Transformers: Beast Machines
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) Will you be pretending that BW seasons 1-3 didn't happen? Will you continue the plotlines left unresolved from Beast Wars?
Oh, the Beast Wars happened all right...! How can we ignore three years of Transformer history... especially when so much of the future is riding on the outcome?2) Will there be a clearer connection made between Generation 1 and Beast Wars? Is there going to be more references to Generation 1?
The new series is designed to be self-contained... while being entirely respectful of EVERYTHING that has come before.3) Will any Autobots or Decepticons be among the cast of heroes and villains in TF Beast Machines?
Not so far...4) Will the wonderfully written mature story lines and very in-depth character development continue to be the norm for BM? or are you considering "dumbing down" the show for the younger viewers?
Marty and I promise to make the new series exactly as "dumb" as we've made Godzilla, X-Men, Batman, Superman, and Extreme Ghostbusters. (Even when skewing a show toward younger viewers, we *never* dumb it down. I personally write for an audience of one: myself. "Dumbing-down" a script would therefore be like talking down to *myself*! No matter what I'm writing, or for whom I am writing it, I always try to make my work as engaging and entertaining as possible. Otherwise, what's the point?)5) Will we get to find out what happened to the human Autobot relationship that the original cartoon revolved around? Will humans ever be on Transformers again?
At the present time, there are no humans involved in our current storylines.6) Where will the new season take place? What time frame will this series take place in?
It happens after the Beast Wars. Looooong after the Beast Wars.7) How many (number) characters will be carried over from the current Beast Wars season 3 to BM?
Well, that depends on how you look at it... There are roughly five carry-overs, only none of our familiar faces will have familiar faces. Intrigued?8) How many new (number) characters are currently planned for each faction (Maximals and Predacons)? How many (number) female characters?
Maximals? Predacons? What are *those*? (That's a *hint*, not a signal that they've hired the wrong guys!) ((And, for the record, there will not be enough female characters for *my* tastes! <But that's a discussion for another time!>))9) Will the story-arcs format continue or will we have stand-alone episodes instead. Are multipart episodes planned?
We're designing this as a novel for television, with one huuuge arc comprised of two smaller arcs containing episodes that are complete within themselves toward the building of a larger overall story. And, yes, there will be *several* multi-part episodes.10) Will the show still be in CGI? Will Mainframe animate the show?
That's two very big "Yeses" right there! CGI is getting better literally minute by minute, and Mainframe is right there pushing the envelope in ways that I personally find mind-blowing. (In other words: Did you like the first three seasons of Beast Wars? You ain't seen *nothing* yet!)11) Are you committed as not only creative television professionals, but also as major new contributors to a legacy that millions of fans love and have grown up with?
Absolutely! When something has a huge fan-following (such as X-Men, Batman, etc.), you *have* to be respectful of the elements that made it popular in the first place. To face a such a project otherwise would be idiotic. Toward that end, we're looking for the aspects of this universe that we respond to the most and hope to build upon it (rather than just being slavish and repetitive to that which has come before.) Basically, we want to give you more of what you like in this universe, but in new and original ways. (Watch the Godzilla series and you'll see what I mean.)12) There has been a lot of confusion as to exactly what network beast machines will be showing on? Is it Fox Family, as it has been reported a few times, or will it be on the primary Fox networks as part of their Fox Kid's programming packages?
Fox will be broadcasting it as part of the Fox Children's Network, which is their Saturday morning block. As veterans of Batman, X-Men, Godzilla, Beetlejuice, Spider-Man, and a ton of other Fox shows, Marty and I really love that network. (And they seem to like us. And they reeeeealllly like Transformers and Beast Wars!)13) How much of the spark mythos given in Beast Wars will be used?
Oh, it's come up in conversation from time to time. (See answer to #11)14) Who are some of the writers lined up for season 4(how much of the season will you both be writing yourselves)?
Marty and I wrote the first two episodes, with Marv Wolfman, Michael Reaves (Invasion: America, Batman, Gargoyles), Steve Melching (Godzilla, X-Men) and Brynne Chandler Reaves (Batman, Gargoyles) all lending a hand on subsequent episodes. The stories so far are terrific: *I'm* dying to see them all completed!15) Will there ever be more stories about the original Transformers?
Probably... but not as part of *this* series.