TRANSFORMERS 4 Running Time Will Be Shorter Than DARK OF THE MOON's, Says Michael Bay

TRANSFORMERS 4 Running Time Will Be Shorter Than DARK OF THE MOON's, Says Michael Bay

Director Michael Bay talks about the running time for his next Transformers film, confirming that it'll be much shorter than the third installment. He also reveals why he made the first three movies so long, as well as why he's returning for the fourquel.

By PaulRom - Apr 21, 2013 11:04 AM EST
Filed Under: Transformers
Source: Fr.canoe.ca



One of the biggest complaints about the first three Transformers movies - specifically 2011's Dark Of The Moon - was that the running times were far too long. The 3D threequel had a length of two hours and 35 minutes, which is really long for a summer blockbuster. However, Michael Bay promises to fix that in his fourth installment in the multi-billion dollar franchise. "I designed two hours 7 minutes, which I think is a good formula, which gives enough room to maneuver," he says. He also reveals just why he made the other films' running times very long. "Because in Transformers, you tell three stories in one, that of humans, the aliens and the robots. Also, the films were released in the summer and for this reason have become events. You want to make sure to give the public value for money."

Bay then talks about returning to the director's chair for another film, despite saying that Dark Of The Moon was his last Transformers. "I've thought about it. But Steven Spielberg was not going to make James Cameron either. The franchise was assigned to a new industry. This person would have to redraw the entire franchise, which is not an easy task. Creating robots alone takes several months to complete. Also, I knew an inexperienced director does not succeed in convincing a superstar to accept a role. That's why I initially convinced Mark (Wahlberg) to play in the film, issue a good start." Bay previously stated that Transformers 4 will be his last in the franchise, and that it sets things up for another director to take over (it has also been stated that the fourquel will kick off a new trilogy).

Transformers 4 stars Mark Wahlberg, Jack Reynor, Nicola Peltz and Stanley Tucci. With production beginning in five weeks in Hong Kong, the film is set to hit theaters June 27th, 2014.









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RichardHedski
RichardHedski - 4/21/2013, 11:36 AM
2 Hours and 7 minutes of awesomeness. Plus, the start of a new trilogy. Best news I've heard all day.
PaulRom
PaulRom - 4/21/2013, 11:41 AM
Transformers 1 - 144 minutes
Transformers 2 - 149 minutes
Transformers 3 - 154 minutes
kownthomer
kownthomer - 4/21/2013, 11:46 AM
@Noomis. No, it's an actual sequel. It takes place a few years after Dark of the Moon.
mattboesch8907
mattboesch8907 - 4/21/2013, 11:50 AM
i wonder if Josh Duhamel will reprise his role as Colonel Tom Lennox.
Shadowmaster35
Shadowmaster35 - 4/21/2013, 11:53 AM
just needs to take the 'human aspect' outta the movies all together and make a 'wars of cybertron' series.
CaptainObvious
CaptainObvious - 4/21/2013, 11:55 AM
"Because in Transformers, you tell three stories in one, that of humans, the aliens and the robots. Also, the films were released in the summer and for this reason have become events. You want to make sure to give the public value for money."

If you cut out all the pointless filler from Transformers 2, the movie is less than two hours. Hate to break it to you Bay, but there is a difference between developing a story and padding.
LFANCH
LFANCH - 4/21/2013, 11:56 AM
3 stories? the robots and the aliens are the same thing!
marvel72
marvel72 - 4/21/2013, 12:09 PM
don't mind long running times in the comfort of my own home,in theatres its arse numbing.
113
113 - 4/21/2013, 12:17 PM
The only blockbuster that should be 3hrs long (or close to that) is Justice League!
FilmsFan
FilmsFan - 4/21/2013, 12:32 PM
How on earth can a director tell the running time even before the shooting has begun???

He doesn't know that either... By the time it turned out to be 2: 40 mins... He'll do same shit he says all the fvcking time... Oh the STORY demanded it.... Like 3 STORIES in Transformers... Aleins & Robots are same FVCKING shit u FVCKING IDIOT!!

