Michael Bay

Exclusive: Mark Wahlberg Talks THE FIGHTER Sequel and ENTOURAGE Movie; Says He’s Still Considering Michael Bay’s PAIN AND GAIN

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 5th, 2012 at 5:29 pm

Mark Wahlberg is a very busy guy.  In addition to acting, Wahlberg has become increasingly involved in producing not only feature films, but a handful of original series as well.  With Wahlberg’s new crime thriller Contraband opening next week, earlier today Steve got the chance to speak with the hard-working actor.  While we’ll have the full interview up next week, we wanted to share what Wahlberg had to say regarding The Fighter sequel, the Entourage movie, and Michael Bay’s small-budget dark comedy Pain and Gain.

While it was previously reported that Wahlberg had passed on Pain and Gain, the actor revealed that he’s still very much considering the project and he’s currently waiting on a new draft of the script.  Hit the jump to see what Wahlberg had to say concerning all the projects.

TOP 5: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, Movie Stars Portray Famous Movie Villains, TRANSFORMERS 4, QUANTUM OF SOLACE Script Problems, Kathleen Kennedy Talks JURASSIC PARK 4, TINTIN, More

by Jason Barr    Posted: December 10th, 2011 at 12:40 pm

I think there’s something to be said for coming to your own conclusions. Case in point: I may currently be at odds with 77% of the Rotten Tomatoes critic community when I say this, but I found The Sitter to be worthy of my box office dollars. Was it the best comedy I’ve ever seen? Not even close. Was it the best comedy I’ve seen in the past six months? Nope. That said, I had been looking forward to the pic over the course of covering it for this site. When the critical negativity began pouring in, I could have easily passed on the film as a result (something I’ve been guilty of in the past). Instead, I decided to check it out and I laughed (quite a bit, actually). So, what’s the moral of my story? If you want to see a movie, go see it. Don’t let poor reviews detour you from something you think you may enjoy. Use reviews as a foundation for healthy debate rather than as an excuse to not give something a chance because someone else didn’t like it.

All ranting aside, in this week’s “Top 5″ installment, you’ll be able to read all about The Dark Knight Rises and its IMAX prologue, viral campaign, and potential IMAX footage runtime. You can also see George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Rooney Mara and more portraying classic movie “villains” of their choice, get up to date on Michael Bay potentially returning to direct Transformers 4, Daniel Craig discussing the script problems that plagued Quantum of Solace, and producer Kathleen Kennedy talking Jurassic Park 4, Tintin, Lincoln, and Robopocalypse. Check out a brief recap and link to each after the jump.

Michael Bay Returning to Direct TRANSFORMERS 4; Could Start Filming in Winter 2012 [UPDATED]

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 6th, 2011 at 6:10 pm

Well that didn’t take long at all. Surrounding the release of Tranformers: Dark of the Moon was Michael Bay’s assurance that after helming all three flicks in the trilogy, he was done with the franchise. Cut to Dark of the Moon making a kajillion dollars for Paramount, and rumors began swirling that Bay might come back. The director denied any involvement and maintained that he was focused on making his “smaller” movie Pain and Gain. Just yesterday we reported that Bay is in talks with Dwayne Johnson to star in the $20 million dark comedy, and Bay seemed on track to move away from the robot series. Cut to today and now comes word that Bay will indeed be returning for the fourth Transformers film. Hit the jump for more.

[Update: Bay has commented on this report.  Hit the jump for what he had to say.]

Dwayne Johnson and Mark Wahlberg Circling Michael Bay’s True-Story Dark Comedy PAIN AND GAIN [Updated]

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 5th, 2011 at 1:40 pm

Having wrapped on his Transformers trilogy (although who knows if he’ll be lured back), director Michael Bay has turned his focus to the dark comedy Pain and Gain.  The story is based on a 1999 Miami New Times article about two bodybuilders who got caught up in an extortion ring and a kidnapping scheme that went terribly wrong.  In October, Bay said of the film, “It’s a very quick shoot and quite funny.”  Pain and Gain has been one of Bay’s passion projects for the past decade and carries a reported budget of only $20 million (the word “only” is used because of Bay; few other directors would get that adjective in front of their budget).

According to Variety, Dwayne Johnson and Mark Wahlberg are circling the lead roles, although their participation will depend on scheduling.  Hit the jump for more. [We've updated the story after the jump]

Steven Spielberg Talks Michael Bay Returning for TRANSFORMERS 4; Plus an Update on INDIANA JONES 5

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 2nd, 2011 at 3:56 pm

Director Steven Spielberg has two very different movies coming out this holiday season. One is a fun, animated action-adventure (The Adventures of Tintin), while the other is a very serious drama about World War I (War Horse). In anticipation of the release of those films, The Beard recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly. His full interview will run in the latest issue, but the director made some comments regarding Michael Bay returning for a fourth Transformers pic and gave an update on Indiana Jones 5, both of which are now available. In addition, he addressed recent discouraging comments he made about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Hit the jump to see what he had to say. 

