Josh Cooley, director of the upcoming film “Transformers One,” recently discussed his vision for the movie and the influences that shaped it. Cooley shared that his childhood experience of watching “The Transformers: The Movie” played a significant role in his approach to creating a new chapter in the Transformers universe. The scale and grandeur of the 1986 animated film inspired him to focus on showcasing the vastness of Cybertron in his own project.
In terms of visual design, Cooley drew inspiration from the original G1 Transformers series and incorporated elements of art deco to give Cybertron a sense of grandeur and elegance. By infusing the design with a style reminiscent of the ’30s, Cooley aimed to capture a pre-fall era of Cybertron before things took a darker turn.
One of the key aspects Cooley emphasized in his film was the relationship between Orion Pax and D-16, who would later become Optimus Prime and Megatron, respectively. Instead of portraying a simple good versus evil dynamic, Cooley wanted to highlight the complexity of their friendship and differing ideologies, drawing parallels to classic epic tales like “Ben-Hur” and “The Ten Commandments.”
Regarding the differentiation from the live-action Transformers films directed by Michael Bay, Cooley highlighted the advantage of animation in creating a unique visual style and fighting choreography. By focusing on clarity and distinctiveness in character designs and action sequences, Cooley aimed to offer a fresh perspective on the Transformers universe.
In terms of storytelling, Cooley aimed to strike a balance between appealing to a broad audience, including children, while incorporating artistic flourishes and emotional depth. He acknowledged the intelligence of young viewers and aimed to present a clear and engaging narrative that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Cooley also discussed the creative freedom he had in developing the mythology of the film, with Hasbro supporting the idea of a reboot and a fresh take on the Transformers lore. By focusing on the core relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron, Cooley was able to craft a compelling origin story that sets the stage for future narratives.
Overall, Josh Cooley’s insights shed light on the thoughtfulness and creativity behind “Transformers One” and how he aimed to honor the legacy of the Transformers franchise while offering a fresh and engaging cinematic experience for audiences.