Transformers 3 will be 3D, plus more details about the film

Monday, 14 June 2010 08:08 | by Calvin Peat

Michael Bay also reveals the villain and further information about the threequel...

Transformers

USA Today reveals that the third live-action Transformers movie will be 3D, but doesn’t say whether it would be shot in 3D or 'transformed' in post-production.

Director Michael Bay has previously stated that using 3D cameras wouldn’t mesh with his fast-paced shooting style. However, he’s also expressed reservations about the quality of 3D conversions, at least the ones that he’d seen demonstrated on his technically complex footage up to that point. Presumably they’ve since managed to find a way around at least one of those problems.

Bay also gave indications as to the direction the third film might take, acknowledging some of the second film’s flaws. The usually bullish director admitted “I’ll take some of the criticism. It was very hard to put (the sequel) together after the writers’ strike (of 2007-08).”

(Still, after making the most awesome movie of all time with Transformers, it was almost inevitable that his follow-up would be a step down, though it’s still very entertaining despite its flaws. This paragraph is all my personal opinion, of course.)

Addressing a common criticism of the second film, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Michael Bay said that “One thing we’re getting rid of is what I call the dorky comedy”, adding that the Autobot Twins are “basically gone”. John Turturro’s comedic character from the first two instalments will remain, though.

Also, according to producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, characters who die will stay dead. (In light of some of the casting that’s been announced, hopefully this doesn’t mean that this one will be called Transformers: Leaf on the Wind.)

Although the filmmakers didn’t divulge specific details of the plot, they did reveal that the film will encompass an alternate history of the space race (involving Transformers!), and Shockwave will feature as the villain.

Michael Bay hinted that Transformers 3 might be the last of his Transformers movies, teasing that “As a trilogy, it really ends. It could be rebooted again, but I think it has a really killer ending.”

The mega-blockbuster (which Shia LaBeouf has previously promised will be “the craziest action movie ever made”) rolls out July 1 in the US.

Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, John Turturro, and Peter Cullen will all reprise their roles. They’ll be joined by Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley (who will replace Megan Fox as Shia LaBeouf’s love interest), as well as Patrick Dempsey, John Malkovich, Ken Jeong, Frances McDormand, and Alan Tudyk.