Botcon: Bay Presents ROTF Footage

Yesterday, during the Botcon Awards (no idea who won what), Michael Bay himself introduced clips from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Cool move on his part since he didn't have to make the trip. Sadly no video but below is the description from Seibertron.com. Spoiler warning. Thanks to G0M3Z for the heads-up.

With our anticipation at its highest level, the attendees of Botcon roared into cheer as the first clip of the movie started. The footage started with John Turturro and Sam's roomate in the middle of a construction zone looking on to a group of construction vehicles surround them. The constructicons were revealed when Mixmasters Decepticon symbol is shown and Scavenger begins to transform. At the same time the other constructicons move closer to form Devastator!!!

Scavenger literally forces all the other constructicons into the gestalt ala Scorpion in Mortal Kombat [I think he means that "Come Here!" with chain grab move - ed]. Tuturro then runs with Sam's roomate when the scene cuts to Sam and Mikaela running from Rampage.

Rampage begins chasing Sam's father when Sam jumps in front of him to draw his attention. Sam then says "Wait, it's not them you want. It's this, the MATRIX!" He then holds up an item and continues to coax Rampage when Bumblebee arrives. The battle begins.

Rampage and Bumblebee fight ferociously with Bumblebee getting the better of Rampage when Ravage enters the fray. Using his hip cannons he blasts Bee and jumps on his back. Bumblebee then forces Rampage to the ground when Rampage lunges for Sam and takes Ravage and tears him apart piece by piece.

Bumblebee then rips Rampage's arm off and decapitates him.

Botcon 2009 Day 2 Panels (Updated)

Day two at Botcon 2009 has ended and below are links to galleries and panel summaries that may interest you including costumes, custom TF toys, the Activision panel, IDW panel and Weird Al appearance.

Hasbro Review Panel
A look at upcoming products and exclusives that include a ROTF Voyager Fallen on Fire exclusive for Target. Toys R Us exclusives will include ROTF Battle Pack (G1 Soundwave with 1st movie Megatron), G1 Insecticons and G1 Percepter (i.e. recreated mold from 25 years ago). Wal-Mart will get Masterpiece Skywarp, which will look more like its cartoon counterpart then the Japanese release. Additional ROTF toys are also in the works including Bludgeon, Jungle Attack Ironhide (with bumper that transformers into crossbow, knives, etc), and new Human Alliance Barricade with Frenzy (that sites in the vehicle).

Costume Showcase
What is a convention without people in costume? Click the link for a gallery of pictures of various costumes including Animated Arcee (above), movie Bumblebee, movie Jazz, G1 Grimlock, Frenzy puppet, and more.

Custom Transformers (also here)
A huge gallery of fans created Transformers, environments, repaints and more. An example is the picture here of Tetrajet Sunstorm whose alt mode is inspired by the Cybertronian mode of the Seekers in the very first G1 cartoon from 25 years ago.

IDW Publishing Panel
Preview of art from future comics such as Spotlight: Cliffhanger and Metroplex, upcoming issue of All Hail Megatron, and maybe a Transformers: Animated comic book.

Activision Video Game Panel
Q&A session about the video game. No new information was released. Discussion focused on features of the game, achievement system, confirmation that Devastator was not playable character, about 100 hours of music just for the game, and more.

Weird Al and David Kaye Panel
A Q&A session with Weird Al Yankovic (who should need no introduction also played Wreck Gar in TF Animated) and David Kaye (Prime in TF Animated, Megatron in Beast Wars and Beast Machines, and much more). They discussed doing work on Transformers: Animated, voice work, and various other topics.

Update: Three more galleries for you enjoyment. One is for the dealer room that shows off all kinds of Transformers goodies over the years and the other two are from the Paramount Party that sorta closed off Botcon (same one that aired the TF footage) with appearances by Tyrese (with Ratchet), Peter Cullen, Weird Al, Stan Bush, and more. One of these years I will actually get to go to one.

Dealer Room
Paramount Party I
Paramount Party II

Transformers on Britain's Got Talent

Yesterday was the season finale of Britain's Got Talent. That is the show that introduced the world to Susan Boyle. Well it turns out she actually lot the competition to Diversity, a dance group. So why care? The music they danced to has the Transformer transformation sound playing throughout it. Transformers for the win. Below is their performance, click here for Susan Boyle's reprisal of "I Dreamed A Dream", and here for announcement of the winner. Thanks to Sean for the heads-up.

Botcon: Orginial Unicron, Devatator and More

Botcon continues and with it comes lots of images of Transformer toys both past and present. One of the best is the "Holy Grail" of Transformers toys - the original G1 Unicron that was created with the first movie but not released for obvious reasons (other than cost). In addition, there are pictures of Supreme Devastator (the $100 one) that shows him from multiple angles and his component Constructicons (that do not have a robot mode). In addition, Hasbro is previewing the San Diego Comic-Con special edition re=release of G1 Soundwave with Laserbeak, Ravage, Rat Bat and Buzzsaw (me wants). Other galleries include Revenge of the Fallen toys and Animated toys.

Marvel Vault Unicron - includes immages of SDCC Soundwave and Robot Heroes
G1 Unicron - Another gallery of this rare Transformer.
Supreme Devastator
SDCC Soundwave and RoTF Ravage - Another gallery of the toy.
Transformers: Animated - A last look at the now defunct toy line that includes some repaints that probably will not be released.
Revenge of the Fallen Display - A look at the first wave of toys from the movie.

RoTF: The Mobile Game Video

TFW2005 found a video that shows off a mobile game for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The game appears to be a side-scroller that reminds me of 16-bit graphics. The video shows playable characters of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee with transformation mode that plays apart in moving through the levels. Boss fights include Starscream, The Fallen and Devastator. Don't know when it comes out or at what price.

New TV Spot?

Below is a TV spot called Destiny 30 from linkinparktv that is the bands official YouTube channel. It uses their new song New Divide as the background music for the entire spot. I don't know if this an official edit or not. Thanks to Joseph for the link.

Botcon RoTF Writers Panel

At Botcon's first day, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman participated in a question and answer session about Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen that provides few bits of new information. Highlights below, the full breakdown is here. Picture from here.

- Before the strike, only has a 20 page outline.
- Immediately after the strike Bay locked the three writers into hotels room to get a shooting script ready as shooting started four months later.
- Shia's damaged hand (due to a car accident) does not appear until the third act and writing it into the film was difficult.
- Did not rule out an appearance of Unicron or Primus in the franchise
(They have indicated in past interviews they don't rule out anything until they actually start writing a script so that answer doesn't mean a whole lot).
- When asked if the Matrix of Leadership was in the movie (as indicated in the adaptations), they replied "That's a very good question!"
- Various combiners show up unexpectedly, with no buildup.
- The Twins are mostly comic relief. Their ice cream truck mode plays a key plot point in the movie (Not in any adaptations I read).
- Hasbro pretty much gave the writers carte blanche and only offered suggestions the characters. Writers went through Transformers school (which Bay did for the first movie) that provided them with character development and story direction.
- Many characters in the sequel the writers wanted for the first but did not make the cut.

Botcon Friday Panels

Botcon has started its full first day of Transformers festivities. For those that couldn't be there, here is a few links and summaries of the information learned at the panels.

G1 Matrix of Leadership Set
- Not really Botcon news, but the 16 DVD box set of the entire G1 television series is set for release on July 13, 2009 with a price of $140.00 USD.
- Set includes interviews, featurettes, concept art, toy commercials, scripts and a 60 page booklet. Click link above for more info.

Music of the Transformers Panel
- Panel with Vince DiCola and Stan Bush who provided music for animated Transformers: The Movie.
- Dicola was "hurt" he didn't get to contribute to the current films but has respect for Steve Jablonski. Also felt that a "marriage of the orchestral and the techno" would have been better fit musically.
- "Two new toys from Hasbro will feature a '07 re-record of the Touch" (not sure what that means)
- Both plan on working on new albums for release later this year.

Transformers: Animated Panel
- As suspected, the just finished third season of the show is its last and the series and line has been cancelled (so if holding out, better pick up the toys while can).
- Panel was mostly animated shorts and character profiles.
- Sadly no specifics on what info on the creation process or fan questions.

Transformers Collectors Club Toy Gallery
- As part of Botcon, there is was release of toys specific to the club (which costs $35 I think to join). Only members can order the toys.
- The toys are generally repaints of Animated toys, click the link to view.

Shia Explains Transformers 2 (Updated)

As part of the prep for the MTV Movie Awards (this Sunday at 9PM est), Shia LaBeouf explains Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and talks about its scale and visuals. The video includes clips from the movie, including "first look" at The Fallen that we have not seen before. Thanks to Grant for the link and the screenshot. The MTV Movie Awards should have new Revenge of the Fallen footage (but for all we know could be the Bumblebee/Shia college scene again). Hopefully the footage will appear online shortly after it airs.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Update: MTV has posted a clearer image of the Fallen image above. Thanks to Rich for the image.

Legends Devastator, More Ejector and Other Galleries

Scorpio has found three new toy galleries.

First is the Legends Devastator display taken by ACToys that shows the assembled Devastator. If you look behind him to the right you can see them individual Constructicons in their packaging, in English, that seems to provide verification of US release of the toys. To the right, you can see G1 Devastator components in Japanese packaging (love their use of boxes over peg hooks). Based on the size, these are probably mini-figures that were released stateside as a KB Toys exclusive in 2007.

Next up is a large gallery of Scout class Ejector the toaster. We previously saw the toy in his packaging but this time he is loose and being shown at all the angles and compared with other scout class toys. He is rather ugly but I just love it when Transformers are based on real world objects. The full gallery is here.

Last is a few pictures of TF08.net (can't have a RoTF gallery without this website). The images are a repaint of Stockade (new name unknown), Nightbeat (Dead End repaint) and Deluxe Arcee (who is still ugly).

The Michael Bay Coefficient

Brian found the below amusing video of "I'd See it If...The Movie Trailer Review Show" that decided to analyze the first Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer and compare it to his other movies based on four measurements - explosions, words spoken, seconds of hot chicks, and vehicles destroyed. Their comparisons resulted in the "discovery" of The Michael Bay Coefficient (MBC) which "measures the Michael Bay-ness of a particular Michael Bay movie based on the Michael Bay trailer". I do believe that MBC should be the new measurement of all things Bay.

Sadly MSN blocks embeding on blogger so click here to view.

Transformers: RoTF Toys On Sale Now (sorta)

Based on various Transformer forums, the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy line is now on sale in the states but your local mileage may vary. Depending on location, Wal-Mart either started selling the toys at midnight last night, 5PM today or midnight Saturday. Brian (who also provided the pics) reports to me that Target has already started selling the toys. No news yet on Toys R Us but I imagine they will not start until tomorrow morning. GeneralTekno informs me via Twitter that Toys R Us Canada is selling the toys as of today.

Also TFormers is reporting that Hasbro Toy Store is selling the toys with free shipping for orders over $50 by using the code FALLEN.

The pic above is "Bumble Spud" based off of Mr. Potato Head line. Below is part of the display, next to that is Voyager Prime with pretty dark colors and chinese markings, and the last is another part of the display along with a toy laptop of sorts. Have fun emptying your wallets!

Official Site Update, Movie Rating

The official website for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has been updated. The site now sports a Bumblebee background, 100 hundreds of fan art and photos to vote on, and movie rating to PG-13. As a site reader pointed, that designation actually started appearing the TV spots a few weeks ago. Thanks to Florian for the heads-up.

Transformers Choose Your Side Launches

As part of the international marketing for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, a UK based website called Transformers Choose Your Side has launched. Interestingly enough the site is set up for five different countries which you can choose by clicking the flag above Bumblebee. The countries are USA, United Kingdom, Australia, France, and Germany. The content it self remains the same but interesting to see the same site in different languages or cultures (like the date order).

The fan site invites visitors to express their allegiance to either Autobots or Decepticons, through a variety of creative and compelling content including site skins for Twitter, Myspace and bebo, desktop downloads and a profile pic creator. The ‘transmitter’ and ‘banner builder’ are two personalised applications that you can embed on your social network, blog or site to deliver the latest news about the movie direct to you and your subscribers.

By default the website opens to the Autbot-centric content, but just click the link at the bottom to switch to the Decepticon stuff.

Botcon, TF2 Toys Press Release and Gallery

Botcon started today in Pasadena, California and for those lucky attendees they will get a chance to look at and probably purchase toys from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy line. To mark the occasion, Hasbro has issued a press release. For the rest of us, you will just have to make do with the gallery of 112 Hasbro provided images here. At least until the official release date of Saturday morning.

PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 2009 TRANSFORMERS fan convention, which is in Pasadena on May 28 to 31, is destined to be one of the biggest and most exciting TRANSFORMERS gatherings ever! In addition to celebrating Hasbro’s TRANSFORMERS brand’s 25th anniversary and anticipating the June 24th debut of DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, new toys and merchandise from the second movie in the franchise go on-sale from coast to coast beginning Saturday morning, May 30th.

The convention, which is known as “BotCon” (with syllables taken from the two TRANSFORMERS factions AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS), is annually the largest official gathering of TRANSFORMERS fans in the world and is open to both TRANSFORMERS collectors and non-collectors — and the young and young-at-heart.

BotCon will be held at the Pasadena Convention Center located at 300 East Green Street in Pasadena, Calif., and will be open to the public on May 30 – 31. Special activities are planned on May 28 – 29 for attendees who purchase multi-day packages.

On Saturday, May 30th, kids ages 5 to 14 will be able to participate in the TRANSFORMERS Challenge, which will award prizes based on how quickly kids can convert TRANSFORMERS toys from robot mode to vehicle mode. Kids may qualify in the preliminary round from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., with the fastest competitors moving on to the semi-final and final rounds that will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. All kids participating will receive a TRANSFORMERS toy, and the fastest kids in both the senior and junior age division will receive a HasbroToyShop.com gift card worth $500. Official rules are posted on www.BotCon.com.

