Movie Optimus Prime and Bumblebee Up for Auction

If you have way to much money burning a hole in your pocket then you might be interested in the Barrett-Jackson auction of an Optimus Prime and Bumblebee vehicles. The Optimus Prime vehicle is the 1992 Peterbilt stunt truck that was used in the first three films while Bumblebee is the 1967 Chevy Camaro from Age of Extinction. No estimated of what prices the two vehicles are expected to get but you can read the full details here. Info on the Prime auction is here and Bumblebee here.

Merry Christmas from BW Megatron

In a now yearly tradition (think five running but not sure), the voice of Beast Wars Megatron David Kaye has posted his yearly Merry Christmas video in the voice of the character. Merry Christmas to all!

IDW March 2016 Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for March 2016. Three floppies and two trades are coming that month. This month IDW introduces their "Deviations" event one-shots were they propose alternative histories on their various media based lines. For Transformers, their what if is what if Optimus Prime didn't die in Transformers: The Movie and was around to confront Unicron? For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, and more click here.

Hasbro Cinematic Universe Officially Announced

While this isn't Transformers news, I figure 70s and 80s toy fans might find it interesting. Hasbro has revealed they are planning the Hasbro Cinematic Universe for five of their properties. This universe currently does not include Transformers. The properties are G.I. Joe, Micronauts, Visionaries, M.A.S.K., and ROM. It isn't clear if this means five movies, a single movie or some combination in between. GI Joe 3 is already in the very early planning stages so my guess is it would like be a gateway to one or more movies of the other properties. This is what Akiva Goldsman was pulled off of scripting Transformers 5 to lead the Hasbro Writers Room for. I have fond memories of M.A.S.K. and GI Joe but the others are just names I have heard. If I recall they were not really that successful at the time so their choice for a return is an interesting one on Hasbro's part. I am also curious to see much they will re-invent the lines from scratch as it seems that long dormant properties of Micronauts, Visionaries, MASK, and ROM are essentially blank slates for them to do whatever they want.

Mark Wahlberg Confirms Return for Transformers 5

In an interview with Brazilian website CinePop, Mark Wahlberg confirmed he is return as Cade Yeager for Transformers 5. It remains unknown if Michael Bay is returning to the director's chair nor if any other members of the Transformers 4 cast are coming back. (via TFW2005)

Akiva Goldsman Out as Transformers 5 As Takes Over Hasbro Writer's Room

It seems that Hasbro found the Transformers Writers Room concept so successful they decided to use it for their other properties that are in the pipeline including G.I. Joe and the Micronauts. They tapped the leader of the TW Room, Akiva Goldsman, to lead the Hasbro Writers Room. Due to his new responsibilities he will no longer write the script for Transformers 5 but instead supervise script writing for TF5 (whatever that means). Paramount is negotiating with Art Marcum & Matt Holloway (Iron Man) and Ken Nolan (Black Hawk Down) to write the Transformers 5 script.

- Blog Note: Noticed that site was getting redirected to some ad thing. No idea what that was. Hope I have it fixed but the only ads that should occur are the banner ones you see on the page that are only from Google or Amazon and none should do some overlay or redirection. Basically if they impede you reading the site, I consider it a problem. If that occurs please let me know using the email icon in the top right.

Linkfest - Christmas Time Is Here

Hopefully just in time for Christmas wish lists and gift giving (to fellow TF fans or yourself), here is a ton of reveals on Hasbro's Combiner Wars figures, Takara Masterpiece figures and a bunch of 3rd party figures with the year long emphasis on combiners. The 3rd party output remains painfully high for wallets with the combiners contining unabated (and most looking amazing) but now there is a more heathly mix of other, often Masterpiece scaled, figures. In addition to the reviews there are galleries to upcoming 3rd party toys, licensed statues, and action figures. To start though is some fan-art including a custom paint job, transforming Lego, and more. On a side note for Transformers: Robots in Disguise fans it has been confirmed the second season is also the final season with only 16 episodes and will end with a "movie" that is equal to 3 episodes. Exactly when it will start airing has not been revealed. On to the info dump.

Fan Art
Custom IDW Optimus Prime and Shockwave - Sadly this version of Optimus Prime and Shockwave isn't available. This custom paint job from LEK Custom Toys was inspired by the artwook from Transformers: Devastation IDW comic book from a few years ago that added a shiny sheen to all the TFs as a kind of hybrid of metal and cartoon look. The result is pretty fantastic looking. Even more images can be found at their Facebook page.

Transformers 5 Temp Logo and Transformers: Micronauts Revealed

At Monday's Hasbro Investor Day, a few tidbits was revealed by CEO Brian Goldner in regards to Transformers. The main takeaway, as the graph shows (purposely dropping the last 3 000s for space reasons), is TFs are selling well but does rely heavily on the movies for boosts in numbers and a cartoon series in non-movie years. Still sales or more than double what they were in 2005 when Hasbro paid far less attention to Transformers. If look in the bottom right you will also see Hasbro's temporary logo for Transformers 5 that will likely be jazzed into a final version once the movie begins pre-production sometime in early 2016.

