The newest entry in the Transformers franchise was at the center of some controversy over the weekend, thanks to some plans to film at the home of Winston Churchill. However, the family of former Prime Minister doesn't see what all the fuss is about. The Grandson of Churchill seems to think the entire discussion is utterly ridiculous.
Over the weekend we learned that Transformers: The Last Knight will, at least partially, take place in an alternate timeline where the Nazis successfully invaded England during World War II. As part of that, Blenheim Palace, the former home of Winston Churchill, was being covered in Nazi flags and was reportedly being used as Hitler's new base of operations. While this redressing has apparently made many people very upset, Churchill's grandson, Sir Nicholas Soames is not one of them. He tells The Guardian that the entire conversation is "absolutely the most dismal, idiotic story I've ever read."
This news is likely music to the ears of Michael Bay and the rest of the Transformers: The Last Knight production team. They've been in damage control mode since the story broke, While Nicholas Soames may not care that a movie production is using the building 75 years after the fact, others in the U.K. seem to find it symbolically inappropriate. Bay has defended the decision, saying that within the context of the film, Winston Churchill himself, who is apparently a character, is one of the film's heroes so the movie itself does nothing to tarnish or disparage the former Prime Minister.
Of course, the fact that World War II is an important aspect of Transformers: The Last Knight was certainly news unto itself. While early indications were that the movie would be delving into Arthurian legend, the fact that it would also deal with World War II took many by surprise. Exactly how all of this time travel stuff will fit into the story is far from clear, though, this is a Transformers movie, so we're not exactly expecting a detailed explanation of quantum physics to justify time travel.
Regardless of the reason, the plot sets up the possibility for giant Nazi Transformers to be part of the movie, and from a strict summer popcorn perspective, we're totally on board with that. At this point, all you can really hope for is that the Transformers movies become insane enough that they're entertaining. They will make a billion dollars either way.
Which side do you fall on? Is the use of Winston Churchill's home as Nazi HQ a slap in the face to history or is it no big deal this long after the fact? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
