Fast Action Megatron and Others

ACToys.net has posted more pictures from the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Fast Action Battlers line. The line is geared towards young kids so that is why the overall lack of detail and simplified transformations.

The first few pics show Megatron and his cybertronian tank mode, further proof that the previous leaked pictures are true and further verifies he returns for the movie. It however does not verify that he is "The Fallen" that the film title may be referring to. After that we have Optimus Prime and Bumblebee that look essentially the same. Last is another picture of Jolt.

Epps Get A Promotion

Tyrese Gibson recently spoke with MovieWeb about his role in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen including that his character recieved a promotion.

Can you tell us a little bit about what Sgt. Epps is up to in this summer's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen?
Tyrese Gibson: Yes, my character has been upgraded to Master Sergeant Epps. I am the top dog in the air force. I am a master sergeant. I am bringing on way more air strikes. Michael Bay really beefed up my presence in this sequel. I was really happy about that. Just being on the set with all of my cast members really made me feel like we'd created a family union. I think we created something that is really special. The fans out there really showed up and made us feel appreciated for what we did. It felt good to be working on something that the world is waiting to see.

Can you talk about any of the new Transformers that you are going up against?Tyrese Gibson: No. I can't. I'm sorry. It's all secrets. Its way more robots. There are a whole bunch of new robots that the world is going to be introduced to. There is going to be way more action sequences. All of the stuff that goes on is really insane. What I love the most? I can purposely say this. I have never done nothing in my life, or been a part of anything in my life, where I feel like ever man, woman, and child in the world is going to see something that I've been in. And it's a lot of pressure. It is something...I don't know. It's just a lot of pressure. It's like someone telling you that, while it might be a messed up comparison, a tsunami is going to hit in seven months. And you can see the tsunami before it comes. How do you prepare for that? That's how I look at Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. It is just so big, and just so gargantuan. It is just really amazing. I am glad to be a part of it. Michael Bay is amazing. Spielberg, Shia, Josh, Megan. Also, you guys should be looking out for Matthew Marsden. He is a British actor. He was the head of the UK forces that are tied into the film. It is going to be pretty crazy.

Thanks to Katie for the heads-up.

TF2 Chevy Volt Gets A Name

From TF08.net once again has provided the picture of a new toy that is probably part of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen line. The alt mode is the Chevy Volt and based on the description on the card, the character has the name of Jolt. Appropriate name considering the near all electric engine design of the vehicle and not based on any previous G1 character I am aware of.

The toy might seem for the Transformers: Animation line but the head and front detail is much greater then the animation line tends to be. Really there is nothing cartooney about the design, a hallmark of the animation line. It’s a simple Transformer but then that is part of the mandate of the Fast Action Battlers line.

Considering the car's multiple appearances on Transformers sets during the summer and Hasbro going through the trouble to create a toy for the car, I do believe this could be confirmation that the Volt is a Transformer character for the upcoming sequel. Thanks to Phil for sending this in.

More Images of Legends Jetfire

More images of the Legends version of Jetfire have appeared on TF08.net. The images show a better look at Blackbird alt mode. While the toy seems rather unimpressive, keep in mind that Legends line is about $4 retail, at most two inch tall toy designed mostly as an easy buy with very simple transformation. It is not something I would use to indicate what a larger toy would look like and almost nothing about how the character will transform in the movie. Thanks to Phil for the pictures.

Jazz Up For Auction

Jalopnik is reporting that GM, in an effort to raise some cash, is putting cars from the companies Heritage museum up for sale, including the Pontiac Solstice "Jazz Transformer Movie Vehicle." I assume this is the "hero" model used in the first movie for the best shots of the car. Considering the car is up for auction and no other Transformer vehicle, is this the final nail in the coffin for all those hoping for Jazz's resurrection? If you have the money, the Barrett-Jackson auction of the vehicles will run January 13-18 in Scottsdale, AZ. Car collectors (ah to have that kind of money) must be salivating right now.

UK Release Date Announced

Transformers At The Moon reports the release date of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in the United Kingdom as June 26th, 2009 at The Odeon Leicester Square, the same day as the US release. The nationwide "saturation release" is supposed to follow thereafter, I guess the next day but the report doesn't say exactly when.

Toys Confirm Jetfire, Possible New Character (Updated)

From TFW2005.com are pictures of four new toys for the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Legends class toys. Two of them are the familiar Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. One of the other two is Jetfire that clearly shows the SR-71 Blackbird nose and indicates he is a Decepticon. I think the character only starts the movie as a Decepticon but ends it as an Autobot.

The final toy reveals a possible new character for the movie - Springer. While the toys says "Autobot Springer", that is probably for copyright reasons. Springer is a G1 Transformer first introduced as a triple-changer in the animated Transformers: The Movie and has a relationships of sorts with Arcee. Based on the toy picture I am guessing his alt mode is a V-22 Osprey. The military aircraft was used in the first movie and rumored to have been used in scenes for the second. Now considering Hasbro likes to use characters in their movie toy lines that have no part in the movie, its possible this character doesn't show up in the movie. Considering the alt mode and the characters history I have my doubts on that theory.

