Mark Ryan Comments His Movie Characters, Transformers 5

Actor Mark Ryan recently spoke with TFW2005 member Olivus Prime about two of his recent voices at the Wings and Wheels show in the UK. The voice of Bumblebee, Jetfire, and Lockdown commented on two of his roles and mentioned that TF5 is likely to start up next year with Mark Wahlberg and company expected to return.

Jetfire – Apparently he based this performance upon his friend Ray Winstone. When Winstone saw the film, he called Mark and said he owed him a beer.

Lockdown – Mark talked about the improvisation he’s allowed to do on set, and Lockdown was a case in point of this. Before shooting, Mark was pondering how to approach the character, when he saw a Jaguar advert in his hotel room that acted as inspiration for the voice. Apparently when he then used it in the dock scene when Ratchet is killed, his voice echoed around the docks (sounding like “the voice of God”!) and everyone was in awe. His facial expressions were also a big influence upon the character, especially in the “You think you were born” scene.

Upcoming sequels – I don’t really follow this much so I don’t know if this is new, but he said filming for TF5 ought to start next year and that the films will follow two directions now, one of which focuses upon Cade and co.

My guess is the other direction is Optimus Prime in space but a lot of that will probably depend on what Michael Bay wants to do (assumming he chooses to not direct) and what the Writers Brain Trust came up but to hit Paramount's goal of a summer 2017 release the film would have to start principle photography by summer of 2016.

Video Review of Transformers 4 Toys Lockdown

Below is a video review of Transformers: Age of Extinction deluxe Lockdown which I am have yet to see on store shelves. One of the interesting aspects is the head gun gimmick. Sadly his head doesn't transform into a gun but instead of hand gun fits over his head so can re-create those moments from the trailers and TV spots.

A Revealing TV Spot for New Transformers: Age of Extinction

The newest TV spot of Transformers: Age of Extinction revealed something new for the TF4 TV spots - a plot point. A very spoilerish (so warning) nugget of information. Straight from the mouth of Lockdown.

Lockdown TV Spot for Transformers 4

Earlier today two new TV spots popped up online, one featuring Grimlock's transformation. In the new one below we get an even better at Lockdown including Mark Ryan's voice for the character.

Transformers: Age of Extinction Character Blueprints

From the recent issue of the UK's Empire Magazine are blueprint images of Optimus Prime, Galvatron, Bumblebee, and Lockdown. While they are in blue, it does give you a chance to look at some of the CGI details of each character.

Transformers 4 Concept Art and Products, Transformers 5 for 2017 and More

A Hasbro presentation found on Transformers licensee Vilsco Textiles site has revealed a bunch of concept products and art for Transformers: Age of Extinction. The art (below) includes early designs for Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Hound, Drift, Lockdown and Grimlock that sometimes was spotted on set clapperboards. Of note is some of the art is dated for 2012 indicating that pre-production on Transformers 4 began shortly after post-production on three ended.

The 2014 roadmap indicates the home release of Transformers 4 set for Q4 (probably late October, early November just like the previous movies) along with something referred to as "Animated Stunt" with a new beast like faction symbol. The same symbol comes up for a Q1 2015 animated cartoon while another new faction symbol is used for either a second series or second season of the series for Q1 2016 that will be followed by Transformers 5 in Summer 2017. Below is a look at the new faction symbols and concept art, for the rest of the gallery of concept products head over to TFW2005.

Transformers: Age of Extinction IMAX Poster

In what is essentially a still from from the movie featuring Lockdown, here is the new IMAX poster for Transformers: Age of Extinction from MichaelBay.com. You can download various size versions here. Thanks to Feris O. for the heads-up.

Toy Images Showcase Transformers: Age of Extinction CGI Character Art

From the Idle Hands blog via the Transformers_Movie Instagram account below are a bunch of images of the packaging for Hex Bug Transformers: Age of Extinction line. The "bugs" are themed to the major characters of the movie. For fans, the key bit is it appears the art isn't based on the toys but on the actual movie CGI art resulting in our best look yet at the new characters of Galvatron, Lockdown, STinger, Drift and the bearded visage of Hound. All images of the Toy Fair TF Hex Bug display is here. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

Toy Fair Confirms Galvatron, More Age of Extinction Dinobots, New Video Game

Toy Fair 2014 continued today in New York. Today provided a look at what Hasbro plans for teens (and adult collectors) that are not going to be quite satisfied with the simplistic transformations introduced yesterday. The reveals do indicate that teen and adult fans will get their chance to enjoy multi-step transformations for Transformers: Age of Extinction characters that is based on what Hasbro learned when doing the Generations/Classic toys from the last few years. From those revealed, it is now officially confirmed that Galvatron is the black and dark grey 2014 Freightliner Argosy and likely the other big bad of the movie (besides Lockdown). In addition five Dinobot characters are now confirmed: Grimlock (T-Rex), Strafe (two-headed pterodactyl), Scorn (spinosaurus), Slash (velociraptor), and Slug (triceratops). So far only Grimlock and Strafe have been spotted in the Super Bowl trailer, hopefully upcoming trailers will tease the other three and apparently all five of them do transform at some point in the movie.

Toy Fair 2014 Reveals Transformers 4 Grimlock Robot Mode, Confirms Movie Characters and Alt Modes

In preparation for Toy Fair 2014 being held in New York this weekend, Hasbro has revealed their initial line-up of Transformers: Age of Extinction toys for "youngsters" called the One Step Changers via USA Today (and mirrored on TFormers). The official images (below) show the robot mode of Grimlock (which seems more like a mash-up of Grimlock and Beast Wars Dinobot). The images also provides the first official confirmation of what fans had already worked out for Crosshairs (Autobot, green 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray), Drift (Autobot, black & blue 2013 Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse), Lockdown (Decepticon, dark gray 2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Coup) and Stinger (Decepticon, blood red 2013 Pagani Huayra). In addition there is a "new" Dinobot called Slash with a Velociraptor alt mode. I assume that means that is a fourth Dinobot confirmed for the movie (outside of Grimlock, Slug, and Strafe) but it could just be a toy and not have a movie appearance.

The Face of Lockdown?

Could the image on the left be the half face of Lockdown? It could be, at least once consider some of the info that came out of the UK Toy Fair. The Robo-Destro look was spotted at the fair via a MashEm toy that was identified as Lockdown. That toy's color scheme combined with the Lamborghini Aventador being identified as a Decepticon via a race track toy seems to provide very strong evidence that Lockdown is the Aventador. Of course none of this official but it aligns strongly with the various rumors. (via Seibertron)

UK Toy Fair 2013: Toy Teases, Lockdown, Drift and More

The UK Toy Fair was held this week which provided the first look at the toys and merchandise that Hasbro is planning for Transformers: Age of Extinction. Sadly the fair was not open to the public or press and security was tight so while there are descriptions of some of what was on display, most of the pictures are for ancillary products. Still there was at least some potential useful information revealed including more looks at the TF4 versions of Prime, Bumblebee, Drift and potentially Lockdown. It really does seem like Transformers Prime animated look was inspiration for the TF4 redesigns. Thanks to Feris O. and others for the info.