Nothing newsworthy was mentioned about Transformers 5 but they did share that China will be getting a Kre-O Armor Hero line that currently isn't coming stateside. Of greater interest is the 1980s Micronauts are returning as Transformers: Micronauts. Exactly how and when this merge of two lines will happen was not explained. Hasbro will also continue to provide fans with opportunities to impact the line like they have done the last two years with Generations Windblade and Combiner Wars Victorian. So in short TF is doing just fine. You can find the full slide show from the day at TFW2005.

IDW January 2016 Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for January 2016. Three floppies are coming that month. It turns out that December's Transformers: Robots in Disguise (the one that is based on the cartoon) is done. Otherwise the month is designed to finish up currently story lines as both of the main series shift to the All Hail Optimus story line that starts next month. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, and more click here.

Peter Cullen Voice Prime for Amusing Toys R Us Commercial

For your amusement, a cute Toys R Us commercial featuring Optimus Prime as voiced by Peter Cullen.

Titan Wars, All Hail Optimus Announced at NYCC '15

At this weekend's New York Comic Con (NYCC), Hasbro and IDW were on hand to reveal their 2016 plans for Transformers. The key portions include what they are calling the "Prime Wars Trilogy" with part one being the Combiner Wars. Part two of the trilogy is the Titan Return that will be told in the comic books, video games, a Machinima web-based cartoon series and new toy line starting Summer 2016. As for that toy line, it will introduce the return of the TargetMasters and HeadMasters (and maybe eventually the Powermasters). This new group will collectively be called "Titan Masters". For those not familiar with G1 terms, think of these "Masters" as Mini-Cons whose alt modes are a robot head, weapon or transformation trigger. More interesting is the Masters will also be sold separately so if don't like Galvatron's headmaster (yep), you can find one you might instead. IDW also revealed the first story for Titans Return with "All Hail Optimus" were Prime "annexes planet Earth to become part of Cybertron's Council of Worlds - he takes control of Earth to protect it from invasion." Below are a few further details and galleries to the wave one toys for Titan Masters and RID season 2.

Transformers: Devastation Out Now, Gameplay Videos

Transformers: Devastation has been officially released. Below is a snippet of the Optimus Prime vs Megatron boss fight in the game. After that is a look at Menasor boss battle. If those are not enough game play videos, check out MXE Videos Youtube channel where he is posting a ton of videos from the game.

Hasbro Already Planning for Transformers 8

In the keynote address for the MIP Junior Conference 2015 (held in France to highlight children programming), Hasbro VP and Chief Content Officer Stephen Davis confirmed that Hasbro is not just planning on Transformers 5 but also up to Transformers 5 due to the Writer's Room producing enough content for them to plan through 2025.

“Well, you’re gonna see a new Transformers movie coming from Hasbro and Paramount and Michael Bay and our other partners. In fact, we just finished, which some of you may have read, just an incredible experience. We decided that we wanted to plot out the next 10 years of the Transformers franchise and so we got together in a room over a three-month period of time. Nine of some of the most creative writers I have ever worked with, shepherded by Akiva Goldsman, who many of you may know won an Academy Award for A Beautiful Mind and written a bunch of really great movies, and they plotted out the next 10 years of Transformers. Similarly, we’re doing the same in television and in digital. So stay tuned, Transformers 5 is on its way, and 6 and 7 and 8.”

So what does this mean overall? Nothing. As long as the films continue to make money, Hasbro and Paramount already were going to do a TF 6, 7, 10, 15 etc. All it really proves is Paramount and Hasbro are taking the Star Wars/Marvel approach to their franchise by having a long term goal but taking each film as it comes. The key difference is Star Wars and Marvel are prepared to absorb and continue on if one of their franchise films fail while Paramount would become extremely gun shy about further Transformers films if any one of them fails at the box office. So really it changes nothing of what little we already know...Paramount and Hasbro remain in the TF movie business, they continue to wait for Michael Bay to commit to TF5 and they continue to plan the franchise both with and without Michael Bay in the director's chair. If interested in watching the keynote, click here. The TF movie comments start at the 13:30 mark.

Transformers: Devastation Grimlock Bio and Gameplay Video

Here is the bio and gameplay trailer for Grimlock from Transformers: Devastation. A new tidbit of info is the game will have five levels of difficulty going from "Scout" to "Prime". The original voice of Grimlock, Gregg Berger, returns to the character but not sure if its time or the sound mixing but it doesn't sound the same. The game is available for pre-order for release on October 6th.

Transformers: Devastation Starscream Demo and Behind the Scenes Video

The character demo videos continue as Platinum Games has released a demo video that shows off Starscream from the game. The character is not a playable character but one of those characters you will be fighting in the game. After that is a behind the scenes interview that shows off more game play as the game developer's discuss/sales pitch the game. A new tidbit of info is the game will have five levels of difficulty going from "Scout" to "Prime". The game is available for pre-order for release on October 6th.

Transformers 5 and Transformers Animated Movie Get Writers

Deadline is reporting that the early results are in from the Transformers Writers room and the powers that be have decided that Akiva Goldsman will write the script for Transformers 5 while the Ant-Man writing team will take on an animated feature. The Transformers 5 script is being written on the assumption that Mark Wahlberg will star as Michael Bay as director but neither are actually signed up for TF5. As Bay tweeted, "Re: directing TF5. No, it's not official. I have not committed to any idea as of yet. Just met with Steven [Spielberg] and we are discussing." Previous interviews with Mark Walhberg indicated his interest in a sequel is highly dependent on Bay's involvement so if Bay returns, Mark returns. No Bay and Paramount is going to have to work harder to get Walhberg to return. Likely they are hoping that Akiva's script might be enough to get Bay to sign up again.

