TF2 Laserbeak Toy?

TFW2005 has posted a gallery (pics below) of what the site theorizes could be the toy design for Laserbeak in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. A secondary theory is it’s the RC toy/TF that the call sheets mentioned. One last theory is the toy is Dead End, who in the original G1 series was a Decepticon Stunticon who formed the gestalt Menasor.

The line-up of Decepticons for the movie remains largely unknown and the Laserbeak theory seems based on the idea that where there is Soundwave, his minion must follow. Now how it was reached that this picture is Laserbeak I don't know. I guess because of the avian look to the head. The RC theory is probably based on the unfamiliar car mode not based on any known GM vehicle. Dead End theory seems just as possible but if looks is the only clue, the G1 toy was based on a Porche 928 which looks nothing like the alt mode of the toy. The closest G1 Transformer that I can think of that matches the toy is Lightspeed (pic), a member of the Autobot Technobots who formed the gestalt Computron.

Ultimately with so little information, what the toy could be is anyone's guess. The head and design makes me think "TF movie" rather then animated toy line. I almost want to call it one of the "decoy" TFs (based on the video games) that Hasbro released but those toys never had a real face while this one does. It could however be an extension of that idea, where the decoys simply have more detail.

Tyrese Shoots Down Rumor

Tyrese Gibson briefly talks Transformers and Fast and Furious 4 with HollywoodScoop.com. Most of the interview is in regards to his casting in the F&F4. Towards the end he comments on a supposed rumor that his character, Sergeant Epps dies (that rumor is news to me), "Killed? No, no impossible. Impossible. I am too sexy to die." So there you go a rumor no one but the interviewer heard about shot down by the man himself. Yep it’s a slow news day.

No Trailer This Year?

In a post on his forums, Don Murphy provided an update on several of his projects and commented on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The part of his posts that contain information is in regards to the marketing for the sequel where he says "we're kind of trying to follow the Pirates of Caribbean model, that is, no publicity for as long as possible, since the sequel will have enormous attention no matter what we do." This seems to indicate that no trailer will come out until some time next year.

Personally I think it’s a mistake. Do fans know about the movie? Sure. Does john q average movie goer? Nope not even close. Even people wearing Transformers shirts that seem semi-Internet savvy are surprised when I tell them the sequel is coming out next year. Internet knowledge does not equal common knowledge. The Pirates model was based on two movies coming out less then six months apart. When the sequel is your advertising for the next movie you don't have to engage in aggressive selling. Transformers came out over a year and half ago. It simply doesn't have the same popularity that Pirates had (like it or not). They are comparing apples to oranges and don't seem to know it.

I thought the marketing for the first movie to have been handled perfectly. Enough information and trailers to keep people interested but no so much that people get sick of hearing about it. Nothing worse then seeing a trailer so often you lose interest in the movie itself. However, its better most people know about your movie then not enough and right now I don't think there is a critical mass that is aware a sequel is coming. The way I see it, if ET or AICN do not suddenly get an "exclusive" by Wednesday, there will be no Transformers 2 trailer until February or March of next year.

First Look at TF2's Ravage and Megatron

"Sylar" has provided the below image that is reported to be the design of beast mode design of Ravage and robot mode of Megatron for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The anonymous source reports that Optimus, Bumblebee, Starscream and Ironhide remain essentially the same.

Ravage's beast mode seems to be a revised draft of the image that was released a little over a month ago that reported that Soundwave's alt mode was a truck (that part denied). As for Megatron, his robot mode does seem to match with the reported tank alt mode.

The image has been photoshopped to increase the size of the original image and remove the background. Pretty bad ass alt mode for Ravage that looks incredibly dangerous. I assume the character would be like Scorpinok. Probably has a robot mode, just doesn’t use it. Megatron looks a lot more compact then his design from the first movie; I wonder where the tank turret went. Click the image for a larger view.

Thanks to "Sylar" for the image.

