Two More Writers Join Transformers Writer's Room

Two more writers have joined the Transformers Cinematic Universe writer's room. Christina Hodson and Lindsey Beer have signed on to help create the future of the movie franchise and probably write a script for one of the movies. From what I can tell neither writer has a released movie script out there to compare against but both have several movies in the pipeline. Hodson is currently writing a remake of The Fugitive and apparently 3 of her scripts were on Hollywood's Black List. The Black List is a rather odd honor that basically points to some of the best scripts of the year that for various reasons (budget, politics, whatever) didn't get made into a movie. As for Beer, she is writing the remake of Short Circuit and The Wizard of Oz. These two will join already attached writer's room members Akiva Goldsman, Robert Kirkman, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway, Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari, Zak Penn, and Jeff Pinkner.

Exactly what part they will play in the brain trust is not revealed. Based on Wonder Woman, Ms Marvel and few other movies Hollywood has developed this odd thinking that if a summer tent pole movie features female characters it should be written and/or directed by a female (as opposed to just choosing females because they are best fit for the project regardless of the sex of the characters it is focused on). This makes me think that a female 'bots movie might be on the agenda for the TFCU. If they maintain Bay's very loose movie continuity that means the main ones we are familiar with, Arcee & Chromia, died in Revenge of the Fallen so Windblade is a likely candidate.

Bumblebee: The Movie?

Thursday Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner presented at the Global Consumer Conference 2015 and TFW2005 was on hand to provide some information on some of their plans for their many properties including Transformers. On the Transformers front the CEO said:

"As we go forward, we would imagine several more Transformers movies. Not just in the current lineage but also spinoffs and focusing on certain key characters that a beloved by the world over. Many of you know Bumblebee; the yellow Camaro... formally known as a yellow VW Bug and he is a beloved character by kids all over the world. We could see stories told around Bumblebee and other characters

We are in a process of building the brand equity around the Comic Book Business, our TV Business, our Digital Gaming Business and adding to that our new movie business of Transformers. Last year was Transformers 4. It was quite a good success for us last year. We've begun to work with writers and we are now developing the Transformers [Cinematic] Universe beyond the first four movies. And we are continuing to have Television [programs] on the air with Cartoon Network where Transformers is performing quite well in the first quarter coming off of a movie year."

So the takeaway is the Transformers Cinematic Universe (TFCU? TCU?) will essentially copy the Marvel and Star Wars in approach with ensemble films and individual characters films. Also that Transformers: Robots in Disguise is considered a success so there could be more then just two seasons of the show and the IDW relationship continues to be going well. I would not read this to mean that Bumblebee is guaranteed a standalone film, just that he was being used as an example of the potential of such an approach. The news is good for the TF movie fans but I have to admit until I see some concrete plans the idea of Michael Bay's take on Transformers expanding to a yearly (or more) film per year does little to thrill me.

Paramount Prepping Transformers Cinematic Universe; Bay Up for TF5?

Deadline is reporting that Paramount Pictures has hired Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind, Fringe, Insurgent, Angels & Demons, etc) to create a a cinematic universe road map for Transformers. The writer/producer would work with current Transformers executive producers Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg and Lorenzo di Bonaventura to determine a "potential multi-part Transformers sequel and come up with potential spinoff films based" on the franchise and then use multiple writers to hammer out the various scripts.