IDW December 2015 Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for December 2015. Five floppies and two trades are coming out that month. Sins of the Wreckers continues with return of Verity (from previous Wreckers series and way back in first few years of IDW taking over the franchise). For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, and more click here.

Transformers: Devastation Playable Characters Video and Blitzwing Profile

Here is a new video for Transformers: Devastation that provides another look at Optimus Prime, Wheeljack, Sideswipe, Bumblebee, and Grimlock. Despite some of the recent bad guy profiles (including this Blitzwing one), it seems these are the core playable characters in the game. Any "new" characters are really just skins using this core (such as the pre-order DLC). So far no additional info has been announced about what, if any, DLCs are planned for the game to expand it or add other new characters or skins. Transformers: Devastation will be hitting stores on October 6 or available for pre-order now.

Transformers: Devastation Devastator Footage

Below is some footage from Transformers: Devastation of the Devastator fights as two members from Game Informer discuss the video game and Hasbro's new toy.

Transformers: Devastation Motormaster Gameplay Video

Here is the bio and gameplay preview of Motormaster which will be a playable character in the game when its released on October 6th. He is essentially a skin for Optimus Prime but with his own special weapon. It isn't clear if the game as a Decepticon story line or not.

Behind the Scenes of Transformers: Devastation With Peter Cullen

Click the video below for a quick look as Peter Cullen voiced his Optimus Prime lines for Transformers: Devastation that is coming out on October 6.

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.

Transformers: Devastation Playstation Preorder Bonuses, Combat Video and Achievements

Some new information about Transformers: Devastation that is set to hit stores on October 6. To start, there is a preorder DLC for those that preorder the game. There will be three skins with Nemesis Prime, Red Alert, and Goldfire. Also three special weapons (its unclear if the weapon is specific to a character or available for all to use):

- The Dark Star Saber is a fiercely intimidating blade that radiates waves of dark energy with every swing.

- The Photon Disruptor is an incredibly powerful, shotgun-style weapon that has a short range but deals huge amounts of area damage.

- The twin Golden Hunter is a pair of blaster pistols that causes enemies to drop credits when attacked.

Next up is the XBox One achievement list (most of which will probably match the Playstation ones). Some include the "Till All Are One" for beating the game to Emperor of Destruction for beating Megatron without taking damage. The last is the video below that shows more of the playable characters fighting styles.

IDW November 2015 Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for November 2015. Four floppies, one trade and one box set are coming out that month. Of note is the start of a new mini-series starring the Wreckers. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, and more click here.

Transformers: Devastation Wheeljack Gameplay Trailer

Here is the bio and next trailer for Wheeljack on Transformers: Devastation video game that is coming out this October. Wheeljack is a playable character in the game with his own unique special abilities. Surprisingly the game currently doesn't have that many playable characters but I suspect DLC skins and the like are in the works to remedy that.

Splatoon Getting Transformers Themed Splatfest

Hasbro and Nintendo has joined forces for a Transformers themed Splatfest in the recently released WiiU game Splatoon. The Splatfest will run 24 hours from August 28 9PM PDT (midnight ET) to August 29 9PM PDT (midnight ET). I don't think participants will get anything permanent out of playing the splatfest to carry over in future games (except Super Sea Snails for purchasing upgrades) but during the 24 hour period players will get to join either the Decepticon or Autobot side. Once chosen your character will get a T-shirt with chosen faction symbol and ink to splat everywhere. For those that already have the game this is probably good news and for those that don't it probably doesn't mean much. I have the game but yet to have time to play it so sadly unable to provide any info but ratings on the game are consistently good. More pics with the TF theme from the game is here. And nope no Transformers movie news.

Transformers Devastation Bumblebee Trailer and Game Rating

A new trailer (below) and image (left) for the upcoming Transformers: Devastation video game has been released that focuses on the game play for Bumblebee. In addition the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) has revealed the rating for the game as T for Teen due to Fantasy Violence. Their description also includes a potential unrevealed mode when the board wrote "In one sequence, players can use laser turrets to shoot down a horde of flying robots." The game is currently priced at $50 and set for release on October 6. You can pre-order the game from Amazon now.

DeKnight Comments on Transformers Writers Room

Steven S. DeKnight (Daredevil, Spartacus), one of the bakers dozen writers helping to shape the future of the Transformers Cinematic Universe, briefly commented on his experience with the room.

You know, it’s that wonderful thing where features are now taking a page from television and getting people together to plan things out, and it was a wonderful experience. Akiva Goldsman was fantastic, and Jeff Pinkner, who’s co-writing the 5th movie with him, was phenomenal — Zak Penn — it was just a room full of brilliant, funny, amazing people. We spent two and a half weeks in best — psychically, the best writers’ room I’ve ever seen in my life. Paramount pulled out all the stops. It was phenomenal. We laughed, and joked, and told stories and plotted out — I can’t say what we plotted out, but it was all very exciting. In the next few months we’ll see what moves forward and what doesn’t move forward. It was a fantastic experience. One of the best experiences of that was when Steven Spielberg popped by to just sit, and talk, and hear what we were working on. Everybody was about to throw up they were so excited.