Something to Fill Trailer Hunger

We all want a trailer, yet so far there is no proven news on the trailer. So how about a fantastic fan made trailer from two years ago reformatted for YouTube's new widescreen look with commentary. Jester and Jolin (TF artwork extraordinaire) created a trailer for the first movie that was a direct nod to the 1984 generation one cartoons. Their work went on to win the "Fanaticon" contest that Yahoo! Movies held which led to a trip to Industrial Light and Magic. To see some cool pictures from ILM that they took click here. Below are the various trailers, videos and what not from Jester and Jolin have put together. Click the title link above the video if want to see it at YouTube's larger default size.

Transformers Teaser Trailer


Transformers Trailer II


Don Murphy Spammies Intro


Transformers Director - Fanaticon Winning Entry


Trailer FX Breakdown


Update: Added a link to pictures from the ILM tour and modified the embed code so the movies above will be in HD from instructions Jester provided.

Goldner CEO of the Year

Congratulations to Brian Goldner. Marketwatch has declared the Hasbro CEO its "CEO of the Year". Sure not big deal to us cause we are not CEOs but I am sure he was popping champagne. So why post about it?

Because "The Transformer" helped negotiate the deal that brought Transformers (and GI Joe) to the big screen and it’s nice to see Transformers grow from about a two foot space on store shelves to somewhere around 4 to 8 feet in most stores. I still remember the G1 days when TF toys nearly took up half an aisle in those pretty boxes (sigh) so its nice to see growth back to its hey day.

Reshoot, Trailer Rumors

Two pieces of unconfirmed news regarding Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. One is a reshoot at Edwards Air Force Base and another involves the trailer.

From "KevKev", who found the article in the November 28th edition of his local newspaper, The Antelope Valley Press, and transcribed it for the website.

Transformers' return to Edwards

The Autobots and the Decepticons rolled out to the Antelope Valley last week, returning to Edwards Air Force Base.

A production crew for the sequel "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" was spotted Nov. 19 at the base, and appeared to be settling in for the remainder of the week. No other details were available as of press time.

The second "Transformers" project was last seen in the AV in September at the Service Rock Quarry, at Palmdale Boulevard and 75th Street East.

The production previously filmed at the quarry for about a week in mid-August, staging an action sequence featuring a helicopter, pyrotechnic explosions, wind machines, debris and gunfire. A crew spent about a month prepping at the site.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" also filmed in July at Edwards Air Force Base. Several fan Web sites have posted pictures online allegedly taken the last time the crew visited the base.

They showed Autobot chief Optimus Prime being loaded onto a trailer, a couple of shiny silver sports cars and an assortment of other vehicles arranged outside a large hanger

If a reshoot occurred, chances are its second unit work that didn't involve Bay or the principle cast and is simply being used to fill out shots that the editing process determined was needed.

In regards to the potential trailer, Cody reports that someone he knows involved with Transformers 2 said they are "90% sure" that the trailer will premiere with The Day The Earth Stood Still which comes out December 12th. They also said the trailer was "finished about a month ago".

Considering that the trailer for Wolverine is debuting with TDTESS, it seems that there is an expectation that the movie will have a demographic that TF2 advertising would be aiming for. It’s also the last big budget popcorn movie of the year so last chance to get the most eyeballs aware that the sequel is coming before year end. After that, it seems to me that the next opportunity will not be until Watchmen in March. After Watchmen, the final theatrical trailer will premiere with Star Trek, no surprise since both are Paramount productions.

Thanks to KevKev and Cody for the information.

Update: Added the name of the newspaper and the date KevKev found the article. I tried to find it on their website but apparently a lot of what they print isn't mirrored on newspaper's site.

Even More Transformer Related Videos

A slow weekend, no new news (beyond the unending Soundwave pictures), so it seems a good time for more Transformers videos. Not all is safe for work due to cusswords. The whole lot found by Radames (thanks!). Rude Awakening is the funniest of the lot.

