Transformers Soundtrack Includes The Goo Goo Dolls

During an interview where Goo Goo Dolls vocalist Johnny Rzeznik picked up an award for "Better Days", he revealed the group just recorded a song for the Transformers soundtrack.

"Michael Bay and Lorenzo from the film, they approached my manager about getting me in there to do it. It's sort of the love theme, of course. That's what everybody wants from me. I'm more than happy to oblige. It's an awesome movie."

Thanks to Pon H. for the link and info. He is guessing that they are recording the love theme of the movie which I agree with considering the Goo Goo Dolls movie history (see "Iris" as an example). End of credits perhaps?

Video of the interview here.

Orci: Optimus Lips Still Open For Discussion

According to a post from Roberto Orci, one of the Transformers writers, the issue of Optimus lips are still on the table for discussion in regards to staying or going. The lips, as seen in a leaked trailer, where denied by Bay, but according to a preview review they are still in. Orci posted, "Workin on it. Complain on every board you can think of if it's important to you," indicating if there is enough noise, the lips might go. I am thinking the lips will stay as the design of Optimus early on included a mouth and if intended no lips they would have just kept the face plate and not bothered with a no face plate look. I guess will have to wait until July 4th to see what happens.

Peter Cullen: Two More Transformers Movies

According to TFormers.com, during a Q@A session at Anime Matsuri (I guess a convention), there are plans for at least two more movies. Part of the reason is because of the cost of the CGI development for the Transformers designs. Bay has previously commented on sequel plans and Shia has already confirmed he was signed up for at least two sequels, so it makes since to do the same for the voice of Optimus Prime. Really, to me anyway, this isn't really news as it has already been known that Transformers was being prepped as another franchise for Dreamworks. You don't drop $150 + marketing on a movie without hoping for future sequels. Of course all the hope and contracts in the world are not going to guarantee a sequel unless the audience shows up at the theatres. If opening week is as solid as everyone hopes (probably $100 million first week) then a sequel will be a lock.

First Sneak Peak Transformers Review

AICN has posted a review of a sneak preview screening of Transformers. Previews that Michael Bay posted about "We had two screenings tonight 850 people. Highest test scores in my career. Blew Armageddon away which was a 92. Go figure." Have to admit, based on the early review, the movie at the very least sounds like it will be highly entertaining.

SPOILER ALERT!
The review:

Harry and gang - Long time listener, first time caller...

First, let me say, I don't know how to write a review so stick with me, I have a lot of thoughts in my head about this movie so this could be all over the place. But I just HAD to write in, I am currently the most happyest fanboy on earth!

Here is the short version:

I JUST SAW OPTIMUS PRIME IN AN ORGY OF KICKASSERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1) Screw you guys. The flames are cool. Nipples on batman = lame, flames on optimus = cool.

2) The robots in general are OUTSTANDING. I think ILM is doing them right? Whoever it is needs a raise - they look so real in the scenes its unbelievable (except frenzy or soundbyte or whatever he is. I’ll get into that later). They blend with the "real world" stuff so well, its awesome.

3) Optimus "lips" look bad and just piss me off. I can't imagine it will bother the general public, but anyone who has an attachment to "prime" will have issue with this for sure. There is no reason to give him lips. He speaks a few times with the shield up and it totally works….anyway. That is my only MAJOR gripe with the film. (but I doubt it's worse than "Cloudactus")

4) Shia Labuof is great as Sam Witwicky. I really wasn't sure how I would feel about him, but he nails it. He's got a great vibe on screen, I really wanted him "win". He's actually very funny as well. Great casting, he's legit.

5) Megan Fox (im sure that's no coincidence), I have no clue if she can act or not because I was fixated on her tits and ass whenever she was onscreen - pure sex (god bless you Michael Bay). I had to IMDB her after the movie because I had no idea who she is or what she had been in. I didn't care then and I don't care now.

6) Supporting cast is far better than I expected. Turturro is great as the quirky head of Sector Seven. The ladies in the audience im sure loved the beefcake tyrese and josh "las vegas" duhmel. Bernie mac and Anthony Anderson are very very funny in their small roles.

7) Action…seriously…you've never seen anything like this. Hate all you want on Bay, this is THE guy you want creating giant robot mayhem! And he does.

Here is the long version:

Last week I was at the Harkins Arrowhead Theater here in Peoria, Arizona to see Blades of glory. When I was leaving, some theater person handed me a flyer and asked if I wanted to see a test screening of an "upcoming PG-13 major release summer action movie" (or something like that, I can't remember). Being a movie geek, and a broke one, I was like "fuck yeah, free movie".

I've never been to a preview or test screening or whatever before, so I didn't really know what to expect. All week I had been trying to figure out what it could be, my friend said "just pray it's not "Flatulence Four: taking a number two"" THANK GOD it wasn't…that would have sucked. I was thinking maybe Die Hard or maybe Pirates, but I honestly never thought I would be Transformers, I figured with all the CG that it probably wasn't ready yet. I was partly right.

Anyway, i showed up last night at the same Harkins and the theater was packed, looked like a lot of families with kids and some scattered people around my age (I'm 28). After we sat for a few minutes I was looking around at the group of "reserved" seats that were taped off….and then I saw him….MICHAEL FUCKING BAY was in the house! Right then I knew what was up and I thought I was gonna SHIT!

I didn't say anything to anyone…mainly because I didn't know anyone else there…but I knew… I couldn't believe my luck. there could have been some other cast or something there, but I didn't recognize anyone else in the audience.

A few minutes after The Bay sat down ( I am an open Bay supporter (minus Pearl Harbor) so you can commence with your blind hateration below at anytime) , a very studio looking guy stood up in front of the theater and told us that "a lot of effects weren't done and the music was temp" blah blah. I didn't give a shit- I wanted the fucker to start! He finally says we are the "first audience to see
TRANSFORMERS!"