What do you think that franchise learned from the experience of having a writers room with a lot of TV writers?
DEKNIGHT: It remains to be seen. I think the biggest thing that does when you’re dealing with a franchise that is so global and makes so much money, is actually taking a moment to think things out. Because a lot of the time, you go into production and you don’t have a finished script, the script is still being worked on. It’s very difficult to work that way. I can’t imagine — especially with the second movie when the writer’s strike happened and Michael Bay has to start prepping anyway — I can’t imagine trying to prep a movie of that size and complexity not having a locked script. It happens all the times in movies, you just have to start because of people’s availabilities. So my hat’s off to Paramount for trying something new in this way and really giving this writers room thing a spin. For me, it was a fantastic experience. I loved it.

Would you use the writers’ room method on a feature film?
DEKNIGHT: If it was one feature, probably not. For one thing, I don’t think they would ever pay for it, because writers are kind of expensive to get them all together. But if it was for a bigger franchise that was a trilogy? Absolutely, I think it’s a great way to go.

Time will tell if this approach will bring positive results to the critically slammed franchise. Except for the first movie, the MO of the movies was Bay and company would design the characters and the major action sequences of the movie around essentially a summary of the potential story line and then the writer would work backwards and incorporate those things into the movie. The result has been mixed at best as often its pretty clear that the movies' "plot" was really just a way to get from action scene A to action scene B. Assuming Bay direct Transformers 5, does this mean he will have to design the action scenes around a finished script or are they just really developing that next summary to work backwards from at a later date? We will probably not know for many months.

Quintessons and Ultra Magnus for Transformers 5?

File this under "grain of salt" but Christian Today (how is that for an odd source for movie rumors?) is reporting that one plot point being considered for Transformers 5 would introduce the movie version of the Quintessons and Ultra Magnus. Optimus Prime would meet the Quintessons, who in the movie-verse would be the Transformers creators, to get answers about why they wanted to kidnap him from Transformers: Age of Extinction. Part of the plot would include introducing Ultra Magnus who would have history with Megatron (now Galvatron).

RIP George Coe

Long time character actor George Coe died July 18th at the age of 86 with a career that spanned more than 50 years. For today's fans you might remember his voice as Wheeljack/Que in Transformers: Dark of the Moon but more likely as Woodhouse on Archer. His voice over work included roles in video games (Star Wars: The Old Republic, Guild Wars 2, The Elder SCrolls V) and in cartoons (Legend of Korra, Star WArs: The Clone Wars). When acting he as appeared on a wide genre of shows be it Grey's Anatomy, Supernatural, Curb Your Enthusiasm and many more including the first season of Saturday Night Live. He also received an Oscar nomination for short film in 1968. Condolences to his family.

IDW October 2015 Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for October 2015. Four floppies, one trade and one box set are coming out that month. Of note is a one-shot that focuses on the Dinobots as they try to figure what warriors should do when there is no war. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, and more click here.

SDCC 2015 Day One Transformers News

I had planned to wait until the end of the weekend and just sum up all of the Transformers news from the San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) but it seems just do to the panel schedules that most of the news has already been released. Hasbro had their Transformers Brand Panel where they showed off the Victorion combiner (yep all repaints) and few other sets that are planned for release sometime in the fall. They also revealed a new cartoon web series with Machinima and another trailer for the Transformers: Devastation video game. At this point all that seems left in the news department will be from IDW's panel and usually they just tease the same material already released in the 3 month advance comic book solicitations. On the movie front I seriously doubt there will be any info. Below are the highlights with links to pictures from Thursday's first official day of SDCC.

Generations Devastator Available for Pre-Order

If, like me, you are looking to get hold of Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Devastator, then Amazon might have you covered. The retail site has a pre-order listing for the 18" toy that combines from six Voyager sized Constructicons. The release date is currently set for August 1, 2015 for a price of $150 with free shipping. and you can find a picture review here. As for its retail store release, so far this is all we have but I assume at some point it might hit Walmart, Target, etc in the states at least.

You can pre-order Devastator by clicking here.

James Horner 1953-2015

Oscar winner and decades long composer James Horner died Monday when his plane crashed near Santa Barbara. The composer, probably most famous for the score to Titanic, was 61. He probably wasn't world famous but should have been for his music was some of the greatest created in the modern era. His scores include Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (whose queues continued to be use for decades after), Avatar, Aliens, A Beautiful Mind, An American Tail, Fields of Dreams, Apollo 13, The Rocketeer, and many more. Some of my favorite music includes his scores including Searching for Bobby Fischer, Glory, Bicentennial Man, and Braveheart. He really was one of Hollywood's great composers and a loss to music in general. I know this isn't Transformers related but I was a huge fan of this music composer and you may be too even if don't realize it if check out his list of film scores. Condolences to his family.

Botcon 2015

Botcon 2015 completed its annual TF love fest this weekend in Chicago, Illinois. Since it is a non-movie year the focus was mostly on Combiner Wars and Robots in Disguise with Hasbro on hand to present some of their late 2015 to early 2016 plans which to no surprise includes more Combiners and a whole lot of repaints for both lines. On the Transformers: Hall of Fame front, Frank Welker (voice of Megatron), Prowl, Predaking, and Vince DiCola (composer for Transformers: The Movie) were inducted. No movie news or anything major to report. Since Botcon bans 3rd Party toys (per Hasbro directive), nothing to report there either. Hit the links below for summaries of all the various panels and galleries to upcoming Transformers releases.

