Exclusive: Kurtzman/Orci on Upcoming Comic Projects

News

Exclusive: Kurtzman/Orci on Upcoming Comic Projects

July 3, 2008

Last week, ComingSoon.net spoke with the production and writing team of Alex Kurtzman and Bob Orci ("Alias," Transformers, Star Trek) about their upcoming action-thriller Eagle Eye, but they also talked a little about the writing of Michael Bay's sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and some of the movies they've optioned based on Platinum Studios' comics like Cowboys & Aliens, currently under negotiation to star Robert Downey Jr.!

CS: Have you two been able to be as involved in the sequel? Because of the strike, there was a question whether they could get it going fast enough for a summer '09 release.
Orci: We gave them a treatment before the strike which they prepared off of, then when we came back, we started writing immediately, and back to your question about how we were able to do it. On "Transformers," we demanded to be teamed up with the amazing Ehren Kruger, who co-wrote the movie with us, so it was really the three of us just spent four months in a hotel room and we got the script in shape.

CS: When I talked to you for "The Island" a couple years ago, you had a lot of ideas that you wanted to put in the first movie. Were you able to bring some of that stuff over to the second movie? There's probably a ton of things you can do in a sequel so did you have some idea of that when going in?
Orci: There were many things that we knew for sure, many things from the first script that we were able to use, and then Ehren brought a bunch of great ideas as a pair of fresh eyes, so the combination of those two things were just fantastic.

CS: I have to say I'm not the biggest Transformers out there in that I know them from the old comics but not so much from the cartoons. Are you going to bring in some of the mythology that only the real fans will know?
Orci: I think that now that the Transformers have been introduced, we felt that we could take more time to really find out about them.

CS: The last time we spoke, you guys were working on adapting a book called "2012" for Michael Bay…
Orci: Roland Emmerich beat us to it. During the strike, he wrote a movie called "2012" and he just got it going, and we couldn't write during the strike because it was a book. It wasn't a spec that he did, and so he beat us to it.

CS: So you can't finish that up and have to wait to see what happens with his movie?
Kurtzman: I think we just felt that given the fact that movie had so much momentum and was a Roland Emmerich movie already, why go up against that when we had just sort of acquired the rights to Whitley's book?
Orci: And they're about the exact same thing, you know?
Kurtzman: I think the next big project is "Cowboys & Aliens." We're really excited about that. Robert Downey Jr. just signed on to do it, either before or after "Iron Man."
Orci: I don't know if that's closed though. Yeah, it was leaked, but it's not official.

CS: I think it was said he's in negotiations, but he's obviously someone who's very much in demand. That's with Platinum Studios run by Scott Rosenberg, and I know you're doing another movie with him, too.
Kurtzman: Yeah, we actually have another one of their comics called "Atlantis Rising" which we just got and we're starting to put together now. Absolutely, they have great ideas coming out of there and our relationship with them on "Cowboys" has been really good, so hopefully, there'll be more stuff together.
Orci: Really, what we have to do is make our own comics. What a great idea, we're missing out.
Kurtzman: I agree… let's do that!

You can read the rest of our interview with Kurtzman/Orci here!

30 comments

Add a comment

Related Articles From Other Sites

Comments

Posted by: SUPER HRVOJE on July 3, 2008 at 04:37:31

Don't like them. Zorro 2 was bad, The Island was so-so (not bad actualy but it could be better) Transformers was OK (stupid but entertaining), only M:I-3 have a quality (and is best in Paramount's franchise).
Don't know what will they bring us with Star Trek and Transformers: RotF, but Eagle Eye looks interesting.

Posted by: kovgab on July 3, 2008 at 06:41:02

and what about Superman: MOS? It looks like its not them who are writing it.

Posted by: Nerf Herder on July 3, 2008 at 08:06:24

All of the Mission Impossible movies were crap. Hot steaming stinky crap. With flies.

Posted by: GK1 on July 3, 2008 at 08:19:47

God Transformers was AWFUL, but the robots were pretty to look at.

i guess this will be twice as bad with twice as many good looking robots that get saved by humans.

Posted by: Tyrone on July 3, 2008 at 08:48:28

Can someone help me out, anybody know anything about Cowboys & Aliens, sounds interesting?

