New Transformer Galleries

Lot of new Transformer galleries have popped up online including official images of the next wave of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toys that include mostly repaints of existing toys.

New Revenge of the Fallen Toys
Click above for a look at Hasbro's official images of new toys from the various classes that should be coming out in the next few months.
Legends - Wheelie, Soundwave, Sideswipe, Power Armor Optimus Prime
Scouts - Knockout, Brakedown, Wideload, Ejector, Nightbeat, Sonar
Deluxe - Gears, Tuner Mudflap, NEST Bumblebee, Black Soundwave, Dirge, Cannon Bumblebee repaint, Armorhide
Voyager - Bludgeon, Jungle Attack Ironhide

Fury of Fearswoop
Walmart.com now has a product page for the set of repaints that includes Legends Battle-damaged Sideswipe, Battle-damaged Mudflap, and Fearswoop (repaint of 2007 Deluxe Dreadwing). (via TFW2005)

Scorponok Prototype Auction
A new eBay auction is showing off a prototype version of Deluxe Scorponok, which is apparently an early design since it shows six eyes while the final design had four.

Revenge of the Fallen Caltex Memorabilia
A look at various things created for Caltex (aka Chevron) as part of a promotion between the gas company and TF2. Items include umbrellas, collector cards and more.

Supreme Devastator Repaint in Package
A look at the repainted character to more closely match his final look in the movie. Currently it is available in Japan only but I wouldn't be surprised if they pop-up stateside in time for Christmas. So far the only obvious difference is the red face (rather than the initial gray) but there could be more.

G-Man's Winning TF Design
Scorpio, who provided most of the above links, has a look at the winner of his contest to create a new Transformer design. Also click here for a look at a few other designs.

Bumblebee, Scorponok Concept Art (Updated)

Update: As pointed out in the comments, the designs are from TF designer Ben Proctor's website. Something I posted about two years ago here. To view more of his Transformers work click here.

New concept art from the first Transformers movie has appeared online from TFG2. The art focuses on Bumblebee and Scorponok and give a hint in some of the early designs that were created for the two characters. Below are a few images but click the links below to view all of the pictures. (via TFormers)

Bumblebee | Scorponok

Deluxe Scorponok in Package

I thought we were more or less done with the ROTF toy pictures but apparently not. From TFormers, below are images of the re-release of Scorponok in package sporting his new black and white colors. With the images comes a bio, except I couldn't read most of the words.

Deluxe Jolt, Scorponok Pictures

KOToys has posted two new galleries for Deluxe Jolt and Stalker Scorponok that also compares to toys to others characters in the Revenge of the Fallen toy line. Jolt actually isn't that bad looking and a shame he isn't part of the initial release wave. As for Scorponok, he is simply a black and white repaint of the first movie version. Below are a few pictures of each and the links to the galleries. Thanks to Katie for the link.

Deluxe Jolt | Deluxe Scorponok

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.

Ravage Alt Mode and Blackout Pictures (Updated)

TF08.net has posted more pictures of Deluxe Ravage and Voyager Blackout. In addition, TFW2005.com has additional pictures of Ravage that suggest a submersible alt mode (and a weak one at that). Could be correct or a best guess, guess have to wait for a card backing to verify it. As for Blackout (who is now white), apparently he is keeping his companion Scorponok only now he is black and silver. Thanks to Scorpio for the links.



Update: From the Ice Cream Truck thread, another potential alt-mode of Ravage that has him as a motorcycle. Still an ugly alt mode. Also, the site proves confirmation that Ravage is a deluxe class toy.

Trailer Screenshots and Observations (Updated)

The full Tranformers 2 teaser trailer is out (unofficially anyway) so now is the fun of analyzing every frame. A few things observations have come up from Transfans.

The first is a message from Jason, who provided many set pictures and set reports while Transformers was shooting at Bethlehem Steel over the summer. On the last day of the shoot, he was invited to watch the last scene shot at the site, which is now in the trailer at the 1:02 point. It is the moment when the Scavenger completes his transformation and smashes his arms into the ground setting off a huge explosion. Jason also grabbed the screenshot to the left that shows a face in the debris (1:06 point) that the blow causes. Any clue what that is? Maybe ILM having some fun? My best guess is the site is supposed to be Shanghai, China so its a CGI statue head I guess that might be in the area.

Over at Planet Lynx there are some screenshot that help get a good look at the apparently unicycle style of the Arcee units, a breakdown where apparently Audi doesn't just flip and transform, but flips, shoots at them and then transforms (showing level of detail ILM is putting on screen), the shot to the right that indicates that Scorponok is diving on the geriatric Jetfire and a possible look at the Fallen. Update: The cane pic has been updated from an image from Carl to illustrate that the cane is landing gear.

Update 2: Below are some screenshots provided by Elis. The first gives you a look at what is probably The Fallen in the desert, a freeze of Scavenger transforming with the cab on his shoulder, the bug that is torn by Sam complete with mini satellite dish (possible Soundwave minion?), and last is a shot of the unicycle look of Arcee.

TFII to New Mexico

New Mexico's Governor Bill Richardson has announced that Transformers II will return to the state to film for Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen.

The production has been prepping in Alamogordo, New Mexico since April. Its also a city that is located near Holloman Air Force Base and the White Sands Missile Range which were used as Qatar in the first film. Qatar was the location of the Blackout attack in the beginning of the film and the Scorponok attack sequence. Could this be verification that Scorponok will return? Thanks to Jeany for the link.