Additionally, BotCon attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to draw TRANSFORMERS characters from Hasbro’s designers, see toys in the new 2009 TRANSFORMERS toy line, buy, sell, and trade TRANSFORMERS toys from throughout the franchise’s 25-year history at more than 200 tables of merchandise, and attend panel discussions and seminars led by TRANSFORMERS experts. Special activities for kids will be held throughout the weekend in the Hasbro booth.

For fans not able to make it to southern California this weekend, they can head to their favorite toy retailer and be among the first to purchase the new toys based on the upcoming movie TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN.

TF2 Ticket Pre-Order Next Week?

Site reader Ally reports that her local theatre will start the pre-sale of Transformer tickets next week rather than the June 10th release date.

I just wanted to give you heads up that my local movie theater is selling Transformers tickets as early as next Friday so who knows when they are going to be going on sale in other areas. Maybe you should have a memo or something to alert other fans to check their local movie theater as well =).

Just as she advises, be sure to check your local theatre in the next week or so as each chain may have their own pre-order policies and dates.

RoTF The Album Track List

MichaelBay.com has revealed the official track list for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundtrack. Thanks to commanderalphanl for the link.

Burbank, CA - Warner Bros. Records will release the soundtrack to the hotly anticipated feature film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on June 23rd — the day before the film, the sequel to the 2007 Oscar-nominated summer blockbuster Transformers , hits theaters nationwide.

The film's director and executive producer Michael Bay asked Warner Bros. Records' multiplatinum rock band Linkin Park to provide the sonic backdrop to the live-action robot fantasy film. Not only did the band write and record the film's theme song, entitled "New Divide," specifically for the soundtrack, they were also asked by Bay, Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, and award-winning composer Steve Jablonsky to contribute to the score. "New Divide" is currently available for purchase on iTunes.

Transfomers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Album also features music from Green Day (who contribute "21 Guns" — a song from their new album 21st Century Breakdown), Taking Back Sunday, The Used , The All-American Rejects, Cavo, The Fray, Staind, Nickelback, Cheap Trick and more.
In addition to the original soundtrack, Warner Bros will be releasing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Score, which will also be released on June 23rd.

The track listing for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Album is as follows:

1. Linkin Park "New Divide"
2. Green Day "21 Guns"
3. Cavo "Let It Go"
4. Taking Back Sunday "Capital M-E"
5. The Fray "Never Say Never"
6. Nickelback "Burn It To The Ground"
7. The Used "Burning Down The House"
8. Theory Of A Deadman "Not Meant To Be"
9. The All-American Rejects "Real World"
10. Hoobastank "Don't Think I Love"
11. Staind "This Is It"
12. Avenged Sevenfold "Almost Easy"
13. Cheap Trick "Transformers™ The Fallen Remix"

TF2 Game Cullen, Welker Video

Gametrailers.com has posted another video for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game, this time focusing on Peter Cullen (Prime) and Frank Welker (Megatron) as they discuss working on the game. The video includes footage of Prime and Megatron and new shot of Devastator. Thanks to commanderalphanl for the link.

Video Games | Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen | Exclusive Voice Actors Doc HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Transformers: RoTF Multiplayer Video

From Joystiq, a video that shows off multiplayer game play from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game along with comments from the developers. The footage includes Optimus, Ironhide, Starscream and many others as they tear into each other.

CGI Combined Optimus and Jetfire, Mixmaster

Yesterday we saw the artwork of what the combined mode of Optimus Prime and Jetfire could look like and now today, as found by S250, here is the CGI version of the mode along with Constructicon Mixmaster. Overall it look extremely powerfully by giving Optimus an armored look complete with jetpack for flying. Thanks to Simbatron and Thirston for the heads-up.

Update: Here are the original links to JetPrime and Mixmaster pics on TFG2.com as they had the images first. Thanks to lonegamer for the links.

RoTF Retail Posters

Thanks to site reader Luis, below are some pictures he snapped with his camera phone of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen posters that showed up at Sports Authority. They retail for $5.99 and show off Bumblebee, Megatron, and the main Autobot and Decepticon characters. Probably just a matter of time before they show up everywhere.

K-Mart Transformers Guide Book

K-Mart Australia has a Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Guide Book that shows off the first wave of toys for the movie. It includes brief character profiles and images of the toys. The guide can be found here or the PDF version here. Note the prices are in AU values. Thanks to Andrew for the link.

Also I have read that Wal-Mart may start offering the toys starting 5PM on Friday but that has not been confirmed.

Burger King RoTF Toys Preview

dorfsquest over at TFW2005 has posted a sneak peak at the Burger King's plans for their promotion with Transforrmers: Revenge of the Fallen that starts June 22nd. The 8 Kids Meal toys oddly enough do not seem to actually transform. As for the "Stacticon", it turns out it is a double cheeseburger with BBQ Sauce and bacon. Seems like it will be pretty good.

TF2 The Game Hands-On

Joystiq.com has posted a hands-on preview of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game along with additional screenshots. For those going to Botcon this weekend, there will be a playable build of the game for attendees but bring something to read for the long lines.

The article describes a tutorial in single-player mode with Starscream or Ironhide as your teacher depending on faction choice that covers the basics of control, targeting, and so forth. One complaint they cited was that transformation is not just clicking a button, instead you have to hold down a button. As long as holding it, you’re in vehicle mode, let go and your back to robot mode which can be a problem during certain game moments.

Each character has a primary weapon, secondary weapon and special ability that are toggled through by hitting the left trigger. The special abilities attempt to reflect the character so Ratchet can heal nearby troops, Prime can take damage for others, Megatron can instant kill and Ironhide fires automatic rocket fire.

First player objectives vary depending on faction. For example the first level objective was to kidnap scientists (by smashing their building) and taking them to a pin. Multi-player mode has a 4 v 4 battle (which I assume will be online also) that seems balanced. For example tiny Bumblebee can hold his own against Grindor because of his speed allows him to dodge attacks and do quick hit and runs. Other modes include Deathmatch (Autobots vs. Decepticons), control points and capture the flag. Of note is death now has a time penalty in returning to the action as have to wait for a countdown and them plummet to the ground as a meteor before rejoining the fight.

Ironically, the most improved part of the game are the transformations, which look terrific. If you jump off a building and transform into an auto or a jet on the way down, you'll either hit the ground with wheels screeching, or rocket off into the sky -- pretty thrilling stuff. A couple of the characters, like Sideways, are armed with sniper rifles, allowing you to grab a good vantage point and take a few shots before zooming off to a new spot. Translation: kablam, transform, roll out, transform, shoot again.

TF2 Beat GI Joe for DOD Support

In an article from Stars and Stripes, Transformers 2 "beat" G.I. Joe when it came to securing support from the Department of Defense in terms of volume of assistance in terms of equipment, personnel and sites. It is an interesting article but parsing it the DoD was not playing favorites, Transformers 2 just made greater use of the military possibilities then G.I. Joe, probably due to the greater experience of Bay and his team. The full article is here.

“They wanted MRAPs just at the time Secretary Gates made a decision that emphasis would be placed on getting MRAPs to the combat zone as quickly as possible, so unfortunately we couldn’t help them with that,” Ogilvie said.

That pretty much ended the conversation until much later, when filmmakers asked and received permission to film at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., he said.

Meanwhile, the “Transformers” filmmakers had been allowed to film helicopters, tanks, a submarine and an aircraft carrier, said Philip M. Strub, director of entertainment media.

The disparity does not mean “Transformers” painted a more flattering portrayal of the U.S. military than does “G.I. Joe,” Strub said.

“The difference has less to do — in many respects — with us than the filmmakers,” he said. “I mean I think in the case of ‘G.I. Joe,’ looking back, I think we feel that the filmmakers belatedly realized that we could have provided more support.”

In contrast, Strub persuaded the “Transformers” filmmakers to include the Navy and Marine Corps in their portrayal of the military so that the Defense Department could give them more stuff to use, he said.

TF2 Adaptation Preview #3 with Combined Prime

IDW has posted five pages for the next issue of Transformers: RoTF Adaptation #3 issue that is coming out next Wednesday. Issue 2 comes out tomorrow or info suggests that the entire trade may already be available at Target. The preview is here. The best part is the cover by Josh Nizzi (who designed Long Haul for the movie) that shows the merge of Optimus Prime with Jetfire that looks fantastic. While I wasn't impressed with the toy, I am looking forward to the CGI look of the combined mode. Thanks to Diego for the heads-up. Oops, removed the prequel references.

NYC Transformers Billboard

It looks like the Transformers 2 marketing campaign that started at the Luxor, moved to an LA building and now in New York City with a billboard of Optimus Prime on Broadway and East Houston Street. Thanks to Josh for taking and providing the picture.

RoTF At LA Film Festival

Attendees to the LA Film Festival that runs from June 18th-28th will have a chance to see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen a few days before anyone else, assuming you have enough money anyway. According the emailed flyer, tickets are exclusive to Fast Pass ($1000-$800), Industry Pass ($600-$500), and Discovery Pass ($300-$400) holders attending the festival. Exact date, time and location for the movie was not provided but festival tickets start going on sale May 29th at 10AM. For details hit LAFilmFest.com. Thanks to Sergio for the info.

GameSpot TF2 The Game Interview

Gamespot has posted an interview with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game Creative Director Chris Tremmel. He discusses the multi-player mode of the upcoming game and its various play modes. Of note is the continued Blackout vs. Grindor debate, this time with a tick for the Grindor side as that is how the character is referenced in the interview. Thanks to Adam for the link.

News "SkidFlap" Theory

Marco found an interesting theory regarding The Twins on IMDB.com (usually not all that reliable for unreleased films).

"The AutoboTwins were each specially designed to as a reflection/half of the other: Skids has an oversized left arm/eye and Mudflap has an oversized right arm/eye; Skids's face is composed of the top part of the Autobot face and Mudflap's face is composed of the bottom part; and both their feet are of the same mould."

Marco took the two face images of Skids and Mudflaps and superimposed them on each other. Result is rather interesting and seems to prove that they are reflections of each other.

More Fan Made Trailers

Here are two more trailers that combine various Transformers trailers and TV spots that combined with solid music results in re-edits as good, if not better, then the orginials.

The first was found by RY and does a great job of editing to the music (which kicks in at the 1:29 mark) and the second one was created by TIMtationX and combines clips from the first and second movie together for one trailer. For the second video below, the song is Let It rock by Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne (thanks Scott for the info).

Click here for another trailer that merges lines from the cartoons and music from the Matrix with a trailer.

Movie Still Galleries

Its seems that a few Transformer galleries have popped up online. Except for the awesome picture of Optimus Prime from Collider, most are not really new. I was aware of the Prime pic yesterday but was hoping that was an indication that more "exclusive" images would pop up on other sites but that didn't happen. Here are a few galleries that people have found. Thanks to commanderalphanl, skidz180, Scorpio, Thirston, Ronnie, and others for the links.

Mania.com | ReelComix.com | IGN.com | The HD Room | DVD Forum

Widescreen Vision Megan Fox Interview

German site Widescreen Vision has posted an interview with Transformers 2 star Megan Fox. Below are a few segments from the article. The site is in German so click here to read it as translated by Google. Since a computer translation, it can be a somewhat choppy but good enough to get the point. Thanks to Michael for the find and the translation link.

The first part presents itself as a vehicle Mikaela trained Schrauberin. If it is this passion in Transformers 2 continue to go after? [I think this is asking, "does the character continue her passion for cars?"]
Yes, it works in the continuation in a motorcycle shop, repaired Ducatis. I have in the film in several scenes Motorradfahren [ride motorcycles?] what I did in fact can not. During the filming, I was always accelerate from behind (laughs).
[gist: I have several scenes where I ride motorcycle but is not me as I don't know how.]

How has your life changed since the success of Transformers?
It is mad: Before Transformers I had never seen a proper film. I was an absolute greenhorn and paniced before every scene. Sometimes I stood around like petrifies and brought no word out (laughs). Meanwhile, the course changed. A big change for me was also that I suddenly the whole world as well. Before I owned Transformers not even passport.
[gist: I had no film experience...sometimes to scared too speak...got to travel the whole word...didn't own a passport before movie]

Transformers - The Revenge was filmed in Egypt and others. How did you like it?
The pryamids are the hammer! They told me that we have the first film crew since 1930which here was allowed to rotate on the spot. I do not know if that's true, but nevertheless, this location is something special for me. I spoke with Scott Farrar, our special effects man of ILM, that the pyramids is one of the last great mysteries of our planet. Until today we do not know exactly how they are in front of thousands of years have been built - with simple ropes and tree trunks. Unbelievable!
[gist: amazing that pyramids have stood for thousands of years and even today we are not sure how they built them]

Is it true that you had to grow Transformers 2? [Did you have to gain weight for the movie?]
Yes, but only because I, for my previous film Jennifer's Body had removed 15 pounds. I was downright skinny, it was no longer healthy. Michael Bay has given me therefore a cake diet prescribed. The best diet that I've done. (laughs)
[gist: Using a cake diet prescribed by Bay, I regained the 15 pounds I lost for my previous movie.]

Which is your favorite Transformer?
Devastator. The guy just destroyed everything around them.
[gist: I like destruction on a massive scale :P ]

Clearer TV Spot #5

Thanks to Mike and the quick thinking of his six year old son, here is a better quality recording then before of the fifth TV spot for Transformers 2. Also thanks for letting me know. The direct link is here or view below. Hopefully soon the HD versions will be released by the studio, surprised that hasn't happened yet.

One Shall Stand Transformers 2 The Game Trailer

Activision as released a new trailer for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game that shows off some game play and lots of cinematic. The trailer is named "One Shall Stand" for the famous line (at least for Transfans) from the animated movie. Below is the embed or a larger version is here. Thanks to Scalan15 for the link.