Another Rude Awakening of Optimus Prime


Optimus Prime Cereal Commercial Take 1


Optimus Prime Cereal Commercial Take 2


Prowl vs Soundwave Battle in 3D


Fan Made Transformers 2 Trailer


Dashcam Meteor (real life movie moment)

More Soundwave, New Bumblebee Pics

The apparently unending stream of Soundwave pictures continues. At least they are probably the best yet of the potential Transformers 2 toy. The left is yet another proposed configuration of the possible satellite mode for the character. The full gallery is here.

In addition TF08.net via TFW2005 have a few new pictures of what is reported to be the revised Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy for Bumblebee. The main differences are slight remold of the head and bumper with a new weapon design. The below picture is a side by side comparison of the figures with TF2 Bumblebee on the left and TF1 version on the right. Thanks to Jacf352 for the link.

Transformers Black Friday Deals

Thanks to TFormers putting together all the deals related to Transformers going on right now. The various stores are all opening early so be sure to check your local store (or newspaper ad) for details. If your aware of other Transformers deals including the toys, be sure to note them in the comments.

Best Buy
Transformers Blu-Ray - $9.99
Transformers: The Game (PS2) - $9.99

Circuit City (excluding closing stores)
Transformers one disc DVD - $5.99
Transformers: Autobot (DS) - $9.99
Transformers: The Game (PS3) - $14.99

K-Mart
Transformers Tech Game - $14.99

Meijer
Transformers Action Figures or Play Sets - Buy One Get One 50% Off

Target
Transformers one disc DVD - $5.98

Wal-Mart
Transformers one disc DVD - $6.00
Transformers Blu-ray - $15.00
Transformers Animated Deluxe 2-Pack - $15.00

Hasbrotoyshop.com
Various TF toys - various percentages off of many TF related toys

Transformers: The Veiled Threat

A Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen novel pre-order has started popping up on a few websites called "Transformers: The Veiled Threat." The 304 page paperback novel is scheduled to come out next April and written by Alan Dean Foster. Foster has written a large number of novels including many for existing media properties such as Aliens, Star Trek, and Star Wars so definitely as the eye for science fiction writing.

There are no details on what the story is about but I assume it is set somewhere in the two year gap that marks the end of the first movie and beginning of the second. There is also a prequel comic book mini-series in the works that is also somewhere in the gap but whether they will going covering the same territory is known only to the writers.

Soundwave Video Review

From TFW2005, a video review (with short update) of the possible Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundwave toy. The toy has not yet been verified to be part of the line but its style suggests it could be. The reviewer starts in the "satellite" mode but I am partial to the Cybertronian jet mode. The figure size and construction suggest it’s in the Deluxe ($9.99) price point range.

Transformers 2 Wrap Party

Turns out that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen officially wrapped with a wrap party held on November 15th at the Opera Lounge in Hollywood, CA. Below are two brief descriptions of the party.

From The Pop Republic:

Tyrese, attending the Wrap Party for Transformers 2 at Hollywood’s Opera Lounge on Saturday, November 15, 2008. He was super friendly, taking pictures with party guests beside a life-sized replica of a Transformer. So cool.

Transformers 2 Director Michael Bay was a huge Teddy Bear, laughing and joking with everyone. He posed for a ton of pix with Crew Members and their families. He also spent the better part of an hour talking to a dozen Marines, complementing them for their service to the US.

From Skulboy Blogversation:

After working for 4 months as a sculptor on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, I got an invite to the Wrap Party, so I Akiko and I headed out to Hollywood last night to party down with the cast and crew.

We don't get out all that much so it was fun hanging out at a hip club with an open bar, excellent food and a burlesque trio shaking things up for a few tunes. The highlight however was Michael Bay himself presenting a full length trailer that no one has seen yet as a thanks for all the hard work the crew put in to make the film. In true Bay fashion, the trailer had plenty of Armed Forces presence, returning stars and above all else, tons of stuff getting blowed up. We're talking some serious explosions here. Whoa.
Great time LA style.

