I just reviewed the 2-Disc DVD for Transformers and in the commentary director Michael Bay said he wasn’t sure if scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci would return to helm the second film, but today The Hollywood Reporter tells us both Orci and Kurtzman will be back, and they will be joined by Ehren Kruger to pen the screenplay for Transformers 2.
The article tells us that not only is Bay confirmed to be back as director, but Shia LaBeouf is also back to star. THR speculates that the teaming of three A-List writers is most likely due to Orci and Kurtzman’s involvement in the Star Trek screenplay and their producing duties on Eagle Eye.
Sources are pegging the writing deal, which is not yet closed, in the $5 million-$7 million range, which THR is saying could be a record high for a nonoriginal screenplay. Apparently the studio has hopes to get the film underway before the strike begins. I guess that price tag came with a giant note saying TYPE FAST!
Kruger is said to have impressed Bay and Hasbro president Brian Goldner and Orci and Kurtzman with his knowledge of the “Transformers” mythology assuring his spot on the team.
Transformers 2 is looking at a June 26, 2009 release.