IDW September 2015 Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for September 2015. Four floppies, one trade and one box set are coming out that month. Really nothing new to point out as the various ongoings continue to move along in their various story arcs. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, and more click here.

Transformers Devastation Gameplay Demo

E3 continues and with it is a little bit more about Transformers Devastation that is coming to consoles this October. The official site is now live at TransformersGame.com with the teaser trailer and screenshots. Below is a video with game developers discuss the game and the sources they used with IGN while a demo reel played.

Transformers: Devastation E3 Trailer

E3 officially started today and with it is a bunch of video games news (like the Final Fantasy 7 remake). That means trailers and below is the one for Transformers: Devastation that is set for release in October. For the rest of E3 try these links: YouTube | IGN | Twitch | GameSpot

G1 Based Transformers: Devastation Coming to Consoles (Updated)

Pure XBox has posted multiple screenshots for Transformers: Devastation, a new video game from Activision. Currently the only thing that is known is from the screenshots which shows that the game focus on the Generation One version of Transformers with the classic look of Devastator, Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Bumblebee. Even more interesting is the cel-shaded graphical style looks like it was lifted directly from Transformers: The Movie with all the shiny gleam on the everyone. Hasbro doesn't really do exclusives. Since the site reports they have confirmed it is hitting the 360, it is safe to assume it is going to PS4, PS4, and XBox One. The Wii U is iffy as it tends to force studios to practically rebuild the game from scratch and with its lackluster sales many studios decide its not worth the expense. Hopefully the full details will be revealed at next week's E3. Any case you check check out the screenshots here.

Update: A leak on Best Buy Canada has confirmed the game is set for release on October 6 for the PS3, PS4, XBox 360 and XBox One with Platinum Games as the developer. The game looks like it uses the same graphics engine the company developed for The Legend of Korra video game which wasn't exactly critically acclaimed but they have an over all good track record so hopefully they learned from Korra. From the listing:

Overview
Face off against Megatron and battle it out with the Decepticons in Transformers Devestation. Equipped with fast action capabilities, this game allows for instant robot to vehicle attacks, slam downs, counterattacks, and infinite combos for a unique master combat system. Five difficulty levels also deliver hours of intense gameplay.

More Information
- Autobots face off against the Decepticons when Megatron discovers a way to harness the enormous power of plasma energy to cyberform Earth
- PlatinumGames signature fast action allows instant robot to vehicle attacks, slam downs, counterattacks, and infinite combos for a unique master combat system
- Features 5 playable Autobots including Optimus Prime, Bubblebee, Sideswipe, Wheeljack, and Grimlock
- A deep customization system and 5 difficulty levels with overhauls in enemy composition deliver hours of intense gameplay
- Actors from the original TV series reprising their roles include Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Dan Gilvezan (Bubblebee), Frank Welker (Megatron and Soundwave), and more

Wahlberg: Bay Will Direct Transformers 5

In an interview with Collider to promote Ted 2, Mark Wahlberg indicate he thinks Michael Bay will be back in the director's chair for Transformers 5.

Collider: Do you have any update on the status of Transformers 5? Have you heard anything about what’s going on?
WAHLBERG: I don’t. Just that Akiva [Goldsman] and those guys are starting to write and break stories, and stuff like that. But [Michael] Bay is in Malta shooting Benghazi, and I’m in New Orleans shooting Deepwater. We’ll get together when he gets back.

Do you think he’ll still ultimately direct it?
WAHLBERG: Yes.

Do you know what your schedule will be, after you finish Deepwater Horizon?
WAHLBERG: Pete [Berg] and I are talking about doing another movie, after the first of the year. And (directors) Sean Anders and John Morris are working on something right now, that hopefully we’re going to do in the fall with Paramount. That’s another comedy, more in the vein of Midnight Run meets Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I just did Daddy’s Home, with Will Ferrell and those guys, and we’ve been talking about doing this thing.

I would be very surprised if Michael Bay turns down the chair. The Transformers franchise is essentially his puppy to do with as he will, something no other Hollywood director except maybe Spielberg and Peter Jackson has had. It is a rare level of power and even rarer level of wealth that doing each film brings him (~$100 million per). That is something that few could turn down as it would be like you saying no to a winning life-changing lottery ticket. Paramount and Hasbro have already bumped Transformers 5 back a year to accommodate Bay's desire to do a smaller scale movie and decompress after Transformers 4 so clearly they want him back. At this point the decision will probably hinge on what the Transformers Writers Room produces and does the resulting scripts interest him enough to continue on. Regardless of his choice to direct, he will always be an executive producer for the Transformers franchise with the influence that title brings on future movies.

Now A Baker's Dozen for TF Writers Room

Yet another has joined the Transformers Writers Room as Daredevil and Spartacus writer/showrunner Steven DeKnight has joined the Transformers Writers Room which convened its first meeting today. The purpose of the 13 writers is to hammer out a Transformers Cinematic Universe based on the various story treatments they develop and get approved to become scripts if approved by Paramount, Hasbro, Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg and a few others. To early to say if this approach pay dividends. In my opinion, as long as Michael Bay continues to be the primary guiding hand behind the current look and feel of Transformers I just don't see how the franchise can evolve no matter how good the scripts might turn out to be.

