Interview - Don Murphy Talks Transformers

Producer Don Murphy is known to many as the man behind such films as Natural Born Killers, Double Dragon, Permanent Midnight, From Hell, and the The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. More recently, Murphy's has positioned himself to deliver the next Transformers movie.

Wasting no time, Don's been working the buttons with heavy hitters like executive producer Steven Spielberg, screenwriter John Rogers, and back-story wizard Simon Furman to name a few. In an exclusive interview, TFormers.com asked Don what's cooking' behind the scenes. Read on for several news bits and revelations about the much anticipated film that is scheduled for release in 2006.

TFormers: Will the movie include/feature any major celebrities?

Don: Don’t know - Tom Desanto thinks it should. Too early to tell.

TFormers: What known actors/actresses would you like to see in the movie?

Don: I just want good ones whether known or not.

TFormers: The Transformers: Alternators line has many auto licenses secured for the TF brand. Are these same licenses being explored for the movie, and if so, could we expect to see some of the Alternator designs in the movie. As you have previously stated auto licenses are being explored for alt. modes?

Don: YES. YES. YES.

TFormers: What role does Takara have, if any, in the development of the movie?

Don: None. They don’t own the thing anymore - Hasbro controls everything I believe.

TFormers: Will there be any elements that appeal specifically to young children (10 and under)?

Don: No. I always believe you get the 14-16 Star Wars audience (the good films) and you get everybody.

TFormers: Is there one character in particular you are looking forward to exploring on the big screen?

Don: Optimus Prime of course.

TFormers: What character do you think would hold the greatest on-screen presence?

Don: Bumblebee.

TFormers: Most adult fans are driven by their desire to collect the toys. Have you had any experience with them? If so, what's your two cents on Transforming toys and the collectors?

Don: Actually, I mostly like the shows and the cartoons.

TFormers: Will the location(s) be specific to any region on the world or US?

Don: American Southwest.

TFormers: Is there a possibility that Cybertron will be seen at some point?

Don: Yes.

TFormers: You mentioned a while back that there will be "core" members of each side of the conflict ... how has that progressed?

Don: Very well indeed.

TFormers: Are there any characters that you wanted to include, but could not? N. Any characters that may be unexpected, but that you think will bring a "wow" reaction from the viewer?

Don: That would be telling.

TFormers: Will there be exploration of the Transformers origins in movie.

Don: Yes.

TFormers: How detailed do you think that will be?

Don: Enough detail.

TFormers: The G1 movie is famous, and somewhat infamous, for it's decidedly 80's hair metal soundtrack, What can we expect this movie's music to be like? Rap, Hard rock, Metal, techno, or what?

Don: Way too early to tell - I’d guess score but who knows?

TFormers: What one thing so far has you the most excited just from your own personal opinion?

Don: Finding out in a meeting that Spielberg knows the mythology stone cold perfectly.

TFormers: Is there a chance we may see female-bots appear in the movie?

Don: Always a chance.

TFormers: Are you planning a "big-bad" so to speak, be it a character or other danger, past the core characters of each side?

Don: No.

TFormers: Will the characters, within the core teams and past, include only G1 characters? Or can we look forward to cameos or even roles by characters from other series as well?

Don: There are already many G1 characters that will get short shrift so let’s stick with them.

Many thanks Don for taking the time to answer our questions. All the Transformers fans really appreciate it. Want to learn more about Don Murphy and his many works and projects, including the Transformer movie? Check out his Web site at https://www.donmurphy.net/