Two New Li BingBing Stills from Transformers 4

From Paramount Pictures China is these two new stills of Li Bingbing as her role of a corporate exec that may or may not be creating human controlled Transformers. If the second images seems familiar, its because a similar moment was used for the character poster. (via TFW2005)

First Toy Commercial for Transformers: Age of Extinction Toy Line

Below is the first toy commercial seen for the Transformers: Age of Extinction toy line coming May 17. While from Poland, I don't imagine the localized versions will be much different. It doesn't really have any movie moments but it does have a "ride em cowboy" moment with Optimus Prime hopping on Flip and Change Grimlock. (via TFW2005)

Budget, New Still, and Wahlberg, Cullen Talk Transformers: Age of Extinction

In two brief interviews, Transformers: Age of Extinction stars talk a little bit about the film. Very little, but still get a great Optimus Prime still out of it. In the interview with Hero Complex just comments on returning for picks-up while the article reveals the budget of the film in the $165 million range (1st time seen report on the budget). USA Today has an article on top 10 iconic movie characters that posted this new still (left) along with a comment from Peter Cullen (voice of Optimus Prime).

Mark Wahlberg
“Some people think of this as a sequel,” he said. “We thought of it more as a stand-alone thing. I’ve never done a sequel.”

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark Megatron Trailer

A new trailer for the upcoming Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark featuring Megatron. Of interest they only show is Cybertronian mode.

Transformers: Age of Extinction Optimus Prime Riding Grimlock Display

Here is a cool marketing display that PAramount has created for Transformers: Age of Extinction that shows Optimus Prime riding Grimlock like a knight on his horse. These should be popping up in US theaters soon. (via TFW2005)

Mark Wahlberg Introduces Japan Trailer for Transformers: Age of Extinction

Below is a new international trailer for Transformers: Age of Extinction that is introduced by Mark Wahlberg for Japan where the movie is called Transformers: Lost Age and doesn't open until August 8th. As far as I can tell nothing new that has not been seen in the trailers and TV spots already released in the States. Thanks to Charlo Z. for the link.

New Transformers: Age of Extinction Footage from Samsung Product Launch

At part of an agreement with Samsung, Transformers is part of the promotional campaign for their new line of Curved Ultra HDTVs. In the United Kingdom, the product was introduced to the press using footage from all four movies. The key video to pay attention too is the first one, specifically at the 2:45 mark when the word "Prepare" appears. Until then its all footage from the first three movies or the 4th movie trailers. After that it is a series of very quick cuts that shows a bunch of new scenes and explosions from Transformers: Age of Extinction. Make sure to toggle the gear icon to 720p so can get the most detail. While it seems like a 30 second TV spot, at various times the bank of 7 HDTVs are displaying different moments from the film at the same time. The second video is when the product was introduced but people get in the way before the new stuff is shown.

Transformers Comic News from WonderCon 2014

This weekend WonderCon is being held in Anaheim, CA. Due to its relative proxmity to Los Angelas, it tends to get some coverage for its used to by the movie studios to promote their early summer releases. While Age of Extinction wasn't represented, IDW was on hand for a panel to discuss their upcoming Transformers comic book plans. Highlights below via CBR.

Video Reviews for Age of Extinction One Step Grimlock and Optimus

Below are video reviews of two Transformers: Age of Extinction toys. These are the one-step changers that really is the very definition of simply that Hasbro is shooting for with the new line. These are really designed for younger kids to make Transformers as simple and easy to play with as possible. The result is a work in progress that isn't worth buying. The first video is for Flip and Change Grimlock, the other is Smash and Change Optimus Prime.