M&M's Transformers Site Open

M&Ms has updated its website (a week late) for their tie-in promotion with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The content is noted with colored circles near clickable objects. Currently the site has the first trailer, trucker "translations", and trucking "missions" to unlock Transformers content with codes. Below are the codes I am using, no guarantee will work for all.

The first mission involved finding five symbols on a Transformer breastplate. The code I got t was 7DDM7 which opened up a PDF of various Transformers CGI images (a few below). One of them included "Blackout" which is adds fuel to the argument that the gray Decepticon fighting Optimus is that character resurrected. Also note the red M&M in Barricade costume.

The second mission was finding three symbols in YouTube videos. The code after that mission was 5XYZ7. The code provided four wallpapers of various screen resolutions of Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Starscream and Megatron along with their M&M counterpart.

The third mission is three trivia questions specific to the first movie. The code for that mission is 8TPM4. The last code provides T-Cube, a widget for the desktop that provides Transformers trivia.

The site also has a percentage that indicates the amount of "Strawberried Peanut Butter Candies" in a vault. I assume the higher the number, the more content that might become available.

Toys R Us Transformers Preview Night

Select Toys R Us stores are planning a preview night for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toys for May 29th at 9:00pm according to MaxGoof. The toys themselves officially debut on May 30th. The list of stores participating can be found here.

More Devastator Legends Pictures

AcToys has provided some close-up images of the upcoming Legends Devastator toy that has not been confirmed for stateside release but likely will be, exactly when is unknown. Sure it isn't as detailed as Supreme Devastator but if the price is right, it could be worth it. Thank to dinoraw and Scorpio for the links.

Scout Class Ejector and Gravity Bots

More toy images for your enjoyment. First up is a new scout class toy called Ejector that has the alt mode of a toaster. The toy looks like the robot used in the Mountain Dew commercial from last year but since there is a scene in the movie where kitchen appliances are altered by the AllSpark fragment it makes you wonder if he makes an appearance there too. The pictures are from The Arker with a few more on TFW2005.

In addition, if you’re interested in the Gravity Bots line and the related bios, a gallery of images can be found here. Thanks to Dinoraw, Scorpio and Katie for the links.

Scout Ejector Bio

Born mindless and driven by the heat pulsing in his tiny body, Ejector knows nothing but how to burn. Even when he was a simple toaster burning things was what he did best. Now that he's got a simple mind of his own, and flamethrowers to go with it, he lives to torch everything around him.

Figure King Transformers Toy Images

Toy World has posted scans of the July issue of a Hong Kong magazine called Figure King that featured an article on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toys, related merchandise and other Transformer plans such as Design Label and Alternity toys (stuff plan on starting to cover once the movie is released). Below are the pages I liked most and the full gallery is here. I am especially digging the Legends Devastator and while not a smoker I wouldn't mind having one of those lighters. Thanks to Phil for the link.

Human Alliance Skids in Packaging

As hinted at in yesterday's Human Alliance Sideways images, The Arker has now posted their images of the Human Alliance Skids with Mikaela. Like the other toys, these are designed to allow the figure to fit in the car and on the robots shoulder. In addition, Mikaela can fit on Deluxe Arcee as a rider. Over all not bad looking. [via TFW2005]

Human Alliance Skids Bio

Autobot Skids likes to think of himself as pretty capable, but the fact is Mikaela is a better driver then he is. With her behind the wheel, and him concentrating on squeezing every last bit of power out of his engines, even the fastest, most powerful Decepticons have trouble keeping up.

Transformers 2 Fan Made Trailer (Updated)

Below is a fan made trailer for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The trailer was created by T-Ruff and seems to be a merge of the first two theatrical trailers and four TV spots. It does not include the new trailer and TV spot from this weekend which has not yet been released in HD. Thanks to T-Ruff for letting me know about it.

T-Ruff and others in the comments inform me that the song is "You Fight Me" by Breaking Benjamin from their Phobia album (this would be an example of how YouTube helps, not hurts, bands).

Update: Added song info above. Also T-Ruff has two additional Transformers related videos.
Transformers Preview - Similar to above, a music video based on the first movies trailers and TV spots
Megatron - Music video "starring" Megatron.

Human Alliance Sideswipe in Packaging

The Arker has posted a gallery of pictures of Human Alliance Sideswipe with Tech Sergeant Epps in packaging with bio. This version looks kind of like a bloated version of Deluxe Sideways as modifications were made to accommodate the Epps action figure. Also the packaging does confirm Human Alliance Skids with Mikaela set. Below is the bio and a few pics. The full gallery can be found here. I have no idea why the blurring effect was added to some of the images. Thanks to dinoraw, Elis, and Chris for the info.

Human Alliance Sideswipe and Epps

When Sideswipe arrive on Earth, he was a raw, untrained fighter, used to battling alone and outnumbered. He was teamed with Epps so the Tech Sergeant could whip him into shape as an effective member of the strike team led by Ironhide. The two have become good friends. In combat, Epps' combat-hardened instincts direct the speed and cunning of Sideswipe with devastating effectiveness.

Stratosphere Video Review

Below is the review of Stratosphere. I thought I had already posted this for some reason but apparently not. Remember that while it has been suggested in the comics and novels that the plane makes an appearance in the movie, the character itself has not been confirmed as being part of the movie. Also the shuttle in the review has since been removed from the release version of the toy. Personally I will wait until clearance prices to consider buying. Thanks to Bruno for the link.

Toys R US Secret TF2 Toy? Supreme Arcee?

Toys R Us has started its pre-order page for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toys that will officially be released nationwide on May 30th and revealed they will have a "secret action toy.”

Toys "R" Us will have even more great Transformers™ 2 toys to buy in the coming weeks and months including the mighty Devastator - so remember to keep checking back from time to time. A secret action toy will be released to pre-order on 30th May 2009.

What toy could that be? I don't know but "therealeffingdeal" from the comments said "arcee supreme combiner...same category as devastator...it said pic available may 28 so this must be huge." I guess we will find out in three to five days.

Now noticed I said officially as there have already been reports of stores selling the toys in some areas. My local Fry's for instance had a few. Personally I am just going to wait until the 30th so don't waste my time trying to hunt for specific ones and get the full group and can then budget accordingly. Thanks to Scorpio for the find.

TF2 News Week in Review

It has been a really busy week in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen news so figured do a quick link fest for any stories people might have missed.

Trailers and TV Spots
Trailer #3 Bootleg - New trailer that is largely the second one with new scenes
TV Spots #2-4 in HD - Three news spots, all released on same day.
TV Spot #5 - New commercial that aired, includes longer look at Ravage

TF2 Info
Devastator Info - Article that confirms seven Constructicons and little info on complexity of creating him.
Twins Headshots - A look at Skids and Mudflaps heads in CGI
CGI Scrapper - A look at Scrapper and moment seen in the trailers
Ducati and Arcee - Article about Ducati cycles participating in movie and that Arcee is a combiner.
Michael Bay Profile - Article on Bay and his career with focus on Transformers 2
No Trilogy Plans - Interview with TF2 writers Orci and Kurtzman
"Spongebob" Joins Cast - Another Bay-centric article that reveals Tom Kenny joins voice cast, possibily as the Twins.
Tony Todd Cast - News that the actor will lend his voice to the movie, role unknown.

Posters and Images
IMAX Poster - Look at the new poster for the IMAX release of the movie.
LA Building Covered - Picture of an LA building covered in a large Optimus Prime poster
Tickets Pre-order - Heads-up that pre-order for RoTF tickets starts June 10th.
New Movie Stills - New images from the movie, mostly focused on the human cast and cars.
TF on Luxor - Update of the giantic Optimus poster on the Luxor in Las Vegas.
CGI Sideways and Stills - New images of the CGI model for Sideways and additional movie images.
Isabel Lucas and other Stills - Even more images, first look at Isabel Lucas as Alice.

Toy News
Supreme Devastator in Packaging - Pictures of the $100 toy.
Leader Jetfire Reviews - Video review of Jetfire and Jetfire combined with Optimus Prime
Voyager Long Haul Review - Video review of the Constructicon.
Voyager Long Haul in Packaging - Pictures and bio of the toy.
Voyager Grindor in Packaging - Pictures of the Blackout repaint.
Human Alliance #3 Toy - News that the Sideways with Epps is third alliance toy.

Video Games
Amazon Pre-order Bonus - Preview of the G1 Ironhide skin that is available from the site.
Neil Kaplan Cast - Voice actor for Long Haul and Protectobot in the game.

Soundtrack
Soundtrack Special Edition - Amazing is offering a special edition but no details
Tyrese, Jewel Duet Update - Sample of the new song that might be on Soundtrack, written by Babyface.
New Divide Premiere - Linkin Parks' single from the soundtrack released.

Misc
UK, Japan Release Dates Moved - Info that Japan and United Kingdom getting the movie almost a week earlier
"Bumblebee" Camaro Pre-Order - News that GM is producing a Bumblebee special edition of the Camaro
Prequel Issue #2 Preview - Five pages of the comic coming out on Wednesday
Viral Marketing Campaign - Info on three new sites related to the movie.
Movie Universe Preview - Few images of the upcoming book related to the movie.

TF2 TV Spot #5, New Movie Still

Another TV spot has hit the airwaves. It is not yet in HD quality but hopefully Bay and co will release the high quality versions of the new trailer and this TV spot soon. Thanks to Kingsley, John and Mcat for the heads-up.

Also to the left is a new promotional picture from Megan Fox Online of Megan and Shia. I don't believe that is an Arcee bike they are sitting on as the Arcee bikes are custom Ducati cycles and that is an Aprilia model. Fox is hot but her lip injections have seriously thrown her face proportions off, I hope it isn't permanent.

Transformers Site Opens As Casino

Bethlehem Steel, a location used by Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen shoot has finished its conversion to a casino and opened this Friday according to the New York Times. The area was used by TF2 production as "Shanghai, China" when filming first started last June (click here for related articles). For reference, some of the scenes in the trailers involving Demolisher, Sideways and Arcee were shot there.

Comments Disabled (Update 2)

Sadly I had to disable all comments (which has the side effect of hiding existing ones). This is due to someone creating a macro that posted dozens of "Block Anonymous Comments" messages on the bootleg trailer post. When I disabled comments for that post, they moved on the Supreme Devastator post. The end result is had no choice but to cut them off entirely as I am not going to have my blog (or email) held hostage by children. I may re-enable them later. If I choose to disable anonymous comments is will because I decide it’s the best course of action, not because an idiot decides to create a macro to harass me into it.

In the meantime, please use the "Email" links on the left and right hand columns if you have any comments, tips, etc for the blog. I apologize for any problems. In the meantime, feel free to sign up for the Retro Reboot forums to discuss Transformers news.

Update: I am going to enable comments for a trial period. The reason I allow anonymous comments is most ease of use and log in on blogger is unrealiable. I know when I want to post a comments on sites I find it very annoying to have to go through hoops to do it so trying to avoid dong something I myself don't like. Why people take it personally that someone doesn't agree with them on minor story points is beyond my understanding. The idea is a mini community for people to discuss Transformers. So just do that.

Update 2: Well that didn't last long. Guess forced to give moderation a go. No idea how often comments will be posted but at least can start blocking "anti scorpio" (how childish can you be?) and others. This means I am enforcing a PG-13 rating on the comments now so even if good content but I judge it "R" rated then will reject. For most that probably will not be an issue since the excessive cussing and like came from the same folks forcing the moderation.

Transformers 2 Trailer #3 Bootleg

Thanks to the efforts of NightShade87, here is the alternate cut of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer that premiered this weekend. It incorporates scenes from the TV spots with a bit of new footage. As usual, anytime it involves the Transformers, things just look awesome.

Supreme Devastator in Packaging

AcToys.net (found by S250) has posted the image of the Supreme class Devastator in its package from the Transformers 2 toy line. This toy is the $100 version that is comprised of six Constructicons (Mixmaster, Scrapper, Long Haul, Scavenger, Hightower, and Rampage) that form the gestalt but do not have individual robot modes. Of note is the toy is missing Overload which recent news indicates is an additional Constructicon used in the merge in the movie.

My best guess for the contradiction is Michael Bay and ILM have a plenty of room to make changes as they see fit for the move but Hasbro is locked in on design of the toys by about a year from the release date. So in this case, they had to finalize the design of Devastator around May of 2008 while Bay has had all that time in between to tweak the design as much as he wants. It would be a question worth asking at the Hasbro panel at Botcon next weekend.

Supreme Devastator Bio

The ultimate Decepticon weapon has arrive on Earth and nothing will ever the same. Constructicon Devastator is the biggest robot ever - towering above Autobots and Decepticons alike. As his Vortex Grinder snaps open and glows with power, all before him quake in fear, knowing their destruction is inevitable!

Amazon RoTF Video Game Pre-order Bonus

Amazon is currently offering bonuses if you pre-order the current gen versions of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game. The offer is a "Generation 1 Ironhide Unlockable" (for Playstation 3 or XBox 360) that repaints movie version of Ironhide in red with yellow touches.

Don't forget that Gamestop is also offering a bonus in the form of gold painted Optimus Prime and Megatron skins and a keychain. I also checked Toys R Us, Best Buy and Target and so far they are not offering any bonuses. That could change at release date however since there are plenty of skin opportunities. It is a shame that Activision doesn't release a master list of their bonus plans so people can make a purchasing choice based on their preferences.

Leader Jetfire and Combo Review

In addition to the review of Long Haul, Peaugh has posted two additional reviews. One is Leader class Jetfire as a standalone toy and then a review of the toy combined with Leader class Optimus Prime. The combo mode is a bit more complicated and solid then you would think but still overall really worth it on its own. However, Jetfire (and Optimus) are pretty cool toys on their own so the combo mode is like a bonus feature. Thanks to Yoboy, Chris, and Sumudu for the links.

Voyager Long Haul Video Review

Peaugh has posted several new reviews of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toys. First up, here is his review of Voyager class Long Haul. Over all the toy is very solid in both modes, the only complaint he had (which I agree with), is that the wheels near the head could not be rotated further back. Thanks to Yoboy for the link.