Sector Seven Updated With Some Videos

Sector Seven (FWIFFO password) has updated once again this time with 3 new videos, another surveillance array and more satellite footage.

The red harddrive now contains three videos that show 3 Generation One Transformers interacting with the real world in creative ways. The first video is NBE 08 (Grimlock) crashing through a construction site. Second one is NBE 115, a Cyclon or something robot, not sure really. The last video is NBE125 (Insecticon Kickback) attacking a camera, one I had posted about in January. At the time thought the video was fan made, but now wonder if not studio made. Regardless, would love to see more of them.

Along the top 3 of 5 surveillance array's are now active. Interesting to note is that in the first group of pictures the "This laboratory has worked XX days without a safety breach" has been counting up, not currently at 58. The second group remains on sewer tunnels, no change that I can tell. That newest array is focused on a lot of plumbing including "High Pressure Condensate". Me thinks that safety message will soon be going back to zero.

Off to the right, two of the three black harddrives have been updated. The first harddrive is where the "Destiny" trailer has been moved to. The second harddrive has five pictures of Iraq satellite photos. My best guess is this is the area that Scorponok is traveling around before the attack in the movie. The icons at the bottom have no new information beyond more fan emails.

Thanks to Lionel D for the heads up on the site update. He informed me about it last night, but for whatever reason when I checked the site I kept getting the old information until later in the morning. Maybe the site updates by time zone. I did change my computer clock to see if it made a difference but forgot to alter timezone.

Update: The Sector 7 podcast has updated with two new messages. Most of it is a rephrasing of the same warning stuff but one part was interesting, "look to the man that started it all, Hoover, there you will find their base of operations, that is where they are hiding the NBE - the Megaman". Referring to Hoover Dam (previously said FBI Headquarters which having read the script was stupid thought on my part).

Don Murphy Responds to Leaked Picture

To say the least Don Murphy is angry about the leaked Skorponok image that Ain't It Cool News posted (and now has removed). In post on his forums titled "Harry Knowles Should Be Imprisoned", he makes clear he feels a law was broken:

Seriously, he should.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/30809

Now, under the provisions of the Digital Millenium Copyright act, his loser Ain't It Shit site, has to take down any copyright violations that he is notified about immediately. This is under the Safe Harbor provision. It is how You Tube currently defends itself (I say currently because the movie and tv industry will soon cripple YouTube). However, Harry acknowledges in the very posting that he knows he is violating the law, that the picture is protected, but he posts it anyway, also knowing that it will spread all over the internet (already within minutes one of the talkback rodents has "mirrored" the image). Thus, he has violated the law of the United States knowingly and willfully. Maybe no prison could contain his whole body, but at the least he should be held liable for enough in damages that Aint It Shit closes down and their constant illegal behavior, from reviewing stolen scripts to posting reviews from private test screenings held up as wrong and harmful and illegal. I've asked the studio to investigate. Stay Tuned.

I have a feeling that what Don Murphy wants to happen and what will happen are two different things. For one, the various copyright acts are not as straight forward or clear cut as Don Murphy pretends them to be. Most of the previous "victories" in the past have more to do with the defendants not having money to pay a legion of lawyers then having the law on their sides. Its why most sites will pull pictures when asked to as its really not worth the cost of a fight. The future fight over You Tube may just be what sets precedents in cases like these as it would be the first time the big boys (RIAA etc) have gone after a company that has the money to fight back (whether they have the will though is unknown).

Another factor that Don hasn't considered in his anger is that the movie studios use AICN as much as the site uses them. How else do you explain the access they get to movies? The free DVDs, previews, interviews, trips and so forth. For all the hatred Don has for the site, the marketing department clearly has love for them and makes use of the site frequently. The various sneak peaks that AICN news has had in regards to the Transformers is proof of that.

Also, alot of the "leaks" on movies is much like in the political arena. Its usually planned by the "offended" party as a trial balloon to see what the reaction is. In this case its possible the leak was to see if the response was negative or positive and to help create buzz for a forth coming trailer that in all likelihood will include images of Skorponok as that phase of the filming was completed first so the necessary CGI work would be the farthest along. Don may not have approved of the leak but that doesn't necessarily mean the many people in the chain of command of the studio system didn't.

Even if in this case its an unauthorized leak, AICN is used too often as a marketing tool by the studios to allow a single producer with a clear vendetta to take any action against a site. A "leak" on AICN is basically printing money in free advertisement and any marketing and business student can tell you the value in that.

Transformers Film Image of Skorponok

Ain't It Cool News has scored a single image from Transformers. It depicts the Decepticon Skorponok rising from the desert to attack Tyrese and Josh Duhamel in its attempt to get information about the location of the "Energon Cube." This is part of the opening sequence of the movie. AICN indicates that this is not a final image and just part of the ongoing post-production work for the film.

Not a bad image, except for the face. Those large eyes say "cute" rather then "omg run!". The claws I guess are for that. Don Murphy, who has much hate for AICN, is probably seeing red. Hopefully he will post something to express himself later in the week.

AICN's Onset Report on Skorponok Sequence

Ain't It Cool News has posted a pretty detailed description of the shooting of the Skorponok that is mean to open up the Transformers film. For a reminder, in a leaked version of the script, apparently a Transformers attacks a US military base via the ground to get hold of data from US computers. Lots of fighting and explosions ensue as the army and our gaggle of heroes fight of this metallic and unknown invader. Really no spoilers are revealed but its an interesting read.

Click here for the report.