‘Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts’ Director Tells Supanova His Approach

Transformers spans multiple generations and mediums and with a seventh live-action film, Rise of the Beasts, being announced last month, there’s a lot of questions being thrown at newcomer Steven Caple Jr. as he assumes the role of director.

During a virtual production kick-off event for the new film, Supanova had the opportunity to ask Caple Jr. his approach to the franchise, given the high expectations accompanying his appointment.

“There are many [concerns],” Caple Jr. said. “I mean, this isn’t my first rodeo, standing behind a classic; before this project, I was working on Creed and the whole Rocky franchise is something that people are really familiar with.”

For Caple Jr., it was about paying attention to what fans want, while also thinking about what he wanted as a fan (“It’s always balancing that out.”).

Ron Perlman, who originally voiced Optimus Primal in the animated series ‘Transformers: Power of the Primes’, will reprise his role in ‘Rise of the Beasts’.

“One of the main things is always like, ‘How are you going to be better than what [Michael Bay] did? How are you going to outdo Travis [Knight]?’” he said.

“That’s not necessarily my concern, but it’s a constant question that’s always brought up when you step into a franchise this big with such a huge legacy.

“That’s never the approach going in if that makes any sense? It’s always, ‘What am I going to bring to the table that’s somewhat different?’”

“That’s my cheat code.”

In regard to what he is concerned about, Caple Jr. told Supanova: “As a filmmaker, it’s always going to be to make sure that people are feeling something.

“Coming into the seventh instalment, you always want to be bringing something fresh to the table and something honest, if you will.

“That’s my cheat code: finding that relatability, finding ways that people connect, and if I can bring that then I feel like I’ll check off most of my list.

“But I listen, pay close attention with my ear to the ground, and again it’s partially because I’m a fan as well.”

Starring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is currently slated for release in 2022.

With Optimus Primal confirmed for the new instalment, fans looking for a Beast Wars fix before the film hits cinemas should check out the final season of Netflix’s War for Cybertron Trilogy. Titled Kingdom, the finale will pit Autobots and Maximals against Decepticons and Predacons in the race to find the missing Allspark. Check out the trailer before it hits Netflix later this month.