Well, first off, this was specifically stated on the Special Features disk for the 2007 movie. And he did indeed use a sample of Welker's G1 Megatron voice as a sample to test on the new Megatron design. He felt that that voice didn't fit, and didn't want to risk seriously insulting Welker by trying to make him change it.

Well, first off, this was specifically stated on the Special Features disk for the 2007 movie. And he did indeed use a sample of Welker's G1 Megatron voice as a sample to test on the new Megatron design. He felt that that voice didn't fit, and didn't want to risk seriously insulting Welker by trying to make him change it.

I know that Bay said what he said, I've not indicated otherwise. I'm simply suggesting that there is strong argument to be made that Bay's explanation of matters - that he would feel uncomfortable directing Frank Welker to create a different voice - seems highly at odds with his directorial style, past history, and Welker's performance as Soundwave in Revenge of the Fallen.

 

Furthermore, I would posit that the footage Bay released featuring an image of movie Megatron combined with a sample of Welker's G1 Megatron voice was nothing more than a cynical PR maneuver intended to mollify fan complaints. Consider this: Michael Bay prides himself on his ability to 'shoot for the edit' - to conceive the film end product in his mind's eye, and minimize shooting needs accordingly. Am I supposed to believe that despite this ability, he was completely incapable of imagining what a Frank Welker-voiced movie Megatron might sound like, and had that animation created as a result?

Well, first off, this was specifically stated on the Special Features disk for the 2007 movie. And he did indeed use a sample of Welker's G1 Megatron voice as a sample to test on the new Megatron design. He felt that that voice didn't fit, and didn't want to risk seriously insulting Welker by trying to make him change it.

I know that Bay said what he said, I've not indicated otherwise. I'm simply suggesting that there is strong argument to be made that Bay's explanation of matters - that he would feel uncomfortable directing Frank Welker to create a different voice - seems highly at odds with his directorial style, past history, and Welker's performance as Soundwave in Revenge of the Fallen.

 

Furthermore, I would posit that the footage Bay released featuring an image of movie Megatron combined with a sample of Welker's G1 Megatron voice was nothing more than a cynical PR maneuver intended to mollify fan complaints. Consider this: Michael Bay prides himself on his ability to 'shoot for the edit' - to conceive the film end product in his mind's eye, and minimize shooting needs accordingly. Am I supposed to believe that despite this ability, he was completely incapable of imagining what a Frank Welker-voiced movie Megatron might sound like, and had that animation created as a result?

I have no problem believing that Bay felt uncomfortable asking Welker to change his "Megatron" voice. Welker is a big name in the business, having worked in the film industry far longer than Bay, so yes, I could see Bay being somewhat intimidated. I also do see Bay wanting to do a test of the original Megatron voice to be sure whether it would work or not. Any smart director would. The animation he used for the test was actual footage from the movie, just having one version using the G1 movie lines.

I have no problem believing that Bay felt uncomfortable asking Welker to change his "Megatron" voice. Welker is a big name in the business, having worked in the film industry far longer than Bay, so yes, I could see Bay being somewhat intimidated. I also do see Bay wanting to do a test of the original Megatron voice to be sure whether it would work or not. Any smart director would. The animation he used for the test was actual footage from the movie, just having one version using the G1 movie lines.

Good for you - I, alas, am a little more questioning.

 

Now, we cannot know for certain what series of events promulgated the selection of Weaving over Welker. However, that doesn't mean that we cannot assert the likelihood of one scenario over another. Michael Bay has repeatedly demonstrated both the intent and ability to misrepresent, to misinform, and to spin. Why should we be so keen to take his comments at face value? Welker is a big name in voice-acting, certainly - but in other Hollywood circles? Why should we be so quick to assume that Michael Bay would have knowledge of Frank Welker's reputation and work history?

 

And regarding the test shot: as I understand it, Bay had this created well into post-production (as it features footage from the movie) yet ostensibly before any discussion with Frank Welker about the role. With this couple of seconds of footage, Bay - again, self-professed user of the 'shoot for the edit' approach - was able to finally visualize and rule out Welker as the voice of Megatron. Then, when the fans cause something of a ruckus over the selection of Hugo Weaving (who, if memory serves right, was initially brought in as a kind of demonstrative 'stand-in' for Megatron's voice - despite being in Australia at the time), Bay releases the test shot to support his decision.

 

Awfully convenient, no?

 

Edit: "Certainty" should have read "Certainly".

I have no problem believing that Bay felt uncomfortable asking Welker to change his "Megatron" voice. Welker is a big name in the business, having worked in the film industry far longer than Bay, so yes, I could see Bay being somewhat intimidated. I also do see Bay wanting to do a test of the original Megatron voice to be sure whether it would work or not. Any smart director would. The animation he used for the test was actual footage from the movie, just having one version using the G1 movie lines.

Good for you - I, alas, am a little more questioning.

