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Interesting items have appeared online about the new Transformers teaser trailer which you can now watch at the film’s official website.

First up, Michael Bay cleared up a couple of items about the clip on his Blog:

BTW, for those of you asking:

1- None of the Mars story, launch footage, and rover footage is going to be in the movie.

2.- Yes, Bay did shoot the rover footage.

Also, VFXTalk.com has posted an interview with Imaginary Forces, the company that created the title reveal in the teaser. Here’s a clip:

“The teaser marks the first branding effort for the film,” explains IF Art Director Sean Koriakin, who was also Imaginary Forces’ Lead Animator and Designer. “We knew there would be limited footage available and only a glimpse of a robot so it was important that we define this new world and aesthetic in the title reveal. The title is a detailed piece of architecture that is intricate, logical and clearly articulated. There are many elements and panels that fit into each other perfectly like a giant jigsaw puzzle. We spent a lot of time working on textures and creating the shapes of the parts – with interiors that were anatomical and derived from a human muscle form. In keeping with the film’s portrayal of the Transformers, we had to make the title appear as realistic as possible.”

June 22, 2006 — ‘FUTURAMA” is officially back from the dead.

The quirky animated show from “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening was canceled by Fox about two years ago, but will return with at least 13 new episodes on Comedy Central by 2008.

This is only the second time in television history that a show sent to TV’s trash heap has been resurrected. Curiously, the first was “Family Guy,” also an animated Fox show.

The tale of “Futurama’s” dramatic revival roughly follows that same path that “Family Guy” did.

In both cases, the shows have been successfully airing on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim late-night programming block. They both also turned into hot-selling DVD box sets.

“Family Guy” returned to Fox earlier this year, while last fall, Comedy Central outbid Adult Swim for the license to air all 52 episodes of “Futurama” and whatever new episodes might one day be produced.

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A collection of photos taken from the Transformers sets can now be found here and here! The pictures confirm that Chevy is one of the key vehicle partners and that Volkswagen is definitely out as Bumblebee. (Possible spoiler ahead) The car looks to get sold to Spike as the heavily beat up Classic Camaro and gets fixed up to the 2008 model.

Paramount’s DreamWorks is eyeing a July 4, 2007 release date for the Michael Bay-directed film, starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Jon Voight, Bernie Mac, Tyrese Gibson, Rachael Taylor, Amaury Nolasco and Kevin Dunn.

Also, Sony BMG Entertainment today has announced the creation of the “Transformers: The Movie 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD,” which will hit stores in November. Packed with exclusive special features to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the animated classic film, the DVD release is timed to the debut of a “Transformers” Classics line of figures. The DVD includes never-before-seen footage, exclusive interviews, interactive games and collectible packaging.

For more information, visit TransformersTheMovieDVD.com.

Source: Sony BMG Entertainment May 31, 2006

Transformers director Michael Bay has updated his official News Blog with word on the first week of filming:

We finished our first week. One of the best first weeks on a movie I’ve ever experienced. We shot over 250 set ups.

I’m working on the military aspects of the film right now in New Mexico at Hollaman Air Force base and the Army’s White Sands missile base. The military has been stellar with us. This is the largest military cooperation since Pearl Harbor and Black Hawk Down.

Friday we shot two CV-22′s (Ospreys). They fly like aliens dropping out of the sky. We also shot stealth fighters and low attack missile runs (50 feet off the deck) A10 Warthogs. They look so deadly and mean.

We also shot in an army tank grave yard, that has more tanks in it then all of Iraq. The military cast Josh and Tyrese are surrounded with top notch Seal Team members.

I almost dropped from heat stroke on Wednesday in the 118 degree heat. Several crew went down in the heat on these dunes. It is amazing how quickly it can come on – I now see how some of those football players drop dead from heat stroke.

Another article on the filming at Holloman Air Force Base can be found here. DreamWorks and Paramount are eyeing a July 4, 2007 release date for the big screen adaptation.

Release Date: July 4, 2007
Studio: DreamWorks Pictures (Paramount)
Director: Michael Bay
Screenwriter: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Jon Voight, Bernie Mac, Tyrese Gibson, Rachael Taylor, Amaury Nolasco, Kevin Dunn
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
MPAA Rating: Not Available
Official Website: Transformerslive.com

Plot Summary: Introduced in 1984, the Transformers brand took the world by storm with its compelling saga of the Autobots versus the Decepticons. The innovative “Robots in Disguise” resulted in a tremendously successful toy line from Hasbro and Takara, comic book series, television program and an animated feature film. More than 20 years later, a new generation has discovered the excitement of the Transformers brand and its legendary characters, including the two leaders of the opposing sides: Optimus Prime and Megatron. Today, the franchise features a popular toy line, an animated series on the Cartoon Network and a chart-topping comic book series from IDW Publishing.

In 1993, Matt Groening, in a caveman-era Internet chat, was asked if there’d ever be a Simpsons movie. He didn’t say yes, he didn’t say no. He said a film “is way down the line.”

He wasn’t kidding.

More than 10 years since that Net moment and more than 15 years since Groening’s animated clan made their TV debut, The Simpsons is finally getting ready for its close-up.

Check out the Simpsons Movie Trailer here.

Check this out!!! Family Guy Series 4: Tom and Jake Tucker

MAKERS of the hit cartoon The Simpsons have a filmed the show’s opening titles using real actors.

In the hit viral going around the world we get to see what Bart, Homer, Marg, Lisa and Maggie would look like if they were humans.

And you can be among the first to watch the hilarious titles, filmed over 18 months in Britain, by clicking one of the links below.

Read the rest here

Jessica Rabbit isn’t welcome in China — and Michael Jordan shouldn’t show up with any of his Looney Toons pals.

In one of the more bizarre orders from China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, TV shows and films featuring human thesps with animated companions will be banned.

“These human live-action, so-called animation pieces will not receive distribution or distribution licenses,” read the order, issued Feb. 15. However, films and shows that have already received permits will continue to air.

CGI and 2-D characters alongside human actors jeopardize “the broadcast order of homemade animation and mislead their development,” according to a report from the state-run Xinhua News Agency.

Full story here

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