New York International Auto Show Transformers 4 Commercial

Below is a video that was part of the New York International Auto Show going on from April 18-27. The video is for Chevrolet with a focus on the 2014 Chevy Camaro (Bumblebee), 2014 Chevy Corvette C7 Stingray (Crosshairs), and Chevy Trax. Part of that included a commercial that does not include the Transformers robots but does shows the various vehicles including the Sonic RS. It seems the commercial is a mix of movie footage with what really seems like stuff shot specifically for commercial use. The first 1:05 of the video is a look at the three vehicles, the rest is the commercial. (via TFW2005)

Linkfest - not Everything

Just realized allowed the toy side of news to stack up. Guess was distracted by the Age of Extinction reviews. Still while AoE has been a bit underwhelming, that doesn't mean upcoming 3rd Party plans have slacked in their awesomeness with versions of not Metroplex, not Cy-Kill (yep the GoBot) and not Ultra Magnus. This isn't to say that Takara and Hasbro are not up to some none Extinction plans. Takara has revealed their 30th Anniversary plans that includes a new truck alt mode for Optimus, a look at Masterpiece Wheeljack, and agreements for a slew of products including statues, play sets and ties. In the not quite toy news department we have a look at G1 cartoon concept art and news that the entire "Unicron trilogy" is getting a DVD release. Of course no link fest is complete without a ton of reviews. The highlights include the wave 1 Generation deluxes, Masterpiece Ratbat, not Sharkticons, not Ultra Magnus, not Masterpiece Slag, first figure of a not Bruticus combiner, not Blaster and more. Basically a series of budget busting awesome. As always hit the links for more details and pictures.

Next Age of Extinction Trailer Running Time

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has released the UK rating and running time of the next trailer for Transformers: Age of Extinction. The time is 2 minutes, 25 seconds with a 12A (aka PG-13) rating. No clue on when the next trailer will hit theaters and the web but Amazing Spider-Man 2 (5/2) seems like the best candidate with X-Men: Days of Future Past (5/23) a good second choice.

New Stills from Transformers 4

A few new additional stills from Transformers: Age of Extinction has been posted by MichaelBay.com to go with the new TV spot. The new one is Cade working on old truck Optimus (left). I can't recall where but have already but Cade, 'Bee, and Shane. The next two below were have been posted before but those versions were cropped. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

Transformers: Age of Extinction TV Spot #3

During tonight's MTV Movie Awards, a new TV spot aired for Transformers: Age of Extinction. Thanks to Mackie U. and Feris O. for the heads-up.

Imagine Dragons and Steve Jablonsky for Transformers: Age of Extinction?

It looks like that Michael Bay's attempt to movie away from the first trilogy and start somewhat anew extends to the music soundtrack. An image on Facebook suggests that Imagine Dragons is working on the soundtrack for Transformers: Age of Extinction with score composer Steve Jablonsky. On the previous three films, the band was Linkin Park who usually created an end credits track with Jablonsky who also used music ques from the track in the score itself. While not officially confirmed, Imagine Dragon posted an image writing "working on a score for an upcoming movie.." (via TFW2005)

Grimlock, More Details from Entertainment Weekly Article

Entertainment Weekly has posted an alternate version of their Transformers: Age of Extinction article that is in their latest newsstand issue along with a much better image of Grimlock. The new details include Michael Bay pointing out that Lockdown's ship is important to the trilogy and how elements that are part of the movie that can be explored in later in the trilogy. Below are the key new bits of information compared with the published version.

Bay isn’t revealing his own origin story for Grimlock just yet. “I like to keep things very much in the dark. But yes, you’ll understand why they’re there when you see the movie. If you think I’m supposed to give away a lot of story points? No way! Keep it secret.

Hasbro Character Art for Transformers: Age of Extinction Toys

Hasbro has released 13 pieces of character art for the upcoming Transformers: Age of Extinction toy line. The art is what is being used on the various toy packages for each. Over all it looks good even if the same running (or roar) pose is a bit too redundant. Rest of the art after the break. Thanks to Feris O. for the heads-up.

