Movie Starscream Protoform Pics

An Ebay user has pics up of the Protoform or Entry Mode version of the Starscream toy for Transformers the movie. Its validity is unknown but it does match previous pictures of this toy. Sadly the face is still of the Waspinator's brother variety. As just a Transformer, even independent of the movie, it doesn't exactly excite me. Its probably one I will pass on unless the price is good. How much, if any screen time, this model has in the movie is unknown.




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Make Prime Speak Contest Finalists

The 30 finalists have been selected for Transformers "Make Prime Speak" contest. Sadly, originality took a back seat to familiarity. If the filmmakers wanted to save some money, they could just choose 10 phrases from the cartoons and remastered movie coming out next Tuesday and reuse them without the time and expense of recording new dialogue.

Not that its the filmmakers fault. The contest was a great idea and much appreciated. Sadly the fans (me included) didn't take it seriously enough and because of that we get the lackluster list of finalists.

It does prove a point. You can pretend you know a character really well, complain how they are used, look, speak etc, but really get down to it, "knowing" a character and writing for that character is not as simple a task as we pretend it to be.

List of 30 finalists is here.

Spider-Man 3 Trailer with Casino Royale

Sony has announced that the second Spider-Man 3 trailer will play with Casino Royale on November 17th with the third starting on Feb 16th with Ghost Rider.

This then raises the question of what the Transformers team counter move would be. I had assumed that the TF trailer would premier with the 007 movie also as its one of the few major release movies coming out this season that is likely to be seen by a large audience that the producers are likely to target. Will we get both with the same movie or will they wait till December and maybe release it with some other major marketed movie. Possible candidates include The Fountain, Perfume (cause a Dreamworks film), Dreamgirls (ditto), Eragon, and a few others.

However, to me anyway, Casino Royale is the only movie of the Christmas season that has the buzz that makes its worth using to help hype the film. Second place, and its a reach, might be Eragon. Other then that, none of the films being released or of mass market appeal. Most are after a specific demographic or for aiming for Oscar. Its possible they may try to use the trailer as a way to drive sales into the theatre for a particular movie that but seems like a waste of money and potential for a planned Summer '07 tentpole movie. I would think the goal is eyes for the trailer to fill seats in the Summer rather then less eyes to fill some seats now. I guess we will find out in the upcoming weeks as a decision will have to be made soon to have the cut made, effects added, and the prints produced and distributed.

Transformers Movie Prototypes Toys in Blister Packs

ACToys.net has posted multiple pics from Pumaking of the movie version of Optimus Prime and Starscream prototypes both in and out of their blister packs. Whether these are actually real prototypes are a fan created mockup is unknown. Neither for instance look nothing liked leaked versions of his design unless the gimmick is pre-Earth modes or something. Thanks Garry M. for the link.

More pics are here.

Update:
Turns out based on AICN and also reading the back of the packages (see below pic) which I didn't do, the design of the toys show the "Protoform" for Optimus Prime and Starscream. Now Protoform has been around since G1 but wasn't really given a name until Beast Wars. In the context of the movie, its basically the Cybertron form of the Transformer until it adopts an Earth form to "camouflaged" itself.

From this you can infer that every Transformers in the movie will have to have 4 separate designs: Cybertron robot, Cybertron alt-mode, Earth robot, and Earth alt-mode. Twice the bang for you buck if selling toys but also twice the design work. Usually Transformers in this size back cost $10.00. Also the indicated detail is not bad too which gives me hope for the up coming toyline. This also means hat the leak pics up to now are only half the story with final designs and all 4 versions still out there to be revealed for public consumption and opinion.

The extent the Protoforms will be used in the movie, if at all, is unknown.


Update to the update:
Checking the comments, eagle-eyed readers have noticed that the blister pack makes mention of an "Entry Mode" suggesting that the movie might introduce not 2 versions of each Transformers, but 3 versions: Cybertron, Space Travel/Atmospheric Re-entry, Earth mode. Each with a robot mode and alt mode for a grand total of 6 designs for each.

This theory has some legs. Considering in the past the writers of the movie script have expressed that they though the concept of the Ark to be unnecessary. This is followed up with the "how do they get to earth then?" question. This might be their answer to that. This theory also fits in with the opening of the movie mentioning comets coming to earth (TFs entering the atmosphere). Finally, purely from a toy making perspective, when you only have 13 Transformers for the line, having them each with 3 modes equals 39 toys minimum to sell. That would probably represent about 3-4 waves that will last through the DVD and Christmas '07 season. Ultimately time will tell, either the release date of June 7th or more likely the New York Toyfair in February.

