We previously learned that none of the original cast of the Transformers series will return for Transformers 4, and the sequel will feature “some redesign of the robots.”  However, Michael Bay and Co. may be taking those ideas further than you thought.  Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner talked a bit about Transformers 4 at the UBS Best Of Americas 2012 Conference* and unveiled the placeholder logo seen above.  According to TFW2005 [via Bleeding Cool], Goldner lamented the stagnant toy sales around the release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, presumably because audiences had already spent two whole movies with these played-out giant robot characters.  Hence, Transformers 4 will reportedly tell a new story about a new group of robots so Hasbro can reinvent the brand with a new (and thus much hipper) toy line.  There are good narrative reasons to change up the roster, but it’s hard to stay positive when the primary source of the movie’s news is a toy company CEO.

Hit the jump for Bay’s pitch for Transformers 4.

On a conference call to discuss third-quarter earnings, Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner gave updates on a number of movies. While much of what he said we’ve previously written about, this was the first time anyone had given an update on the status of Transformers 4 and when it might be officially announced.  Here’s the highlights of his conversation:

• Goldner hopes to be able to announce Transformers 4 next quarter as they are talking with Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay and Paramount.
• The Ouija script is “in good shape and is being polished now, meaning that the film could be back with a studio shortly.”  via THR.  We previously posted how Universal dropped the project but maybe with a lower budget the film could move ahead.
• A Micronauts movie script is being written with J.J. Abrams producing and it’s set up at Paramount.  We’ve know this for awhile.
• Goldner doesn’t see Hasbro producing their own films like Marvel.
• Hasbro is still developing movie scripts for Monopoly, Risk, Clue, Stretch Armstrong and Candyland.

With every kid growing up playing Hasbro board games and name recognition being so important in marketing, it’s no surprise the studios are trying to make these projects work.  However, many of these board games seem like long shots to ever hit the screen.  The big info is Transformers 4.  With Bay saying the 3rd Transformers movie would be his last, who will Hasbro get to replace him?  Matt wrote about the six directors who could take over the franchise.  I think a few of them would be great choices.

Battleship has decided to not go 3D, thus showing that director Peter Berg (for the moment) can stay off a bandwagon.  MTV Movies Blog reports that Universal and Berg have decided not to shoot the film in 3D, and I’m sure somewhere James Cameron just puked in his mouth a little bit.  Then again, Berg has crafted what sounds like a much better story that involves aliens but with a District 9-style approach (they’re not just “the enemy”, but a side of a legitimate battle) mixed with good, old-fashioned naval warfare.

Other summer 2012 releases, such as the Spider-Man reboot and Stretch Armstrong, have been reeled in by “The Avatar Effect”, but Berg’s picture will stand apart and attempt to rely on quaint storytelling devices like “compelling characters,” “dramatic tension,” and “exhilarating set pieces.” I’m not saying that the movie will receive these commendations, but at least it’s trying to be a big summer blockbuster without the 3D veneer.   But keep in mind that just because they’re not shooting in 3D, doesn’t mean Universal won’t convert the film to 3D in post-production.

Hit the jump to read what producer and Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner had to say about using antiquated 2D technology.

On top of the news that Taylor Lautner will be playing Stretch Armstrong in the 3D superhero adventure, Universal Pictures and Hasbro have announced director Peter Berg’s (Hancock, The Kingdom) action-adventure Battleship has moved to Memorial Day weekend 2012.  Originally scheduled for release in July 2011, according to Universal, “the film was moved to give it the time and resources to thoroughly realize its huge-scale ambitions and position it for Memorial Day weekend in 2012.”  Meaning, we’re not ready to make the film yet, so let’s push it back a bit.  Perhaps this has something to do with Universal and Comcast merging….

“We believe in Pete Berg and the incredible vision that he and the Battleship team have for this film,” said Universal Pictures Chairman Adam Fogelson. “We’re honored that Hasbro is partnering with us to turn one of its landmark properties into a huge summer box-office hit.”

Universal also released a bit of a synopsis in tonight’s press release, hit the jump for more:

Just a few hours ago I was at Mann’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood for a special screening of “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra”. While it wasn’t called a premiere, it had all the spectacle of one, as thousands of people were screaming at the stars and the cast and filmmakers walked a huge red carpet.

Anyway, while there I managed to get an interview with Brian Goldner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hasbro. With so many projects in development at Universal, I got him to give me updates on “Stretch Armstrong”, “Candy Land”, “Monopoly”, “Battleship”, and a lot more. So if you’re curious how Hasbro is planning to bring their board games to movie screens, you’re going to want to watch this interview. Take a look after the jump:

Larry Hama, the man behind the GI JOE comic book I grew up reading, lets us in on the transition from toyline to one hundred fifty issues of awesome.  Brian Goldner (Producer), Stuart Beattie (Writer) and Stephen Sommers (Director) join him in the two-minute look.

I’ve been anxiously awaiting this film since childhood.  I got excited reading Frosty’s review because it sounded exactly like what I wanted from the film.  In a word: fun.  Of course, like you, I have a week-plus wait ahead of me, but this clip is a good way to whet your appetite. Take a look after the jump. Go Joe!