Transformers is a
2007 live-action/
thriller film adaptation of the
Transformers franchise, directed by
Michael Bay and written by
John Rogers,
Roberto Orci and
Alex Kurtzman. It stars
Shia LaBeouf as
Sam Witwicky, a teenager involved in a war between the heroic
Autobots and the evil
Decepticons, two factions of
alien robots who can disguise themselves by transforming into everyday machinery. The Decepticons desire control of the
All Spark, the object that created their robotic race, with the intention of using it to build an army by giving life to the machines of Earth.
Megan Fox,
Josh Duhamel,
Tyrese Gibson,
Jon Voight,
Anthony Anderson and
John Turturro also star, while voice-actors
Peter Cullen and
Hugo Weaving voice
Optimus Prime and
Megatron respectively.
Producers
Don Murphy and
Tom DeSanto developed the project in 2003, with a
treatment written by DeSanto.
Executive producer Steven Spielberg came on board the following year, hiring Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. The United States Military and
General Motors loaned vehicles and aircraft during filming, which saved money for the production and added
realism to the battle scenes.
Hasbro organized an enormous promotional campaign for the film, making deals with hundreds of companies. This advertising blitz included a
viral marketing campaign, coordinated releases of
prequel comic books,
toys and books, as well as
product placement deals with GM and
eBay.