Make Prime Speak - Voting Begins

Phase 2 of the Make Prime Speak contest has begun. The voting phase ends November 9th. When voting, please vote for those that created original Optimus Prime statements rather then those that just repeated phrases from the cartoons and the animated movie. Now I wish I had tried to submit something due to the overall lack of originality. So click here to vote and please reward those that tried to be creative.

Also just discovered that to vote in phase 2, you had to have participated in phase 1. Since I didn't submit a line, I am not able to vote.

Update from Don Murphy

Transformers Producer Don Murphy posted another missive on his forums Sunday. No real news is reported except to confirm wrap of shooting and that the leaked Megatron design is not confirmed as final:

The Sunday Posting

In Which I Ramble

You know- no one from the production ever confirmed anything that was leaked to Ain’t It Shit News. So it may have been actual photos or it may not have been. The bad poet Diabetes has reported on here that Megatron’s head will be changed. From what? Did we ever release an official pic of Megs? No sir we didn’t. I CAN tell you that Megs’ head will not look like he did in the leaked pics. This was done solely because of the leader of Seibertron.com’s delicate work on the process. He is so revered throughout fandom, Hollywood and the world that we decided to make the change. It was NOT because we were trying to make the fans happy. NO SIREE.

Last week Susan and I went to the party for the premiere of TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE- THE BEGINNING which Michael Bay Executive Produced. They held it at what used to be the coolest, best restaurant in Southern California, Le Deux. Susan and I loved the quiet French Courtyard and the tasty food. It closed close to three years ago. The new place is owned by Ashton Kutcher. I think HE got punked. It is now a nightclubbery shithole with frozen pizza and overpriced liquor. That’s the trend in the world today. Great place turns to shithole with shocking regularity.

The wrap part was on Wednesday for Transformers and it was nice to see the cast and crew together for one last time. It was held at yet ANOTHER Hollywood club, and Michael was there feeling pretty good, Shia was there with his pals and everyone had a nice time. I’m really looking forward to the next trailer- the haters will be silenced once and for all.

I’ve got two cool news stories about NEW films that should pop this week. I hope you guys are well. We’ve been having fun with this experiment and it will only continue to be interesting.

Hang tight Stooges, Hang Tight!

The first paragraph regarding Megatron's head, is referring to a poem by Diabetes (see below) regarding a re-design of Megatron's head spearheaded by Murphy. Odd little poem, worth reading, but considering its been known for a while that none of the leaked pictures have been confirmed as final design, I am not suprised that some tweaks are in the works.

The poem:
Congrats to Whiny Murph
He hasn't staked his turf
But on Wed nite there was
A wrap party becuz
And what did young me find
But a good source to unwind
And I learned that Meg's head is changin'
And it's Murphy did the arranging!

Good work. Now do the rest of our bidding.

I am Hollywood Diabetes and I am a lineman for the county

With reply from don Murphy:
Hey Rhyming Simon---- don't reveal shit till I say it is so

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More USS Shoup Pics

Below are 5 more pics from the USS Shoup shoot props for Tranformers movie. Many thanks to the person that provided these fantastic pictures.

My Apologies

I just pulled a political post that I accidentally posted on this blog. I apologize for the error as it simple doesn't belong here. I strive to keep this blog mostly on topic and in this case has a brain fart and posted to wrong location.

This blog is about the Transformers movie and things TF and that is a joy (or source of distress) that surpasses political boundaries. I will strive to not repeat that mistake, but if I do, please email me and let me know and I will yank it. Once again my apologies and once some news of note breaks, will return to Transformer stuff we all know and love.

"The Bots Are Back" and Set Pics

The Boston Globe gave Transformers movie a bunch of free advertising by with its front page article today titled "The Bots are Back". The articles covers the history of Transformers, its new toys lines and the movie coming out next year along with transfans comments. The article writer mostly got everything right to my knowledge meaning they either are fans themselves or got their info from a knowledgeable source as this article doesn't have the usual inaccuracies nor disdain that most toy-centric articles tend to have.

