Why No Dinobots? Consultant Explains

In an interview with MTV, longtime Transformers comics scribe Simon Furman — who also served as consultant on 2007’s Michael Bay-helmed movie — confirmed that, contrary to initial fan speculation, the upcoming “Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen,” will be Dinobot-free.

“I think that possibility was raised briefly and fairly comprehensively shot down,” said Furman. “Much as I love the Dinobots, I’m glad.”

Fans may see this as a missed opportunity to see the classic Dinobot lineup of Grimlock, Slag, Sludge, Snarl and Swoop, but Furman thinks their omission is a pragmatic decision. His belief isn’t the product of anti-Bay sentiment, but rather of his understanding of what would best serve the characters and the film itself.

“The movie-verse feels quite different to me, with its own audience and far more rooted in the real world, and Dinobots wouldn’t necessarily be a great fit. Sure, if they could come up with an appropriate rationale and integral reason for them being in there, fine, but it’d need to be good, otherwise it would all start to verge on the kitsch,” said Furman.

Early fan speculation called for a Dinobots origin rooted in prehistoric times, with Transformers arriving on Earth in an era of dinosaurs, falling dormant, then awakening in the present day.

“Fallen” screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who wrote the first “Transformers” film, initially cleared up any confusion this past summer when Orci explained, “We couldn’t quite figure out how to justify a robot that would pretend to be a dinosaur.”

Despite its lack of transforming dinosaur robots, Furman maintained his excitement for the new film and affirms his confidence in the future of the action-oriented franchise. It may not be perfect, but its financial success speaks for itself.

“I think story and character often get submerged in the crash, bang wallop, but who can argue with a $700 million plus box office tally?” said Furman, “What [the film] does best, I think, is make movie Transformers distinct from classic or animated or comic Transformers. It’s very much it’s own entity, and that’s how it should be.”

While Furman isn’t directly involved with “Revenge of the Fallen,” fans can expect his strong peripheral presence with multiple literary tie-ins, Hasbro consultant work and the four-issue official comic book adaptation of “Revenge of the Fallen” headed to shelves in 2009.

Furman also recently returned to the Dinobots alongside artist Nick Roche with the five-issue “Maximum Dinobots” comic book series through IDW Publishing. Issue #1 arrived in stores earlier this month.

Even though the dinosaurs in disguise won’t appear in “Fallen,” the franchise scribe for nearly 25 years is pleased to see the overall Transformers property in great health.

“What I love is that a new generation of kids is being exposed to Transformers in the way that maybe rivals the original ’80s phenomenon,” said Furman.

Disappointed about the lack of Dinobot in “Transformers 2″? Feel they made the right choice by leaving them out? Sound off in the comment section!

Source: MTV Movies

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