Magazine Confirms Seven Constructicons

TFW2005's Dinobot Nuva has posted a scan from an article in the current issue of Nick Magazine that has comments from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen lead animator Shawn Kelly were he talks about eyes and the complexity of Devastator and merging seven vehicles. This is, to my knowledge, the first time someone directly associated with the movie has confirmed that seven vehicles combine to form Devastator. Previous mentions were second hand information in articles, a toy, and novelizations.


Devastator

Says Shawn, "Devastator is easily the most complicated character we've ever done because of his size, which is absolutely gigantic. Just trying to figure out how he might form into this giant thing and then walk around was a huge challenge." Animating Devastator required so much computing power that one artist's computer overheated and its insides melted!

"We tried to make a scary transformation for [Devastator] where things are slamming together and getting pulled around. All seven vehicles are shoving themselves together and clicking into place as he grows into this giant, scary dude."

Emotion via the Eyes:

An important part of making the robots look real is their eyes. According to Shawn, "We had to pay a lot of attention to the robots' eyes because a lot of them don't have much more to their face. As long as we can bring the eyes to life, it works pretty well." To do this, animators spent time studying real eyes to see how they move and blink. They also filmed each other and studied the eyes of different actors as they recorded their lines.

LA Building Transformers 2 Advertisement (Update)

In an idea similar to the Luxor in Las Vegas, a building in Los Angeles has been plastered with the visage of Optimus Prime. Thanks to Darin and his friend for the picture.

Update: Darin provided the location and link to the site from his friend Jeremy. The building is in the Hollywood area around Wilshire and La Brea intersection. Click here for a street view link of the location (use your mouse to tilt up) to see the location pre-Prime poster.

The Twins Headshots

Two more CGI images, this time from ACToys, to go with Scrapper. These are just the heads of Skids and Mudflap, complete with gold tooth. Yay, the Twins as Hollywood's vision of a southern redneck. That voice work will have to spot on because their design isn't doing them any favors. Thanks to Scorpio and ghola_tleilaxu for the links.

RoTF Soundtrack Special Edition?

Amazon has a new listing a special edition of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen soundtrack. The CD will be released on June 23rd and costs $22 rather then the $15 of the the standard edition. Exact details on what makes this "special" are currently unknown but usually these things include a few additional tracks or an extra CD or DVD with videos and the like on it. More details will probably be released as get close to the release date.

CGI Scrapper Artwork (Updated)

TFG2.com has posted an image, found by TFW2005's S250, of what Constructicon Scrapper may look like in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The result is rather interesting and based on the detail level, I am guessing it is based on the upcoming video games. Thanks to ghola_tleilaxu and Phil for the heads-up.

Update: For those wondering, yes it is Scrapper that is chasing after Sam and Mikaela in the trailer, the moment when you see a yellow Transformer looking around the side of the building just before its roof blows. Below is a screenshot from TFG2 of that scene to compare with. Thanks to Yoboy, Andrew and Phil for the info.

New Transformers 2 IMAX Poster

Below is the poster for the IMAX screening of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. While similar in design, this poster is not identical to previous posters as Bumblebee is in a new pose and the detail is greater. Thanks to ghola_tleilaxu for the link.

RoTF Pre-Orders Available June 10th

Not sure how I missed it since the news is a couple of months old but I just learned today, thanks to Ellis' efforts, that pre-order tickets for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen starts June 10th. I expect that IMAX showings for TF2 will be popular so pre-order will probably be necessary for seeing the movie in the first couple of days. This date is subject to change and may not be nationwide but Star Trek ticket pre-orders started about two weeks before release so don't see why this would be any different.

Filmed on location at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, and including several scenes shot with IMAX cameras, "Transformers Revenge of the Fallen" promises to be the most action-packed IMAX experience of the summer.

"Transformers Revenge of the Fallen" is scheduled to open Wednesday, June 24 at the Airbus IMAX Theater in Chantilly, VA. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, June 10.

Edmunds Ducati Article Confirms Arcee Combiner?

Edmunds has a brief article that discusses the use of Ducati motorcycles in Terminator Salvation and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Specifically, they are a new source, outside of the novelizations, to confirm that the Arcee bikes do have a combiner mode.

The Hypermotard ("super biker") will fight for good in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen when that film opens on June 24. The Ducati will join with two other motorcycles to create Arcee, a female Autobot to stop the Decepticons as they return to Earth.

RetroSBK actually created the three Arcee bikes (well probably more since have stunt, hero, and backup bikes for each character) but looking at their website Ducati motorcycles seemed to be used as their base for their customizations. Thanks to Jon for the link.

Alternate Trailer With Terminator Salvation, Museum 2 (Updated)

Based on a report from Trent, it looks like Michael Bay decided to go ahead with releasing alternate cuts of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer with Terminator Salvation (which is getting savaged by reviews so no threat to goal of TF2 claiming box office champ).

For some reason I have not seen this trailer talked about anywhere. I even posted it in the IMDB forums and everyone that has replied said it didn't show at their theatre. The trailer contains: a longer cut of BB in the garage (shorter than showest though), sideswipe doing his thing, a new shot of Arcee, both of the twins talking (something about not being able to read), extended shot in the school library, and more that I can't remember. Just a heads up for you to be looking around for it!

- Trent

Now keep in mind that theatres don't have to bother using any trailers they get so just because an alternate cut exists doesn't mean it will being showing with Terminator 4. Hopefully any alternate cuts that get produced will show up online so Transfans worldwide can enjoy them.

Update: NightShade87 also verifies an alternate cut in the comments, only he saw it with Night at the Museum 2.

At my local theater, I had the opportunity to prescreeen a copy of Night at the Museum 2 and the new cut trailer was on there. Some of the footage was old, but more than half was new. Here's what I remember seeing that was of note:

-Bumblebee crying (Showest footage)
-Twins actually speaking (Sam shows them a tattoo on his arm and they say they can't read. If you listen VERY closely, one of them sounds like Spongebob. XD )
-Galloway and Epps having a conversation that goes like this
"It looks like a normal truck"
*Optimus transforms* (this is a better, fuller version than the T.V. spot)
Epps: "Freaky, right?"
-Better images of Arcee, but I didn't see her fully combined.

Don't remember if there was anything else noteworthy, but I'll make a second look just in case. Please remember that trailers are only selective to certain theaters and it may or may not be on the Night At the Musuem 2 that you watch.

Speaking of Terminator, here is a mix-up of T4 and TF2 trailers called "Transforminator" that Yoboy found for your entertainment.

New Movie Stills from Paramount

Paramount Pictures has released some more images from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen that hint at some of the action and the human characters. About half of them have been previousily released and below are a few new ones (at least to me). The full gallery can be found here.

LA Times Profile On Bay

As part of a sneak peek of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the LA Times also wrote a profile on director Michael Bay where he discusses his career and working on TF2. Below are a few highlights and the full article can be found here.

"This one," he said, "is barely going to make it to theaters. You have no idea how complicated my life is."

With this new film, he describes the "huge canvas" of its visual effects in terms of computer memory -- at Industrial Light & Magic, the San Francisco effects house, the first "Transformers" movie took up an astounding 15 terabytes; the new one required 140 terabytes. "That breaks every record," said Bay, who is far more Barnum than Bergman.

"The way I do it, we work hard, we work fast," Bay said. "We shoot 12-hour days. . . . One thing I can't stand about Hollywood is waste. I've gotten to be a very, very efficient shooter. On average, these type of sequels run in the $230-million to $240-million range and we're shooting this for a flat $200 million. A lot of these directors have second unit the entire time, that's millions of dollars just wasted. We do it all ourselves."

Bay likes to conserve his budget so he can film in exotic places that other directors find too difficult to access and, along with emphasis on pyro work and stunts, gives his productions the vibe of daredevil tourism. On this new film, he "weaseled" his way into the Giza pyramid complex in Egypt ("We were the first movie in 30 years to shoot physically on the pyramids") where he shot with a 150-member crew for three days and, a few days later, he took his team to the top of the rock-carved architecture of Petra in Jordan, where military helicopters ferried 36 loads of gear to the perilous perch.

The choppers, by the way, were thanks to a Jordanian prince who loved Bay's first robot movie, while in Egypt it was Zahi Hawass, the secretary general of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, who turned out to be "a big fan of 'Transformers,' " Bay said, sounding surprised himself.

"We're still not quite sure how he does it when he's directing," says screenwriter Alex Kurtzman, who worked on both "Transformers" films. "People who work closest with him call his method 'Bay-os' because it feels like wartime chaos. There are explosions going off in every direction and half as many cameras flying all over the place, and you stand there thinking none of it's going to make any sense, then you watch the scenes cut together and realize something shocking: He's choreographed a ballet. He knows exactly which pieces he's going to use from each camera and he'd already cut the scene together in his head."

"To make a movie like 'Transformers,' " he said, "you have to shut out everything that's out there . . . we work on it every single day for two years."

He sounded skeptical about directing a third "Transformers" and still surprised that he made the first two. Steven Spielberg came to him with the pitch 3 1/2 years ago, but Bay, no fan of superhero cinema, thought a franchise about alien robots sounded like "a very bad idea." He changed his mind when he considered a dark, realistic tone instead of a shiny, cosmic tale.

In recent weeks, Bay has been in a public spat with McG, whose "Terminator Salvation" has giant robots that Bay feels look too much like "Transformers." Bay has had a number of feuds (because, he explained, "I say what I think") but it turns out that sometimes the explosions are fake. With a wink, he admitted that he phoned McG to turn up the volume. "I told him, 'We're like boxers going at it this summer,' " Bay said. "We have to have some fun with it."

Personally I always liked a realistic tone to Transformers. It has always fit the franchise like a glove; just see last two seasons of Beast Wars and pretty much all of Machine Wars. It just takes creators with the right approach and open mindedness to get the full potential. Shoot the comic films and the like that work best (Spider-Man, Batman, X-Men, etc) work best when writers and directors approach it as very real rather than tongue in cheek. If they are unable to take the material seriously then they are no appropriate for the job, thankfully something Steven Spielberg recognizes. As for the McG/Bay thing, it was essentially two guys comparing sizes ("my movies is bigger", "no mine is", etc) and contained no Transformers 2 information so I just chose to ignore it.

UK, Japan Release Date Changes

Glancing at the official global release date site (also on top left column), good news for the United Kingdom and Japan as they are getting Transformers 2 earlier than the rest of us. Now the release date for the UK is June 19th and for Japan it is June 20th.

This may be a result of the planned premiere parties in each country. The world premiere of the movie is on June 8th in Tokyo, Japan and the UK's premiere party is for June 15th in London. The United States premiere has not yet been announced.

Orci, Kurtzman Talk Ehren, Lack of Trilogy Plans

Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, while taking about Star Trek, also discussed Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen with Newsarama. Below is a few segments with the full article here.

Did the success of the first one allow you to go even bigger with this installment?
Kurtzman: Certainly the movie is bigger, but that is definitely not how we thought about it. We feel like the action scenes in these movies are a given to some degree, but they always have to have a serious emotional context or they mean nothing. That means you have to have a small character story at the heart of whatever movie you’re making. For us, it was really coming up with an emotional story that we believed in and felt was sequel worthy.
Orci: And yes, it’s bigger. We have more resources for effects and some of the locations which are just gorgeous and amazing.

NRAMA: With all the destruction they caused, how does the government view the Autobots?
Kurtzman: The Autobots are in partnership with our government, but not everybody here at home trusts them. There’s the question of whether the Autobots are really welcome on this planet, or aren’t they? That’s part of the story that plays in the relationship with the military and soldiers they met in the first one. Because Mission City was under a communication black out, the world is not fully aware of The Transformers. It’s become like the Area 51 which is something that plays out in the movie. Can the secret be kept?

NRAMA: Ehren Kruger is also credited on this script. How much input did he have?
Kurtzman: He was our partner. We all wrote it together. Two weeks before the writers’ strike, we all agreed to do it and literally had a short time to come up with an outline.
Orci: We lived in a hotel room together for three months. Director Michael Bay would come every day to check on our progress. Ehren was on one side of the room. There was a dividing door and Bob and I were on the other side. At noon, we would meet in the middle and trade pages, go back and forth to our respective sides, read each other’s work, and give notes. We were a partnership of three on that one.

NRAMA: Do you see these Transformer films as complete stand alone stories or a trilogy?
Kurtzman: That was not our conscious intent. And Michael was very clear too. We just wanted to make one big gigantic Transformers movie at the time.

Voyager Long Haul in Packaging

TF08.net has posted a look at Voyager Long Haul in his packaging. He is a pretty sweet looking figure and quickly becoming a must have for me. Thanks to Yoboy for the link.

Voyager Long Haul Bio

Long Haul is too bitter to be an effective soldier on his own. Despite the fact that he is part of one of the most destructive and terrifying Decepticon squads of all time, he is often treated as little more then a cargo hauler. Other Decepticons sling their gear into his bed without a second thought, and order him to carry it around for them. Rather than confront them, he'd rather grumble about it privately, then stop on the way and destroy whatever he's been given responsibility for.

Bay Talks Shia, Fox; New Voice Cast Member

LA Times has posted an interview with Michael Bay has he discusses his ongoing work editing the movie and working with Shia LaBeouf. The writer, Geoff Boucher, was even able to view about 25 minutes of footage from the film. We also learn that Tom Kenny (the SpongeBob Squarepants voice) has been cast in the film. As who is not specificed but it sounds like Wheelie. Below are snippets from the article, which can be found here.

He showed me a comedy sequence with the Witwicky family getting young Sam (Shia LaBeouf) ready to go off to Princeton University. There was a lot of "empty nest" humor with Sam's mom, Judy (Julie White), and dad, Ron (Kevin Dunn), and then the house is all but leveled by an unwelcome metallic visitor. The scene has a lot of humor in it but Bay said the film, overall, is darker than its 2007 predecessor. "This one," Bay said, "is less quippy."