There was a loud cheer in the theater, I looked around and many of the older moms/dads didn't quite get it, but their kids seemed to know the score. I saw two 15ish year old fat kids do a chest bump…alas, I had no one to chest bump- but I totally would have!

So then the movie started, I have to be honest, I was smiling ear to ear- I was about to see the MOTHERFUCKING TRANSFORMERS before anyone else!

FIRST, BITCHES! (never been able to say that before :)

So, the movie…

It opens with what looks like the surface of a planet, Cybertron, but it doesn't look anything like the cybertron we know from the cartoons. Its more like a rocky, mountainous wasteland, but alive…if that makes any sense. Then we hear a voice and I know this voice, OPTIMUS FUCKING
PRIME- albeit he sounds older and more bassy than he did in the show. It was cullen for sure though. He tells a short back story about the AllSpark Cube and how it was lost during an epic battle and all transformers went searching the galaxy for it. We see the cube floating through space and coming up on earth where it starts a comet like decent through the sky. OP stops talking and the screen goes black and then : TRANSFOMERS logo comes up. That's the only credits, no laundry list of names that no one cares about, just a logo. Loved it.

After the logo we are dropped into the desert where we come up on some army guys in the back of a helicopter as they arrive at a base in Qatar, josh duhmel, tyrese and that latino guy from prison break. After some army talk and Josh Duhmel doing a cutesy baby talk webcam thing with his wife and child (luckily this doesn't really play much of a factor in the movie) we see that there is an inbound helicopter that isn't supposed to be there…cue ominous music and then BRING ON THE BANG BANG! The helicopter lands and is surrounded by armed men and tanks- but fret not for helicopter guy, cause its Blackout and he came to bring the pain.

This is the scene that is in the trailer, where he starts transforming and the army goes Michael Bay on his ass. Only this time it didn't cut away like the trailer- he transforms, stands up and gets to blowing shit up!

The transformation is unreal, it looks SO FUCKING COOL! Gears shifting, metal scrapping, pistons doing pistony things and it had the TRANSFORMATION SOUND FROM THE CARTOON! It had a little geek chubby, I couldn't stop smiling. Blackout proceeds to fuck shit up and nothing the army does even slows him down. I recognized a few of the shots form the trailer like the tanks flying through the air and the EMP looking thing he does. The scene is like 3-4 minutes of him just wreckin shop on the base- it was fucking awesome. There was a part where tyrese is laying on the ground below him that was kinda lame, Blackout just looks at him for a minute giving his buddy time to shoot. But then he sprouts scorponok from his back and takes out a WHOLE AIRFIELD!

I just remember thinking now THAT'S how you start a giant robot movie. We then go to a school where Shia is doing a show and tell kinda thing on his grandpa (this plays a key roll in the film but I wont ruin it with detail spoilers). This whole scene and the next two or three are all simply to set up the main story of Sam (Shia) getting his first car (bumblebee) and setting up the Shia/hot girl plot.

As is my problem with most "origin" movies, theres a shit load of origin and not a lot of action for the first 30-40 minutes or so. Which is probably why I like spidey 2 better than spidey 1. Maybe its my fault for knowing too much about the world before hand. Whatever.

So there are some really funny moments with Shia and the girl (ill call her Foxy). Foxy is slowly wooed by Shia with the help of Bumblebee via his radio. He doesn't speak at all, he talks through the radio….which sounds really lame, and is really lame for the first couple times but then it stopped bothering me and became kinda funny (intentionally)

So back to the sam//foxy story. Sam and dad go to get sams first car, we then meet Bernie Mac as Bobby B or something like that. I took it as a nod to BumbleBee (BB get it?) Bernie is actually very funny in his small part, I wasn't sure id like it (after seeing in the TV spot) but I actually really liked him. Small part, big laughs.

Sam gets BumbleBee ( and yes there IS a subtle nod to the origin as there is a yellow VW bug next to the camaro) this is a pretty funny scene as BumbleBee does things to ensure Sam takes him home.

The movie overall is actually very funny, in a good way. Some really cheesy laughs that are more than tolerable, its got light hearted flavor throughout, but when its time to fight- they fight- Bay style.

Shia's parents in the film are very well cast and they are really funny, much more so than any other Bay characters of the past in my opinion. It feels like this is the first time where he decided to embrace some elements of cheese and run with it. I am glad he did. It works, mainly because Shia is really really great as a semi-woody allen type kid, I was genuinely impressed with him throughout the movie.

So it doesn't take long for Shia to find out that BB is not just a shitty old car, it's a big ass robot…he also soon finds out that there are bad big ass robots that need something from him. He gets chased by Barricade (the cop car) and BB comes to his rescue and we see the first Robot vs. Robot action….i was a little disappointed by this in the sense that it was shot in a way where you really never got a good look at either of them. After seeing the rest of the film I can see why, they wanted to save it, but when I was watching it it bothered me that I couldn't get a good clean look at the bots.

Also during this time a small "boombox" robot is on Air Force one (unsure how he got there, wouldn't an x-ray see that it wasn't normal? ) anyway, he gets into the belly of the plane and starts hacking for info and then gets in a fight with some secret service agents. Frenzy (I think that's who it is based on internet info, they never really say) is a little bothersome from a viewer perspective. He is very shiny metal and doesn't blend with the background nearly as well as the rest of them---this COULD be one of those "not yet done" things, I hope it is.

It was sometimes hard to tell what exactly wasn't complete CG wise. Sometimes it was super obvious and sometimes there were small hints that it wasn't complete. I'm not sure where this bots stands in that sense.

I'll refrain from describing too much detail with the rest of the film because im not a fan of spoilers. Ill simply make some general observations.