Now the above mentions a trailer but according to TF2 writer Roberto Orci, "It wasn't a trailer. Just select footage" so sadly to early to assume a trailer is in the can just waiting for a premiere date (dang). There is also a slideshow here but not sure if it’s from the party or what.

Update: From the comments is the suggestion that the trailer will premiere with the The Day the Earth Stood Still which comes out December 12th. Of course this is unconfirmed but as good as any other theory. For the month of December either Earth or Benjamin Button seem like the only "A-list" movies coming out and Button isn't the right audience to me for a TF trailer. Now there is no guarantee a trailer is coming out this year at all but that just strikes me as unlikely. The goal is to start the buzz sooner rather then later and holiday movies are a great time to do that.

Cosmos Fan Concept Art

Jester and Jolin strike again, this time with their design for Cosmos. The old G1 character was a green and yellow mini-bot that turned into a flying saucer. This one's alt mode is a much more logical Cybertronian Transport Shuttle that gives the character the heft and strength one would expect from a Transformer. Once again another excellent design (more work here).

More Soundwave Toy Pics (Updated)

More pictures of the TF2 Soundwave toy have popped up. They are the clearest yet but still don't provide confirmation as to whether this toy is part of the movie line and therefore a potential version of Soundwave in the movie but still indicates the alt mode is a Cybertronian jet. How many more pictures can there be of this toy?

Update: Well turns out that, yep, there can be more pictures of this toy. Two more thanks to links provided by Snortpocket.


Update 2: It seems the pictures just don't stop. How many of these are there out there now? From TFW2005, more pictures of Soundwave. Below is a great closeup of his head and one potential alt mode of the figure but more pictures can be found here.

Transformers 2 Shockwave Toy? Nope (Updated)

From HK-TF, via TFormers is the below images of what is reported to be images of Shockwave for the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy line. The orginial G1 Shockwave is identified by his cyclops eye and purple color scheme. A tradition that continued with his various iterations over the years and the images currently match.

If the toy images are true this is the first time any meaningful news has come out to suggest that Shockwave makes an appearance in TF2. Much like the first movie, the lineup of Decepticons in the sequel almost completely unknown so the idea has merit. Thanks to Furstreak for the heads-up.

Update: With the able assistance of TFW2005's Joe Moore, below are the cleaned up images of "Shockwave." As some have asserted, yep the images are of rumored TF2 toy of Soundwave. This would then mean this is the first time that Soundwave's alt mode is suggested to be something other then a satellite but rather a Cybertronian jet. This mode could be before he takes on an earth mode so it doesn't (yet) disprove any Soundwave rumors. Personally I am just disappointed because I really liked the idea of Shockwave appearing in the movie.


Update 2: TFW2005 has posted another picture, this time a close-up of the head. The overall look suggests a homage to the original G1 toy with a more pronounced crown topped head and visor eyes. Thanks to Astrotrain for the link.

Isabel Talks Stunts

Isabel Lucas spoke briefly with The Dish Rag about her work on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The article itself, which doesn't even get the title right, focuses mostly on her past relationships but in the video Lucas briefly mentions some wirework stunt she participated in. She describes the character of Alice as a student at Princeton but that just could be because the scenes were shot there and not the "official" name of the college the characters go to in the movie. Sadly it’s not much in the info department but right now it seems we are in a TF2 info drought.

New TF2 Trailer with 007? Nope

Maybe it was just my theatre, but there was no Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer with Quantum of Solace. Neither was the Star Trek trailer. I am thinking there will be no trailer this week mainly because there is not the usual studio promotional push with leaks to major movie websites and magazines. The theory was based on comments from Orci that a promotional push would start in November and just rumors in general. Keep in mind though that no one officially ever used the word "trailer" when describing promotional plans for the movie, so while I am disappointed there really isn't anyone to blame.

