Welcome Mr. Roberto Orci, you may ask him questions

G1Wheeljack · 06-21-2008, 09:20 PM

Just reposting my Questions as you've seemed to skip over them:
1.Who's your favorite Transformer from the 1st movie?
2.Is the rumor of Wheeljack being in the sequel true? Would you like to have Wheeljack in the sequel?
3.Do you plan on having Frank Welker voice Soundwave in the sequel? Would you like to have him voice Soundwave?

Scofield · 06-21-2008, 10:57 PM

1. Is (was?) the writing for the film much different than the original, considering Ehren Kruger was added to the staff to help you and Mr. Kurtzman? Is it easier or harder now that you have to work with a new guy.

2. I hear Jonah Hill declined a part in Transformers:RotF due to his dislike of the script. Can you tell us what he didn't like? (I know you probably can't, but I thought you might have dropped the character from the script or changed it around with his departure allowing you to talk about it).

MythofBlackout · 06-22-2008, 02:12 AM

Hi, Bob. First let me thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by and answer some questions.

Anyway, on to my questions:

1) Word on the street is that while the WGA was on strike Bay and the art department were working on designs, preliminary CGI, etc. How much of what they created influenced your final script and how much of what you put in your treatment was actually represented in the art department's designs?

2) If you've seen any of the new designs, on a scale of 1-10, how awesome are they?

Nevermore · 06-22-2008, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scofield

2. I hear Jonah Hill declined a part in Transformers:RotF due to his dislike of the script. Can you tell us what he didn't like? (I know you probably can't, but I thought you might have dropped the character from the script or changed it around with his departure allowing you to talk about it).

If the rumors are true, Ramon Rodriguez took over the part originally intended for Jonah Hill.

Bob Orci · 06-22-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevermore

It could be done similar to what Knight Rider does. Internal communication and maybe a flashing light on the dashboard. So if a human is riding inside a Transformer in vehicle mode, he should be able to hear the conversation as well.

However, if they're conversing with each other via radio, the voices should sound slightly muffled to indicate that they're no "cars talking loud". The latter should be reserved for dramatic scenes (like, Optimus suddenly shouting at humans or something), if at all.

The knight rider similarity is precisely why we'll probably never talk Bay into it.

Bob Orci · 06-22-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevermore

Hey Bob, got another question:

The "leaks" and set photos we've seen thus far, would you say it's mostly

a) lots of intentional misinformation,
b) bits and pieces that are mostly true, but we don't know enough yet to get an idea of the bigger picture,
c) a mix of both?

I would say anything you hear from us or anyone about this movie is carefully planned disinformation (including this statement).

Bob Orci · 06-22-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Primus

Hey Bob,

Welcome to the boards. Although my first love is TFs, I have to say I am extremely excited about "Fringe". You guys seem to have a winning formula on hand for this series. I loved "Alias" although there were too many loose ends at the finale, and I'm a huge fan of "Lost" as well.

Also, I'm really jacked about the "Star Trek" movie. I think you guys took the right approach with that and I think it will really pay off. I hated to hear the release was pushed back, but hopefully it allows for even more ... well ... Star Trek goodness.

Anyway, on to TF, you guys did a great job adapting a cartoon property to main stream.

Will Bumblebee start off in his alt mode he ended Transformers in, or will he just show up as an upgraded model with the new hood scoop and lip spoiler?

Don't know how much we're upgrading BB fully yet, or anyone for that matter.

Glad you liked Alias. Sorry the finale had too many loose ends, but Kurtzman and I left after season 2.

Bob Orci · 06-22-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turnpike

Hi Mr. Orci, great to have someone from the biz to spend some time, and talk to the fans! Wish more productions would follow suit.

Questions:

1. How difficult was it to approach and write a continuation/sequel to such a large, epic summer action flick? What aspect was the hardest? Trying to create something which would live up to fans' expectations must be a grueling (yet rewarding) task.

And finally:
2. Any general "words of advice" for aspiring film writers, when it comes to writing sequels?

Thank you for doing this Q&A, and good luck on the rest of the production!

1. The hardest aspect is that you lose the element of surprise. We got away with a lot in the first movies because for a long time, no one thought it would work, or that it was just a silly cartoon, and simply proving that wrong is all we had to do. The first movie was meant to be somewhat of a mystery. For the sequel, we need an entirely different structure and paradigm for the movie, and we can't rely on it being the first.

2. My advice would be to treat sequels like their very own movie and not think ahead to further sequels. It must have it's own distinct theme and character arcs from the the first movie.

Bob Orci · 06-22-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G1Wheeljack

Just reposting my Questions as you've seemed to skip over them:
1.Who's your favorite Transformer from the 1st movie?
2.Is the rumor of Wheeljack being in the sequel true? Would you like to have Wheeljack in the sequel?
3.Do you plan on having Frank Welker voice Soundwave in the sequel? Would you like to have him voice Soundwave?

1. Prime
2. Nocomment
3 Nocomment

Bob Orci · 06-22-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MythofBlackout

Hi, Bob. First let me thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by and answer some questions.

Anyway, on to my questions:

1) Word on the street is that while the WGA was on strike Bay and the art department were working on designs, preliminary CGI, etc. How much of what they created influenced your final script and how much of what you put in your treatment was actually represented in the art department's designs?

2) If you've seen any of the new designs, on a scale of 1-10, how awesome are they?

What they did had very little influence on the script. We wrote a treatment before the strike. And then turned it into a screenplay afterwards.