Sunday, April 10, 2011

Bay Debunks A Soundwave Rumor

Michael Bay posted on his forums to debunk yet another Transformers: Dark of the Moon rumor. The latest is the theory that Soundwave's alt mode was Carly's white Mercedes-Benz that was spotted on set a few times. Bay wrote:
Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's really frown on that - I can't say what the game company and comics do that's their own thing. They don't have the same constraints movies do. It's Carly's car.
I have never even heard this new Soundwave theory until now. A trailer for the DOTM video game indicated that Soundwave's alt mode might be a SUV while another one suggested the security truck might be it but really we have zero information on the character. Considering the Decepticon's tend to be mostly CGI creations both in robot and vehicle mode I doubt we will find out for sure until the toy leak or the book comes out.

As for Bay's explanation, that is pretty much right on the money. The Binaltech/Alternator line experienced this difficulty first hand. The line was complex Transformers with alt modes based on existing cars on the market at the time. To make the toys, Hasbro and Takara had to get a license from the various car manufacturers and most would not agree to allow the car to be a Decepticon resulting in a very Autobot heavy line. About the only ones that didn't seem to mind were Japan automotive companies like Honda and Mazda. Everyone else balked at the idea for fear that consumers would associate the villain with their brand. It is a nonsense belief that has never been proven but if you are in the marketing department it is much easier to say no than risk the yes.

If Bay really needed a Decepticon vehicle, a Japan auto company probably would have signed on but since he already has the Autobot fleet and a lot of very expensive sports cars to choose one from as long as not the bad guys, well can't fault him for taking advantage. Besides part of the fun of the Decepticons is by mostly avoiding cars, they provided a more broad choice of alt modes to enjoy.

38 comments:

  1. I'd want to buy a car that was a decepticon in the movie. who wouldn't?

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  2. I love the Audi R-8.....Sideways was a good villain.... if they used him better.

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  3. Then what was the deal with Sideways? He was an Audi R8. Does Audi not care. Personally, it doesn't matter to me. Seeing him in the movie only made me want an R8 more.

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  4. Anna Morales4/10/2011 11:20 PM

    So Audi had the guts for letting their car become a Decepticon that only saw 10 seconds of screentime before getting sliced in 2 like butter?

    I don't buy this. There are alot of car companies and marketing it thru a film is big business. Doesn't matter whose side you're on.

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  5. That is an interesting theory... No wonder I have more non-car types of robots in my showcase [I'm a decepticon fan]

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  6. So Mazda wouldn't mind letting one of their cars be used as a Decepticon? Awesome! So happy I drive a Mazda now. Just need to get that Decepticon sticker on it now!

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  7. Cmon give the Decepticons some love.


    Silverbolt.

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  8. The manufacturers must not be aware that the Decepticon fanbase is rather ginormous. I'll go as far as to say that it's probably bigger than the Autobot fanbase. Hell! The reason I now want a Mustang is all because of Barricade from the first film.

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  9. This proves that marketing department people are a bunch of ignorant fools that should just get fired immediately. There is no need for marketing department at all. Managers, accountants and technicians can do their job way better.

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  10. I knew this. Tires of Soundwave's alternate mode didn't have resemblance with the Superfund truck, but neither did with that Mercedes.

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  11. someone should build up some statistics: who causes more traffic jams/crashes over a year, decepticon cars or autobots? :)

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  12. hey buddys i over talk about whens of pre debut of fast five is happen in brazil on 15/04 im from brazil and im so exited i'ii see to see if you have a trailer with the movie if l tell you guys

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  13. soundwave is the mercedes sls. Bay just dont want to admit it, just like old rumors about megatron not in ROTF.

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  14. Let's hope Carly is a Pretender and gets killed.

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  15. ^
    Hey man why are you so heartless? You gotta give Rosie/Carly some love man. So I dedicate this song for Rosie, Whole Lotta Rosie.

    And you have to give the Decepticons an applause.


    Silverbolt.

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  16. Well, it would be too bad if film version Soundwave isn't similar than comic or game versions, that wouldn't make any kind of logic.

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  17. +1 to 12:17 pm. If soundwave is not the mercedes sls, then it would be 1st transformers that not synchronized with their games nor their toys. Bay, stop fooling us already. Nuff said.