Update: From TF08, below is a picture of Legends Jetfire showing his jet mode. Thanks to minime for the link.

TF2 Australian Release Date Announced

Ozformers, via TFW2005, is reporting that the release date of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy line and movie has been released. For Australia, the toy line will be on stores shelves by May 31 and the movie will follow on June 25th, 2009. Once you include the 15 hour time difference gives the country about a two day jump on the United States.

This also pretty much verifies that the movie will not get a simultaneous worldwide release and instead will get a staggered release schedule. I don't know why they don't do that considering that to my knowledge the Harry Potter movies and Pirates of the Caribbean all did worldwide same day releases to clearly huge box office numbers.

Transformers 3: June 29th, 2011

Dark Horizons reports that a movie release schedule in Germany has the release of Transformers 3 scheduled for June 29th 2011. Sadly the site didn't mention or link to their source. Nothing wrong with a little confidence that Revenge of the Fallen will be huge enough to warrant immediate start on the next movie which would be the only way to hit that completely un-official date.

Transformers: Alliance #4 Cover

Generally I don't post about the Transformers comics, mostly because I forget to but in this case the cover for Transformers: Alliance #4 made that difficult to do since it seems the cover includes most of the theorized Autobot cast for Transformers 2.

In the background you have the returning Autobots from the first movie, Ironhide, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and Ratchet. Then beneath then in vehicle mode are the various cars that have been spotted on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen sets over the last few months plus a new one. From left to right, the Chevy Beat (Skids), Chevy Trax (unknown), Corvette Centennial (Sideswipe), three RetroSBK bikes (Arcee) and no clue what the purple car behind the bikes are.

Arcee's alt mode being comprised of three separate components have yet to be proven but the three bikers have been spotted on TF sets several times and now being used in a cover that is made up entirely of Autobots seems to be further confirmation of her alt mode. As for that purple car, not a clue. It could be a character created specifically for the comic book or a car that wasn't spotted on the sets but is in the movie. As usual time will tell.

Transformers: Alliance mini-series issue 1 comes out later this month and issue 4 is out in March. Check your local comic book stores about getting the mini-series.

Three More Transformer 2 Toys? (Updated)

Three more Transformers have appeared online (joining Dead End), all proposed to possibly be part of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen line. The head design and "look" doesn't match the Transformers: Animated style and the lack of complexity in the transformation suggest all three are basic TFs, probably in the $6 range.

The first toy is Knock Out whose alt mode is a motorcycle. The pictures are apparently of a prototype that hasn't been painted yet. The second one is Dirt Boss whose green crane and construction crane does make you think "Constructicon" but the alt mode does little to suggest gestalt capabilities. The final toy is a blue Autobot truck with no suggested name. While it is possible that these toys are based on movie characters I get they feeling they are not.

Knock Out


Dirt Boss


Rollbar


Update: Via a German ebay auction, the blue truck has a name, Rollbar, and a much clearer picture of the toy. Via another auction, now a picture of the Autobot Knock-Out painted.

Dead End Review

The other day toy pictures came out that may or may not part of the TF2 toy line (but doubtful a character in the movie). At first the toy was called Laserbeak but it seems fandom have reached a consensus to call it Dead End. For those still curious, Cybertron.ca's Pascal has posted more images and a review of the toy which you can find here.

Bay: No Trailer Until February

Michael Bay has official put Transfandom out of its misery in regards to whether a trailer is coming out this year or not. Sadly the answer is no, a preliminary plan is to possibly release the first trailer for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen with the Superbowl (2/1/09) but no final decisions have been made. From Bay's forums:

Hey everyone. Back from Egypt and Jordan - we had a wonderful shoot over there. I will miss the crew they were an amazing bunch of people and a lot of fun.

I'm stuck in the edit room up to my eye balls - also finished producing Friday the 13Th and The Unborn - coming out the after the new year. Our Trailer for Transformer you have been asking about - First there will be a teaser poster soon after the new year, and the teaser trailer will be out either in the theaters early Feb. or on the Superbowl. Cannot decide yet. I'm going to release some set stills on this site in a few weeks. I'll keep you informed. Going back to do more selects now from my portable avid that I take home from work. It's late, see you.

Michael

At first I thought the real reason for no trailer this year was for the studio to save money as all of them are slashing budgets. Now it sounds like rather then spreading the money around with trailer releases, a few TV spots and they like, they may choose to blow the first trailer budget all at once for the Superbowl. Considering the ratings for the game can go as high as 97.5 million (assuming the game is exciting rather then blowout) it is a smart play in regards to getting maximum eyeballs aware of the movie. Very expensive plan to considering a 30 second ad last year cost $2.7 million and likely to go to $3 million this year. Sucks for us but if the goal is eyeballs then you really can't beat the Superbowl for maximizing awareness in one shot. Thanks to Hitman450 for the heads up.

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.