Posted by: Mendedbat on July 3, 2008 at 10:17:11

when they say (in a hotel room)for 4 months working on the script...does that mean they are each taking a piece of dialog and "trumping" the person's before or are they each writing their own and then taking the truely best of the three? It would be nice to know where they intend to take the supporting characters because it will impact the plot. I'm sure that the audience would want to know what they are in store for. I know I would like to see tons more action, but not if I have to sit through a bunch of b.s. just to see a colorful CGI action sequence. the first movie was good but now, as always, the audience expects/demands satisfaction. considering the 80's cartoon and the marvel comics, there is a truck load of characters that could be useful. I guess i'm saying I need more information.

Posted by: Archangel on July 3, 2008 at 11:06:14

kovgab...

They were never doing MOS and said so in an interview two days after that rumor was posted at IESB. It was a ploy to get people thinking about MOS which is DEAD. Not gonna happen. WB has 4 different reboot pitches to think about between now and December.

Posted by: Jebus on July 3, 2008 at 11:58:46

Hang on. Did Transformers actually HAVE writers? I thought they just got a bunch of actors together, fed them a load of sugar, said "here are the products we need you to place" and told them to have at it.

Now Michael "spin the camera in slow motion" Bay is doing number 2. I reckon it would be a better film if he just WENT number 2 in a film cannister.

But thats just an opinion.

Posted by: tocap on July 3, 2008 at 12:15:45

the story of the cartoon was dumb so i don't really give a **** if the movie story was dumb. when you wanna see action, that's exactly the kind of movie i want. if i want story i'm going to watch Forrest Gump. stop comlaining about stupid things and just enjoy.

Posted by: daniel clavette on July 3, 2008 at 12:20:39

Th story as truly cool f trsnsfrmr and in the seccond movies it will truly ool.

Posted by: nerd killer on July 3, 2008 at 12:41:17

and it sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Dark Knight on July 3, 2008 at 12:46:37

Arch,

WB's has 4 different reboot pithces??

Four? How do you know this??

Posted by: Archangel on July 3, 2008 at 12:53:32

Dark Knight..

Because I'm on the writing team of one and was informed of competition just before Millar made his announcement. Subsequent phone calls revealed a current total of 4 pending pitches and possibly more. It seems WB is actively looking for a reboot now which we didn't expect, but they aren't commenting making it more frustrating. We thought it was just us Vs. Singer but were wrong. Singer is done already and is looking for a way to save face.

Posted by: Zyclonis on July 3, 2008 at 13:25:00

Funny that it takes two (2) guys to write scripts a 12 year old with zero education could churn out in 30 minutes, with 3 sheets of paper and an orange crayon.

Posted by: Batzarro: Person with an IQ higher than 12 on July 3, 2008 at 14:25:53

Assignment: go watch "Alive or Dead". Then return here and compare to any Michael Bay or Roland Emmerich. And then, perhaps all this "worst ever" hyperbole will end.

And when you see the character "Comic book guy" in the Simpsons, ask yourselves if you are being like that(as in, judgemental and overly exagerated for what was always meant to be simple entertainment.)

Archangel: Tres Interessant, haw, haw haw! I won't ask for any solid details, but I will ask: Does the pitch you are working on include 1 or more villains(that aren't Lex Luthor), and is(are?) this of the "alien" variety or something more "earth made"? Of course, I understand it if you reveal no details, too.
Of course, I do understand i

Posted by: Sean on July 3, 2008 at 14:47:30

Please Archangel, tell me that the big blue boyscout will actually be entertaining. Plot. No bastard children. and for christs' sake give him a villain that he actually has to struggle against. The meaning of the word "plot" is actually rooted to struggle. Lex needs to be portrayed as a maniacal schemer (also as a public figure, it would thicken the plot SOOOO much better.) and Supes needs to punch something. Please.
I know that a some people praise SR for being more plot oriented than action, but the plot was flat. We need balance of plot and a$$kickery. New word, google that ****.

Posted by: Archangel on July 3, 2008 at 15:59:42

I'll give you a few tidbits...

1. Film starts with Clark as Superman
2. Villains are Metallo and Brainiac
3. Lex has nothing to do with real estate investing.
4. It's certainly no love story.

Someone managed to take pics of storyboard sketches of our project last weekend during our artist's family reunion and emailed them before getting caught so I'd expect them to pop up on the net soon. Not too happy about it, but what we can do. At least we'll get some feedback on how good it looks so far.