Goldsman Explains Transformers Writers Room as More Join

Deadline is reporting that another two writers have joined the Transformers Cinematic Universe Writers Room as the group is now at an even dozen. The new additions are Ken Nolan (Black Hawk Down) and Geneva Robertson-Dworet. The TF Writers Dozen will be meeting this coming Monday as team leader Akiva Goldsman explained.

Goldsman said the intention was to replicate the great writers rooms used in hatching TV shows. “There is such reciprocity between TV and movies now, that we’re borrowing this from TV,” Goldsman said. “I got a taste of this from JJ Abrams when I came in to write an episode of Fringe, and then Jeff Pinkner let me hang around for four years like the drunk uncle. The whole process of the story room was really delightful, and we are seeing it more in movies as this moves toward serialized storytelling. There are good rooms around town, including the Monsters Room at Universal, the Star Wars room, and of course, at Marvel. We’re trying to beg, borrow and steal from the best of them, and gathered a group of folks interested in developing and broadening this franchise. There is a central corridor of movies that has been proceeding quite well, but our challenge will be to answer, where do we go from here?”

“We’ve got a work space that is beautifully production designed to be immersive with a strong sense of the franchise history,” he said. “We will look at the toys, the TV shows, the merchandise, everything that has been generated by Hasbro, from popular to forgotten iterations, and establish a mythological time line. It has been designed with a lot of visual help, toys, robots, sketches and writers and artists. After that super saturation, the writers will figure out not one, but numerous films that will extend the universe.”

Two More Writers Join Transformers Writer's Room

Two more writers have joined the Transformers Cinematic Universe writer's room. Christina Hodson and Lindsey Beer have signed on to help create the future of the movie franchise and probably write a script for one of the movies. From what I can tell neither writer has a released movie script out there to compare against but both have several movies in the pipeline. Hodson is currently writing a remake of The Fugitive and apparently 3 of her scripts were on Hollywood's Black List. The Black List is a rather odd honor that basically points to some of the best scripts of the year that for various reasons (budget, politics, whatever) didn't get made into a movie. As for Beer, she is writing the remake of Short Circuit and The Wizard of Oz. These two will join already attached writer's room members Akiva Goldsman, Robert Kirkman, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway, Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari, Zak Penn, and Jeff Pinkner.

Exactly what part they will play in the brain trust is not revealed. Based on Wonder Woman, Ms Marvel and few other movies Hollywood has developed this odd thinking that if a summer tent pole movie features female characters it should be written and/or directed by a female (as opposed to just choosing females because they are best fit for the project regardless of the sex of the characters it is focused on). This makes me think that a female 'bots movie might be on the agenda for the TFCU. If they maintain Bay's very loose movie continuity that means the main ones we are familiar with, Arcee & Chromia, died in Revenge of the Fallen so Windblade is a likely candidate.

Kids React to G1 Transformers

Below is an amusing video that has pre-teens react to the opening of the 1980s Transformers cartoon series and a few images from the G1 era compared to the "Bayformers" version. Of note is almost none of them knew the Transformers existed before the movies and because of that most had a preference for the movie designs.

Linkfest - Combiner Wars Continue

The Combiner Wars continue for Hasbro with an upcoming release of the Protectobots and for most of the 3rd party companies who have released either completed around four or five combiners this year with another 5 or so set to finish by year end. It is an embarassment of riches for fans but also quite wallet draining if trying to keep up, especially if trying to get all the combiners. That is before you include the 6 or so Dinobot lines that also in works from these companies.

Much like how combiners wars are a nod to the past so too are some of the links below with a look at potential Action Master designs using combiners as action figures, some behind the scenes info from Transformers: The Movie and 35+ year old commercials from Japan that feature many of your favorite G1 Transformers before they became Transformers. There are also links to galleries to the first 3rd party Grimlock, Prime 1 Studios Age of Extinction statue line, and a stop motion video.

As for reviews, the links include Hasbro's Combiner releases of Cyclonus, the Protectobots, Stunticons, along with Robots in Disguise Jazz & Drift, Playstation Optimus Prime and Masterpiece Star Saber. For third party releases there are a ton of reviews to go with their now overkill output. Iron Factory and 3DX has three releases of their legend scale lines. ToyWorld completes their not Throttlebot combiner after over a year of nothing on that front while also releasing a solid take on not Astrotrain. The number of not Dinobots in the works has reached at least six lines that I can think of including two of them being combiners. Probably need to develop a cheat sheet to keep up at this point. Warbotron has completed their not Bruticus combiner that looks spectacular while Unique Toys reaches the halfway point on their not Terrocons. Those are just some of the many reviews linked below.

Bumblebee: The Movie?

Thursday Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner presented at the Global Consumer Conference 2015 and TFW2005 was on hand to provide some information on some of their plans for their many properties including Transformers. On the Transformers front the CEO said:

"As we go forward, we would imagine several more Transformers movies. Not just in the current lineage but also spinoffs and focusing on certain key characters that a beloved by the world over. Many of you know Bumblebee; the yellow Camaro... formally known as a yellow VW Bug and he is a beloved character by kids all over the world. We could see stories told around Bumblebee and other characters

We are in a process of building the brand equity around the Comic Book Business, our TV Business, our Digital Gaming Business and adding to that our new movie business of Transformers. Last year was Transformers 4. It was quite a good success for us last year. We've begun to work with writers and we are now developing the Transformers [Cinematic] Universe beyond the first four movies. And we are continuing to have Television [programs] on the air with Cartoon Network where Transformers is performing quite well in the first quarter coming off of a movie year."

