This is from Movie writer Roberto Orci, who recently took time to give an overview of proceedings on donmurphy.net (and it’s actually him this time! Don confirmed it.)
We’re still having a great time and learning a lot reading everything on this message board. Let us answer a couple of things
1.) In regards to our interview discussing Transformers as a toy line, you should know we made that statement surrounded by cynical reporters. We meant that it would be easy for a screenwriter to come in and think, “I don’t have to do a hell of a lot because it’s just a toy line, and I can just make a giant commercial, with giant robots fighting, instead of having to come up with a good story.” We were merely expressing our intention not to fall into the trap of thinking we could be lazy just because the toy line is so successful.
Alex and I were both fans when we were kids, we both saw the movie back in the day, although I’ll admit the toys my parents gave me were GOBOTS and VOLTRON!
2.) On mass shifting No matter where you fall in this debate, you should at least take heart in the fact that we have all been debating the issue as diligently and seriously as the supreme court weighing constitutional law. No matter how it turns out in the end, both sides will hopefully see that the decision was not taken lightly, and that our choices were not arbitrary and were made in service of a cool story. We are still reviewing arguments on both sides, and we may even have a solution that satisfies both sides. You will be the ultimate judges.
3.) We’ve chatted with Don about the voice casting, and you can rest assured we’re still writing it with the original voices in mind.
4.) We were surprised by the reaction against Arcee. I myself never had a bias against her, figuring if the Autobots are all male, it would be logical that there would have to be a female. However, given the strong reactions we’ve read, the matter is again under “judicial review.”
Thanks again for all the input. Don’t worry about insulting us. We know it’s all in the service of the finished product.