Highlights of sorts but no movie news:
- Transformers are third largest selling boys' toy in the US behind Star Wars and GI Joe. (GI Joe is beating TFs? That sucks much.)
- Observations of Transformers in pop culture including the TF geek in Clerks II and Dane Cook's "My Son Optimus Prime" skit.
- Few TF centric websites get a shout out.
- Apparently the article has decided that renewed interest in Transformers did not start with Beast Wars but because of retro t-shirts printed in 1999. News to me. I figured it was the constant new lines that Hasbro has been pushing every year.

The full article is here.
Also if want more shoot pics of the Transformers vehicles and the blue Optimus Prime head, click here.

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First Look at the Energon Cube?

Shoot For The Edit forums have posted two pics showing Shia LaBeouf running if a black cube in his hands. The Energon Cube that is the object that both factions of the Transformers are hunting for cause its brings life or ends it. Basically its the McGuffin of the film to have things go boom. I would have thought the cube would have been all blue just like the Optimus Prime head so that special effects could be added later to give it that otherworldly power look.


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Optimus Prime's Head Prop

The flickr movie pic pool has posted a all blue Optimus Prime prop. The blue is for bluescreen purposes so the CGI effects can be put over the head. What the prop itself was used for during shooting though I have no idea. Best guess is for scenes where Shia had lines where he was sitting on Optimus. Generally speaking, if the actor touches something, a real prop has to be built or the CGI would be less convincing to the eye. The pic pool is here but no idea which page for the head.

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Producer Tom DeSanto Interview on Transformers

IESB.net has landed another video interview with the makers of Transformers. This time its with Producer Tom Desanto (who also produced the X-Men Trilogy).

The highlights:
- Filming almost finished, still have some days to do in Alaska (probably for the discovery of Megatron by Sam Witwicky's ancestor). Once Alaska shoots finish, shooting will be completed (unless pick-ups later).
- Leaked designs are not final, still being worked on but producers have heard the complaints (as many Don Murphy posts have indicated).
- Final designs will be tweaked up to the movie release date, but I say before then, maybe as early as the New York Toy Fair in February as Hasbro has to have em ready for production and marketing.
- Megatron will have an Earth form. Design unreleased but speculation is a jet.
- Frank Welker is still in the running as the voice of Megatron with many proponents involved with the film pushing for him.

The complete video is here.

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On a completely unrelated note, this weekend was good for me in the Transformers toy department (if costly). Masterpiece Starscream arrived and he is amazing. Its a must have for any fan. In addition, for whatever reason, Fry's Electronics is one of the first retail outlets in the entire country to get the Transformers Classic line. You pay a little extra for getting them early but they are sweet toys that will remind anyone of their G1 counterparts so worth looking out for.

Stan Bush on Transformers Soundtrack?

Seibertron.com has posted a message received from Stan Bush regarding the possibility of working on the Transformers movie soundtrack. For those that don't know, Stan Bush wrote several of the songs used in the animated Transformers: The Movie including "The Touch" (You have the touch/You have the power...). The note is:

Hi Ryan,

I wanted to let the legions of Transfans know that my Producer and I are in the studio mixing a new track for a certain upcoming live-action movie directed by Michael Bay ... I think you know the one!

It's a BIG song, with 70+ tracks at this point!

We hope to submit this track in the next couple weeks.

Also, you can give your readers the link to my new website/MySpace page: www.stanbush.com.

All The Best,
Stan Bush

This should be interesting development if his track is used. Despite a lot of online criticism, the producers have made a concerted effort to tip their hat to the original transformers in various ways and this might be one of them. Unconfirmed reports have been that much of the movie will be traditional orchestra based as all of Bay's films have been in the past but with the "voice" of Bumblebee being based off of various songs, it does open up the possibilities. The 70+ tracks bit confuses me though unless its just a bunch getting put together until the whittle down process. Maybe two soundtracks will get released, one with the orchestra and one for the various pop songs used.

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Pics From USS Shoup of Transformer Props for Filming

A Navy Sailor from the USS Shoup is reporting that Transformers film crew is coming on board Monday to film additional footage for the film. Whether this includes the actors themselves not sure. As can see below, its looks like a crashed plane, currently in many ports. If not for the lack of faction insignia, I would almost think it was blown up Transformer bits. The source wishes to remain nameless for privacy reasons, but many thanks for the information and pictures.

