Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Directed by Steven Caple Jr., the film takes viewers on an epic journey, merging ancient history with a fight for survival. MPC has seamlessly brought the breathtaking action sequences and thrilling characters of the Transformers universe to life.
“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” distributed by Paramount Pictures, was released in theaters on June 8, 2023.
Under the supervision of Production VFX Supervisor Gary Brozenich, MPC’s team, including VFX Supervisors Richard Little and Carlos Caballero Valdés, along with VFX Producers Cindy Deringer and Nicholas Vodicka, worked collaboratively across MPC’s studios in London, Montreal, Bangalore, LA, Toronto, and Adelaide. They delivered 896 shots, including 18 of the film’s characters such as Arcee, Bumblebee, Mirage, Optimus Primal, Optimus Prime, Rhinox, Scourge, and the planet-eating character Unicron. Key sequences included the beginning of the story in New York, the abandoned warehouse scene where the heroes meet the Autobots, the Ellis Island Battle, the Switchback mountain chase, and the pivotal moment when the Autobots encounter the Maximals.
Brozenich met with the filmmakers in 2021 to meticulously plan the realization of the director’s vision for the new Transformers film. MPC’s on-set crew traveled to Montreal, New York, and Peru to gather data for the VFX work. Simultaneously, MPC’s Visualization team, supervised by Abel Salazar, worked closely with the director and VFX supervisor in Los Angeles to create previsualization for many dynamic sequences. They also provided postvisualization shots to ensure a smooth transition into VFX. Salazar and his team continued into postproduction, delivering over 2,000 postvisualization shots that formed a solid foundation for MPC’s VFX teams.
Character development began with Concept Art from the production’s art department. MPC’s Art Department, led by Art Director Leandre Lagrange, further refined some designs. They worked on concepts for volcano environments, Unicron’s details, Arcee’s face design, Optimus Prime’s weapon, and various holograms, including Arcee’s scan hologram. For the transformations, MPC developed a proprietary tool that allowed animators to slice, separate, and transform geometry on a model in any given shot. The success of the transformations was a collective effort involving multiple departments, including R&D, Animation Mechanic TDs, and CG Lighters.
MPC’s Environments team undertook the construction of multiple large-scale full CG environments and digital set extensions, including jungles, mountains, and urban cities. One notable task was transforming the present-day New York skyline back to its 1994 appearance. MPC VFX Supervisor Richard Little commented on the process, expressing the team’s fascination with how Manhattan has changed over the past three decades.
They created a detailed CG model of Manhattan based on images from photography and footage from the early ’90s. Assistance from New Yorkers involved in the shoot provided valuable imagery, including personal photography collections. The Williamsburg Bridge, prominently featured in the sequence where Noah meets the Autobots, was scanned and photographed to aid the Environments team. The Manhattan authorities were instrumental in granting access to the necessary photography.
Production VFX Supervisor Gary Brozenich praised MPC’s creative teams and supervisors as excellent collaborators, commending their asset creation, design, and the creation of complex full-screen environments. He was particularly impressed with the craftsmanship and animation of the robots, stating that they upheld the franchise’s legacy.
Richard Little added, “Our collaboration with director Steven Caple Jr. and Production VFX Supervisor Gary Brozenich allowed us to push the boundaries of what is possible in visual effects. Working on ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ has been a thrilling and challenging experience for our team. We’ve combined our passion for storytelling with great artistry and technology to create an unforgettable cinematic experience for audiences.”