I consider myself a mid-core TF fan. I LOVE transformers and ive seen every episode numerous times (G1), the movie numerous times and have been waiting for this movie for the last 20 years, but I accept that certain things need to happen in order for the movie to be made. Some lure/history/canon needs to be re-written/ignored in order to make a film like this- I accept that.

The robot design change, in my opinion, was the right choice. When you see it you will understand. The boxy designs from the cartoons simply would not have worked, they would have looked stupid and old. OP mouth…..thats a different issue- it sux. Period.

I really wish the decepticons, namely Starscream, would have gotten far more screen time. He doesn't show up till near the end. He TOTTALLY fucks shit up and is THE bad ass of the decepticons, but I needed more-

"I've got a fever, and the only prescriptions is MORE STARSCREAM!!!!!!"

The rest of the decepticons (except megatron) are pretty much just fodder for the autobots to stomp on, which im fine with, that's all they were in the cartoon anyway.

Megatron, even in his "cyberform" is pretty fuckin cool. When he eventually gets in on the fight he makes it clear who is boss. He never "scans" anything on earth so he stays in "cyberform" the whole movie….and yes I know it's called "protoform" but that term seems stupid to me.

We do, however, get to see at least a glimpse of the SS/Megs dynamic. "you failed me yet again Starscream" was awesome!" Some of the voices I think were temp still as they were hard to understand. Megatron didn't sound at all like Hugo Weaving to me, but as I said, the audio may have been temp.

Optimus Prime- sword arm- fuckin sick! That's all im gonna say about that.

OP says more than a few of the "iconic" lines from the toon- there are many many nods and references to the history of TF, it's clear that there was a lot of thought into adding some "fan only" moments into the film that the general audience wont get, which was great.

I'd say about 25% of the robot stuff was still temp and there was very little music/score in place so some scenes felt a bit slow and hard to keep up with, but I think once the FINAL movie is out in theatres those moments will be fixed.

So to sum this all up: This is a Michael Bay movie. Make no mistake about it. You can see influences from Spielberg and a conscious effort to make this not just a blow em up bang bang movie (although I would have been fine with that). The last 30 minutes is non-stop robot destruction- I honestly couldn't tell you everything that happened because it was just so damn awesome I had a hard time even keeping up- i almost wish I hadn't seen it….because now I have to wait TWO MORE FUCKING MONTHS TO SEE IT AGAIN…explosions, destruction, robots flying through the air, shooting missiles and rockets from their arms- absolute insanity on city streets. This is what I wanted to see out of this movie. There are some things that you may shake your head at or roll your eyes during, but when you see the goods, the stuff WE ALL want to see, you let the other stuff slide. Or at least I did.

Cardsfan34
p.s. Go suns, fuck the lakers
p.p.s. commence hating……now!

Update: Forgot to add a spoiler notice. I figure this site is spoiler by default, but this really lays it on so figure best to warn.

TF: Video Game Site Update Tonight

According to Game News International, the Battle for the AllSpark game will begin on the official Transformers: The Video Game website starting tonight. Fans will be able to choose sides and get latest info about the various games coming out soon.

The site will allow visitors to chat, watch, and play in fights. In fighting (not sure what form that takes) players can earn points for their faction and themselves. Highest scorers will get prizes with the grand master getting the AllSpark for special access to other sections of the site.

Transformers International Poster

AICN has posted the international poster for Transformers, that merges various elements of previous versions. Overall, not bad looking.

Transformers: Autobot Nintendo DS First Look

Gamespot has reported on a first look at Transformers: Autobots for the Nintendo DS, one of two DS games, other being the Decepticons. Game story is focused, like the movie, on claiming the Allspark. Gameplay is third-person, mission based in a 3D city, same idea as the next-gen games. There are some RPG elements such as leveling up based on experience that will add abilities and attacks. Also can scan vehicles so can change into them. Also can tweak player color scheme.

The game will also have local wireless play for up to 4 players in deathmatches and other games. For Nintendo Wi-fi (internet play), there is the "AllSpark Wars" where can download daily missions. Completed missions are tracked by a server that measures performance of the two TF factions. Not sure if that means vs play or not. Doesn't sound like it.

Control is done via the touch screen for actions such as scanning and transforming. Graphics are described as "solid and have a good look to them" and the audio is same. The article says the games are coming out in June.

Update: Hasbro press release on the game is here. I noticed that the release date is listed as 6/29/07 which is the Australian and more or less the Korean release date. So not sure if that is a typo or not.

Even More Movie Toy Pics

More toys pics and galleries for the curious.

Optimus Prime Blaster
Fast Action Battler Barricade
Other Fast Action Battler toys
Starscream Arm Blaster
Robo-Vision Optimus Prime
Few Deluxe Transformers
Thundercracker here and here - Ah the repainted molds. Line isn't even out yet and already starting with that. Probably an Ultra Magnus, Skywarp, Cliffjumper and so forth coming soon.

Sector 7: New Agent X Email

The Sector Seven website has a new email with sound and repeating Flash file. Probably the fastest update yet for the site, just a few days after the last one. The sound file is the voice of Agent X (same as the recent podcast), which I am thinking is the Dr. Howard actress. Let audiophiles play with that to prove it.

Anyway, the email indicates Agent Powers is being watched and untrusted especially after his hormones in regards to Howard compromised security. The sound file and footage is the landing of "NBE-02" or Bumblebee to Earth. Thanks to the recent 3D card game, now know that Bumblebee does have a protoform (as do all TFs now) so it all fits together pretty nicely. Below is screenshot of the email.

Run Shia Run!: Barricade Chase Image

Another image has hit the web from Entertainment Weekly, the same issue as the Optimus image, that shows an excellent shot of an angry Barricade chasing after Shia. I am not sure but in the upper right, it looks like Prime is about to interfere with the chase. Either way, an excellent image that invokes danger and fear.