There was the first scene in the film for the nubile Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox) and of course she was wearing very little and posed like a grease-monkey hottie on a garage pin-up poster. "Of course we had to get that out of the way," Bay said with mock resignation. There was plenty more of Fox in seductive mode and a romantic rival as well -- at Princeton, a curvy mystery girl [Alice, played by Isabel Lucas] pounces on Sam in his dorm-room but there's something a little alien about her. Maybe it's the nasty steel tail that suddenly emerges from under her skirt like a scorpion's stinger.

"People I've shown this to instantly feel like, 'Hey, I know that family, they’re fun to watch.' It’s like when you watch a favorite TV series, there are things about familiarity you like and it can be satisfying. There are other benefits from doing it a second time. Movies do take a life. Things spark and take a life, things you thought would be important drop away and a tone is set. With the sequels, you know the tone. That’s a huge thing."

There was also a section of the film in a Princeton classroom with a leering Lothario of a professor (Rainn Wilson) who has a run-in with new student Witwicky, who is suddenly a sputtering genius thanks to his encounter with a powerful shard of alien technology. Bay based the sleazy Wilson character on a randy film instructor he remembered back at his alma mater, Wesleyan University, who wore leather pants and had a whispered reputation for seducing coeds.

He showed me a sequence with a cranky new Autobot [Jetfire] with a lot of stylized personality (think of a windy old geezer with the metallic equivalent of a braided beard) and he mentioned that the smaller robots will be a key part of this film. Tom Kenny (the star voice of "SpongeBob SquarePants") and ubiquitous voice veteran Frank Welker are on board and I think little kids in particular are going to seize on this movie. "Jeffrey Katzenberg gave me advice once. He said it's great to have little characters with these big huge voices," Bay noted of some of the manic little bots.

"Shia came in and auditioned and he was this little skinny kid. ‘Dude you’re like this action king!’ he was so giddy and he wanted to be in action movie so bad. I told him, ‘All right, all right, just calm down.’ I instantly loved his acting because he is disarming, he is great at improv. He’s got this everyday kind of guy that thing. He’s much more charismatic in this movie, too. He’s coming into his own. He’s a smart actor. You sometimes have to push him when he doesn’t believe it. He’ll go through a dark period. With actors you’ve got to be a psychologist. You have to see the darkness coming, especially with funny actors. I can see it coming on and I have to say, ‘Shia…’ and pull him aside. I explain it to him and he’ll come out of it. And then he’ll say, ‘You’re right, you’re right, I was in that mood…’ The reason is they're scared of things sometimes. It’s not easy being an actor and putting yourself out there.”

On Fox: "I brought Megan in when I was producing a different movie and she auditioned for a two-day part. We gave the role to someone else but I remembered her when it came to this movie. There were a lot of young women that auditioned for ‘Transformers,’ but she got it. She was very junior as an actress. There was a chemistry thing, though, between her and Shia. She’s vastly improved over the last one."

Thanks to Mcat and Austin for the link.

"Bumblebee" Camaro Available To Order

According to Jalopnik, GM has wisely decided to take advantage of the Transformers tie-in to create a limited 2010 Chevy Camaro Bumblebee Edition starting June 1st. The production run of the car will go from June 24th to December and will include Bumblebee specific touches of "rally yellow coloring, black stripes and Transformers badging inside. ...this special Transformers-badging will be on wheel centers, sill plates and embroidered console lid and the package will be available in LT or SS models." I cannot really afford a new car but does make you at least think about it. Hopefully dealerships (at least ones not closing) will get a floor model to drool at in person. Sadly costs and so forth are not revealed, I guess dealerships would have to answer those questions. Thanks to Believer and others for the link.

RoTF Comic Adaptation Preview #2

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation #2 will be hitting newsstands on May 28th and IDW has provided a sneak peak here. Including bits is a look at the Nemesis (Decepticon flagship, counterpart to the Autobots Arc from G1 cartoons), a few corny lines from Megatron (that I hope isn't in the movie unless the line reading is just kickass), and bits of Sam looking foolish in class as Wheelie spies on Mikaela. Thanks to ghola-tleilaxu and DeceptiFreak for the heads-up.

Neil Kaplan Cast in Video Game

From TFW2005, Neil Kaplan's facebook page reveals he has been cast as the voice of Long Haul and Protectobot (essentially a Ratchet repaint) in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game.

I am THRILLED to announce my return to the "Transformers Universe". This summer you can find my work on "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen". This brilliant video game is from the geniuses at Activision. I play both sides of the fence as Decepticon - Long Haul and Autobot - Protectobot. So... I can help you save or destroy the Earth. Just try to let me know ahead of time... nothing worse than tearing down what was meant to be saved.

Kaplan's credits are long, sticking mostly to video games with some cartoon work including being the voice of Optimus Prime for the Transformers: Robots in Disguise cartoons back in 2001. Keep in mind that doing a voice in the game doesn't necessarily mean he is doing a voice in the movie or that Long Haul even has any lines in the movie. Thanks to Scorpio for the link.

Luxor's Transformers Billboard Update

The huge billboard that was being placed on the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada is now nearing completion according to TFormers. Not really sure what they are putting on the other face though. It almost looks like Optimus is bursting from the building that is very cool looking. Below are two example photos but an additional 12 can be found here.

Meet Sideways, MTV Movie Awards and ... (Updated)

Feeling a touch lazy so just combining all these stories into once story since all of them are brief anyway.

First up, MichaelBay.com has posted a CGI image of Sideways. It’s cool looking but the detail makes me think it’s from the video games rather than the movie. Also, the site has three additional set photos that show Bay and Shia working/posing including a neat pic on an aircraft carrier deck. In addition, go to Megan-Fox.net for four more movie images.

Next, for the MTV Movie Awards airing live on May 31st at 9pm/8pm CST, it has been confirmed that the show an exclusive clip will be aired and introduced by Megan Fox and Michael Bay. Shia LaBeouf will also present an award. Hopefully that clip will pop up online shortly thereafter.

Last is a single image of the repaint of Deluxe Scorponok for the Transformers 2 toy line. It appears that all the gold of the original figure has been swapped out for black and gray.

Thanks to Moises, Phil, Darin, Mcat, and Dave for the links.

Update: The commecial mentioned above is now on YouTube for our embedding pleasures. Thanks to medabotsoundwave for the link. In addition, The Chief sent me the Sideways and Bumblebee renders the other day but I completely forgot to post them, so here they are now. Sorry about that.

Voyager Grindor In Packaging

Despite being the repainted twin of Blackout (with slightly altered head design), based on the Voyager packaging below, it appears the name Grindor is here to stay as first indicated by the Fast Action Battler version. The question is what he will be referred to in the movie. One theory is he is the resurrected Blackout and the other is he is a new character of sorts. Either way, I get the feeling he will not last long under Prime's blades.

In addition, Hasbro has posted the first commercial for the Revenge of the Fallen toy line with a special focus on Leader class Optimus Prime, click here to view. Sadly no embed option for the video. Thanks to Phil for the links and the bio write-up.

Voyager Grindor Bio

GRINDOR is a born soldier. He is both a highly talented fighter, and an instinctive strategist. Every moment of a battle is laid out in his head before the first shot is even fired. He is so talented at anticipating his enemy's moves that he is almost never surprised. Whenever he can, he ensures himself a place at the direct center of a fight so that he can bring his powerful weapons to bear on the AUTOBOTS around him, destroying as many as he can as quickly as possible.

Tyrese Updates On RoTF Duet

Linkin Park just released their single New Divide (finally out on iTunes for $1.29) for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen soundtrack. Tyrese Gibson has working on a duet with Jewel for the soundtrack. Tonight he has tweeted an update on the collaboration and posted a public voice message.

From Twitter:

I was recording with Babyface last night the song with me and @JewelJk is turning out amazing!

The song is called "Make it Last" it's for the Transformers 2 soundtrack! The song was wrote for tender moments with Megan and Shia..!!

As for the voice message (below) Tyrese provides a brief sample of "Make It Last" that is probably a pre-mixed version of the song. The track is not yet part of the soundtrack as he still has to present it to the album decision makers (including Bay). The rest of the message is not Transformers specific as he talks about being careful with information revealed to others and the choices people can make.

Tony Todd Cast In Transformers 2

The official Tony Todd website has revealed that the actor has been cast in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

If you watch movies and television on even a semi-regular basis you probably recognize the face. His most recent roles included playing CIA Director in the first season of Chuck (before getting blown up), playing the dictator in just finished season of 24, Candyman from those movies and a just really long list of credits. He is part of that large group of character actors that helps keep the Hollywood engine running, just plugging away working and yet rarely gives the proper credit for their efforts.

The note from the site:

We've been waiting to announce this for a little bit and here it is:
Tony will be taking part in this summers biggest blockbuster ...

TRANSFORMERS 2 !

Now who he is going to play is still under wraps, but we can say...
don't look for him because you wont see the man himself...!!
Thats all we can say for now!
This is going to be one helluva a summer !!

That indicates the deep voiced actor is playing a Transformer, which one is the question. He sounds like a Decepticon to me, possibly one of the Constructicons (my guess is Mixmaster). Congrats to Tony, hopefully not a Decepticon (alternate suggestion is Sideswipe) or it will just be a one movie role. More than likely Tony recorded his voice work months ago.

All Three TV Spots in HD

From MichaelBay.com, here are all three new TV spots in HD for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Between these spots, Linkin Park's new song, new movie stills, and the start of the viral marketing campaign, it is pretty clear that the campaign to get seats into theatres for the movie has officially begun.

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Greatest Enemy

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Thanks to YoBoy, Shinobi, Kenney, Michael and others for the heads-up.

Transformers 2 Viral Marketing Campaign Begins (Updated)

It appears that today is the day the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen marketing campaign begins its kick off as the various viral campaign websites have updates to join the TV spots showing up on TV.

TheRealEffingDeal
First seen in the trailer on Sam's jacket as he talks to Simmons, the site run by "Leo Spitz" (Ramon Rodriguez) now has a home page and blog, complete with mission statement. The primary goal is to determine the "real" story behind the events in Mission City (from the first movie). There are a ton of posts already on the site, going back to June 10th of last year (about the time TF2 production started). Of note is Leo has a bit of a crush on the lovely Olivia Munn who is referred to as "Future Mrs. Spitz" in the tags. Other than a not so minor crush on her, the rest of the posts are filled with UFO sightings and aliens.

Update: A few links of note from Leo's site. One is an amusing "LeoPonceDeLeonSpitz Venture" of Real Effing Kitten Calendars from one of the advertisements (found by NHLfan). Another is "Mission City" updates of blurry images of Starscream and Optimus (found by Katie).

GiantEffingRobots
This site was discovered through the adult novelization of the movie and is in direct competition with the above. Run by "Robo-Warrior" aka Simmons (John Turturro), he frequently comments on his dislike of Spitz's site, shares his love of The Munn, and enjoys Star Trek. The posts in this case start on September 8th, 2008 and do not come with as much frequency. I am assuming that will change now that the viral campaign has kicked off.

Mendelson Robotics
Another site, not yet up and running. This is the company that plays a part in the cover story for the events of mission city and likely the company that would want to use Transformers tech to their advantage. What part they do or do not have in the current movie is unknown.

Thanks to Katie and p00p m0nsta for the links.

New Transformers TV Spot (Updated)

A new TV spot is now online. Not yet in HD as a recording of the TV airing the commercial but still good quality. The best part is at least three new scenes involving Sideswipe (I think), Skids and Optimus transforming. Thanks to Chris and Elis for the link.

Update: Thanks to Decer, added an improved HDish copy of the TV spote (or view here).

Linkin Park's New Divide Official Premiere (Updated)

The countdown has completed and the first single from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundtrack is now officially released and available on iTunes. You can listen to the single here. I am not sure when the music video will be up nor when the song will be available on iTunes. Thanks to Darin and Austin for the info.

Update 2: The lyrics to the song is up on Mike Shinoda's blog here.

Update: Sadly the Youtube "video" has been pulled.

New RoTF Movie Images (Updated)

Cinematical has posted the below five new images from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen that include shots of the cast and TF vehicles. The picture of the lovely Isabel Lucas is a single image from MichaelBay.com. Thanks to Katie for the info.

Update: Katie found additional new photos on Yahoo Movies.

Win A Hasbro RoTF Press Kit

MichaelBay.com is running a contest offering an opportunity to win a Hasbro Revenge of the Fallen Press Kit. Basically it is a box of freebie toys given out to various websites (sadly not me) and publications that gives a preview of the upcoming line of toys. Based on the image it is about $150 or so of free stuff. Thanks to Austin for the link.

To enter, send an email with your name & your favorite obscure Transformer to webmaster@revengeiscoming.com. Contest is open to US residents only and ends on end of day May 25, 2009.

The press kit contains:
- BumbleBee Movie Voice Mixer Helmet
- Transformers Movie BumbleBee Plasma Canon
- Optmus Prime t-shirt (Medium)
- Optimus Prime (Mech Alive) [Leader class I believe]
- BumbleBee (Human Alliance w/ Sam Witwicky action figure)
- Sideswip (Gravity Bots - Automatically converts)
- Sideways (Mech Alive) [Deluxe class]
- Transformers ROTF Official Movie adaptation Comic (#1)
- CD with Hasbro Image art

Transformers Movie Universe Preview

Transformers: The Movie Universe hardcover by DK books is coming and as part of that it includes bio on the various Transformers in Revenge of the Fallen. Thanks to Rodrigo, below is a few sample pages from the book for The Fallen, Devastator (who is described as having six components, no Overload), the Twins, and Megatron.

Book description:

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about the Transformers including footage from the films Revenge of the Fallen and Transformers, with this explosive guide.

