At the tender age of 19, when Michael Bay’s first Transformers film premiered, director Steven Caple Jr. (known for Creed II) joined the ranks of millions of viewers worldwide and instantly became a devoted fan of the franchise.
Watch the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts “Filming in Peru” featurette:
“Steven basically grew up on Michael’s movies, and we’ve never had somebody like that step into the director role before now,” says Mark Vahradian, one of the producers of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, in cinemas June 7. “He had a very different view of the Transformers characters and what was special about them, so to hand this movie over to somebody like him, who’s younger and has a fresh perspective, was a way for us to make sure the film felt different from all the others in the series, particularly in terms of the emotional quality of the story.”
Caple fondly recalls his childhood love for the original Beast Wars: Transformers animated series, and as a delightful surprise for fellow fans, he intentionally incorporated numerous enjoyable Easter eggs and subtle visual references throughout the movie. “I specifically included them for the true Beast Wars enthusiasts, and I believe they’ll be thrilled with what we’ve created,” he expresses.
When it came to casting the role of Noah, a former Army private who struggles to support his mother and ailing younger brother, the filmmakers understood the importance of finding an actor with enough charisma to hold his own alongside the towering robotic co-stars. After witnessing Anthony Ramos’s remarkable performance in the acclaimed 2021 musical “In the Heights,” producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura confidently declared that Ramos was the ideal choice for the role.
For Ramos, taking on the role of Noah in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts was realizing a childhood dream. Growing up in Brooklyn, he would watch the Beast Wars animated TV series from the comfort of his own home, making his involvement in the film all the more special.
Ramos describes Transformers: Rise of the Beasts as an ensemble piece that revolves around characters from different worlds coming together and learning to rely on each other. He believes that the film’s underlying message will resonate strongly with viewers from all walks of life. According to Ramos, Noah’s connection with the massive robots makes the film intriguing, and he sees it as an important message for the world. He states that there is a common ground between everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, and he finds something beautiful.
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When it came to casting the role of Elena Wallace, a dedicated museum researcher who uncovers an alien secret hidden within a winged statuette, the filmmakers were searching for an actress who could convincingly portray a young Brooklyn-born anthropologist with a thirst for adventure. They discovered the perfect fit in award-winning actress Dominique Fishback.
Caple was drawn to Fishback’s natural sense of strength, stability, and composure in almost any situation. He felt that her groundedness was essential in a world filled with imaginary robots and aliens, as it helped to anchor the story in reality.
In Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Fishback aimed to demonstrate to the audience that the series is just as much about the human characters as it is about the Autobots and Maximals. She wanted to prove the importance of the human element to those fans who may primarily focus on the robots. Fishback shared with Caple her desire to showcase why humans matter, as she believed the movie truly revolves around humanity, heart, and emotions.
About Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Prepare to be immersed in the thrilling action and captivating spectacle that has captivated audiences worldwide as Transformers: Rise of the Beasts hits theaters on June 7. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. and featuring a talented cast led by Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, this film will take viewers on a globetrotting adventure set in the ’90s, introducing the formidable Maximals as new allies to the Autobots in their ongoing battle for Earth.
The screenplay for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is written by Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer & Josh Peters, and Erich Hoeber & Jon Hoeber, with the story crafted by Joby Harold. Hasbro’s Transformers™ action figures, a beloved franchise, inspired the film.
Produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto & Don Murphy, Michael Bay, Mark Vahradian, and Duncan Henderson, this film promises excitement and spectacle.
The star-studded cast includes Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Tobe Nwigwe, Peter Cullen, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Liza Koshy, John DiMaggio, David Sobolov, Michaela Jae Rodriguez, Pete Davidson, and Cristo Fernández. Get ready to embark on an epic Transformers journey like never before.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with #Transformers #RiseOfTheBeasts and tag @paramountpicsph
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