Posted by: Batzarro: Person with an IQ higher than 12 on July 3, 2008 at 16:12:52

Oh...THAT storyboard. If it's the one where Brainiac is in a bunch of ruins then, yeah, that's out(and awesome, may I add) Thank you, that is all I wanted to know. Best of luck!

Posted by: Superhog on July 3, 2008 at 16:15:39

I can't wait to see what they have in store for Star Trek its the movie I'm most excited for next year followed by Tranformers and Wolverine

Posted by: Cory Morr on July 3, 2008 at 16:47:16

Not petaining to the topic but what Hollywood needs is more Star Wars movies. I say Episode 7,8,9?:-D. At least if Lucas can do a Dark Horse comic Trilogy or NJO and/or even Legacy of the Force books.

Posted by: norm on July 3, 2008 at 18:42:09

ok ...this article was really boring....nothing exciting to read

Posted by: Cerh on July 3, 2008 at 23:11:00

sorry space monkey indy 4 didnt revive the franchise it killed it. if they revamp it with a mutt jones series scew it

Posted by: Matthew. on July 4, 2008 at 00:16:40

Did someone just say that these guys were working with Emmerrich?

They were competing with scripts named the exact same thing, and Emmerich beat them to it.

Read the article next time, jack@$$.

Posted by: victor thompson on July 4, 2008 at 02:34:19

ummm..what movie were you guys watching???
Transformers rocked!!are you kidding???you guys couldn't lite your ass on fire,direct it, motion capture then process it through a camera as fast and as good as any of your "hater" directors.!!just the truth. vic

Posted by: Pee Soaked Federal Agent on July 4, 2008 at 07:49:15

Did they say who was going to pee on who in this one?

« Previous Page

Page 1 of 2

Total: 30 comments

Jump to page: 1 2

Add a Comment

Latest Headlines:

Is Marvel Moving Forward with Ant-Man?
Christopher Nolan to Mentor New Superman Movie?
Mark Millar on His Secret Superhero Movie
TMNT and Gatchaman Studio Shuts Down
Tim Robbins Joins Green Lantern Cast
Reese and Wernick on Writing Deadpool
Goyer and Jonah Nolan Writing Next Batman Movie?
Johnston Talks Captain America Costume
Favreau's Cowboys & Aliens Coming July 29, 2011
Red Skull Confirmed as Captain America Villain
Taylor Lautner to Play Stretch Armstrong
Fox Developing Daredevil Reboot
Priest Coming at Audiences in 3D on Jan. 14
Kurtzman and Orci to Adapt Locke & Key
Update: Logan Lerman in Early Talks for Spider-Man?
New Iron Man 2 Video Game Trailer
The Last Airbender Super Bowl Spot
No Plans for a Watchmen Movie Sequel
No Iron Man 2 Super Bowl Spot
DC Entertainment Announcements Just Weeks Away

Latest Superhero Games

Marvel Super Hero Squad Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Iron Man 2 Batman: Arkham Asylum Spider-Man: Web of Shadows Iron Man Spider-Man: Friend or Foe Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Marvel vs. Capcom Marvel vs. Capcom 2

Latest Headlines

Most Active

Christopher Nolan to Mentor New Superman Movie?
102 new posts | 223 total posts

Is Marvel Moving Forward with Ant-Man?
26 new posts | 26 total posts

Mark Millar on His Secret Superhero Movie
12 new posts | 18 total posts

Reese and Wernick on Writing Deadpool
10 new posts | 39 total posts

TMNT and Gatchaman Studio Shuts Down
9 new posts | 14 total posts

Goyer and Jonah Nolan Writing Next Batman Movie?
7 new posts | 169 total posts

Johnston Talks Captain America Costume
4 new posts | 373 total posts

New Justice League Cast Members?
2 new posts | 57 total posts

Red Skull Confirmed as Captain America Villain
2 new posts | 127 total posts

Tim Robbins Joins Green Lantern Cast
2 new posts | 46 total posts

Conan Has Been Cast!
2 new posts | 426 total posts

New Iron Man 2 Video Game Trailer
1 new posts | 27 total posts

SuperHeroHype

Related Articles

Related Articles From Other Sites