Read behind-the-scenes stories from the Transformer movies, secret dossiers, mission objectives, stats, top 10s, amazing facts and more. Get access to the data files of your favorite heroes from Optimus Prime and Megatron to Bumblebee and Sam Witwicky.

Step into dramatic battle scenes and learn everything you ever wanted to know; from an insiders guide to Cybertonian history to the secrets behind the Transformers military hardware. Plus, fantastic cross-sections will take you deep inside their incredible world

Third Human Alliance Toy IDed

Amazon, found via TFW2005, has posted the ID for the third human alliance toy for the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy line. The toy is oddly Skids with Mikaela, joining Alliance Bumblebee with Sam and Sideways with Epps. I would have thought that Arcee would have been a natural combo with a Mikaela figure. No picture or details yet but I assume this will be a wave 2 or three toy so probably not on store shelves until late summer.

Rise of the Decepticon Book Montage

Below is a video that shows a montage of images from a child's book called Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Rise of the Decepticon. I guess you could call it spoilers since it does show stuff that the junior and adult novelizations have already revealed in greater detail. Of note are some of the characters used for some sequences do not match the novels completely, again showing how different script versions are sent out for these adaptations. Another note, the additional "red-shirt" Decepticon doesn't necessarily have to be a Constructicon in the revival of Megatron. Thanks to Yoboy for the link and his friend that did the montage.

If you want to view the individual page images they can be found here. Thanks to Phil for the link.

US Released Date Moved? Nope (Updated)

AllSpark.com and others have noticed that the countdown clock on the home page of MichaelBay.com was two days early and now seems to be one (at least comparing it to my countdown clock). The result is the countdown is scheduled to end at midnight on June 23rd rather then the scheduled June 24th US release date. Is this confirmation that movie is moving up another day (remember it was initially scheduled for June 26th)?

My take is it is simply a programming error. I do believe that Paramount will see how Star Trek did coming out at 7pm rather than 12:01am and mimic that but I don't think they are going to move it up an entire day. I hope they don't do the 7pm thing as I like the fun and excitement of going to a 12:01am show time which the earlier time lacks due it simply being nothing special.

Obviously if anything is announced about the US date I will post it here. Also, the link for the release date of the movie around the world is in the top left hand column. Just monitor that to see if anything changes. Thanks to rodsuper for the heads-up.

Update: Mystery has quickly been cleared. It was a simple programming error. Easy to happen with code where a typo can cause sometimes cause some interesting ramifications. Thanks to Katie and Franco for the update.

Leader Optimus Prime, Jetfire Combined (Updated)

TF08.net once again, this time even more pictures of Leader class Jetfire, this time for the first time combined with Leader class Optimus Prime. The result is interesting I guess. Not sure worth the $100 dollars for the total effect however. I will wait for the toy review and see it in action before making a final judgment on it. Below are most of the pics from the gallery with the rest here. Thanks to Adam for the link. Yep just the one combined picture so far.

Update: Additional pictures of Jetfire and the combined mode are now up at at TFW2005. Also below is a YouTube montage of the pictures. Thanks to -yoboy- for the links.

RoTF Official Novelization Spoilers (Update 2)

"Brundok" over at TFW2005 has received a copy of the official adaptation novel (i.e. "adult") for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. As expected, the novel is a more detailed version of the junior novel summary from the other day and appears based on a later version of the script but again Bay could have made any number of changes during production and post production that the novel will not reflect.

Brundok finished the book. The full details spoilers are here with a few details below to add to the junior novelization summary (highlight to read). Thanks to Alyssa for the link.

- The Arcee bikes have individual robot forms and do have the ability to form one robot.
- Two websites that will participate in the ARG promotion this year, one is www.therealeffingdeal.com that is run by Leo Spitz, Sam's roommate. The other is www.gianteffingrobots.com run by RoboWarrior, i.e. Simmons. Currently the passwords to log into either site are not known.
- Sam's mother has a close encounter with brownies with a little something extra so that should be a hilarious scene.
- Ravage has a re-enter mode because he breaks off of Soundwave, a satellite in Earth orbit. He steals "the shard" (two pieces of the AllSpark? Still confused on how Mikaela has one and NEST has one) from NEST.
- The Doctor, three Constructicons and one other descend to revive Megatron. The "red shirt" Decepticon is sacrificed for parts so the Doctor can re-assemble Megatron and revive him with the shard.
- The fight with Megatron, Starscream and Blackout ends with Optimus Prime going into "status lock." This is another Beast Wars concept that indicates heavy damage or low energy. Think of it as the Transformer version of a coma.
- The scene in the trailer of Sam drawing the "language of the Primes" on the ground is him talking to Jetfire to get more info on The Fallen.
- Ransack is in the novel, apparently one of the Seekers created by the Primes (created to find appropriate suns for the Sun Harvester).
- In this version, The Fallen kills all the the Primes but one escaped with the Matrix and sealed himself and his brothers in an unknown tomb. Optimus, the last decendent of the Primes, is the only one that can stop The Fallen.
- In Petra, the room "found" by the fighting Twins is the fused bodies of the 12 ancients, one with an outstretched hand holing a pile of black sand.
- Scene from trailer with the Insecticon is part of Sam and Mikaela's attempt to get to Prime with the Matrix. Ripping him aparts alerts the Decepticons to their location and the chase begins.
- Devastator forms from 7 Constructicons, not six, in the novel.
- A 'Con, carrying Sam's parents captured in Paris, threatens to harm them if he doesn't turn over the Matrix. Bumblebee attacks the Con as Sam and co escape. This is probably the seen between BB and Rampage or Scrapper in the trailer.
- Skids is sucked into Devastator's mouth but bursts through his right eye. Like a video game boss battle, do to size and slowness, staying underneath the monstrosity keeps everyone safe.
- "A pogosticking 'Con is bouncing around destroying everything in sight." (A new character I guess.)
- The Fallen teleports into the battle while Devastator moves toward and onto the Pyramid containing the Sun Harvester. Fallen also seems to have telekinetic abilities to go with his teleportation skills.
- Simmons provides Devastator's coordinates to the Navy so they can fire a new Rail Gun. Yep at some point Lennox says/writes "Bring the Rain".
- Jetfire destroys a 'Con, Skorponok attacks Jetfire wounding him with a blow through the chest and gets his head removed for the effort.
- Megatron, in tank mode, is the one that blasts Sam into unconscience where he speaks to the Primes. Matrix reforms, used on Prime to revive him, Jetfire sacrifices self to Prime can merge with his parts and fly, and Fallen activates the Harvester.
- Devastator hit point blank by rail gun and broken into component parts, Prime breaks the Sun Harvester and confronts Fallen, Megatron and Starscream. Prime precedes to own him, asks for Megatron's help who ignores him. Fallen opens a portal to escape, Prime yanks him back but Starscream and Megs use it to escape.
- Spire from Harvester rammed by Prime (with jetpacked assistance) into the Fallen, killing him. Matrix retrieved from device. Battle won.
- Optimus: "I know one thing. Whatever it may hold, it is a future we'll meet together. Our Planets, our races, united by a history long forgotten, yet to be discovered." Tilting back his head, he peered up at the sky and through it, to the stars beyond."
- Epilogue: Back on the Nemesis Megatron waits for himself to repair. He goes back to the cargo bay as the lights flicker on. Megatron peers at the numerous sarcophagi, hold protoforms all Loyal to Him! "Arise"

End spoilers. Please keep the comments civil.

Transformers 2 Game Voice Cast Video

Gametrailers.com has posted a video that introduces various members of the voice cast for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game that Activision confirmed would be in the game. The video seems to confirm that James Arnold Taylor is the voice of The Fallen so its not a small leap to assume the same for John Di Maggio as Sideways. Thanks to v1p3rS for the link.

Transformers 2 Trailer in Czech, Russian (Updated)

Below is the new Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer only it is dubbed (rather badly) in czech. According to Milan, who sent the link, Transfans in the Czech Republic are considering not going to the movie. Subtitles or dubbing, which do you prefer?

The YouTube embed doesn't seem to be working so click here to view it.

Update: Another dubbed version of the trailer, this time in Russian, here. Thaks to ghola-tleilaxu for link.

More Leader Jetfire Pics and Leader Starscream?

TF08.net (via TFW2005) has posted the below additional pictures of Leader class Jetfire from the Transformers 2 toy line in his packaging. Previously we saw a mock-up of the box. Sadly the new pictures do not show off the side of the package that contained a hint at what the combined mode of Optimus and Jetfire would look like. In addition, the site admin "yizhi521" added a note that suggests a fourth leader class toy is in the works, "and... new leader toy is starscream (F22)" joining Jetfire, Optimus Prime, and Megatron. Thanks to Scorpio for the link.

Activision TF2 Video Game Voice Cast

Activision has issued a press release about the voice cast for the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game which will have a return of the first game's voice cast with a few additions.

ACTIVISION SECURES ALL-STAR TALENT LINE-UP FOR TRANSFORMERST: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN VIDEO GAME

Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Peter Cullen and Frank Welker Return to Provide Voice-Over Performances

Santa Monica, CA - May 15, 2009 - Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI ) has assembled an all-star cast for the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game, including the film's leads Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, who will reprise their starring roles in the game, and fan favorites Peter Cullen and Frank Welker, the voices of OPTIMUS PRIME and MEGATRON from the original animated series. In the new game, developed under license from Hasbro, players are thrust into an adrenaline-pumping battle to defend Earth from a DECEPTICON attack that threatens mankind.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen features an extensive line-up of film actors, along with the voice talent that fans will recognize from the classic animated series," said Rob Kostich, head of marketing for licensed properties, Activision Publishing, Inc. "The diverse cast allowed us to not only capture the epic storyline from the film, but also seamlessly expand the fiction to create a unique and authentic TRANSFORMERS experience that fans of all ages will enjoy."

In addition to Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Mark Ryan (Bumblebee), Jess Harnell (Ironhide), Charles Adler (Starscream) and Robert Foxworth (Ratchet) reprised their film roles for the game. Voice-over veterans John Di Maggio (Sideways) and James Arnold Taylor (The Fallen) also join the roster.

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game is based on the upcoming live-action feature film from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures in association with Hasbro, which opens nationwide on June 24, 2009.* The game lets players take on the role of their favorite AUTOBOTSR or DECEPTICONSR, picking from the largest, most diverse range of playable Transformers - each with their own distinct abilities and weaponry. Set in unique environments across the globe such as Cairo and Shanghai, the game allows players to instantly switch between vehicle and robot modes as they drive, fly, fight and blast their way through intense, pressure-packed levels. After engaging in single player action, players for the first time ever will be able to go online and battle friends in all-new multiplayer modes.

John Di Maggio and James Arnold Taylor are joining the video game cast but this isn't confirmation they are part of the movie. However, looking at their IMDB.com entries with many televisions shows and animated movies between them, the odds are high that they are part of the movie voice cast. The game will be released on June 24th, the same day as the movie. Thanks to Darian for the heads-up.

Linkin Park Interview, Stan Bush's Quest (Updated)

A bit more soundtrack news. First up is from Linkin Park as they ramp up for the world premiere of their single from the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundtrack on Monday that will include the music video. As part of that, the Linkin Park Times has an interview with Mike Shinoda were he discusses the track. Snippets below, the full interview here. In addition, click here for pictures taken during the shooting of the music video. Thanks to Jose for the link.

"We met with (director) Michael Bay," Shinoda said. "He showed us scenes from the new film, and we tried to write something that was both true to the spirit of the movie and true to the spirit of our band in some way.

"Michael is not fond of showing parts of the movie unfinished and out of context," Shinoda continued. "I totally get it; I hate playing anyone our rough songs before each one is done, out of the context of the album. But he knew it would give us the best shot at trying to capture some of the emotions in the movie, so we did it. After we wrote 'New Divide,' we met with (Oscar-winning composer) Hans Zimmer and (composer) Steve Jablonsky, and they asked if we would help incorporate various themes from our song into the film. The musical themes ended up being placed in a lot of important scenes in the film. I'd tell you which scenes, but I don't want to give away the story."

The video, directed by Linkin Park DJ Joe Hahn, will debut around the time of the single's release. Shinoda was coy about the clip's direction. "You'll have to ask Joe Hahn, who's directing it," he said. "He's planning on using a lot of really interesting cutting-edge visual techniques, blurring the line between our performance and some kind of digital/mechanical reality. I'm not really sure--he's either being secretive about it, or it's way over my head, so he's just skipping the explanation."

In addition, Stan Bush, famous to G1 era Transfans as the writer/singer for "The Touch" from the animated Transformers: The Movie has remade his classic song (below) in an attempt to get it added to the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen soundtrack. I wish Stan luck but it is a huge uphill battle as I think Bay makes his music choices based less on how it fits the film and more on commercial viability and access it gives him to various bands (Bay started as a music video director). Thanks to Scorpio for the link.


Update: Stan Bush has released a new alternate cut The Touch that focuses more on the scenes and less the singers and the like. Also seems like the rappers part has been trimmed. His note to TFormers:

"We listened to the overwhelming responses and decided to make a more fan friendly edit, focusing more on the awesome scenes from Transformers and Revenge of the Fallen. We realized that the video may have been distracting to some, which wasn't our intent, so please watch and enjoy this new version, and let us know what you think of the song."

RoTF UK Premiere Dated

The Revenge of the Fallen world premiere is scheduled for June 8th in Tokyo, Japan and now via purehmv we know the premiere date in the United Kingdom is on June 15, 2009 at Leicester Square, London. The information comes via opportunity to "buy" a pair of tickets to the premiere with 100000 points which are granted via the store's loyalty card program for purchases. If you’re in the UK I will let you decide how want to handle things, but here is the fine print about the UK premiere.

Transformers 2 - Pair of tickets to Premiere
We have a pair of tickets for this much anticipated Premiere. If you redeem this you will walk the red carpet amongst the stars!

