Report: ‘Transformers 2’ Moves From June 26, 2009 Open Date to ‘Unslotted’

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 13:36:18 -0700

The Hollywood Reporter published a year-end film report on Dec. 28 with a bevy of standard box-office numbers. Buried on page two of the article, though, is the real news: the lack of a number for “Transformers 2”. The sequel is again directed by Michael Bay.

Megan Fox in “Transformers” in 2007.
Photo credit: IMDb
Specifically, the article downplays the first mention of the film moving from a confirmed release date of June 26, 2009 to no opening slot at all. The Hollywood Reporter article says:

Some will suggest that DreamWorks’ production operations will be upended if Steven Spielberg and David Geffen bolt [Paramount] when their personal contracts expire in November.

The pair remain actively engaged in several ongoing projects including the as-yet-unslotted “Transformers 2”.

“Transformers” in 2007.
Photo credit: IMDb
Superhero! Hype on Dec. 31 also picked up on the subtle mention and is speculating that the ongoing WGA strike could be a culprit. IMDb still lists the opening date for “Transformers 2” as June 26, 2009.

Fox Atomic Plucks ‘Juno’ Writer Diablo Cody, Megan Fox For ‘Jennifer’s Body’

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:46:22 -0700

Diablo Cody, the comedic writer behind “Juno,” and “Transformers” siren Megan Fox have both been plucked by Fox Atomic for a comedic supernatural thriller by the name of “Jennifer’s Body”.

Megan Fox (left) and Diablo Cody.
Fox photo courtesy of IMDb; Cody photo courtesy of Scott Walker
Fox Atomic bought the Cody piece last week with Fox in negotiations to star in the film. Chicago-native “Juno” producer Mason Novick, who is credited with discovering Cody, is on board to produce the film.

“Jennifer’s Body,” by the way, is a reference to a song by the band Hole. Cody’s a fan of that band. On Tuesday, Cody wrote the following on her blog in reaction to the news:

This is going to be fun. I wrote this script last summer and have been (bleep) obsessed with getting it made ever since.

Incidentally, Megan Fox is hotter than the Earth’s core. Now – Hollywood’s tiresome profusion of “girlfriend roles” be (bleep) – she’s going to literally get out there and destroy some (bleep) boys.

Scripts are a nice way to exorcise personal demons, I’d say.

Novick, who grew up in the Highland Park area of Chicago, has lived in Los Angeles for the past decade.

Cody, who is also originally from Chicago, moved early in 2007 from Minnesota to Los Angeles with her husband, Jonny Hunt, who she met on the Internet, according to an e-mail I received from him on Tuesday.

As for “Jennifer’s Body,” Hollywood Reporter adds some detail about the project.

The story, which is similar in tone to “Heathers” and “Beetlejuice,” follows a cheerleader with a perfect life. She becomes the girl from hell when she gets possessed and begins killing boys in a small town.

Her best friend must then find a way to stop her.

Fox Atomic is aiming to make the project before a possible writer’s strike. Peter Rice, who oversees both Fox Searchlight and Fox Atomic, brought [in] the project.

“Juno” is being released on Dec. 14 by Fox Searchlight. The division has high hopes for the movie.

“[Cody’s] upcoming film from our sister division, her relationship with Rice and the synergy we have with his team have given Fox Atomic a unique opportunity,” said Fox Atomic president of production Debbie Liebling, who will oversee with Jeff Arkuss.

2:42 p.m. update: I’ve corrected it above and also wanted to point it out to you here.

Shortly after this report went live, I received an e-mail from Cody’s husband, Jonny Hunt, stating that they now live in Los Angeles rather than Minnesota.