Transformers Movie 3-D Card Game Site Launches

The official website for Wizards of the Coast Transformers 3D Battle Card Game has launched. The game is apparently similar to Star Wars, Magic, etc in that use card attributes to do battle. Only in this case the plastic cards can be assembled into a robot or alt mode using punch out pieces.

The site itself currently provide information about the game, what the cards and assembled figured looks like for about 5 of the 26 total designs. Probably to most interesting part is that the set includes Transformers not in the movie but follow the movie design such as Cliffjumper and Dropkick with no images yet of Protoform Bumblebee, Swerve (now an Autobot), and Dreadwing. I wonder if some of those designs are for the video game also.

Retail price is $3.99 for 4 randomly inserted cards (that can build to TFs), two stat cards, token card and game rules. The game will be released on June 2, 2007, the same date as the toy launch in retail stores.

New Stop Sector Seven Podcast

A new podcast is out, X9, that basically summarizes that S7 is starting a anti-stopS7 campaign, which has been referenced in the S7 email. Of note is it seems the voice of "Agent X" has changed. I don't think its Cullen doing the voice, assuming he was before.

To subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, click logo here or listen to the podcast directly from here.

Bay: Prime Speaks TV Teaser Not Official

According to Nelson from the official blog site of Micheal Bay in regards to the leaked "Prime Speaks" ad:

The unreleased ad (Prime speaks) that was posted on youtube was a test that European were making with the ads. The clip where OP was "speaking," lets just say that it wasn't OP or Cullen speaking. It was something the European studios added on their own. In fact, it was a test shot.

True statement or not, sounds like the infamous Prime lips from that profile is not the final product as I think they where universally disliked. This doesn't mean that he will not have a mouth, it just will hopefully not look as weird as does in the leaked trailer.

USA Today Transformers Question

In a USA Today article, Summer Preview Q&A, Michael Bay comments on fans and why Bumblebee is a Camaro rather then a Beetle.

10: Will Transformers fans be won over July 4 by the movie's changes to the 1980s toys?
The shape-shifting alien robots disguise themselves as Earth vehicles, but certain characters have a different appearance in director Michael Bay's movie.

Die-hard fans have griped that the Bumblebee character is now a Chevy Camaro instead of a Volkswagen Beetle, while others are incensed at things as subtle as painted flames added to robot leader Optimus Prime.

"They're gonna (complain) about everything, you know what I'm saying? Then you'll see them accept it," Bay says. "The things that really matter are there." Internet chat that Volkswagen didn't want the Beetle involved in an action movie are false, Bay says: "I just liked the other car better. I didn't want anything to do with the Bug because it reminded me of Herbie the Love Bug ." —A.B.

You want to attack him for that opinion, but its a true statement. Its what happens when have die-hard fans who are passionate about Transformers and then start to change things. The key is to hear the constructive critisism over the noise. Which occured in some cases such as casting of Peter Cullen and use of Frank Welker.

As for the Volkswagon rumor is a result of the Alternators toyline where supposedly Hasbro approached Volkswagon to release Bumblebee as a current version of the Beetle and they refused on grounds of not wanting to be associated with war toys. Considering the nature of the film, its not a reach to assume the same.

However, we have since learned that at least part of the reason for the change is because of the agreement between Ford GM and the film studio. More then likely to save costs on the probable dozens of cars needed for production, GM provided them for free or at discount in return for the advertising push. By dozens, I mean they don't use just one car but many copies of the same car. Maybe a few for stunts, few to damage, few to drive in, couple to blow up, some to strap to trucks for road filming, and so on. Depending on what is needed, each car has to be rigged a certain way to meet the need and that usually means one car per. Considering the number of cars as central to the movie, that can get quite expensive.

To be honest though, the Camaro looks good, both the '76 and '08 versions. Its almost a car I might purchase. Can't really complain about the choice and its makes sense in this day and age for a male to want to buy such a car. Call it sexist, but in general the modern Beetle just isn't a male car of choice so Sam Witwicky doing that would seen odd to say the least, even odder when it updates to an '08 per the script.

Sector Seven: Hacked "Live" Camera Feed on Megatron

Using a link provided via "AgentX66" on the Sector Seven email "Informants" folder, you can find 3 "live" images of NBE01, the Mega-Man, or Megatron. I especially like the face profile view. I think on the Stop site, its just an animated gif but still good view of Megatron, I especially like the face profile view.

The camera "feeds" can be found here.
Based on the AgentX66 email and others, I now think the 5 surveillance array feeds are showing the various facilities that are used to maintain Megatron's frozen slumber. A failure there will be what wakens him enough to communicate with his Decepticon brethren to break him out.

The Voice of Starscream?

From the Stop Sector Seven site comes a report of a link on the Sector Seven site that seems to be an audio message from Starscream. The information came from "C0d3x" via an email. As a password it doesn't work on the S7 site.

Could this be the voice that will be in the film? If so, who is the voice as casting for Starscream has not been announced. It was rumored that Frank Welker has been cast in the movie as a Transformers other then Megatron, could this be it? Very interesting to say the least since the file is coming from an official movie related website.

Listen here.

To the best I can figure out what he says is:
"Attention Sector Seven. Starscream. The Allspark will be mine. Regardless of your intentions the face..." (or fate, rest garbled and I couldn't make out).

In checking the "Informants" box on Sector Seven, I found an email from "C0d3x" that actually mentions the above audio file. It just didn't provide the full path to the sound file so no one thought anything of it. Until now it was assumed that mailbox was fan email. Not it appears some of the email is directly related to the S7 game/mystery.

From: -
Subject: C0d3x
Date Received: Apr. 12 2007 7:58 (MST)
To: S7 Department of Network Security

I received a weird "blip" from my SETI@home program, and I thought you might be interested. Be forewarned, I don't think this is good for anyone.

