Last week, I posted the screenplay for my take on the Transformers, which you can read here. From my understanding people liked it, sure, I could change some things, but it was a really rough draft. In the article, I promised that a cast for the film would be revealed in the coming days, and I am sorry for my laziness, but alas, here we are with the cast for Robots In Disguise, enjoy!
Because alot of people do not have the time to read an 100-page screenplay, I'll lay down a rough synopsis of the film, it does not reveal anything too big, as you have the screenplay in the link above, so anyway, here we go:
In this instalment of the epic Transformers franchise, we follow Spike Witwicky, a soldier who is brought into the Autobot/Decepticon war when he discovers the location of a lost Autobot artefact, which could end the on-going war, following an attack by a Decepticon foe. Uniting with Autobot rookie, Rodimus, Spike must help the Autobots over come adversity, if they are to save Earth, and their own kind.
Producers: Evan Goldberg, Shawn Levy and Roland Emmerich
As I stated in my previous article, I want the film to feel like Independence Day, and in saying that, I thought it would be fantastic to have the director of that film, Roland Emmerich, to produce the film. Along with Emmerich, I would love to have Seth Rogen's partner in crime, Evan Goldberg produce the film, also. Finally, I would have Shawn Levy, known for the Night At The Mueseum, franchise be the final producer on the project.
Director: Ben Stiller
Now, I totally understand what you are thinking, but hear me out. Ben Stiller directed one of the best-looking films in recent memory, with last year’s The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty; the film itself was great aswell. Stiller’s also directed such hits as Tropic Thunder and Zoolander. While Thunder may be seen as a comedy film, as oppose to an action film, the set pieces were still remarkable. The action sequences in both, The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty and Tropic Thunder were both awesome, and quite large considering the budget of both films. Stiller could also bring a sense of fun to the films, something Michael Bay has been missing.
Composer: Theodore Shapiro
Having worked with Ben Stiller before, on Tropic Thunder and The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty and I feel like Shapiro could blend the style of the old Transformers films with a mix of a new theme while keeping that core sound. I would also love a more epic sounding version of the 1980s cartoon theme, a score version as oppose to a sung version.
CAST:
Michael B. Jordan as Spike Witwicky
Believe it or not, this role was the hardest to cast. I originally had Adam Driver in the role, but then decided to put Kit Harington in there, but now; I have finally found the perfect Spike Witwicky in That Awkward Moment’s Michael B. Jordan! I love this guy; everything I have seen him in is just top-notch. The dude knows how to convey so much in so little. I hope The Fantastic Four is the beginning of a long, and famous career for Jordan, as I feel he deserves every bit of success that, hopefully, comes his way.
Brie Larson as Ruby Dawson
A completely original character, Ruby is the daughter of Commander Dawson, who we will meet in a second. Ruby is a strong individual, despite her Father believing she’s not ready to fight. I cast Larson based on her fantastic, and incredibly underrated performance in 2013’s Short Term 12, a film I truly suggest you check out.
Kevin Spacey as Commander Dawson
Oh God, I love Kevin Spacey. I really do, this guy is a walking piece of art. After watching House Of Cards earlier this year, I finally saw how great he is. Commander Dawson is this slimy person, he’s the sort of Father you never wish your girlfriend has. He’s cunning, power-hungry, and vengeful and is incredibly selfish. Dawson is against the Autobots, in ways we have yet to see on the big screen. He does not mess around, he is as much a bad guy as Megatron is, in fact, and I’d probably say he’s worse.
David Oyelowo as The President
Only a small role, but The President in this film is similar to John Turturro’s character in the first Transformers film. While not as silly, and boxer wearing. He is taken away by the whole experience that there are such things as Transformers, and believes the Autobots are doing the right thing, as oppose to Commander Dawson. I think David could definitely nail this, as it would be a new way for him to explore his acting range, as the role is not as serious as his role in this year’s Selma, but is still a huge role.