 

Now, we cannot know for certain what series of events promulgated the selection of Weaving over Welker. However, that doesn't mean that we cannot assert the likelihood of one scenario over another. Michael Bay has repeatedly demonstrated both the intent and ability to misrepresent, to misinform, and to spin. Why should we be so keen to take his comments at face value? Welker is a big name in voice-acting, certainty - but in other Hollywood circles? Why should we be so quick to assume that Michael Bay would have knowledge of Frank Welker's reputation and work history?

 

And regarding the test shot: as I understand it, Bay had this created well into post-production (as it features footage from the movie) yet ostensibly before any discussion with Frank Welker about the role. With this couple of seconds of footage, Bay - again, self-professed user of the 'shoot for the edit' approach - was able to finally visualize and rule out Welker as the voice of Megatron. Then, when the fans cause something of a ruckus over the selection of Hugo Weaving (who, if memory serves right, was initially brought in as a kind of demonstrative 'stand-in' for Megatron's voice - despite being in Australia at the time), Bay releases the test shot to support his decision.

 

Awfully convenient, no?

Bay didn't start casting most of the voice actors until after most of the production was done. doing the voice-over work was one of the last things they did. He also certainly know about Welker because the fans had been clamoring for both Peter Cullen and Frank Welker to reprise their respective roles since before production had even begun. Bay certainly knew about Welker.

.... Wow. Intense discussion! But hows this for a compromise?

 

A "Special edition" version of the DVD that contains an optional alternate dialogue track featuring Frank Welker in a newly created movie voice. Wouldn't that be cool?

 

Of course it's not going to happen due to the fact that it would take more than just alternate optional Megatron Dialogue to justify a special edition dvd for the original film (even though I'd probably buy it), given how little Megs appears in it, and on the subject of "Revenge" adding alternate Megatron Dialogue wouldn't be enough of a change to warrant me investing in the DVD in the first place. They'd have to re-shoot all Megs' scenes to make him less of a wimp to get me back on the band wagon! But then I'm just a bitter young fool... :shrug

.... Wow. Intense discussion! But hows this for a compromise?

 

A "Special edition" version of the DVD that contains an optional alternate dialogue track featuring Frank Welker in a newly created movie voice. Wouldn't that be cool?

 

Of course it's not going to happen due to the fact that it would take more than just alternate optional Megatron Dialogue to justify a special edition dvd for the original film (even though I'd probably buy it), given how little Megs appears in it, and on the subject of "Revenge" adding alternate Megatron Dialogue wouldn't be enough of a change to warrant me investing in the DVD in the first place. They'd have to re-shoot all Megs' scenes to make him less of a wimp to get me back on the band wagon! But then I'm just a bitter young fool... :shrug

That'd be a cool bonus track for a future box set (DVD or Blu-ray). :shrug

Bay didn't start casting most of the voice actors until after most of the production was done. doing the voice-over work was one of the last things they did. He also certainly know about Welker because the fans had been clamoring for both Peter Cullen and Frank Welker to reprise their respective roles since before production had even begun. Bay certainly knew about Welker.

The film is in post-production. Michael Bay has actual footage of Megatron animated, rendered, and composited into the footage in front of him. All that's missing is the sound.

 

Whilst Michael Bay is looking at this footage, a production assistant comes in. "Mr. Bay?" he asks, tentatively.

 

"What is it?" says Bay, half lost in thought.

 

"It's the fans, sir." states the intrepid assistant. "You wanted us to monitor them pretty closely and, well, they really want Frank Welker for the voice of Megatron."

 

"Frank Walker? Who's Frank Walker?"

 

"Welker, sir. Frank Welker. You'd probably know him as, uh, the voice of Curious George."

 

"Oh... right. You know, I'm not sure. It's a hard choice. What I need... is some kind of... comparison. A visual aid, if you will. I'm really having trouble imagining Megatron with the voice of Curious George."

 

"Uh, no, sir, he does other voices."

 

"Curious George does other voices? My, how times change."

 

"Uh, no..." starts the assistant. "Frank Welker does other voices. He originally voiced Megatron back in 1984. Hasbro actually sent us like, some DVDs and stuff. Do you want me to fish them out?"

 

"Nooo.." says the directorial maestro, plaintively. "Nooo... I need something more. Something to help me imagine how this might work."

 

"It's no problem, sir. I think one of the discs is on my desk right now. I could go get it, pop it in the player here, and just cue up some of his lines while we play the new footage."

 

"Nooo... nooo, I need something more. I still don't think that would be enough to... envision."

 

"You sir?" says the assistant, partly amused and partly in awe. "You, sir? Mr. 'Shoot-for-the-edit' himself? Having trouble imagining the scene?"

 

Bay smiles wistfully. "I know, I know. Even I'm human." He cracks a grin.

 

"Okay sir - what are you thinking we do here?"