Terms and conditions: The Transformers 2 premiere is on the evening of 15th June 2009 and the reward will be available to redeem until 1pm on 11th June 2009. There is one reward of 2 tickets (one pair) available and the purehmv member must be in attendance with a guest of their choice. Because of the nature of the film both attendees must be 18 or over. The premiere will take place in Leicester Square, London. The purehmv member will be responsible for all travel, accommodation and associated costs incurred. Tickets must be collected on the day of the premiere at the reception of hmv 's Head Office at 142 Wardour Street, London W1F 8LN, which is a short walk from Leicester Square. We regret that tickets cannot be sent in the post.

An interesting thing about Hollywood movies is they tend to have a lot of premiere parties. There is the world premiere and then additional premiere in critical markets such as US, Japan, UK and so forth. The point of the premiere party is simple - free press. When the studios throw these expensive events, the stars come out and with them the press, which talk about it for a day or so in magazines, newspapers, television and the internet in the respective countries. The net result is millions of dollars of free press getting the word out that the movie is coming to a theatre near you real soon. Why mention this? Just to clarify why you might be hearing news about TF2 premiere parties in various countries over the next month or so. And nope so no clue on the US date but a site reader has indicated that the Smithsonian is a rumored possibility. Thanks to Carnivac for the link.

Small update: I forgot to add that there is a difference between the premiere party for VIP people invited to go and the actually release date of the film in a particular country. Usually one occurs about a week to two weeks before the latter so be sure to check the "worldwide release dates" link on the top left of the blog.

Comic Movie Adapation Preview

IDW has posted five pages from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation #1 issue that will be out in comic stores starting May 20th. Unlike the novels, the comic adaptation doesn't need the same lead time so it is probably based on a more current version of the film script but not necessarily the final cut of the film. In a way the various adaptations provide an interesting look at how a film script evolves over time.

The pages can be found here and they do provide a few spoilers. It provides additional confirmation of the Ice Cream Truck being the Twins, suggests that Arcee is all three bikes that share a single mind, and that Stratosphere (who in the movie is probably just a plane, not a TF) has a role in the sense that he provides the air transportation to drop Optimus in position to take on Demolisher. Thanks to ghola-tleilaxu, Phil, and Gregory for the link.

Transformers 2 Video Game Playable Characters

Activision has released the full list of playable characters for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game.

Autobots:
Optimus Prime
Ironhide
Breakaway
Bumblebee
Ratchet
Aerialbot (Multiplayer-Exclusive)
Protectobot (Multiplayer-Exclusive)

Decepticons:
Starscream
Sideways
Grindor
Long Haul
Megatron
Seeker (Multiplayer-Exclusive)

Based on the screenshot (above), I guess Seeker is really Skywarp and they couldn't use that name for some reason. Alternatively, they could mean any number of seekers (Thundercracker, Dirge, etc) who would all share the same character model of Starscream and simply have a different pallet of colors. Not sure what Aerialbot or Protectobot means either in this context. In G1, that is like the Constructicons as 5 Aerialbots merge to form Superion and 5 Protectobots merge to form Defensor. In this case, Aerialbot probably the name for the Breakaway character repaint and Protectobot is the rename for Ratchet. Thanks to D-Squared and Gregory for the link.

Another link here to some screenshots which had the great picture of Long Haul.

New Human Alliance Toy

If I remember correctly, three Human Alliance toys are planned for the Transformers 2 toy line. The first is Bumblebee with Sam Witwicky. The second one is now revealed to be Sideswipe with Master Sergeant Epps as the picture provided by Phil shows. I assume it will be a wave 2 toy so probably will not be out until August. Exact date of wave 1's release remains unknown but I assume if it’s not tomorrow then it will be the end of the month.

Poster Giveaway

>MichaelBay.com is doing a poster giveaway for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Thanks to p00p m0nsta and Scorpio for the link.

Nelson here... In the next few weeks I will be giving out some Revenge of the Fallen posters.

To enter, send your name, and email to webmaster@revengeiscoming.com. Contest is open to US residents only and ends on end of day May 20, 2009. Good luck!

RoTF Junior Novelization Spoilers

"Cth" over at TFW2005 has posted a summary of the The Last Prime and junior novelization of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. This does not include the official novelization that is coming out in the next week or so which would probably have more details. Below is a very spoiler filled portion (which you have to highlight read) but the full and detailed and story spoiling summary is here. The novelization does conform to most of the information we have but in some areas it does diverge slightly, to be expected since novelizations are usually based on a late draft of a movie script that doesn't reflect changes made just before, during or after production.

The links reference set reports and the like that seem relevant to the description. It is not complete as just did a skim of all the previous posts to find them but figure at least somewhat useful in making connections about the film.

- The Allspark created the first 13 Transformers called the Primes. Needing energy, they created the Matrix of Leadership which powers the Sun Harvester. This in turn takes energy from the sun so the Primes vowed not to take that energy from a sun that provides life to its worlds after finding life on Earth via early man.
- One of the Primes, The Fallen, wanted the power to himself so the other Twelve hid themselves and the Matrix from him.
- NEST (Nonbiological Extraterrestrial Species Treaty) searches for Demolisher and Sideways in Shanghai. The team of Ironhide, Sideswipe, the Twins, Lennox, and Epps find them. Sideswipe stops Sideways. Demolisher (with explosions), defeated, says The Fallen providing the Autobots with something they didn't know before.
- US, explained the Mission City fight blamed on a robotics company. Meanwhile Sam packs for college and Mikaela is uneasy about a long distance relationship. While packing the Allspark shard falls, burns through the floor and activates six appliances, which Bumblebee destroys by destroying the kitchen. The shard is given to Mikeala who stores it in her father's shop, which Wheelie sees.
- At Nest HQ, discussion of Shanghai and other tops leads to Soundwave discovering location of Megatron. Ravage and the Doctor are sent to retrieve the shard from NEST HQ (not sure how got form Mikeala to there).
- Sam, not at college meets Leo who is a conspiracy nut that runs www.therealeffingdeal.com whose competitor is Robo Warrior. Sam meets Alice, they go to a party and Sam starts seeing symbols. Bumblebee's car alarm goes off, two leave in him. BB got Sam to take him to meet Optimus at a cemetery so stops the car and douses her with antifreeze. Sam told shard has been stolen and they still need his help.
- Ravage and Doctor take shard and use it to reboot Megatron (trailer indicates this is completely changed).
- While in Prof. Coulon's class (Rainn Wilson), Sam starts speed reading, ranting Einstein being wrong and so forth. Gets kicked out of class, goes to the library and find a book on his grandfather.
- Megatron, once revived goes to Mars and meets Starscream and the Decepticons waiting there with the Nemesis (Decepticon ship, counter to the Ark from the G1 days). The two talk to the Fallen about re-creating the AllSpark using the Sun Harvester and Matrix which Sam now has the location of. Megs and Starscream leave with 15 additional Decepticons for Earth to find Sam.
- Back to Mikaela who find Wheelie spying, befriends him, find out why he wants the shard and goes off to find Sam. She walks in just as Alice making a move to kiss Sam. Alice reveals her pretender status and starts chasing after Leo, Sam and Mikaela (the Frenzy-like robot, all the car footage from Princeton). A chase ensues and they stop Alice by smashing her between the car and a pole.
- Drive off, now getting by a helicopter (Blackout) and then cornered by Megatron and Starscream in a factory. The Doctor is about to torture Sam for info when Optimus and Bumblebee comes to the rescue. The fight between Megatron and Prime moves to the forest area outside the factory where Starscream and Blackout join the fight. Prime takes on all three, the fight ends after Megatron severely wounds Prime with a spike from behind just before being chased off by Ironhide, Ratchet and the Twins.
- Unable to find the hidden Sam, Soundwave broadcasts a message from Megatron saying either give up Sam or cities start getting destroyed. Sam's parents on vacation in France, see the message (and later attacked).
- Trying to learn more from the Sam's symbols, they contact Robo Warrior who turns out to be Simmons working at his mom's deli. Sam, somehow, knows that Megatron wants a new power source already on earth that the Autobots don't know about because it pre-dates them. Mikaela still has Wheelie so the question him and learn that 10 Seekers are on Earth and he helps them find Jetfire.
- Jetfire translates the symbols and uses his ability of wormhole transportation to bring everyone to Egypt and gives them the background on the Sun Harvester and Matrix and that a Prime can only defeat a Prime (the Fallen). Prime is still wounded but the Matrix could heal him.
- While Prime is being brought to Egypt by Lennox, Sam and co think the Matrix is in a tomb (Petra). It is found behind a wall after a whole is accidently put into it (by the Twins). The Matrix, now dust, is collected into Sam's sock.
- Autobots attacked as they try to get back to Prime's location, Fallen appears on the scene, Constructicons form Devastator and Megatron determines the location of the Harvester (the Pyramid).
- Meanwhile, Sam gets nearly blown up and knocked out. He dreams of the 12 Primes, they give him a speech about destiny and he comes to with a reformed Matrix which he plunges into Prime, both repairing Prime and passing on his knowledge.
- Fallen teleports in, grabs the Matrix, teleports to the Pyramid and powers up the Harvester. Jetfire sacrifices himself to provide the parts Prime needs to get back to fighting shape which Ratchet helps facilitate.
- Simmons provides the Navy with Devastators coordinates, essentially destroying him. The Harvester fires towards the sun, Prime deflects the blast, hitting Megatron and Starscream who later escape. Optimus fights Fallen, using the parts of the harvester as a bludgeon. The Fallen teleports to escape but Optimus uses the Matrix to stop him and toss him into a new wormhole, defeating him.

End spoilers. Please keep the comments civil.

"General" Morshower Talks TF2

Glen Morshower (24's Aaron Pierce) talks Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen with IGN. Morshower was in the first film as Colonel Sharp that died during Blackout's assault. Now he is going to appear in the film as a new character that shares his namesake.

Said Morshower, "You know, I did the first one and a lot of people died and we were part of the team that was killed. But even though a lot of people died, that didn't seem to bother them. They wanted to bring me back. And then Michael Bay said, 'Well, you'll be playing a completely different character. But don't tell me now if you want to do it [yet]. I'm going to send you the script.'"

Morshower than explained the big surprise in store for him. "He sent it to me and I looked at the name of the character… The name of the character is General Morshower. He named the character my name." In his follow up conversation with Bay, Morshower recalled, "[Bay] goes, 'You don't mind, do you? We think your name is really different, really cool.' I went, 'What do I care? It's mine!' So I went in and played General Morshower."

The actor then revealed, "I just saw about thirty minutes of the film last week. It's tremendous! You will love it. I think it's even better than the first. So June 24th!"

Cool news. As a fan of the actor it is nice to see him return to the film. Hopefully this will be the start of a running joke for the franchise of seeing what role the great character actor will have next. Thanks to Y2G for the link.

New Divide Trailer (Updated)

Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda introduces a teaser video of the upcoming single "New Divide" from the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundtrack. The video can also be found at MySpace. Thanks to Sire and Jose for the links.

Update: Austin (thanks!) was able to spot a segment of the trailer above that provides the first verse from the upcoming song. It seems the actually title "Megatron / New Divide" suggests this song is from the villians perspective. Future CGI fun...Megatron actually singing the song.

MEGATRON/NEW DIVIDE

I remember black skies/ the lightning al...
I remember each flash/ as time began t...
Like a startling sign / that fate had finally f...
In not so many words

Voyager Long Haul Robot Mode

The other day we got a preview look at Voyager Long Haul's vehicle mode and as expected TF08.net didn't disappoint as it posted pictures of the robot mode. I am really digging this toy and looking forward to peaugh's review. Many pictures below and more here. Thanks to Scorpio for link.

Transformers 2 Score, Soundtrack Pre-order

Amazon has posted the pre-order pages for the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundtrack and Score. Currently the price sites at $18.98 so I wouldn't order them just yet as will cheaper later. Sadly there is no cover image or track list for either album. Thanks to Scorpio for the link.

Bumblebee Assembled (Update)

Transformers arrives at Cannes Festival this week with everyone's favorite movie prop - Bumblebee. Below is a video that shows his assembly outside the Carlton Hotel (i think). Thanks to Ronnie and Chris for the links.

Update: Ronnie sent along another link that has a few pictures of the assembled Bumblebee as he guards the hotels. Two pictures below, the other two here.

Deluxe Wheelie Video Review

Peaugh has posted a video review for Deluxe Wheelie. As per his bio, he is a wimp that just does what he is told regardless of who so he has a faction changing gimmick (be interesting to know if it changes in the movie too).

Legends Combiner Devastator

Toy Wizard has posted a picture of Devastator that will be based on seven Legends class Constructicons. Nope, not a typo. As the picture shows, this version indicates that the mysterious seventh Constructicon, Overload, is part of the torso of Devastator along with Scavenger.

This would be the 3rd version of Devastator planned for the Transformers 2 toy line. One version is a kids version that doesn't transform (robot on front, individual vehicles painted on the back), the other is the Supreme class that is the individual vehicles that combine to form Devastator but do not have their own individual robot modes. Technically could say a fourth if count the Deluxe and Voyager class Constructicons that do have robot modes but don't combine.

While lacking in detail, it is a solid alternative to those that can't afford the $100 Supreme class toy. Since Legend toys average around $5 or so each you’re looking at about $30 for the whole set. One unfortunate caveat is it has not been confirmed if the toy is going to be released stateside. Thanks to Drew for the link.

Sigh, easier to disable the comments for this post then delete all the pointless garbage.

M&M's Transformer Campaign Kicks Off

Mars Snackfood has released its press release to official kick-off its Transformers partnership with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen which includes an update to their website. The campaign will run from May through July.

As anticipation for the summer blockbuster builds, Mars Snackfood US will also be rolling out a full-contact, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”-themed marketing campaign in support of the limited-edition products. Specific marketing campaign executions include:

- Action film director Michael Bay is putting his signature touch on a dramatic television commercial in which animated M&M’S® Brand characters, “Red” and “Yellow,” team up with the popular AUTOBOT® OPTIMUS PRIME™, to deliver the M&M’S® Strawberried Peanut Butter Chocolate Candies to stores around the country. The commercial will debut on June 1, 2009.

