Transformers 4 new lead
Director/Executive Producer Michael Bay on the set of “TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON.”
By now you’ve probably heard that Mark Wahlberg has signed on to star in the new Transformers movie, which may or may not be called “Rise of Galvatron.”
On his website, Bay confirmed the news: “Mark is awesome. We had a blast working on “Pain and Gain” and I’m so fired up to be back working with him. An actor of his caliber is the perfect guy to re-invigorate the franchise and carry on the Transformers’ legacy.”
I’ve yet to fully enjoy any of Bay’s previous three Transformers films beyond the massive final battle in the last outing “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” in which he crafted one of the best uses of 3D since “Avatar.”
I’m not sure if former lead, Shia LaBeouf was to blame for the problems with the films — as I’m convinced Bay should switch Hasbro properties and direct a G.I. Joe movie — but Wahlberg is definitely an improvement. The main concern is with an Oscar-nominated actor (“The Departed”) as the star, that means Bay will focus even less on Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Starscream and the gang.
The big rumor going around now, which may be hinted at with the new teaser image is that this fourth installment will be subtitled “Rise of Galvatron.”
“Transformers 4” logo sports the Decepticon insignia.
If for some reason you haven’t seen the one good Transformers movie — “The Transformers: The Movie” — (and if you haven’t, please fix that soon) after an especially devastating battle with Optimus Prime, Megatron is near death, but is changed/transformed into the souped up, even more powerful Galvatron.
In the movie, Galvatron was voiced by Leonard Nimoy, who I still more fondly remember for this role rather than “Star Trek.” Odd, isn’t it? In a nice nod to the cartoon film, Michael Bay had Nimoy voice Sentinel Prime in “TDOM.” The movie Galvatron was awesome. He had a menacing voice, wicked transformation and had his own way of dealing with Starscream’s plotting. Basically, the cartoon movie Galvatron was everything great about Megatron times 10. But Nimoy wasn’t able to regularly voice the character for the TV series and Galvatron became Serpentor’s crazier cousin.
I’ve got an idea which way Bay will go with the character. As cool an idea of Galvatron showing up is, I can’t help but think of the numerous ways Bay is gonna screw it up like he has most of the franchise. I’m just hoping a human won’t be able to kill a Transformer this time…
Whatever it’s called, Transformers 4 is set to roll out into theaters on June 27, 2014.