AUTOBOTS:
Dave Franco as Rodimus
This was a tough role to cast. Earlier this year, I saw a film called Bad Neighbours (Neighbors in the U.S.) and I joined the Zac Efron bandwagon, I found the guy amazing. And up until yesterday, I was going to have him voice Rodimus, but then I thought he would be better for another project I’m working on, starts with “S” and ends with “N.” So, I decided to cast Dave. I love Franco, after seeing him in 21 Jump Street, I knew he was going to be huge. The character of Rodimus in this film is akin to a child. I found the film to be more of a coming-of-age story for Rodimus than it was Spike. Rodimus is looked at as the amateur of the group of Autobots, and Optimus finds him too young to lead the group. So throughout the film we see Rodimus try to prove to Optimus that he can do it, but sometimes it backfires, not only for him, but for all the ‘Bots.
Liam Neeson as Optimus Prime
Before we start, I just want to say this: You will never replace Peter Cullen. What he did with this role was legendary. But for a new film, a new take, we need a new leader, a new voice. And so I decided to go with Liam. Neeson has one of the best voices in film, I watched The Lego Movie and he played two roles, and he was hilarious in both. While Prime isn’t exactly a “hilarious” character, Neeson also played Aslan in Narnia, a role very similar to Optimus. The role is also that of a Father figure to Rodimus, something I could see Neeson nailing.
Alison Brie as Arcee
Alison Brie is awesome. In Community she’s awesome, in The Lego Movie she’s awesome and in real life? You bet she’s awesome! The role of Arcee is really cool; she’s a strong individual, who despite being surrounded by male-robots does not ever fall into that “trying to prove something” type that we see all the time. Franco and herself dated in real life, something that would help their two characters’ chemistry in the film.
Seth Rogen as Kup
Controversial, I know but I believe Seth is perfect for this iteration of the character. Kup, in prior instalments, was portrayed as an older and grumpier person, while this version treats him as one of two fun-loving robots. Seth has performed voice work before, as he starred in Monsters Vs. Aliens and How To Train Your Dragon as well as the upcoming film Sausage Fest.
BJ Novak as Wheeljack
Known for The Office and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, BJ Novak is one of the funniest individuals in this cast. I have been a huge fan of Novak for a while, and was hoping I could use him in one of my films. Wheeljack and Kup, in this series, are best friends. We see the come together over weapons and destruction, as well as their references to past Cybertronian wars.
DECEPTICONS:
Bryan Cranston as Megatron
Unoriginal, I know. But my word, this guy would do an amazing job. In this version of the mythology, Megatron and Optimus were brothers, and when Optimus was chosen to become the next Prime, instead of Megatron, he turned to a life of evil, becoming Unicron’s disciple. Unlike previous films, Megatron is portrayed as a human villain, similar to Magneto from the X-Men franchise. Rather than wanted mass-destruction, he wants a united race. He wants his brother to come home, but Optimus knows he cannot join him. Cranston could portray this broken individual, like he did on Breaking Bad.
Scoot McNairy as Starscream
Arguably one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood today, Scoot McNairy has been making a name for himself appearing in a ton of small roles in a ton of big films. McNairy has nabbed himself a role in 2016’s Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, with many believing he will play an older Jimmy Olsen. I love this guy’s voice, I don’t know why, but it works for me. There’s a sense of evil, confusion and cowardliness. Starscream, in this film, is like he is in all media, sensitive, slimy and selfish. I think McNairy would work wonders with this role.
Tim Blake Nelson as Soundwave
The final role I will cast, Tim Blake Nelson, like Scoot, is an incredibly underrated actor. Making cameo appearances in The Incredible Hulk is really not good enough for a guy of this calibre. I firmly believe he would make for a wicked Soundwave, and could bring darker side to the character than what we have seen in the TV show and 2011's Dark Of The Moon.
So... That draws a close to this chapter, I had a ton of fun writing and developing this cast and crew, and I hope you guys have a ton of time going back and re-reading the script (if you want to). As I am on holidays at the moment, I have a ton of time to write and such, so do not be surprised to see a couple more screenplays and casts pop onto CBM in the future! If you liked what you saw here, hit that big red thumb!