I'll still watch it... Give his doesn't STOP spitting shit so so early.
batfan175
batfan175 - 4/21/2013, 12:41 PM
I don't care, Michael. As long as you're directing it it'll still feel twice as long.
thewonderer
thewonderer - 4/21/2013, 12:43 PM
I love how Bay actually thinks he's beloved for these films. Infusing them with sex, shit humor (LITERALLY), and human relationships. These all take precedent over the actual transformers in the films. We [frick]ing hate you Bay. Play High Moon Studio's Cybertron games, watch Transformers Prime and the old cartoons, AND then say this with a straight face.



marvel72
marvel72 - 4/21/2013, 12:47 PM
what i loved about transformers 2 was when sam dies he has vision or goes to autobot heaven.
QuestionDAnswer
QuestionDAnswer - 4/21/2013, 1:09 PM
Yeah more Transformer films (sarcasm). 2 hours of boring action I swear Michael Bay is the only guy that makes cool robot fights look lame boring, and unbearable to watch.
ChanchoMcGrady
ChanchoMcGrady - 4/21/2013, 1:14 PM
@FilmsFan

It's actually quite easy to get an estimate of how long a film's running time will be before filming even starts. You look at the script. In the script writing world, on average, 1 page of script equals about 1 minute of screen time. That is how filmmakers gauge how long of a movie they're making. If someone gives them a script that's too long or too short for the genre (horror films and comedies are generally shorter while dramas and action films are generally longer), they may not even read it.

For example, the script for "The Dark Knight Rises" is 164 pages. The film is 165 minutes (and that includes the credits). So the 1 minute per page gives very accurate estimates.

I'm assuming that the script for TF4 is somewhere between 125 and 130 pages, and that is how Mr. Bay can say something like that.

In regards to the length of the other films, I'm sure the initial story was shorter, but either he or the studio decided to extend it through fight scenes or filler dialogue.

I think people are too hard on the Transformers movies. It's based on a cartoon designed to sell toys. I can thoroughly enjoy it for what it is: a blockbuster action film with lots of explosions and cool fighting robots. I'm sorry if all of you were expecting an Oscar-Winning performance from Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime) or Shia LaBeouf.
ChanchoMcGrady
ChanchoMcGrady - 4/21/2013, 1:18 PM
Now don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a film more like Fall of Cybertron (the video game), but I still enjoy the mindless action films we've received. You guys are too picky. Not everything is an Avengers or a Dark Knight Rises (and I'm sorry if for some reason you don't like those movies, just fill in the blank with another CBM that you think was perfect; don't start a flame war).
KingEmperor
KingEmperor - 4/21/2013, 1:22 PM
This might also mean that robot-on-robot action time may be cut down. Because it seems like this movie is gonna focus a lot on the humans' point of views again.
polarkyle
polarkyle - 4/21/2013, 1:50 PM
I was kind off hoping this movie would be a prequel and show the war on cybertron
kemuael
kemuael - 4/21/2013, 2:05 PM
I cant wait for this movie!!!!
SpiderBat209
SpiderBat209 - 4/21/2013, 2:12 PM
Hell Naw, make this movie ROOTS long, Foo!

UNICRON!!!!! :D
datNAMEtho
datNAMEtho - 4/21/2013, 2:27 PM
At least that's better. Those films were to damn long.
valeriesghost
valeriesghost - 4/21/2013, 2:47 PM
If he cuts out his uber-dramatic 360 shots alone it will save 20 minutes.
Asterisk
Asterisk - 4/21/2013, 2:58 PM
[frick] these [frick]ing movies.
hartley07
hartley07 - 4/21/2013, 3:02 PM
glad its shorter, i was pissed when i found out thor was an hour 45 min and stupid transformers was like 2 and a half.
UrbanKnight
UrbanKnight - 4/21/2013, 3:17 PM
The closest to being a good movie was the first one.
The rest good for watching once maybe. Just BAAAD!
jerryblake
jerryblake - 4/21/2013, 3:48 PM
not short enough :)
MightyZeus
MightyZeus - 4/21/2013, 3:52 PM
i forgot marky mark was in this film.
jessepostal
jessepostal - 4/21/2013, 3:56 PM
I guess im a tweeny too!!! They are dumb fun action movies, that's all. Why do most people on here not appreciate that? Id hate to see what some of you do for fun.
jerryblake
jerryblake - 4/21/2013, 4:01 PM
@jessepostal

