Screenwriters Confirm Soundwave in Transformers 2!

With Transformers 2 slated to start shooting within the next few weeks, we're finally starting to see a few details trickle out. The latest news to hit comes from two sources: screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci as well as actor Tyrese Gibson. Unfortunately, Tyrese doesn't say too much, but Kurtzman and Orci do reveal some exciting news for hardcore TransformersSoundwave! Not only that, but apparently Ravage will show up, too! Kurtzman and Orci speak further on how this second one builds and Tyrese also chimes in on how Michael Bay is planning to take this to the next level. fans. When asked if there was a character they just had to feature in the sequel, they gave an answer I know most fans will love:

The bit about Soundwave comes from IGN, where they have a brief interview with KurtzmanOrci on both Transformers 2 and J.J. Abrams' upcoming Star Trek. "You know, we had Ravage in an early draft of the first movie and Soundwave, and we couldn't do it right and I think this time hopefully we'll have the ability to do it." That definitely means Soundwave will show up, but in what capacity - well we'll have to wait until June 26th, 2009 to see. As for more veiled hype, Roberto Orci speaks on how they've built upon the first Transformers - both for fans of the original cartoon and toys and for fans of the movie. and

"We want to follow some of our lead characters which we thought were so successful. Shia's character; where is he two years later? His girlfriend, where is she two years later? But for fans, I guess I'll address this more for the fans, because I think if you didn't know Transformers at all and you came in and you liked the first movie, you'll like the second one."

"However, some of the die hard fans, which we were a member of that group, felt, well, maybe it's a little light. Maybe it wasn't science fictiony enough. And I think the second one will deliver on a true Transformers story. You know, the first one, we had a limited budget for what it was. Every second of Transformer time is a million dollars or whatever the heck it is, so this time, because we were able to prove through the whole thing that it's a viable live-action movie, we have a little more freedom this time to actually learn about the Transformers, see them, hear them. It's a better balance between the humans and the Transformers."

If you need some clarification on who Soundwave is, then we'll be glad to give it to you. Soundwave is a Transformer whose allegiances lie with the Decepticons. He transformers into a cassette player and has the ability to detect and jam radio transmissions as well as the ability to monitor electrical impulses within brain circuitry. In his robotic mode, the cassette compartment is located in his chest and stores many smaller cassette robots - smaller spy robots that are also powerful enemies. He is easily one of the biggest fan favorites alongside of Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Over at ComingSoon, they spoke briefly with Tyrese Gibson, who starred in the first film as Tech Sergeant Epps. He confirms that he will return and elaborates not only on how his character will evolve, but how Michael Bay is trying to step up above-and-beyond the first one.

"Well, I can't spill any of the beans though that was a smooth transition. But I just talked to Shia [LaBeouf] and left Jon Voight [a message] about fifteen minutes ago. I'm excited. Michael Bay is really going to try and up the ante on round two and take it to a whole other level. I can't go into any detail, but it's going to be some real one-of-a-kind things going on in this movie that no one has ever visually seen in their life. Michael Bay is really fired up and trying to outdo what he did on the first round and I'm just honored to be a part of it."

Source: slashfilm.com,