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark - Bumblebee Trailer

A new trailer has been released for upcoming Transformers movie-verse tie in game called Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark. The game is a 3rd person action game that has the War for Cybertron universe mixing it up with the characters from the Bay films or as the trailer sort of put it Earth version and Cybertronian version. Below introduces the modes of Bumblebee. The game is set for release in late June on all platforms. Hit the links below to pre-order from Amazon.
Playstation 3 | Playstation 4 | XBox 360 | XBox One | Nintendo WiiU | Nintendo 3DS

Images from Transformers: Age of Extinction Reshoots

JustJared has posted a few images that show Mark Wahlberg and the Optimus Prime truck filming in Los Angeles on April 9. Last week there were rumors of reshoots but at the time it turned out to be Megan Fox for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. As the pics show, that isn't the case here. The use of the modern truck combined with Wahlberg's intact clothes and no wounds suggests that whatever is being filmed is for a sequence shot for scenes early in the movie and set in the United States. TFW2005 thinks that it might be before the Optimus Prime vs. Galvatron sequences teased in the trailers. Re-shoots are not exactly cheap and normally only done in cases of necessity. It isn't to say it not common, just that a true justification has to exist for the expense. If it was just a one day shoot, my best guess is either they needed to capture additional footage for a CGI sequence or discovered that a story point wasn't clear enough from existing footage.

Entertainment Weekly Article Talks Grimlock, the Next Trilogy, and Bayhem

This week's issue of Entertainment Weekly, their Summer preview issue, has an article (image left) about Transformers: Age of Extinction. In it director Michael Bay confirms that Transformers 4 is the start of the next trilogy while Mark Wahlberg comments on the storyline and Jack Reynor talks about working on the set. The article also revealed a few factoids about the CGI version of Grimlock saying the character is "150 feet long from the tail to the nostrils, 63.5 feet tall from the ground to the top of his horns, and weigh 850 tons." Below is a transcript of the the comments from Bay and the others.

Bay: "It's kind of like a new Transformers. We had three, the first trilogy, and this is going to be the next. ...It's the first of a new trilogy. I'm not necessarily sure that I'm doing [the others], but that's what it's meant for."

Bay: "{Shia LaBeouf]'s a good guy, but three movies, the same guy, it's time. You know what I'm saying? It's always good to freshen it up and change the story."

Humor: How to Fix the Transformers Franchise

From the team that does the Honest Trailers is their take on "How to Fix Transformers". I really can't disagree with many of their points. What do you think?

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark 3DS Cover Art

From TFW2005, here is the cover art for Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark for the Nintendo 3DS that is set for release on June 10, 2014. The game mixes the movie-verse characters with the War for Cybertron-verse characters. On the cover the movie version of Optimus Prime mimics his poster with movie version of Grimlock and Lockdown on the left and War for Cybertron Megatron and Shockwave on the right. The console version is set for release on June 24 for Playstation 3, Playstation 4, XBox 360, XBox One and Nintendo WiiU.

GM China Teases Transformers 4 Trax

As part of the co-finance agreement with China, Transformers: Age of Extinction will enjoy a higher level of in movie (and usual outside movie) marketing than we may be used to. On bright side, most of it will be in Chinese so the rest of the world will not realize how much is being blasted at them. Part of that includes a character designed to facilitate that goal based a China market only SUV from Chevrolet which has posted some images to tease the start of their marketing campaign on 4-21. Called Trax (its unclear if this is the car model or the character name), the images depicts portions of a robot mode that looks like the red robot from teaser trailer. Specifically the scene where Bumblebee transforms and goes face to face with it in what looks like a showroom of sorts. Its assumed Trax is a human created Transformer but that story point has not been verified. Any case if interested in looking at the marketing tease, click here. Thanks to Feris O. for the heads-up.

Video Review of Transformers 4 Deluxe High Octane Bumblebee

Below is the video review of deluxe High Octane Bumblebee (the 1967 Chevy Camaro SS alt mode). He is the 4th figure from the wave one deluxes for Transformers: Age of Extinction toy line coming in about a month or so. Really, like all previous movie Bumblebee deluxes, once you have one you basically have all of them. Other maybe because like the alt mode color, it doesn't seem different enough from previous versions to be worth buying.

Video Review of Transformers 4 Deluxe Crosshairs

Here is another toy review from the Transformers: Age of Extinction toy line coming in mid-May. This one gives us a look at deluxe class Crosshairs. The character is a very simple transformation that reminds me of the legion class figures (or G1 for that matter). The end result is a character that I suspect will be a future peg warmer.