- Michael Bay himself will become an M&M’S® character for a new “Inner M” print ad that will be featured in June issues of Entertainment Weekly, US Weekly and USA Weekend. The print advertising is an extension of the brand’s “Inner M” equity campaign which encourages Americans to find their fun side and embrace their “Inner M.”

- Consumers will be able to join “Red” and “Yellow,” as well as other “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” characters on a digital scavenger adventure on www.mms.com, as well as other sites throughout the Web, beginning May 19, 2009.

- Kyle Busch’s No. 18 M&M'S® car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will sport a special “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”-themed paint scheme during the June 21, 2009, race at Infineon Raceway, where Busch took the checkered flag last year. The special paint scheme features movie title decals on the hood, trunk and TV panel and the M&M’S® Brand “Red,” “Green” and “Yellow” characters modified into “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” characters.

First Look at Long Haul, Ravage Review and Scalpel

TF08.net has posted the below two pictures of Constructicon Long Haul, who appears to be Voyager class. So far no robot mode pictures but I am sure they will be along soon. As per the other toys, these do not have a mode to combine into Devastator (separate Supreme class toy for that purpose).

Peaugh has posted a review of Deluxe Ravage that shows off his "reentry" and cat modes. The alt mode useless, the cat mode makes it worth it.

Last, a new auction shows of another set of pictures of Deluxe Scalpel (The Doctor) in his packaging. Unlike the previous packaging pictures where he was displayed in profile, this time he is situated face forward.

Thanks to DeceptiFreak for the Long Haul link and Scorpio for the rest.

Update: Oops. The video was for FAB Long Haul, not Voyager class. Thats what I get for doing a hit and run without checking first (at work so...).

Tyrese and Jewel Duet on Transformers 2 Soundtrack

According to posts on Tyrese and Jewel's twitter accounts (which seem to be really them), the two are working together on a single for the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen soundtrack.

From Tyrese:

The fans have spoken.. You want another Tyrese song how about a Duet with Jewel for the Transformers 2 soundtrack??? Any thought??

Treat yourself to a great Mothers Day album from my new buddy singer @Jeweljk were gonna get this TF2 song done for the soundtrack thisweek

From Jewel:

@Tyrese4ReaL ur sweet 2 mention Lullaby.. excited for TF2 song, too! c u guys 2night at the Roxy

Hopefully a full list of all the artists on the soundtrack will be released by the end of the month. Thanks to Bvaldez for the heads-up.

New Transformer Wallpaper

Hasbro has posted new wallpaper images Transformer 2 characters including Sideswipe, Megatron, Prime and more. Below are the 800x600 size of each but additional sizes and more wallpaper from Transformers: Animated can be found here. Thanks to Crisp for the link.

Devastator Robot Heros, Reverb, and Other Toy Stuff

An eBay auction has the first pictures of the Robot Heroes version of Devastator. The left picture gives you an idea of the scale by comparing it to Robot Heroes Prime. For more pictures click here.

Hasbro continues its tradition of releasing every Transformer mold at least two times with different paint jobs (usually the second better then the first), this time with Scout Knockout becoming Reverb. The pictures of the toy in its packaging can be found here.

Even though the toys have not yet been officially released, TFW2005 is reporting that the knockoffs have begun. Very ugly and poorly created knockoffs. Click here to view a gallery of Soundwave, Dead End, and others.

Last is the two scans below from Hyper Hobby that shows off various toys from the Transformers 2 toy line. Thanks to Scorpio for all the links.

New Divide from TF2? Nope (Updated)

Could the below video posted by MindKiller649 be Linkin Park's new song "New Divide" for the Transformers 2 soundtrack? The validity of the music, which is instrumental, is unknown as the single is scheduled to be officially released on May 18th to radio stations and iTunes. I guess if it gets yanked by Paramount for copyright, we will know then.

Update: Well that was quick. It is not New Divide from Linkin Park. Not really sure what the point is. I guess people where taking the few chords from the trailer and extrapolating. Only because of the comments I am not deleting the entire post.

Happy Birthday, Transformers!

According to TFW2005, today is the 25th birthday of Transformers. According to them, on this day in 1984 the Transformers comic from Marvel was released kicking off the cast of characters in a war between Autobots and Decepticons.

On this day, May 8th, twenty-five years ago, the world was taken by storm by the launch of The Transformers. The first, iconic issue of Marvel Comics Transformers miniseries - which was edited by the legendary Bob Budiansky, and accompanied by art by Frank Springer - was published on this day in 1984, and introduced us to the now classic characters of Optimus Prime, Megatron, Ironhide, Starscream, Bumblebee and so many more. In the months that followed, the massively successful toyline would top every child's "want list", and Sunbow's cartoon would captivate the imaginations of children the world over.

In the 25 years that have followed, Transformers has gone from strength to strength, with an animated movie, a blockbuster live action movie (with the sequel, Revenge of the Fallen, due in less than two months!), more than a dozen animated series in both America and Japan with a combined total episode count exceeding 600 episodes, and thousands of toys in every shape and size, from the gigantic Fortress Maximus to the tiny World's Smallest Transformable Ravage.

I don't really know if you can truly put a single date on the launch of Transformers so this day is as good as any, so happy birthday to Transformers. Thanks to Scorpio for the heads-up.

Shia Talks Energon

In an interview with IESB, Shia LaBeouf discusses how the movie is better then the first, how the character evolves and the college theme. Below is the segment regarding Energon, but the full interview can be found here. Thanks to MetalAnsWer for the link.

Q: How does your character change? How does he evolve from the first movie?
SL: Well, Sam saved the world the first time, right? So just imagine Brad Pitt going to Trader Joe's to go get a granola bar. If you save the world you have a real problem trying to buy a granola bar, you know? So, like, anywhere you go, you're the guy who saved the world. And you're trying to go to college and have like a normal life. And as you know college is a humongous, humongous deal for kids who didn't enjoy their life in high school because it's a chance to start over. And Sam was this nebbishy, neurotic, dorky kid in high school who fell into the most ridiculous situation.

The movie starts two years later from where the last one left off. He's on his way to school to start a new life, to get away from his parents, to get as far away from his parents as he can because he's stifled and feels like most kids do who have extremely protective parents. He's sheltered. And on top of that he's got Bumblebee living in his garage, who is his guardian. And he's just sick of having guardians. He's trying to create his own world and create his own personality free from other people's input. And he goes off to college and when he gets to college he starts having problems, meaning he starts having these spastic fits of information where like his great, great grandfather, Archibald Witwicky, starts having these visions. These things just start popping up into his head. And he's seeing symbols and comes to find out the symbols are a map which lead to Decepticons, or the Autobots to the Energon source that is still being held here on Earth.

Decepticons and Autobots need Energon to create armies, to revive fallen comrades, to create new worlds, to create armies - to do everything. It's their main resource. And the little bit that's left here, the only way to find it is through this map and the only way to use the map is through my mind. And so they stop my little stint at college to handle business.

Transformers 2 Trailer Reviewed

The Los Angeles Time's "The Big Picture" blog has posted a rather odd review from "Summer Movie Posse" which is apparently a small group of 15-17 year olds of the new Transformers 2 trailer. Apparently their group was unimpressed and found the trailer confusing. The few Transformers movie fans I have spoken to (but otherwise not Transfans) didn't convey such a problem. Anyway, figure you all would find it interesting.

But one action film got the bum's rush: Michael Bay's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." It bombed with the kids, who gave it one of the lowest scores of all 14 movie trailers they watched -- a 29 out of a possible 60. Even these teens, who grew up in a visually oriented world, were starved for a little more information from the trailer, which was crammed with explosions, but offered only two short lines of dialogue, one of them being the immortal "We're all going together!"

Even worse, the kids viewed the film as being something only of interest to their little brothers, which as any studio marketer will tell you, is the worst insult of all, since once the little brother hears that a movie plays too young for his big brother or sister, he won't want to see it either.

Some excerpts from their critique:
Ben Sassoon, 17: "I can't say this got my hopes up. It's just a lot of explosions."

Molly Philbin, 15: "And they only said five words in the whole trailer. I'm sure all those special effects were hard to do, but if you haven't seen the first movie, I'm not sure you'd even understand what was going on. And most of what was going on sure didn't look that good."

Jasmine Jafari, 15: "I wasn't sure I even knew what the movie was about until halfway through the trailer, and I probably know more than most people, since I have a little brother who's into Transformers. I think he'd be a lot more interested in the movie than me. It just felt pretty senseless."

Ben: "This reminds me of why I'm not a big fan of Michael Bay. He keeps making the same movie, over and over again, as if he hopes someday he'll get it right."

New Transformers: RoTF Poster

A new poster for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has hit Yahoo! Movies. It is not more character posters from before but does feature Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. That is Bethlehem Steel (as Shanghai, China) in the top-right corner, the location the movie started filming last June. Thanks to EBJM and dreamsdeath for the heads-up.

Megan Fox Galleries

For some reason, Megan Fox is suddenly showing up all over the place. I guess because of Transformers but the blitz seems to be a month early. Any case, except for the one photo (right) from Comicbook Movie, the rest are not Transformer related but I figured most blog readers wouldn't mind. She looks good (if you ignore the collagen lip injections). No nude but not necessarily safe for work.

Esquire pictures
Esquire video
Elle
Elle Video

Thanks to Brian, Scorpio, and Joel for the links.

Transformers 2 Video Game Trailer

A new trailer has come out for the 360/PS3 version of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game. It shows off some of the game play footage, few new characters such as Rampage and a sequence involving Devastator. The video (HD link) below is actually two seperate trailers, one for the Autobots and one for the Decepticons.

Voyager Ironhide Bio

TFormers has posted the card backings of a few Revenge of the Fallen toys. Most of them we have seen before (here, here, and here) but one was new - the bio for Ironhide who is shaping up to be one of the better looking toys of the line. So far just the one picture but I am sure more when follow soon.

Voyager Ironhide Bio

Ironhide has never been happier. It's hard on a warrior to be on the defensive all the time, but that's just what most of the war was - one defensive action after another. With Megatron defeated and the Decepticons on the run everywhere, it's high time the Autobots went on the offensive. Working alongside the humans to hunt and destroy Decepticon hideouts around the world is the most fun he's had in ages.

Linkin Park's Transformers Song Title, Soundtrack Dated

The Linkin Park Times is reporting that the song that Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda has been working on is going to be called "New Divide" and will premiere on radio stations and iTunes worldwide starting May 18th. Also the soundtrack is going to be released on June 23rd, the day before the movie. Thanks to Jose for the link.

According to LPU (Linkin Park Underground, their official website) newsletter the title of Linkin Park's new song is called 'New Divide', it is the theme song and lead single from the upcoming movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The song will premiere on radio worldwide on May 18 and will also be available for download on iTunes that same day. Mike says, "The opportunity to be creatively involved with one of the most anticipated films of the summer is pretty exciting. It's one thing to shoot a video that matches sound and vision, but making music that's built for the big screen is a completely different challenge and we ran with it." The movie opens in theatres worldwide on June 24 and the soundtrack will hit the stores on June 23.

Las Vegas Luxor Transformed

It looks like the marketing team for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen figured out how to top the first movie's launch of its marketing campaign going by the photos that Seibertron.com posted.

Why cover a building if you can cover the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The entire pyramid is going to become one giant billboard for the movie. As the images show, it is still under construction but when its done it is probably going to look like the Optimus Prime poster only I imagine that the Egyptian pyramid will be removed since the Luxor makes a good stand-in. Thanks to p00p m0nsta for the link.

DS Transformers 2 Covers, Info

IGN UK has posted a fact sheet on the DS version of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video games which will be broken down into an Autobot and Decepticon version and gameplay similiar to the first movie's DS game. For a few screenshots, click here.

KEY FEATURES:
• Take On TRANSFORMERS from Around the Globe – Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection allows players to help their side win the epic battle by engaging in global "AUTOBOT vs. DECEPTICON" competitions through downloadable challenge missions.
• Play as Your Own Personalized TRANSFORMERS Robot – For the first time, players can customize their own TRANSFORMERS robot with a modular body part system. Throughout the game, players will have the ability to scan objects to unlock new parts and upgrade their character by installing new unlockable parts in the Medical Bay as they progress through the game.
• Diverse Missions and Locales – Players will drive, fly and fight their way through over 25 single player levels across different world locations as they fight to decide the fate of the human race as the AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS.
• Battle With Friends – Players can challenge friends to intense, head-to-head battles through local wireless multiplayer in Deathmatch mode.

Thanks to Scorpio for the links and image info and RT for the screenshot link.

Ravage In Packaging, Bio

Well the mystery of Ravage is finally solved thanks to packaging pics from TF08.net of the deluxe class toy. As it turns out Wal-Mart is correct, he has a "re-entry" alt mode. I get the impression that Hasbro threw up their hands at trying to come up with a decent alt mode considering the animal design they had to start with. Thanks to Phil and Dinoraw for the link. Side note, the "installation" from the bio is probably whatever place is housing the AllSpark fragment.

Deluxe Ravage Bio

Bulleting down through the atmosphere at better than 15 times the speed of sound, Ravage considers the data he has already amassed on the small, soft creatures that inhabit this planet. They seem weak and fragile, yet they are the ones that destroyed Megatron. That is a fact he will keep in mind as he penetrates their most sensitive installation, again such an unpredictable enemy, stealth will be his watchword.

IGN Video Commentary

I guess more for your amusement then anything, here is a video commentary from IGN as they attempt to dissect the new trailer. The idea is excellent just that those doing the talking are clearly not up on the latest and greatest Transformer 2 info (guess they don't read this blog). Thanks to Brian and DeceptiFreak for the link.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen at IGN.com

Official Transformers 2 Story Synopsis?