TOP 5: TRANSFORMERS 4 and 5, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, THE THREE MUSKETEERS Interviews, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, William Monahan on SIN CITY 2 and More

by Jason Barr    Posted: October 22nd, 2011 at 11:11 am

I’m writing to you this week in full “World Series Mode.” While there are plenty of things going on around the Midwest this time of year (homemade haunted houses are always a welcomed annual treat), a majority of my focus is on trying to will my beloved Cardinals to Fall Classic glory. Combine that with the fact that Batman: Arkham City is consistently calling my name and it’s a wonder that I’m even writing this right now. Hold on, what’s that, Arkham City? Okay, okay…I’ll be there in a second…

…In this week’s installment, you’ll find talk of Transformers 4 and Transformers 5 shooting back-to-back with Jason Statham potentially starring, a six-minute prologue for The Dark Knight Rises being attached to Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol‘s IMAX release, interviews with director Paul W.S. Anderson and the cast of The Three Musketeers, David Fincher and Rooney Mara talking about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and William Monahan discussing projects including London Boulevard, The Departed sequel, Sin City 2 and more. Hit the jump for a brief recap and link to each.

Michael Bay Denies Involvement with TRANSFORMERS 4 and 5; Hopes to Shoot PAIN AND GAIN Next

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 19th, 2011 at 10:12 am

Just a couple days ago, it was reported that Paramount was in discussions with producer Steven Spielberg and director Michael Bay to return for Transformers 4 and 5 which they are considering shooting back-to-back. The news was a little strange, as Bay had previously declared that Transformers: Dark of the Moon would be his last outing with the robot franchise (Shia LaBeouf said he was done as well). Now Bay is setting the record straight, as he confirms on the Shoot for the Edit message boards (via Tformers) that he’s not involved with the next two Transformers films at all:

“I am currently not talking to Paramount on T4 and T5 despite reports. I’m looking at a lot of possibilities coming my way right now weighing options. Most likely going to be doing the low budget Pain and Gain, a true story crime thriller. It’s a very quick shoot and quite funny. Also just finishing the 3 disc set of the Transformer trilogy.”

Pain and Gain is, of course, the low budget passion project that Bay has been itching to take on for quite some time now. So folks can rest easy that another director will be given the keys to the billion-dollar toy franchise, and we’ll be seeing a new iteration of Transformers within the next few years (possibly starring Jason Statham?).

TRANSFORMERS 4 and 5 to Shoot Back-to-Back; Jason Statham May Star

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: October 17th, 2011 at 6:24 pm

In a down economy, everyone is looking for unique ways to save a few million dollars. When you have a billion dollar franchise like Hasbro’s Transformers, every million counts. Noting the rising costs of special effects, advanced planning for marketing tie-ins and laborious contract negations, Paramount is considering shooting the fourth and fifth installments back-to-back. Hasbro CEO announced at the company’s third quarter earnings conference that they were actively discussing this strategy with Paramount, director Michael Bay and producer Steven Spielberg. With Shia LaBeouf not returning, this frees up some room for a new face of the franchise…perhaps, Jason Statham?

Hit the jump for more on Transformers 4 and 5.

Christopher Nolan, Alfonso Cuaron, Michael Bay, and Rupert Wyatt on Warner Bros. Shortlist for New TWILIGHT ZONE Film

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: September 30th, 2011 at 2:35 pm

Warner Bros. is looking to the big leagues to helm their untitled Twilight Zone film. Variety reports that there is “mutual interest” between the studio and three filmmakers to take the reins: Christopher Nolan, Alfonso Cuaron, and Michael Bay. Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt is also in the mix, but the report states that Nolan, Cuaron, and Bay are the top picks. Unlike the studio’s 1983 Twilight Zone, this new pic will have only one director, and WB is definitely looking to the A-list. Apparently Nolan is the front-runner to get the offer (which isn’t surprising given his very close relationship with the studio, and the fact that Leonardo DiCaprio is producing the Twilight Zone pic), but Variety’s sources are unsure as to whether he’ll actually sign on as the project is apparently similar to Inception. Apparently Harry Potter David Yates was on the shortlist at one point as well, though his prospects have waned as of late.  Continued after the jump.

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON Blu-ray Review

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: September 26th, 2011 at 6:50 pm

While watching Michael Bay’s Transformers: Dark of the Moon, it’s impossible to deny two things: Bay is a master of spectacle, and Bay needs to work with people who keep him from his own worst habits. But when you’ve turned the Transformers toy line into a franchise, and made two films that have been hugely successful (and with the third film making over a billion dollars worldwide), it’s hard to argue against that success. But still. Shia Labeouf and Rosie Huntingly-Whiteley star as the romantic leads who try to anchor metal punching metal in Transformers: Dark of the Moon and our review of the Blu-ray of follows after the jump.

