Hit Electronic Artist Puts New Spin On 'Transformers' Theme

One of the world's foremost electronic musicians has literally put a new spin on a famous cartoon theme.

Paul Oakenfold, who has remixed songs for the likes of U2, Madonna and the Rolling Stones, has remixed the theme song for the pop culture phenomenon "Transformers."

Oakenfold's remix accompanies the new "Transformers" cartoon series "Cybertron," which just made its debut on cable's Cartoon Network.

Oakenfold recently told Lifewhile.com's Tim Lammers that at heart, the familiar tune is still there: He just made it more modern with his electronic stylings.

"I felt that I needed to be true to the original," Oakenfold said. "Whatever I do, whether it's with U2 or the Rolling Stones, I always have to be true to the song."

"Transformers" -- one of the first properties to produce a successful toy line, comic book, television series and animated film -- recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. "Transformers" has also become a symbol of pop culture with the signature phrases "Robots in disguise" and "More than meets the eye," and boasts such iconic characters such as Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Not surprisingly, one of the devotees of the original cartoon and toys was Oakenfold.

"I always was a fan, so it was a great opportunity for me to be involved with the project," Oakenfold said. "As a kid I was always interested in the shapes and the sizes of the characters."

The new cartoon series has spawned a new toy line from Hasbro, which has partnered with DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures to develop a live-action film version of "Transformers."

Steven Spielberg will executive produce the film and Lorenzo di Bonaventura ("Constantine"), Don Murphy ("The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen") and Tom DeSanto ("X-Men" and "X2: X-Men United") are also attached as producers.

The "Transformers" film is pegged for a July 4 2007 release. Oakenfold, who has remixed songs for such films as "Planet of the Apes" and "The Matrix Reloaded," is not sure yet whether he'll be involved.

"We've been speaking about it, but the film is still at a very early stage," Oakenfold said.

In the new television series, Cybertron is the home planet of the Transformers. In order to save it from destruction, the Autobots go on an intergalactic scavenger hunt to lost planets to find four ancient Cyber Planet Keys -- which their foes the Decepticons want for their own plan of evil.

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Hear The New 'Transformers' Re-Mix