The Hollywood Reporter has an article on their website called Transforming "Transformers". In the article Paramount Pictures executive vp international
marketing Jon Anderson is quoting as saying that "We really recognize the fact that for most people, 'Transformers' are
a toy ....[snip] .... Our job is to change that
perception.". The article goes on to quote Mr Anderson on the impact that they (Paramount) wish to make on exhibitors. "(We want) to
make sure that the exhibition community understands its full scope as
well, .... We are lucky enough to have some fantastic footage
that we will be taking around the world. The reactions have been
sensational so far." What is also interesting to note, in the article, is that states that most of the major territories will have a concurrent release of the film with the US. The major terriroties are listed as including Australia/New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Russia and the Nordic countries. This is great news for Nordic fans, as the previous announced release date for those territories was August 3rd. A concurrently release in Russia is a major suprise, as previous rumours had suggested a December 2007 release. As far as we are aware, this is also the first official announcement of the Australian and New Zealand releases.
One of the reasons behind the concurrent release is to do with piracy with another major factor being the 'buzz'. Anderson is quoted as saying "On the big titles, we are moving much closer to the U.S. release dates [snip] Obviously, piracy is a serious issue these days ... but it's also about the event nature of some of the films. You really want to be out there when the buzz is coming around the world, as it can be a tremendous boost in getting that all-important boxoffice.".
For those countries not mentioned specifically, there is a note that by mid-August the entire world will be covered by the film. Paramount are kean to push the film as being as big as Spider-man 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End.
The article then goes on to speak breifly about the Japanese trailer and why it was different to the US release. Once of the reasons is listed as "Notwithstanding the theme of robots being ever so popular in Japan, PPI also plans to reinforce the film's other thematic elements such as family and teen romance that, while resonating across the globe, elicit particular reactions in Japanese audiences.".
You can read the article in full here.
| Discuss: 