Video Review of Transformers 4 Deluxe Slug

Another Dinobot toy video review is up. Before it was Scorn, now its Slug. In the G1 days the character was called Slag but it turns out in the UK that Slag = slut hence the name change. Again this one has not been confirmed if in the movie (but I assume he is) and if he is as colorful as the toy is. Very simple but surprisingly effective transformation.

Video Review of Transformers 4 Deluxe Scorn

Yep another video review of a Transformers: Age of Extinction toy. This one is for the Dinobot Scorn which I assume will be in the movie but that hasn't been really confirmed. Maybe in a future trailer. The deluxe sized figure looks pretty solid over all with a good transformations sequence.

Transformers 4 Evasion Mode Optimus Prime Toy Review

Another review for a Transformers: Age of Extinction toy that will be released around mid-May. This one is for voyager class Evasion Mode Optimus Prime. The robot mode is the old dirty truck mode seen in the trailer for Prime only with his Generation One color scheme. The robot mode sorta matches his movie look but of course without the extensive detailing that CGI brings to the table. While not sure if like the robot look, it seems like it demonstrates the difficult dance between satisfying transformation sequence that isn't too easy but not too complex either.

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.

New Transformers: Age of Extinction Toys in Package Images

From the transformers_movie Instagram account, here are new images of some of the deluxe class figure in packaging for the Transformers: Age of Extinction toy line set for release around mid-May. Other than providing a good look at the robot and vehicle mode, it also gives you a good look at the CGI face art for Crosshairs, Bumblebee, Scorn, and Slug. Thanks to Feris O. for the heads-up.

Optimus Prime Standee Arriving in Theaters

Thanks to Wynton R., here is a look at a new standee that might be arriving soon at a theater near you to promote Transformers: Age of Extinction. If the image seems familiar, its the Optimus Prime poster that was released last month.

Transformers: Age of Extinction Voyager Grimlock Toy Review

Another Transformers: Age of Extinction toy was accidentally leaked to Canadian store shelves. The below is detailed review of TF4 Voyager Grimlock that is part of Hasbro's mandate to simply the transformations sequences and make the toys more play worthy for younger kids. The result is a toy that will probably please kids but long time fans will probably not be impressed.

Titus Welliver Teases his Shark-like Transformers 4 Character

While attending the premiere of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Sabotage, Titus Welliver briefly commented with TheArnoldFans.com about his role of Savoy in Transformers: Age of Extinction.

TheArnoldFans: What can you tell me about your role in the upcoming Transformers?
Titus Welliver: I basically play the shark, like the shark of JAWS. I play this (Navy) Seal who has been tasked with eradicating the world of Transformers. Since the battle in Chicago in the previous film, they've now become outlawed so i'm in charge of a group of guys who are doing that.

Titanfall Optimus Prime DLC Trailer

Courtesy of IGN is this April Fools gag that you wish wasn't one - Optimus Prime as a playable titan in Titanfall.

New Image of Transformers 4 Optimus Prime and Bumblebee

As part of a promotional campaign for the Online Bank of Singapore is new image of the Transformers: Age of Extinction versions of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. The campaign includes prizes and other whatevers but doesn't really apply to most fans so the main thing is the cool image. The video below also has some background music but no telling if that is from the movie or not. If in Singapore and interested in the contest the video is below and more details at the UOB website. (via TFW2005)

Potential Tease of 2014 Transformers Video Game Plans

The image to the left was posted on TFW2005 that teases some of the future plans for Transformers video games. The only reason suspicious might be an April Fools' joke is the reference to a "Transformers Movie 5" which would not be out until 2016 at the earliest. Despite that small blip the rest reads as likely so going with not a April Fools prank. The main bits of points is "Transformers: Angry Birds Go!" and Transformers: Spirits Rising. I assume the Angry Birds would be much like Star Wars Angry Birds, a crossover that Hasbro has enjoyed success with so mixing it with Transformers really falls under the "surprised they had not done this already" category. Chances are the console reference to "Transformers Movie 4" is the already announced Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark tie-in game. Other than a list of titles and platforms, no other details on release date, type of play or other details are available.