Michael Bay Wants Frank Welker for Transformers Movie Sequel

In a post on the Transformers (2007) film director’s ShootForTheEdit Forum, Michael Bay stated simply, “I think I’m going to pursue Frank on Soundwave.”

Peter Cullen and Hugo Weaving have already been confirmed for their respective roles as Optimus Prime and Megatron. The rest of the voice cast has not yet been officially announced, although Cullen stated in a 2007 interview that “most of the main cast is signed for a 3 picture deal.” Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen opens in theaters on 6.24.2009.

In related news, Transformers fansite TFW2005.com has published a detailed two-part interview with Frank Welker in which he hints early in the interview that he is “still involved in the [Transformers] franchise,” but unfortunately Frank never got around to explaining what that meant.

Other highlights from the interview:

TFW:
What differences do you find in voicing animals, as opposed to “speaking” characters?

Welker:
I think people have more of a preconceived idea of what a human voice’s should sound like but when you do animals there is more freedom of artistic movement. You are creating sound the listener hasn’t pigeon holed ….directors are more apt to leave me alone with my etch-o-sketch and I like that.

TFW:
Is there any difficulty in doing multiple roles in the same show, especially all at once? How do you feel about times when you end up “talking to yourself”?

Welker:
I used to be very good at it. Now that I am older I talk to myself all the time just as a matter of course. I guess all those years were training. Most actors are good at talking to one’s self and doing back to back characters…Jeff Bennett is very good at it. I have been in a session right next to him and thought there were two other actors, it was just Jeff.

TFW:
What do you think makes a good voice director?

Welker:
In my opinion, the best directors hire people they know can do the job and then get out of the way. Too much time is wasted on interpretation and line readings and character building. Get folks who know what they’re doing and let them do it. All most actors need to know is what is the action and where is the microphone.

To read the complete interview (and whether you’re a professional voice actor or a fan, you really should), click click here (Part 1) and here (Part 2).