Update with spoilers: Based on speculation from the web including solid evidence here, appears that some of the parts could be from the Decepticon Blackout. Also, according the source, the ship is being used to film Megatron's body being dumped at sea (with I assume his destroyed buds) so its possible that the plane parts allude to Megatron's Earth jet form that producers hinted may be used for the film.










The above is about half of the pics. If you are interested in seeing the whole lot, TFormers.com was kind enough to host the entire gallery which you can see here.

Attack of the Show Botcon '06 Video

The G4 cable channel, Attack of The Show has posted its video report of Botcon 06. Nothing major revealed, just summarizing that new toys and movies are coming out but does have a few bits with Peter Cullen tossing out some Optimus Prime lines.

The video is here.

Michael Bay Interview on IESB

IESB.net has posted a video interview with Transformers director Michael Bay. The highlights:

- Transformers finished shooting last night (10/5/06)
- No decision yet if Frank Welker will play Megatron
- The CGI effects will shows "thousands of moving parts when the robots transform"
- Bay clearly doesn't like the boxy design of the original Transformers, a comment on the critics of the leaked designs.
- Bay asked what would the interviewer like to see and like many, couldn't articulate what she wanted.
- Bay didn't want to do a toy movie, wanted it grounded in reality.
- "Giant Fucking Robots Are Coming" T-shirts maybe released on Bay's site with proceeds going to charity.

Detroit Shoot Pics

MH.2 has posted many pics of shooting for Transformers in Detroit, MI on flickr. Looks like much pyrotechnics went boom and fun was had.

The pics are here.

In addition the Detroit News covered the shot, describing the film and that around 100 local Michigan residents where used as extras. Apparently being an extra means an extra $50 in your pocket, free food, and a few stories to tell. Filming was done at the Michigan Central Depot. I am betting much to the movie producers chagrin, the article refers to the live action movie as "Transformers: The Movie" and the cartoon movie as "Transformers". It should be vice versa. The article, with a few pics, is here.

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Snarky LA Set Report with Video

TheJay.com has posted a report of a visit to the LA set of Transformers with lots of pics, especially of robot Bumblebee. Its also includes to videos (see below) of two scenes shot with Michael Bay directing. The video is mostly of people running and driving haphazardly down the shoot in what I assume is panic from Transformers that will be inserted later. The photo and videos are courtesy of TheJay.com.

The full report, with lots of snarky comments, many more pics, and video is here.

Movie Shoot Reports from DC and Boston

Michael Bay and company has been traveling here and there to finish the shooting for Transformers. Several reports have appeared online including from official Michael Bay sites. Nothing new is revealed but check them out if bored.

Michael Bay blog has pics from the DC shoot here and here with Bay and various members of the shoot. For whatever reason, someone went into overkill to soft light the pic for Rachael Taylor so just skip to avoid eye strain.

Also is a report from an extra at the Boston shoot from Jester (he of the alternate fan made trailer, worth viewing). Exteriors where shot at Tobin Bridge in Chelsea and other locations in the city. Its a brief report, with a few pics but no spoilers. Click here.

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Transformers 20th Anniversary Features

Sony BMG has issued a press release announcing the features Transformers: The Movie 20th Anniversary Edition will have. It looks interesting with lots of goodies for TF fans and sounds like it may be worth getting even if already own a copy of earlier releases.

Features:
- Lenticular cover by Don Figueroa
- 16x9 Widescreen presentation - not seen since movie appeared in theatres
- Fullscreen edition also available.
- Autobot Matrix of Knowledge track - gives pop up facts during the movie, some of which was provided by Transformers fans. Over 100 "fun facts" will be provided.
- Behind the Scenes bit with Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg for the live action movie
- 3 featurettes with director Nelson Shin, story consultant Flint Dille, and Susan Blue (Arcee) and others.
- Commentary track with Nelson, Flint and Sue
- commentary track from a unspecified fan
- Original toy line and movie related commercials and promo trailer
- 20 minute Scramble City animated episode from Japan
- test/alternate/deleted footage from the film
- Animated storyboards and DVD-ROM content

The official site for the DVD is here and the expected release date is November 7, 2006.

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Make Prime Speak Contest

The official website is running a contest called "Make Prime Speak". Full text details:

The name is Peter Cullen - the voice of TRANSFORMERS’ Optimus Prime.