C0d3x

anomalie3-403.mig

***authenticity unknown - flagged for further analysis***

Also there is an email from "Tsarscarme" an anagram for Starscream in the "Informants" mailbox on the site. It could be a fan email having fun but with this new audio file, maybe its legit. Not really sure one way or the other.

The email:

From: -
Subject: Tsarscarme
Date Recieved: Apr. 9 2007 7:20 (MST)
To: S7 Department of Network Security

To the agency known as Sector Seven:

You are all fools. The entity known as NBE-01 is under your watch. And yet, your watch is a failure. Already his consciousness is active and leaking out onto what you call the "World Wide Web".

It is in your best interest to TERMINATE "Project Ice Man" as quickly as you can. Disassemble the Megaman to base components - or destroy him. After all, you creatures seem to learn best by taking things apart anyway - simply apply that logic to the Megaman in entirety. Disassemble him, and learn what you must - but avoid reassembling him AT ALL COSTS. Failure to do so will inevitably result in his reactivation - do not underestimate the innate power of Sparks. One day he may be listening in on the Internet; the next he may BE the Internet. Then you will be powerless to stop his rampage.

As well, I feel that I am obligated to warn you - the NBEs are after what you have dubbed "The Cube". Your best option at this point is to remove it from your world altogether - I suggest launching it out on a trajectory towards what you term "Martian space".

Lastly, and most importantly - DO NOT TRUST ANY NBE. Not even those who profess friendlyness. They are, in fact, the most dangerous of all.

Oh - and one last thing - give up on reverse engineering Megaman's technology. You don't want to provoke a SECOND encounter like that of Ghost-1.

-Tsarscarme

PS: Do your best to keep your "F-22" fighter project going! Quite the excellent warship, for a primitive species!

Other subject emails that I am now wondering might be "authentic" in regards to S7 include "AgentX66". Might be a few others but he is the one that jumps out. Thanks to the site readers for the links for the above information.

New Email On Sector 7 Site

The Sector 7 website has updated with two new additions (pw: byebyepowers). One is the 5th surveillance array is up, showing what looks like a power station for everything being displayed.

The second is a new email from Simmons, a character from the movie:

From: Suppressed
Subject: Re: Hungry Dragon 2 Ground Campaign
Date Recieved: Apr. 20 2007 10:26 (MST)
To: S7 Department of Network Security

The ground forces of the counter-information campaign will begin moving out very soon. Times and locations of specific operations will remain classified. Coordinate security with the field commanders. We'll have full-duplex audio and visual from all the mobile command centers.

Keep Powers out of the loop. We can't afford another leak. His fate will be determined as soon as the inquiry has been completed.

Simmons

Beats me what this is about. Best guess is the movie campaign is gearing up so might be related to that. Perhaps the release date of the final movie trailer online. Guess find out soon. Now 77 days of safety...

Optimus Prime from EW

Entertainment Weekly has an Q&A with Transformers Director Michael Bay. As part of the article, there is a nice looking head-to-toe image of Optimus Prime. Full of detail, it does look pretty darn good. Sadly my subscription to EW has lapse so unable to provide any highlights to the article itself.

Transformesr Video Game 360 Hands On with New Pics

Game News International was able to watch a demonstration of the Transformers: The Video Game for the 360 coming out sometime in the Summer of '07.From the article:
- The demonstration showed three levels from the game.
- The game will focus mostly on the Transformers no the human characters.
- Game opens on a "gorgeous cinematic" that tells about the Transformers war with voice over from Peter Cullen.
- The movie shows lot of TF detail, complex robot forms and fluid movement, including shot of Megatron flying across the screen.
- Game screen provides option to play as Decepticons or Autobots.
- The CGI models developed for the movie is being used for the game. I wonder if that is the case for the Wii version.
- Missions instructions are provided by Optimus Prime.
- Drones come from the sky like fireballs.
- 13 drone designs total for the game that writer described more mech like that TF like. They are cannon fodder though so kind of has its own logic.
- Can transform at any time.
- Bumblebee's alt mode, 76 Camaro drives like a "real 70s muscle car". Car can jump and has Nitro boost with ability to run down objects similar to Grand Theft Auto.
- Next level demonstrated was of Blackout attacking the Takar base (like from the movie)
- Mode dictates where attacks from. Copter means from air, robot from the ground. Sounds like these Decepticons have to actually be in a mode that can fly to fly unlike the cartoons where they flew at will.
- Last level was as Bumblebee being attacked by Barricade before becoming a car chase mode between the two.Overall the game sounds like its might be good and more then just the usual crappy movie port done for games. Based on the high level of detail used for the Transformers thanks to the use of the movie CGI models, it seems like this will be a game that makes full use of the next gen consoles. It also makes me curious how the game will differ from the Wii which while a fun system, doesn't have the same graphical horsepower.

Close-Up of Jazz's Face

From TFW2005, images of Jazz's face, taken from a toy store display. So far, design wise, I am really likely Jazz. The toy is a buy for me and the CGI version is slick looking to.

Few More Toy Pics

Little bit more news today, starting with toys.

Prime Hologram Drive trick
Deluxe Transformers in Packs
More pics of Target Optimus Prime
Optimus Leader of the Ages 2-pack (same as pic here)

No News Random Post

First random post is "Wii Transform" fan made commercial that has the Nintendo "transform" throught its various incarnations up to the the Wii. Actually not bad and one Nintendo should consider stealing. Thanks to Steve G. for the heads-up.


Other random thought is the the movie soundtrack. It just occured to me that the Mars trailer made creative use of the Transformers theme, to the joy of fans. That theme has not been reprised since. Could the lawsuit from Anne Bryant be the cause? My guess is probably. The studio is already paying a composer to do the music for the the film. Why pay another composer for 20 year old work when the current one on can just devise a new one? I guess time will tell on what happens in that regard.