coming to this site. That's the one thing ... :)
TerminalVoyd
TerminalVoyd - 4/21/2013, 4:18 PM
@CaptainObvious - 4/21/2013, 11:55 AM

"If you cut out all the pointless filler from Transformers 2, the movie is less than two hours. Hate to break it to you Bay, but there is a difference between developing a story and padding."

What's scary is Revenge of the Fallen's padding was them improvising a lot of the time. RoTF's production came right out of the WGA strike (which meant no writing done between November of '07 and February '08) so the movie went into production with a script that was in no way really ready to shoot. They also rushed as they were facing strikes by both the Director's Guild and Screen Actor's Guild.

So yeah, imagine a Michael Bay movie, which doesn't have the most complex of scripts to begin with, going into production three months after the WGA strike. Let this be a lesson. You go into a movie like that barely dressed and your robot's giant balls will hang out for all the world to see. Quality entertainment at it's best, right?

UrbanKnight
UrbanKnight - 4/21/2013, 4:33 PM
@jesse
"I guess im a tweeny too!!! They are dumb fun action movies, that's all. Why do most people on here not appreciate that? Id hate to see what some of you do for fun."

Have sex. Id rather have sex than watch Reevenge of the Fallen.
jessepostal
jessepostal - 4/21/2013, 4:47 PM
@urban, ha I ment my comment as a lot of these people must have pretty boring lives always taking everything so seriously. And I don't think many of them know what sex is, especially I'madick, that kids got some issues.
jessepostal
jessepostal - 4/21/2013, 4:48 PM
Teabag tagged me in once, I fell in :) after that I relised why he told me to bring duct tape and a 2x4 :)
UrbanKnight
UrbanKnight - 4/21/2013, 4:54 PM
@tea lol. I now understand why you MUST watch them.

@jesse lol. Well that explains it as well.
Btw tea is a professional.
CaptainHulk3
CaptainHulk3 - 4/21/2013, 5:09 PM
After Dark of the Moon I walked out of the theater & swore never to see another Bay Transformers movie again! Bay really sucks he screwed the pooch with all 3 movies! 1 had promise but we were robbed with 2/3! REBOOT REBOOT REBOOT with more Autobots! & for christ shake don't wait for the 3rd to bring in Soundwave! Can we start one of those fan petition things to get Bay off the movie & it done right!?!?!? NOT A JOKE!!!!!!!
darkrider1
darkrider1 - 4/21/2013, 5:57 PM
THESE MOVIE HATERS DEFINATELY DON'T KNOW WHAT SEX IS OR WHAT HAVING A LIFE IS, THEIR LIFE IS POPPING ZITS, EATING OUT OF THIER NOSE, BEATING OFF TO PLAYBOY MAGAZINES, AND TYPING IGNORANT SHIT IN THEIR BASEMENT ON THEIR COMPUTERS, ACTING LIKE ALL THIS FICTIONAL SHIT IS REAL AND SHOULD'NT BE MODERNIZED, I LOVE ALL THE TRANSFORMERS MOVIES, THE ONLY THING I DID'NT LIKE WAS JAZZ GETTING KILLED IN THE 1ST ONE, I CANT WAIT FOR THE 4TH ONE, BECAUSE ALL IT IS, IS GOOD WILD FUN.
TheAmazingSpiderMan47
TheAmazingSpiderMan47 - 4/21/2013, 7:38 PM
will it be 2 and a half hours shorter... cuz thats what i want mr. bay
HouseSnow
HouseSnow - 4/21/2013, 10:16 PM
look at all the [frick]s i give
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