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  18. if transformer make into something else?

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  19. My guess is that when they signed a deal with GM to have the Autobots be made up of 90% of their product line, there was also some deal about having very limited other brand vehicles in the movie. You can't tell me there is no influence of the new Transformers movie in that Ford commercial for the New Mustang. It even goes so far as to say that it has been "Transformed for 2011." Regardless of what kind of image the movie puts the company it, I guarantee you it will be good press for that company. Marketing people know this. I would almost guarantee if you asked Audi straight up they would say absolutely make all the bad guys Audis. So like I said, GM made them agree that if they are using their cars, they are ONLY using their cars.

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  20. Bay is full of it and the SLS is Soundwave.

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  21. Why would Bay comment on one rumor among the dozens that float around on TF forums? He never came in and said "Hey guys the Ferrari isn't Hot Rod" or "The gold robot isn't Alpha Trion". The only other time he stopped by was to discredit that trailer description, and we'll know by the end of the month if that was accurate. Him saying anything at all only lends credence to Soundwave being the SLS.

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  22. BTW where can I find the best quality Transformers decals for vehicles?

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  23. You guys think that the autobots would really let her ride in a decepticon? Give me a break

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  24. Well I know for a fact that in the first movie, Bay couldn't use the Bettle and Porsche because VW didn't want there cars associated.with war. I guess the success of the first film made them change their minds and allow them to use the R8

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  25. @Anonymous 4/11/2011 10:07 PM: if the Mercedes is a Decepticon then Carly must be a Pretender and/or working with Soundwave and Megatron anyway. She would be Decepticons' plan to kill Sam Witwicky...so maybe she could be a genetically modified human, a human with implanted Decepticon's devices and such...

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  26. @anonymous 10:07PM

    well, Bumblebee didn't mind when the pretender was riding next to sam.

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  27. Martinus Prime4/12/2011 7:24 AM

    You're almost right, except in TF1 we do have a Beetle, when Sam bought the Camaro at Bobby Bolivia, as an hommage to Bumblebee in G1.
    It's only not a cool car for a 16 year old in a TF movie, you want a bad-ass car. Every guy prefers a Camaro over a Beetle.

    But you're right that VW saw the success and granted Bay to use the R8 for ROTF. I'm betting VW wanted a lot more cars in the movie.

    Now Mercedes saw the succes and that's why we have the E550, SLS and the Maybach.

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  28. i want one trailer!!!please with scream 4

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  29. Listen to just what you said my friend. You need to watch that scene again.


    Silverbolt.

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  30. This article made me want to punt puppies.

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  31. The post of Bay don't have any sense.
    The Mercedes Company have a good Autobot as well(the "Einsteinbot")so what's the problem?
    In the videogame Soundwave is not only a SUV but He's a Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTEC SUV so the Mercedes Company don't care about Decepticons or Autobots(like Audi or Ford)
    Plus Soundwave is one of the most loved TF and he could be have a great influence for the Mercedes marketing

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  32. The post of Bay don't have any sense.
    The Mercedes Company have a good Autobot as well(the "Einsteinbot")so what's the problem?
    In the videogame Soundwave is not only a SUV but He's a Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTEC SUV so the Mercedes Company don't care about Decepticons or Autobots(like Audi or Ford)
    Plus Soundwave is one of the most loved TF and he could be have a great influence for the Mercedes marketing

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  33. In the toyline there's a Human Alliance Soundwave(strange for a Decepticon)

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  34. @Domuinor: unless the Human Alliance are humans working with Decepticons and Carly is one of them.

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  35. Martinus Prime4/13/2011 7:05 AM

    Dempsey's character stands on the side of the Decepticons. Most likely it's his character in the Human Alliance toy with soundwave.

    I didn't play the official videogame, but in the trialer, I thought I saw the SLS Gullwing doors on Soundwave's back. At least, that's my opinion.

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  36. I hope they bring Sideways back, love that R8 and maybe they could make Soundwave an awesome sports car or sumthin with huge speakers that could blast things away.. And make it a mercedes CLK or a custom made car or sumthin.. Maybe porche or sumthin from GM..

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