Final Transformers Posters

Online are the final posters for the movie including the "standee" that is a unified version of all the recent posters. Overall not bad looking.

Lots of Movie Toy Pics

The toy pics are hitting the web in greater frequency. Almost all are of previously seen products in some form or fashion, nothing new to my knowledge but for the curious, follow the links.

Deluxe Jazz
Target Exclusive Optimus Prime
Optimash Prime
Voyager Bumblebee and Megatron
Deluxe Brawl, Bumblebee, and Jazz
3" Titanium Transformers
Deluxe Bonecrusher
Deluxe Scorponok
Various movie related items, clocks, watches, etc
Deluxe Brawl
Legends Optimus Prime and Megatron - Usually go for about $2.99

Update: Ironhide Deluxe and Voyager Pics

Nintendo DS Transformers Info

IGN.com has posted an article that covers some of the details for the upcoming Nintendo DS version of the Transformers movie called Transformers: Autobots and Transformers: Decepticons from Activision company Vicarious Visions.

The highlights:
- Should be out in July
- As noted from above, that is two games, one to play as each TF faction
- There will be different environments for each game
- 20+ missions (not sure if per game or total for both)
- 30+ different vehicles (not sure what that means, or it total for both or per game)
- Will have online play via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for the "Allspark War", where players basically beat each other up.
- Also Team Death and AllSpark Sports for up to 4 players over local Wi-Fi.

Thanks to Maximus for the link.

Optimus Speaks TV Trailer Revisited

Update 2: Video removed again, but try this. It may be slow or choppy but best I could come up with.

Update: The video has been pulled once again but now IGN has stepped in, click here or scroll down. GIF from TWF2005.

Thanks to TFW2005 and Veoh, you can now see the leaked version of the Optimus Speaks TV Trailer for the movie. I posted it earlier about the YouTube pull and so forth. Further proof that once its out, its out, the studios should just embrace it and help it as its free advertising all around which only helps the money cause that is movie making.

The trailer looks sweat overall. The transformations are smooth and detailed. The action looks like it will be great. Like many the prime lips, assuming that is final design, is going to take some getting used to. My favorite part is where it looks like Barricade Bonecrusher is about to tackle Optimus.


If the above stops working try here. I attempted to figure out how to embed on the site as backup, but for life of me couldn't figure out the path to the flash file of the trailer so could point into a player. For the programming geeks, the closest I got was this, but its slow as heck so not recommended. The modified swfobject.js used by the site just stumped me.

New Sector Seven Password: BYEBYEPOWERS

The Stop Sector Seven website, has revealed a new password for the main Sector Seven site: BYEBYEPOWERS (not case sensitive). Under the new login, the 4th surveillance array footage is now up, just more images of a sewer system. Starting to think this will become a flooded area at some point.

The only other addition is new video footage under the Yield symbol between Agent Powers and Dr. Howard. Its amusing in it begins with Powers primping before Howards gets on. In it she is attempting to negotiate an agreement to get reinstated and get worldwide experts to assist on the "N.B.E. situation." It ends with Sector Seven agents converging on her location (due to tracking device implant) and an unknown explosion. The other two videos are on the symbols to the right of the yield.

So now the order of passwords for Sector 7 is TAKARA83, THEFIRST7, NBETWO, FWIFFO, and now BYEBYEPOWERS

Update: Just read the Transformers Prequel #3 comics, its confiremd that Non-Biological Entity 2 is Bumblebee, not Optimus Prime as I had assumed. NBE 1 remains "Mega-Man" or Megatron. Also from the last years "Mars" teaser trailer, the Transformers seen by the Beagle is Starscream.

New Transformers TV Spot: Optimus Speaks

A new TV spot has hit YouTube. In this one you get a better look at Optimus and more importantly, he speaks. Thanks to site readers for the information and the screenshot pic.

- Dang. The video was pulled from YouTube at the request of Paramount Pictures just as I was about to post this. If I happen to find a copy of it I will post about it here.

Update: Thanks to poster on SuperHeroHype.com forum, you can download (right-click, save target as)from here.

Chance To Ask Michael Bay A Question

According to TFormers.com, Yahoo! Movies is sponsoring an opportunity to ask Transformers Director Michael Bay a question. You can send him a question using at askmichaelbay@yahoo.com. Selected questions will be answered in a video interview with Bay. I tried to get more information but unable to find more specfic details so don't know what the end date may be.

Target Exclusive Movie Optimus Prime Toy

TFW2005 received a first look at the Transformers movie Leader class version of Optimus Prime. The version, called Robo-Vision Optimus Prime will come with metallic finish and additional flame paint applications. No release date or price point announced but I am guessing its $39.95 and coming out around June 2nd. Based on the below image, its look like it might be the better version to get. The second picture is the original version, to help with comparing.

Transfomers Takes Over Building

According to Los Angeles Metroblogging, an old building at Sunset and vine is going to get wrapped in Transformers artwork on all four sides. One side has the Transformers movie logo and the apparently the rumor is the other side will have an eye which will glow rad at night. Interesting method of advertisement.

Update: TFW2005 had another image (below) of the building this time one showing the hand of Optimus Prime "bursting" through the building. Overall, sleek building. I guess that means other side might be Megatron perhaps.

(source)

Movie Blackout Toy In Box Images

As it is getting closer to the June 2nd release date, it seems more images of packaged Transformers are hitting the tubes of the internets. Now its Blackout's turn, one of the best examples of the movie line so far.

