Transformers One Director Talks Approach to Film, Easter Eggs

Transformers One official release in just days, below are some quotes from Director Josh Cooley as he discusses approach to the film and some of the decisions made on which characters/Easter eggs to include in the film. For the full interview click here. And yep, a sequel is under consideration if the film does well enough.

I wanted to make sure that when a superfan saw this, they went, “Yes, that is correct. This feels right.” And then also having it be accessible to somebody who has no idea what Transformers is. If they were to come in fresh off the street, it’s still accessible to them as well.

“Oh, this just doesn’t feel like Transformers.” So it was finding that balance as well with the tone and making sure it’s not just completely dark, but also not just completely making fun of itself or anything like that.

Maybe because of the 1986 movie, but Hot Rod was never in my mind ever because I was like, “That’s not right.” But I will say that the movie was made by a crew of fans. And so there are characters that they put in the background and have been brought forward that I didn’t even realize were designed as characters, if that makes sense. ...Oh, it’d be really great if it could be one of these characters, if you want to choose one of them,” which is kind of a random, something that you’re familiar with. So there were times when it was story-based. Other times it was just playing for the fun of it.

I’d say sometimes we had our lead animator, Stephen King at ILM, he’s a major, major Transformers fan. And so I would let him at times I’d just say, look, fill in this area with crowds, but bring forward anybody you want to bring forward in terms of the color or anything. And so I’d let him cast the characters that are getting kind of front-row shots. And so that’s all his love going out.