So the takeaway is the Transformers Cinematic Universe (TFCU? TCU?) will essentially copy the Marvel and Star Wars in approach with ensemble films and individual characters films. Also that Transformers: Robots in Disguise is considered a success so there could be more then just two seasons of the show and the IDW relationship continues to be going well. I would not read this to mean that Bumblebee is guaranteed a standalone film, just that he was being used as an example of the potential of such an approach. The news is good for the TF movie fans but I have to admit until I see some concrete plans the idea of Michael Bay's take on Transformers expanding to a yearly (or more) film per year does little to thrill me.

Transformers One Prequel In Works?

Deadline is reporting that two more writers have joined the Transformers Writers Room and their task may be to write a prequel movie set on Cybertron. Ant-Man writers Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari have been tapped to potentially write the movie for "Transformers One" that will act as a prequel to the Transformers franchise. It might be an animated movie but to start it will be written with the goal of live action. The cost to produce will likely be the determining factor since it will be a CGI movie. There is no additional information about the story or the plans but it seems that Hasbro and Paramount is so heavily invested in the Michael Bay movie version of Transformers I doubt whatever is developed will have little to do with the "official" canon that Hasbro has developed for their video game and comic book properties.

Transformers Ruin Your Favorite Movies

Below is an amusing video from Funny or Die that inserts action sequences from the Transformers movies into some familiar movie scenes from Titanic, Forrest Gump, Speed, and more.

Transformers Tap Walking Dead, Pacific Rim and Lost Writers For Brain Trust

Deadline is reporting that Akiva Goldsman has worked out who will join the Transformers Writers Room to work out the future of Transformers franchise. Akiva will head a team that is joined by Robert Kirkman (creator of The Walking Dead), Art Marcum & Matt Holloway (Iron Man), Zak Penn (Pacific Rim 2) and Jeff Pinkner (Lost, Amazing Spider-Man 2) to figure out a Transformers Cinematic Universe. The details of what they are planning remains unknown but the assumption is they will spend the next year working on story ideas that will then be handed off to either these writers or others to turn into movie scripts. I assume this includes Transformers 5 which has been pushed back a year to 2017 in hopes that Michael Bay will return to direct once he completes his current Benghazi related film.

The line up is solid as all have solid track records for creating or participating in world building which the franchise desperately needs. They also are pretty good at creating characters and adding character moments into their scripts which is an area that Transformers has suffered since the very first movie. I wish I saw at least one of the comic book writers in the room if only because they have proven to be unafraid of making the Transformers memorable as individual characters, with interesting back stories and a whole lot of excellent world building. Their origin for the war that includes the friendship of Optimus and Megatron and how it ends in open conflict that destroys worlds would provide plenty of fodder for a trilogy (and potential offshoots), especially if paired with an story set in the present. So what do you think of this writer's room?

IDW August 2015 Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for August 2015. Five floppies and one trade are coming out that month. Really nothing new to point out as the various ongoings continue to move along in their various story arcs. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, and more click here.

ILM Celebrates 40 Years

Founded in 1975 by George Lucas to help create Star Wars, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) has begun to celebrate its 40th year anniversary. Basically how we see and listen to movies, especially action, science fiction and animation (thanks to Pixar that started there), has all but been defined by ILM. Their influence on movies, TV, this current generation of writers, directors and producers and those to come cannot be underestimated. Its amazing how they constantly obliterate the bar of what can be done in the last 40 years. I look forward to seeing what they do in the next 40.

Below is an all too short video nod to some of their work over the years including with the Transformers franchise. Wired has a very long article worth reading (with the section on "The Bay Effect" below) or if short for time Collider has a summary of 16 facts.

Hasbro Partners with Vimeo On Demand to Sell Cartoon Digital Copies

It looks like Hasbro has worked out a new revenue stream for many of their cartoons now that The Hub is defunct. The company has joined with Vimeo to sell and rent episodes of cartoons from their library including the 80s Transformers cartoon and more recently Transformers: Prime and Robots in Disguise. Other series that will be available are My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, G.I. Joe, Transformers: Rescue Bots, G.I. Joe: Renegades, Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters, Littlest Pet Shop, Pound Puppies, The Adventures of Chuck & Friends and B-Daman Crossfire. The price per episode will be $2.99 to buy or 99 cents to rent with entire series runs costing $40. The program has already launched at Vimeo on Demand.

Transformers: Generation Stop Motion Video

Below is an excellent Transformers fan made creation that took six months to make in a great stop motion battle complete with special effects, G1 cartoon music, and more. It makes extensive use of Takara Masterpiece figures along with the 3rd party Masterpiece scaled figures that have been coming out for the last few years. The result is a cool battle that frankly tops all of Michael Bay's efforts.

IDW July 2015 Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for July 2015. Five floppies are coming out that month. The new Transformers: Robots in Disguise Animated cartoon gets its own cartoon series. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, and more click here.

Transformers 5 in 2017?