Blackout bio:

BLACKOUT is the largest of the DECEPTICONS, most often seen looming silently over the right shoulder of MEGATRON, he is his leader's hound. He pursues any target he is given with relentless efficiency, allowing nothing to stop him in his task. Those who defy him beware: his rage knows no bounds. He will fill the air with fire and burn the land clear to take his revenge. Paired with him minion SCORPONOK, he is a dangerous and deadly foe.

Full Blackout gallery is here.

Masked Bumblebee Pic

A reader over at TFans, Ultimatetransfan, discovered that if you go to the Transformers Video Game website and you don't have the Flash plugin installed for your browser you get a nice looking image of Bumblebee with his face mask in place. Not sure the purpose of the masks, must be a battle-mode protection thing that the movie designers decided to add. I am not sure if the image is from the movie developed CGI or game based. I am guessing game based.

TF Countdown Clock Revisted

Thanks to Shawn from www.transformersfans.com for giving me the code to use his countdown clock. I prefer the days countdown over the months countdown. Makes it funner to see the time knocked off. Note that the countdown is for the US release date.

Megatron and Optimus Prime Toy Pics

A pic of Voyager class Megatron in box and gallery of Leader class Optimus Prime are available online. Still not sold on Megatron but liking Optimus and will probably get.

To see the Optimus Prime gallery, click here.

Update: Back of the Megatron box now online.

Transformers Countdown Clock

I decided to add a countdown clock to the left sidebar for no particular reason. Also have all the trailers and movie posters further down on both columns.

What do you think? To much? Maybe too much stuff piled on? What can go and what should stay? Any other site suggestions? Feel free to email me or add some comments on what you think.

Oh yeah, another question. I noticed that the official Transformers website has a webmasters section to it. Thinking of signing up but not particularily happy about giving them personal information nor possibility of giving them some content control without at least some knowledge of what the trade-off is. Promotional material alone doesn't seem worth it to me. Anyone know anything about the program, recommend it or not?

Two Shia LaBeouf Interviews

Shia LaBeouf is doing the media tour to promote his new movie Disturbia and during this, Transformers comes up every now and then. One interview is with AICN and the other for MoviesOnline. No new information is revealed.

Relevant part from the AICN interview:

C: I should ask one TRANSFORMERS question. When Quint talked to you, you were in the middle of it. So, now you’re done making it. How did you survive? Did you have to take a month off and go to the islands, or were you energized? How did you fare? A little battered and bruised?
SL: It was an insane shoot, and Quint was there, and he saw how insane, and that was every day. But, again, you never experience anything like this--to see a functioning robot, you know…To see a bumblebee in person, as a fan, is nuts. To meet Colin [Fickes], you know, to meet him, to watch Mike [Bay, director] go through the editing. I took, I think, a week off and then went into press, went into promotion, then enduring ADR and a bunch of post-production for these three films. So, I really haven’t had time off, yet.

I still haven’t wound down from it. It’s still this insanity. It’s still this crazy…it’s still nuts, but I’ve had a chance to read scripts and take meetings and things like that. But, haven’t wound down off TRANSFORMERS. It’s aneurysm inducing. That’s how nuts it is. We went to get our MPAA rating. They didn’t want to give us an R. They said ‘You want to be PG13? You can’t have an R’.

C: Wait, were you going for R?
SL: No, we were going for PG13. But, they wouldn’t give us the R rating. They said it was too intense to release, and they said Mike had to cut it down. Of course, Mike’s not going to cut it down. And, we have Spielberg go fight the good fight and get our rating down, but it’s just an intense movie. It’s the type of movie where you watch, and you’re holding yourself and your heart’s going crazy to the point where it doesn’t feel right. It’s just nuts.

And, to have ILM say things like, ‘It’s the most ridiculous movie we've ever worked on. It’s the best graphics we’ve ever made.’ And, this is a company that’s been around. So, when you start getting feedback like that, and the excitement from…You read these Talk-backers, and they’re… ‘The flames, [yelling] THE FLAMES. Just the level of…the intricacies and the importance, it just makes it all feel like you worked on something important, really important, to the point where it’s beyond you. You’re part of something magical. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in it or not.

C: Just to be a part of the machine, literally?SL: That’s it. Just to see Optimist Prime Transformer is enough to bring people in theaters. So, we’ll see where it goes. It’s been a fun ride so far, though.

From the Movie Online interview:

Q: So what was it like working on Transformers?
Shia LaBeouf: Transformers was crazy. It’s just a different type of movie, a different form of it.

Q: A lot of green screens and blue screens?
Shia LaBeouf: Not a lot.
Q: Oh really?
Shia LaBeouf: No. We build the robots, we blew stuff up. This all really happened. There’s stuff we could’ve done on green screen but the way that [Michael] Bay works, and the way he works with actors, which is why it’s funny to me he goes to such lengths to put his actors in situations that are safety (??) and dangerous for their reaction and their response. He’s actually an actor’s director. It’s conducive to the performance because then you are responding. And he goes out of his way to do that. If you’re shooting a movie in 80 days, you can easily go to green screen and fake me being on the Orpheum Theatre, blowing the roof up, hanging by one hand while my feet are on fire.

You know that stuff you can do on green screen. But he took us to the Orpheum Theatre, blew the Orpheum Theatre up, lit my feet on fire. You don’t have to go mind F yourself, you know. You show up to set and the works done for you. You just have to respond. And so it’s funny to me that people say he’s not an actor’s director. If I didn’t have Bay, I wouldn’t have gotten through Transformers. There’s only one dude who could’ve made that movie. You couldn’t have DJ make Transformers and Michael Bay couldn’t have made Disturbia. They’re two different textures, two different paints. You know the difference between a Warhol and a Picasso, and I’m not saying that they’re either one of those or that they’re at that level, but they’re just two different textures.