Now that I have seen Quantum of Solace, it seems like a good call to not air the trailer with that film. It will not be the biggest movie of the season as it will likely have a great weekend and then quickly flameout due to poor word of mouth. The acting is good, the story serviceable, the woman beautiful, but the villain is a joke. But that isn't the problem. The problem is either a poor director or editor. The film seemed edited by someone with a hyper version of ADD. During action sequences, I defy you to find a moment that lasted more than 3 seconds before there was a cut. During no action points, the number climbed to at most 8 seconds. There was probably excellent, epic Bond-like stunts and effects in the movie but everything was so cut to pieces that you could not enjoy them. In there was an excellent 007 flick but horrible editing resulted in a horrible movie. I cannot recommend the movie and suggest you wait till it’s at the cheap theatre or can rent it. See Casino Royale or another Bond movie again if you need a 007 fix.

This leads me to wonder if Paramount and Bay knew what a disaster Quantum was going to become and decided to attach the movie to a better, possibly Twilight (out 11/21). I hope that is the case. Time will tell as always but if suddenly multiple magazines and websites start getting Transformers 2 information, take that as a strong hint that a trailer is coming.

New Transformers 2 Logo?

From TFormers.com comes a possible version of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie logo. The image was revealed as part of a presentation of securities analysts by Hasbro today. The logo is a nod to the classic G1 Transformers logo. I am not sure but the Autobot image is from one of the video games and not the movie itself.

Now the image could be what is being used for the upcoming image or just something that Hasbro put together for the presentation. As usual we will not know until something official comes out to confirm it. Thanks to April for the heads-up.

TF2 Soundwave Toy Pictures? (Updated)

From TF08.net's "yizhi521", via TF2005.com are the below pictures of what could be a toy for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The current theory is this is an image of Soundwave based on the three wings that look vaguely like satellite panels, which is the current rumored alt mode for the character. Thanks to Simbatron for the heads-up.

Update: Two more pictures have popped-up. Still as blurry as the rest.


Update 2: Another pic has popped up. Still blurry but a better look at the head which almost looks like a re-colored Optimus Prime head to me.

Theatre TF Shirts Hint at Trailer?

Over at the TFormers forums, "Hunter Rose" (name of comic book Grendel) pretty much writes this post for me.

I have a buddy who is a manager at a theater, and just like last year when he hooked me up with a TF Movie shirt early - he gave me a brand new REVENGE OF THE FALLEN shirt today.

I guess we should expect to see promos popping up at theaters soon then...
shirts, posters, trailer maybe??

The current theory is Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer will start this Friday with Quantum of Solace and the Star Trek trailer. Failing that, then Twilight becomes the next likely debut movie. Hopefully by the end of the week Paramount will release something that verified the trailer's debut date (but not holding my breath on that). Thanks to Rich for the link.

Transformers This and That

Just a few random Transformer related things that I have collected over the last few weeks.

Robot Chicken: Transformers - Thanks to Mindy for the link. Apparently Peter Cullen was approached to voice this skit but declined. Not sure who the replacement voice is but probably one of the regular cast.

Transformers Nike Pack - Nike plans on released Transformers related shoes in 2009. The pack will come in GS sizes (whatever that means). Thanks to AirForce1s for the link and pictures.


Bonecrusher Goes to Afghanistan - The Daily Star reports that the US Department of Defense will send the Buffalo to Afghanistan. The model was used as Bonecrusher in the first film before his demise at the hands of Optimus Prime's sword. The vehicle is part of a fleet of 700 new vehicles that are going to the region. Thanks to Chris for the link.

Almost Transformers - Rather bizarre video that shows people disguised as appliances and scaring people. Thanks to Stefan for the link.


Chinese Transformers Movie - In last bit of information is news that Jeffrey Lau plans on directing a Transformers like film for China. The title of the film is Robot and "present a refreshing look at Chinese robots for people who are used to stereotypical Hollywood figures like Spiderman and Superman." The filming starts November 19th in China. Yay copycats, I guess.