 

Steely blue eyes stare between steepled fingertips. "This is what I want." says Bay. "Take one of those lines from the DVD, and match it with the footage here. Then... then get me a baseline. A more contemporary actor. Get me that Matrix guy. You know, the suit guy? Get me him. I don't care if he's on a whole other continent right now and I have to direct him via iChat, I want that guy, and I want him to repeat the same line. We'll match that to the footage too. Then... then I can make my decision."

 

The assistant scrambles for the phone, thankful one again to be able to work alongside such a prodigious and talented artist.

 

...

 

As much as I try, I just can't see the above actually happening in real life. If you really feel that the above is much closer to the actual reality of the situation than, say, Bay deciding or being ordered to use someone other than Welker... well, what can I say at this point? You are a better and less cynical person than I. :lol

 

.... Wow. Intense discussion! But hows this for a compromise?

 

A "Special edition" version of the DVD that contains an optional alternate dialogue track featuring Frank Welker in a newly created movie voice. Wouldn't that be cool?

 

Of course it's not going to happen due to the fact that it would take more than just alternate optional Megatron Dialogue to justify a special edition dvd for the original film (even though I'd probably buy it), given how little Megs appears in it, and on the subject of "Revenge" adding alternate Megatron Dialogue wouldn't be enough of a change to warrant me investing in the DVD in the first place. They'd have to re-shoot all Megs' scenes to make him less of a wimp to get me back on the band wagon! But then I'm just a bitter young fool... :shrug

That'd be a cool bonus track for a future box set (DVD or Blu-ray). :shrug

Just what I was thinking - if Paramount wanted to release a post-third film triple feature box set, putting an alternate Welker soundtrack on it would be the one thing that might convince fans to pony up even if they already owned the single releases. And Paramount does love money... :)

Bay didn't start casting most of the voice actors until after most of the production was done. doing the voice-over work was one of the last things they did. He also certainly know about Welker because the fans had been clamoring for both Peter Cullen and Frank Welker to reprise their respective roles since before production had even begun. Bay certainly knew about Welker.

The film is in post-production. Michael Bay has actual footage of Megatron animated, rendered, and composited into the footage in front of him. All that's missing is the sound.

 

Whilst Michael Bay is looking at this footage, a production assistant comes in. "Mr. Bay?" he asks, tentatively.

 

"What is it?" says Bay, half lost in thought.

 

"It's the fans, sir." states the intrepid assistant. "You wanted us to monitor them pretty closely and, well, they really want Frank Welker for the voice of Megatron."

 

"Frank Walker? Who's Frank Walker?"

 

"Welker, sir. Frank Welker. You'd probably know him as, uh, the voice of Curious George."

 

"Oh... right. You know, I'm not sure. It's a hard choice. What I need... is some kind of... comparison. A visual aid, if you will. I'm really having trouble imagining Megatron with the voice of Curious George."

 

"Uh, no, sir, he does other voices."

 

"Curious George does other voices? My, how times change."

 

"Uh, no..." starts the assistant. "Frank Welker does other voices. He originally voiced Megatron back in 1984. Hasbro actually sent us like, some DVDs and stuff. Do you want me to fish them out?"

 

"Nooo.." says the directorial maestro, plaintively. "Nooo... I need something more. Something to help me imagine how this might work."

 

"It's no problem, sir. I think one of the discs is on my desk right now. I could go get it, pop it in the player here, and just cue up some of his lines while we play the new footage."

 

"Nooo... nooo, I need something more. I still don't think that would be enough to... envision."

 

"You sir?" says the assistant, partly amused and partly in awe. "You, sir? Mr. 'Shoot-for-the-edit' himself? Having trouble imagining the scene?"

 

Bay smiles wistfully. "I know, I know. Even I'm human." He cracks a grin.

 

"Okay sir - what are you thinking we do here?"

 

Steely blue eyes stare between steepled fingertips. "This is what I want." says Bay. "Take one of those lines from the DVD, and match it with the footage here. Then... then get me a baseline. A more contemporary actor. Get me that Matrix guy. You know, the suit guy? Get me him. I don't care if he's on a whole other continent right now and I have to direct him via iChat, I want that guy, and I want him to repeat the same line. We'll match that to the footage too. Then... then I can make my decision."

 

The assistant scrambles for the phone, thankful one again to be able to work alongside such a prodigious and talented artist.

 

...

 

As much as I try, I just can't see the above actually happening in real life. If you really feel that the above is much closer to the actual reality of the situation than, say, Bay deciding or being ordered to use someone other than Welker... well, what can I say at this point? You are a better and less cynical person than I. :lol

Hilarious dialogue! But naaa...I think it was much simpler than that. Bay listened to the Welker audition tape & decided he wanted something different, not even thinking about asking Mr. Megatron himself if he might want to mess around with the voice...and instead just decided to go with Hugo.

 

Once again, no love for the Decepticons... :lol