AICN Interviews Peter Cullen

As part of the promotion for the upcoming September 2nd release of Transformers on Blu-Ray, AICN spoke with the voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen. The full interview is here and below is some choice bits. Thanks to Chris for the link.

Beaks: As a working voice actor, I can't imagine that you know, one show to the next, whether your work is going to make a deep imprint in the popular culture. Was there any inkling when you took on the role of Optimus Prime that this character was going to leave a deeper groove than the others?
Cullen: I think so. When I saw the character breakdown, I said, "This is indeed a real hero. This is not like any hero we've ever seen before." He penetrated different zones. There was a sense of him. He wasn't just muscle and strength. He went beyond that. There was dignity and courage, and a soft spoken honor and integrity about him. Very well written. So to apply those traits... they weren't necessarily implicated in the script; I just did an impression of my brother Larry, who served in the Marine Corps, and lowered the voice. I think we nailed it. The scripts were wonderfully written, and there was so much to absorb in a half-hour. Don't forget, Jeremy, that was how many years ago? 1984? '85? Gee whiz, I was just a child! (Laughs)

Beaks: And the Blu-ray is only going to stoke more anticipation for TRANSFORMERS 2, which is shooting right now. Have you had the opportunity to visit the set, see any footage or chat with Michael Bay?
Cullen: I've had one work day with Michael. We did the opening. But I didn't have the opportunity to see any real footage - until I was leaving. I hate to use the word over and over "knocked out", but I was stopped in my tracks. "Whoa! Can I see that again!?!?" It's going to be huge.

Beaks: Just when you thought they couldn't top the spectacle of the first movie?
Cullen: No question. He's excited, too. Bay is really excited. He's animated. He's such a creative guy and a perfectionist. He's got a high energy level that's really cool.

Beaks: He gets a bit like a little kid when he's working.
Cullen: You can see his brain working. What goes on in that head of his is indescribable. (Laughs) He's amazing.

Beaks: How much of a connection have you been able to form with the human actors? Now that the first film was a hit and you know you'll be making more, have you had the opportunity to interact with Shia or Megan?
Cullen: Nope. None of the above. I have not met anyone. I know Charlie Adler [the voice of Starscream], but aside from the voiceover people... I didn't even meet Hugo Weaving. I admired his work, but... I haven't had an opportunity to be with the real actors. During this year, I'm sure there will be a time where I'll be able to go to the studio and see some of that. I'm looking forward to that.

Beaks: But I watching TRANSFORMERS over the weekend on HBO, and I was noticing how you subtly changed your vocal performance from the cartoon. You gave Optimus a little more lightness. We get to see a funnier side.
Cullen: Right. I think you'll see more of that. His relationship with humans demands that he be more human. When he's one-on-one with Sam or the other characters, there's an opportunity for more humor and sensitivity, not just stone-cold metal. Coming into that human element... it's different; it's a little challenging because you have to be more conversational without stepping out of his character or losing any of his ingredients. We'll see more of that, I think. I don't want to speculate, but it seems to be going that way.

Queensway Exploding Tanker Prop

DJ has provided the below pictures that show the tanker that was used in the explosion on the Queensway Bridge. Of note is the Chinese words on the car that verifies that Transformers remains in "Shanghai" for the explosion sequences that where shot at the location.

Thanks to DJ for the pictures.

HD Video of Queensway Explosion

There are multiple different shots and angles of the filming on Queensway Bridge that involves a big boom. Now from OneMoreNone via Movie Chronicles is a new angle in HD. This one shows the same explosion from the other side of the bridge and in pretty good close-up. Note that there is use of cusswords in the video so not entirely safe for work (or kids).

Autobots Roll Again and the Chevy Volt

As promised a few months ago, its now proven beyond any doubt that the Chevy Volt is in Transformers thanks to video from Modern Mythology (via Movie Chronicles). Previous pictures by Gettodeath of the blue and purple car looked close to the Volt but I wasn't sure. The close up video below now confirms it. I have to admit, the car in motion is pretty damn nice looking and Chevy should consider the coloring as standard for the line. The Volt may or may not be a Tranformer alt mode I find it hard to believe that Chevy has started a marketing campaign for a car not coming out until 2010 that there is not more to its role in the movie. Note the movie does autoplay, despite best efforts have not been able to disable that.

More Queensway Explosions on Video

To go along with Gettodeath's video at the Queensway Bridge are the three videos shot by FMD805. The first video is the Autobots on Shoreline Avenue as they film them driving down the road. The second video is a chase sequence involving Optimus Prime and the "Chinese" police. It shows three takes of pyrotechnics going off for unknown reason near the police as a camera car rigs goes through the middle of the explosion in the opposite direction. The third movie shows a larger explosion that has cars and debris flying into the air. Always fun to see things go BOOM!



Thanks to FMD805 for use of his videos.

Queensway Bridge Explosion Video, Pictures

Gettodeath, of the Autobots video, has struck again, this time with video and pictures of filming on the Queensway Bridge in Long Beach, CA yesterday.

The video shows filming in a highway portion as cars suddenly peal out of the way to probably avoid a CGI Transformer. After that it shows a massive looking explosion with debris flying everywhere. Pretty cool looking.

In addition he provided more pictures of vehicles including a blue Chevy Volt. In the third vehicle you can see what might be the same car (or just another prop car) as it crosses an intersection. The last picture is more of the aftermath of the explosion from the video.


Thanks to Gettodeath for the video and images.

Update: Removed reference to Volt being a prop car (as probably isn't) and also added below pictures which have been enhanced by Keith (thanks!) to better show off the vehicles details.

Autobots Waiting Pictures

Slash Film has posted the below pics that show the Autobot fleet as they wait for a call to arms. The pictures where shot by Ricky C who reports "Hey guys! I got some really great pictures from the Transformers 2 set in Long Beach. I tried to get more pictures of that grey car but it sped away before i could snap some good pictures. I was literally ten feet away from all of these. It was intense! Later on guys!" To see them in motion, just check out the video from Gettodeath here. Thanks to Melvin and Chris for the link.