And now fans will be given the opportunity to put words in the mouth of Optimus with the “MAKE PRIME SPEAK” contest!

Paramount Pictures announces the “MAKE PRIME SPEAK” contest, a bold initiative that will supply what fans demand – Optimus Prime speaking their words. Fans can submit a line of dialogue that they would most like to hear Optimus Prime say in the film.

First place winner will have his/hers phrase spoken by Prime, in the new Transformers movie!

Contest launches on Oct. 2, 2006. “Make Prime Speak” will run from October 2nd to October 23rd, 2006.

The timeline for the contest is as follows:

The "Make Prime Speak" Contest begins on October 2, 2006, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on October 23, 2006.

The Contest Period consists of a submission phase, which begins on October 2, 2006, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on October 12, 2006.

The voting phase begins at 12:00 a.m. on October 16, 2006 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on October 23, 2006.

All times are Pacific Time.

WANT TO SUBMIT A CHANCE TO MAKE PRIME SPEAK?
Here’s how you do it:

During the Submission Phase:

1) go to www.transformersmovie.com and complete the registration form found on the site, with the information requested, including an original line of dialogue you would like to hear Prime speak, and submit the entry.

2) All contestants who enter a Submission into the Contest will be able to vote by using the email address from their original Submission. Submissions will otherwise not be acknowledged or returned. Limit one entry per person and/or per email address.

3) During the Submission Phase, Sponsor will post Submissions in a scrolling submission box on the Website.

4) Each entry must be no longer than 120 characters.

5) **Users can submit one line per email address. For example: if you have 20 different email addresses, you can submit a chance to Make Prime Speak 20 times.


The determination of Finalists will be based on originality, appropriateness to Prime's character and relevance to the Picture's story.

Submissions are on a first come, first serve basis. Enter early and often.

Up to 100 of the best Submissions will be selected to be posted online for others to view and judge.

At the end of the Voting Phase, up to 30 Finalists who receive the most non-suspect votes will be submitted to the filmmakers, who will determine the winners in their sole discretion.

The Winners will be announced on the Website on or about November 9, 2006.

WHAT YOU CAN WIN

The filmmakers will select one (1) Grand Prize Winner whose Submission may be spoken by Peter Cullen in the Picture.

The filmmakers will select two (2) Second Prize Winners whose Submissions may be spoken by Peter Cullen and used for mobile ringtones.

The filmmakers will select up to seven (7) Third Prize Winners whose Submissions will be read by Peter Cullen and made available for visitors to listen to on the Website.

All prize winners will receive:

1) a "Transformers" Prize pack that includes a limited edition "Transfomers" T-Shirt (Approximate Retail Value "ARV": $25.00 and a "Transformers" poster signed by Peter Cullen (ARV: $5.00).

Submit your entry: here for official site or here to do it from AICN with its flash based form.
The full FAQ for the contest is here.

What lines did you submit?

Botcon 2006

Botcon 2006 was held over the weekend in Lexington, Kentucky. Botcon is the main Transformers convention held once a year to celebrate everyone's favorite toys. Even Hasbro shows up to show off their wares so it basically has unofficial official status. Sadly, as far as movie news, a whole lot of nothing. There was a movie related video presentation with a blurb from Michael Bay but no new information was revealed.

Most of the news is all Transformers toys related, with plenty of info on the new Transformers Classic line, re-issues, the final Alternators, and confirmed their intent to release the movie related toy line on June 2, 2006 (neat trick if they can pull it off, TF sadly are no Star Wars). What follows is lots of links, many with images of the toys and what not for those interested.

Hasbro Press Release - check out the Alternator link, drool.

Hasbro Presentation and 20th Anniversary DVD info - break down of the revealed toys, and what features the animated Transformers movie will have when released in November.

Frank Welker Interview - no real info but gives you an idea of just how much he has had a hand in the cartoons we grew up on and you probably didn't even know it.

Peter Cullen Panel - Main info is he has a contract to do three Transformer movies, so sequels are definitely planned, assuming box office dollars support one. Also a contest starting in a few days to submit Optimus Prime phrases to possibly used on the movie.

Transformers line images - lots of pics of upcoming Transformers.

Transformers Classic pics

Titanium Line info

It has also been announced that Botcon 2007 will be held July 1st in Providence, RI, just a few days before the intended release date of the movie so it should be a lot of fun with many a movie related celebrations and reveals.