select Markets Spring 2016

Battle as AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS and Fight Against Live Opponents Around the World
In First TRANSFORMERS Real-Time Combat Strategy Game

Transformers Inspired Album Announced By Hasbro

In a out of left field moment, Hasbro Studios has announced that a new 10 track collection called "Transformers Roll Out" will be released on April 15 via digital music sellers with a limited edition CD and vinyl release for FYE stores. The music is from 10 rock, alternative and indie acts that were inspired by the Transformers franchise. Below are two tracks from the album, Gigantik and Roll Out which are also available to purchase as singles.

Track List:

• Mount Holly (“Roll Out”)
• Bush (“This House is on Fire”)
• Crash Kings (“Gigantik”)
• MEW (“Count to Ten”)
• Elle Rae (“Into the Fire”)
• SPURS (“Exiled”)
• Jameson Burt (“Just a Spark”)
• Ours (“Stronger”)
• Darby™ (“Modern Man”)
• Born Cages (“Our Revolution”)

Transformers: Robots In Disguise Season 1 DVD Set Announced

Shout! Factory has announced they are releasing Transformers: Robots in Disguise Season 1 on 4 disc DVD set on May 10th. No word if there will be a Blu-ray release but doubtful as Shout! Factory tends to focus on DVDs for most of their releases including all the previous Transformers cartoons. The retail price is $29.93 with $5 off if pre-ordered from the company directory. Likely it will also be available on Amazon and few other retailers too. As for when Robots in Disguise season 2 will start, still no word on when except sometime in the next few months.