Transformers 2 Casting Update: Jonah Hill & Teresa Palmer

What a world!

[UPDATE: Looks like Jonah Hill won't be involved in Transformers 2 after all. Thank goodness for small miracles, I guess.]

First, he's drawing pictures of penises as far as the eye can see. And now Jonah Hill (Superbad, Knocked Up and Forgetting Sarah Marshall) is in "early negotiations" to play Shia LaBeouf's sidekick in next summer's Transformers 2.

Early reports indicate Hill will play LaBeouf's college roomate - a crazed webmaster who runs a conspiracy theory site.

Why Do Studios Let Great Movies Die?

The 2007 Toronto International Film Festival ended recently and the 2008 Sundance Film Festival is just around the corner, and these have gotten me thinking (uh oh!).

I've been thinking about why it is that some movies that are so mediocre go on to earn hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office while other films that are just as good (and quite often far better) end up unseen not talked about. While I enjoy a good popcorn movie as much as the next guy, I do tend to hold even action and sci-fi movies to a higher standard than the average 14 year old.

So I find it extremely frustrating when movies that seem to be mediocre or worse make incredible amounts of money and give some directors credibility and the opportunity to pump out more schlock, while other movies that are better go on to make almost nothing and those directors continue to have to fight to get movies made.

Let's look at some examples from the last 10 years or so...

Michael Bay WILL Be Back For Transformers 2

So there's been a ton of hoopla over the last couple of days regarding this whole HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray battle and how Paramount/Dreamworks are going to be releasing movies exclusively in HD-DVD format. Well, almost exclusively since Spielberg still wants his movies available in both formats.

What really brought the debate into the news was the fact that Michael Bay stated that he was really not happy with these studios wanting to release his mega-hit Transformers only in HD-DVD format and that he was going to take a stand by refusing to come back to direct Transformers 2.

The Weekly Rant - July 6, 2007

This week The Weekly Rant covers a wee bit of Iron Man, Live Free or Die Hard, of course I have to talk about Transformers and the goings on of the super-secret J.J. Abrams monster movie with the codename: "Cloverfield."

Review: Transformers

By Vic Holtreman
Rating:

2.5 out of 5

Short version: A schizophrenic and mind numbing movie. Who knew that so much action could be so boring?

I'm not going to spend too much time writing this review because I'm quite sure that it's irrelevant. Based on the reaction of the audience at the screening I attended, most folks will not agree with this review, will go watch Transformers and leave the theater in a state of bliss.

Me? I just don't get it.

Over the weekend I actually started to get excited about this movie based on the early reviews that had been coming out. I just checked Rottentomatoes.com and although in the overall category it's just barely slipped into "Rotten" territory, the "Cream of the Crop" reviewer consensus is still well into "Ripe" (meaning good). Over at IMDB.com the user rating stands at 8.3 out of 10 at the time of this writing.

I can only conclude that all these people are on crack.

Prediction: Transformers Is Gonna Be HUGE

Yes, I realize this prediction is a huge stretch (not) and very risky (yeah, right) but I just wanted to say right now and on the record that I think Michael Bay's Transformers movie is going to rock the box office.

So what prompted such a bold statement?

No More Freaking FF2 Or Tranformers Clips!

Holee crap... it seems like every other day another three movie clips and 24 new images come out for either Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer or Transformers.

I refuse to post another video clip or new image from either of these upcoming films here at Screen Rant. Seriously, just how much of these movies do you want to see before you ever set foot in the stinking movie theater?!? I understand the concept of the Hollywood Hype Machine and it's ever increasing need to beat the last box office record (most money made on a 3.5 day weekend in an odd numbered month during the summer solstice, for example).

Transformers Trailers Media Blitz

I suppose if there's one thing you can say about Paramount Pictures it's that they know how to promote an "event movie."

Over the last couple of days not one but two new trailers (one U.S, one international) for the upcoming Michael Bay-helmed actioner Transformers have been released and now there's word that a third trailer with different footage will be seen with Shrek the Third.

Transformers Movie Buzz

If you want to catch up on the latest buzz on the upcoming Transformers movie, head on over to Moviefone's Transformers Blog Beat.

The third item highlights Screen Rant. :-)

Transformers ShoWest Feedback

Just some brief feedback from a reader who saw screener footage of Transformers at ShoWest:

"Just saw the Show West screener footage of Transformers at the studio. The movie is going to be a license to print money. The animation is Awesome. Probably Bays biggest movie ever. Lots of blowing up, tossed tanks, and other fun stuff. The girl looks like a younger hotter version of Jennifer Connelly. Optimus in Peter Cullens voice- 'My Bad'... Classic. Scorponok has amazing animation..."

Cool...

New Transformers Action Photos

Yahoo! Movies has three new pics from the upcoming mega-actioner by Michael Bay: Transformers. Click on any of the images to be taken to the massive three-slide show. :-)

Since I have very low expectations in regards to story/plot for this movie, I'm pretty excited about it. :-) Seriously, as long as they make me care about the characters that are in danger in the film it could turn out to be an enjoyable blast.

Transformers opens on July 4th.

Cool New Transformers Posters

I really don't usually like to just put the same thing on Screen Rant that a ton of other sites have already covered, but these two new posters for the Transformers movie are just too cool to leave off the site. :-)

That's Optimus Prime and Megatron facing off. Sweet. (Click on the image for a larger version.)

For the really huge version of the posters head on over to AICN.

Transformers Will Require Doctors On Stand-By

When I saw the first full Transformers trailer it blew me away, and apparently it was a pretty good indication of what the film will be like. It seems that the much-beloved (not) MPAA gave the movie an R-rating after viewing it, which is very much NOT what the studio wanted for the movie.

Since Steven Spielberg is an executive producer on the film, he got involved and wielded his mighty clout to get it knocked down to a PG-13. It is unknown at this point whether any cuts were made or whether he put the MPAA into a collective headlock and got them to change their minds.

So why did it get an initial R-rating?

Transformers Trailer: Wow

You've probably already heard the the new Michael Bay Transformers trailer is out (at least the non-U.S. versions). I haven't covered the movie here because basically, I just wasn't "into" Transformers. I was too old for the toys when they came out, and the cartoons never interested me since I've never been a big fan of Japanese animation (yeah, I know... so sue me).

The upside of all that is that I won't have any preconceived notions about the whole thing when I go see the movie, and at least based on the new trailer I will be seeing the movie. The teaser was kind of weak (as teaser trailers tend to be), but this thing blew my socks off.

Click here for the new Transformers trailer.