Graphic By: Julie Brennan

A live-action film based on the popular Transformers franchise is set to touchdown into theaters on July 4, 2007. Directed by Michael Bay (The Island) and produced by Stephen Spielberg, Transformers looks to be the beginning of yet another promising cinematic dynasty.

Writers Alex Kurtzman (Mission: Impossible III) and Roberto Orci (Alias) indicated in an interview with ComingSoon.net that the storyline will be based upon the Generation One series. Optimus Prime, Megatron, Soundwave, Scorponok, Ratchet, Starscream, Bumblebee and Jazz will be among the 10 Transformers featured in the film.

The only confirmed role right now is that of Sam "Spike" Witwicky, played by Shia LaBeouf (The Greatest Game Ever Played). Witwicky is a teenager who receives an old, beat-up junker as his first ride; it turns out to be a transformer.

Jon Voight, Michael Clarke Duncan, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Bernie Mac, Rachel Taylor, Tyrese and John Turturro are all rumored to be included in the film's cast, which would add a delightful balance between the computer-generated elements of the Transformers and the consequences of their arrival on Earth, showing how the war of these two enormous races is affecting mankind.

During a recent visit to Michael Bay's office, Quint of Ain't It Cool News got the inside scoop on the film's progress. You'll be happy to know that Bay intends to have the cartoon's original voice talent audition for the film. Obviously there will have to be some new voice talent as actors like Scatman Crothers (who voiced Jazz) and Chris Latta (Starscream) are deceased.

During his meeting with Quint, Bay said that Transformers would be the first film to use the new fighter jet, the F-22. The F-22 has all of its weaponry hidden within panels that slide back to allow their release when needed. The stealth fighter will be a nice parallel to the disguised appearances of the Autobots and Decepticons.

Speaking of the robots themselves, their overall look and transformation will receive an update. No longer will they look blocky like their cartoon counterparts. ILM is taking a more sharp, fluid approach to their conversion from machine to robot. You will be able to see more of the moving inner parts of the machines – for instance, the iris of Optimus Prime's eye might resemble a turbine engine, with a mechanical camera shutter effect that would open and close to dilate its pupils.

Bay also revealed to Quint that fans will get to see Cybertron, the planet from which the Autobots come from. With Steven Spielberg taking a very hands-on role as producer and ILM providing the special-effects wizardry, I can't imagine this film going wrong.

After seeing the beautiful technicality of Spielberg's tripods in War of the Worlds, and Bay's artistic vision in The Island, it seems Transformers will be beyond our imagination.