Q: Were you a Transformers fan before you even signed up?
Shia LaBeouf: Huge.
Q: Really?
Shia LaBeouf: Star Wars was a bit early for me so I didn’t fall into the fanatical Star Wars thing. But Transformers was the male Barbie. I mean Transformers was at everyone’s house, not just at yours, but you’d go to a piñata party or something or a Quinceañera, everybody had them.

Q: So it was a dream come true in a way?
Shia LaBeouf: Yeah, but again, it was a cheesy cartoon. It was never what it is now and it’s turning into like… it’s becoming very serious. They’re making a whole storyline. Now they have a prequel book that I just read that just came out and it explains all the stuff that I had never even thought about. There’s the whole lingo that goes along with it. It’s very similar to Star Wars and the fan base and the passion of it. I don’t know about the mass and how big that fan base is, but the people who are into it are into it. They have Decepticon back logos, tattoos all over the place, Transformers, arm pieces.

You don’t see people getting Pirates of the Caribbean Jack Sparrow on their back. They don’t get those back pieces, they get Decepticon logos. They take the Ford symbol off their car and replace it with an Autobot symbol. People are fanatical about it. You go on Ain’t It Cool News or any of these websites and Chud or any of these and it’s all Transformers. Again, now I don’t know what the Internet amounts to, but I know we’re the most downloaded trailer in Yahoo’s history. But again, you can’t count on things like that. Snakes on a Plane had a huge Internet following and then what happened.

Q: It sounds like you have gone on line and read some of the things.
Shia LaBeouf: Oh, non-stop. Of course.

Q: As it gets closer to the release and it’s going to get more and more intense, are you going to be like ‘Okay, I can’t deal with this anymore’?
Shia LaBeouf: No. You have to be aware of it, because when you get questioned about it, especially if you’ve got a guy who’s on those sites and there’s passion behind it, you’ve got to be informed about the discussions and the topics, especially when you’re the head speaker for the Transformers movie and there’s so much behind it, you need to be educated to all of it – the lingo, the robots, the back talk, the combos, the rumors, all of it.

Q: Does that stress you out a little bit?
Shia LaBeouf: No, I’m a Transformers fan. I’d be doing this even if I wasn’t in the movie.

Transformers Chess and Risk

The Barnes and Noble website has posted up a few images for move related Tranformers chess set and Risk game. Both are priced $34.95 so probably will be $29.95 elsewhere. The TF chess set looks good. I enjoy Risk and really interested in that Transformers version, but sadly the pics don't show what the board and the pieces will look like.


(source)

New Sector 7 Email

Another day, another update on the Sector 7 site. They are starting to speed things up it seems.

The email:
From: Restricted
Subject: RE: Agent SU Information
Date Recieved: Apr. 6 2007 11:34 (MST)
To: S7 Department of Network Security

I received your forwarded message from Agent SU about X's recent activity to blow the lid off our cover on this public site. First Howard escapes, now this. Powers is really getting on my nerves. I don't care whose nephew he is. If he doesn't capture or neutralize Agent X ASAP, he's toast.

With regard to this web site buzznet.com/groups/stopsectorseven, we need to send our agents there to question and discredit every piece of evidence they find. Put out the word. X must be stopped one way or the other. Especially considering the reports I'm getting regarding Operation: Seek & Destroy.

Simmons

P.S. Let me know the second Power screws up again.

So Powers in trouble. Next mistake gets replaced (maybe occur when days lab safe goes to 0?). No idea who Agent SU is nor Simmons. Curious what Operation: Seek & Destroy is. Perhaps directly related to the Sector 7 presence in the movie. The mystery continues...

TF Video Game Site Official Up

The Transformers: The Video Game site is now up and running with new material including video, screenshots, blog, and press information. Probably the video most should check out is the one with Peter Cullen and Frank Welker as they briefly discuss reprising the voices. Didn't realize it but this would be the first time these two have worked together since 1987. I hope they get along because they are prboably going to see lot of each other for the next couple of months.

In addition to blog from Activision producer Callum Godfrey, there is a "Battle for the Allspark" game that should be up and running soon and provide prozes to participants. Additionally there are various polls that allow vistors to vote on names for some fo the drone robots made up for the game.

Some new pics are below but TFW2005 has the photo gallery mirrored here.

Seperate from the official site, is an interview on gamenewsi.com with Callum Godfrey where he discusses the game. No new information is revealed about the game.

Time Magazine Bumblebee Pic

This has already been discussed before, but figured people would like to see the original photo of Bumblebee's face that appeared in Time. It helps as get to see even more detail in the face.
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Cullen and Welker Sign On For Transformers Game

Gamespot.com is reporting that the Peter Cullen and Frank Welker have agreed to reprises the voices of Optimus Prime and Megatron for the upcoming Transformers: The Video Game coming out for the movie. Game photos are at end of the post.

Gamespot also interviewed Peter Cullen and Frank Welker about the roles. In addition there is a brief audio file with Welker where he talks about and uses the Megatron voice. The interviews cover how Cullen got the role of Optimus back in the 80s and what they like about each of the characters they voiced. No movie information is revealed but worth reading for any Transfan.

Full Article
Peter Cullen Interview
Frank Welker Interview
Welker/Megatron Audio

This announcement does beg the question...is Hugo Weaving doing any voice work for the video game and if not, why? Any case, this is one of the cool things about using the original voices when possible and not focusing on "stars" for the voices. A star tends to complicate everything usually due to ego and money reason (probably in that order). By getting experienced and willing voice talent, you get things like from Cullen voicing the video game, to the "Make Prime Speak" contest, Agent X voicework and so forth. I don't really imagine Hugo Weaving doing a "Make Megatron Speak" contest for instance or a podcast. So hats off to them for humoring us Transfans and seeming to enjoy the work rather then giving the impression of resenting it like many stars over the years. Thanks to Kevin for the link.