Universal Passes on the OUIJA Movie

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: August 23rd, 2011 at 10:01 pm

Universal disappointed the movie blog community twice this year when it had to pass on Guillermo del Toro’s At the Mountains of Madness and the ambitious adaptation of The Dark Tower.  But there’s another side to that coin—caution also led the studio to pass on oft ridiculed board game adaptations like Clue, Monopoly, and Magic: The Gathering.  According to Vulture, you can add Ouija to that list now that Universal has paid a $5 million penalty to Hasbro to back out of the development deal.  Producer Michael Bay and director McG (Terminator Salvation) will shop the project—envisioned as a big-budget family fantasy—to other studios next week .  Paramount might seem like the natural candidate, given their previous success with Bay and Hasbro on the Transformers series.  However, Vulture hears the studio passed on the proposal.  Maybe this thing really is dead.  Who, other than McG, would mourn the passing of the Ouija movie directed by McG?

Universal hasn’t abandoned all Hasbro properties just yet.  Battleship is scheduled for release in summer 2012, the first true test of the viability of these movies amid the modern rush to adapt board games.  And as far as we know, Universal is still working on Stretch Armstrong with Taylor Lautner and a Candy Land movie, though neither project seems as safe as it did yesterday.

6 Directors Who Could Take Over the TRANSFORMERS Franchise

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 4th, 2011 at 10:59 am

Now that Michael Bay has wrapped his trilogy of Transformers films, it looks like he’s ready to move on to other exploding pastures. Since Paramount and Hasbro want to keep the fire burning on one of their biggest moneymakers, two major decisions lay ahead: when to release the next movie and who should direct it. Bay has been able to crank out Transformers film every two years since 2007, but his infrastructure, crew, and designs have remained in place as opposed to a new director who will, to some extent, have to start from scratch so as not to simply imitate Bay. Transformers 4 could come as early as summer 2013, but I would bet a summer 2014 date is more likely.

But who will direct it? Who can fill Bay’s expensive, nonsensical shoes? It needs to be someone who can manage a big budget and even bigger special effects. It’s not enough to make stuff blow up. You need to understand how to do it properly. After the jump you can check out my suggestions for six directors who could handle Optimus Prime and Friends.

Watch This: Every Michael Bay Movie in under a Minute

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 30th, 2011 at 12:24 pm

Transformers: Dark of the Moon is 154 minutes long but did you know you could condense every Michael Bay movie in under a minute?  It’s true and the folks at CollegeHumor have done exactly that!  While I think some Bay movies are better than others, he certainly has a formula that earns both massive box office and massive scorn from critics.

Hit the jump to check out the video.

THE ISLAND Blu-ray Review

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: June 29th, 2011 at 2:10 pm

It’s interesting to see how the animus for Michael Bay has dried up. He went from being referred to as the devil to being the “blow stuff up guy” – perhaps the parodies of him led to him accept his role in American cinema. Arguably his sensibilities have matured (the man now makes movies based on a toy line); he’s settled into what he does best. And when his career runs its course, there will be the films we look at and see where he went off course. The two of his films that received the most mixed reaction are Pearl Harbor and The Island. The former was his attempt to combine Steven Spielberg and James Cameron to make an Oscar winning important film. He failed miserably. The Island stars Ewan McGregor and Scarlet Johansson as people in a secret post-apocalyptic world where lucky contestants get to go to the island, supposedly a paradise. But there’s a secret to it… Our review of The Island on Blu-ray follows after the jump.

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 28th, 2011 at 10:04 am

A Michael Bay movie cannot be measured by the same standards as a normal movie.  A Bay movie cares not for compelling characters, narrative cohesion, or realistic emotions.  Instead, a Michael Bay movie must be judged on its “Bay-ness”.  How gigantic are the special effects?  What levels of homophobia, sexism, and racism can the humor reach without being outright offensive?  How long can the camera linger over the curves of the sexually-charged lead female character without starting to feel like really expensive porn?  Transformers: Dark of the Moon is about as Michael Bay as Michael Bay can get within the confines of a PG-13 movie (his gold standard in the R-rated realm is Bad Boys II).  The movie is far more successful in its action sequences and its humor (homophobic, sexist, and racist as it may be) than 2009′s abysmal Return of the Fallen), but lacks the charm of the first film in the franchise.  But since “charm” can’t be digitized and bought for millions of dollars, Bay is all about the set pieces and judging by that metric, the final hour of Dark of the Moon is his masterpiece.

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