Today Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner held their 2015 Quarter 1 (that ends March 31st) Conference Call to cheer lead a good period for the company. As part of that he was asked about the upcoming Transformers movies. The key bit of information is that they are holding to have the next film out in 2017.

"Our plan with the studio and filmakers you may have heard some writers being hired and we have in fact brought in Akiva Goldsman to lead a group of writers to really create a strategic plan around Transformers. We think there are any number of stories to be told from the brand that has been around for 30 years with amazing canon and mythology. We would expect the sequel to the Transformers movie [TF4] to happen in 2017."

That is a year later than previously aiming for but does tie in nicely to a 10th Anniversary of the movie franchise. More importantly (for Paramount and Hasbro) it allows for a repeat of the Pain and Gain plan where Bay does a "smaller" film then does the next Transformers film. The director is currently in pre-production on "13 Hours" for filming later this year and I assume release next year. Since it isn't CGI heavy he can probably complete the film with plenty of time for pre-production on Transformers 5 in 2016 while occasionally checking in as Akiva Goldsman and company work on the cinematic universe game plan this year. Keep in mind Bay has not officially committed to Transformers 5 so this is just theory but he nets nearly $100 million per film so as long as the studio is willing to pay him, I don't see why he would say no to that kind of money. Thanks to Silver Knight for the link.

Paramount Prepping Transformers Cinematic Universe; Bay Up for TF5?

Deadline is reporting that Paramount Pictures has hired Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind, Fringe, Insurgent, Angels & Demons, etc) to create a a cinematic universe road map for Transformers. The writer/producer would work with current Transformers executive producers Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg and Lorenzo di Bonaventura to determine a "potential multi-part Transformers sequel and come up with potential spinoff films based" on the franchise and then use multiple writers to hammer out the various scripts.

IDW June 2015 Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for June 2015. Three floppies and one trade are coming out that month. The Combiner Wars concludes. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, and more click here.

Free Digital Copy of Transformers 1 from Google Play

For probably today only (3-5-15), Google Play is offering a free digital copy of the first Transformers movie from the Google Play store. To redeem you will need a Google/Gmail account and either a credit card or Pay Pal account tied into the account. However, nothing is charged. The idea is probably to encourage those that have not done that will go ahead and add a payment record of some kind to facilitate future impulse buying. Personally I recommend doing it anyway because every few months Google Play offers a free movie and about once a month a free album. Any case click here to add Transformers to your Google Play digital collection.

Transformers Humble Bundle 2 Charity Available Now

For the second time Hasbro and joined with Humble Bundle to create a DRM free Transformers comic collection to benefit the Hasbro Children's Fund. Available from now until Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 11am Pacific you can get nearly the entire current run of Transformers/Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1-37 and Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #1-34 assuming you decide to go at least $5 above the donation average. At a value of $155 you can't beat the deal. These purchases are not tied into Comixology or other online retailer.

If ordering I recommend creating a Humble Bundle account first and then log in before donating. That way it automatically ties your purchase to your account to re-download if need to in the future. After donating you will receive an email that directs you to the site to download the books in your preferred format. If interested in the .cbz format of the books, the readers I use is ComicGlass for iPad/iPhone, Cover for Windows 8 and Perfect Viewer for Android. If go with epub format, Play Books from Google will probably more that meet your needs in most cases and includes syncing across devices.

The press release is here. The donate for the Transformers Humble Bundle 2 click here.

Leonard Nimoy 1931-2015

Today marks the passing of an entertainment legend. Leonard Nimoy died this afternoon at the age of 83 at his home due to end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that the actor freely admits was probably caused by his years of smoking.

Michael Bay Scores Razzie Award for Transformers: Age of Extinction

Last night the Razzie Awards announced the "winners" for the worst theatrical movies and actors of the year. Transformers: Age of Extinction was nominated in seven categories and "won" the Worst Director with Michael Bay with a mention for Worst Supporting Actor with Kelsey Grammer. Other "winners" are below.


Worst Director: Michael Bay, Transformers: Age Of Extinction
Worst Actor: Kirk Cameron, Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas
Worst Actress: Cameron Diaz, The Other Woman and Sex Tape
Worst Supporting Actor: Kelsey Grammer, Expendables 3, Legends Of Oz, Think Like A Man Too and Transformers: Age Of Extinction
Worst Supporting Actress: Megan Fox, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Worst Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel: Annie
Worst Screen Combo: Kirk Cameron & His Ego, Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas
Worst Screenplay: Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas, Written by Darren Doane and Cheston Hervey
Razzie Redeemer Award: Ben Affleck, From Razzie “Winner” for Gigli to Oscar darling for Argo and Gone Girl

Toy Fair 2015: Devastator Revealed and Much More

Over the weekend Toy Fair 2015 was held. Hasbro was also at the event where they unveiled some of their spring and fall releases for Transformers. For Combiners Wars we can look forward to Devastator box set, the Protectobots and Ultra Magnus. Robots in Disguise is getting the full cartoon treatment with lots of toys planned across all sub lines including the return of the Mini-Cons. Below is an attempt to break down some of their plans. Much like other link fests a link equals a gallery so start clicking away. If want to just click through a massive gallery (307 pics) from the show floor click here. All in all, Hasbro has some great Transformers for fans of all ages. Thanks to Silver Knight for heads-up.

Robots In Disguise Trailer 2 and Behind the Scenes Video

Hasbro has now revealed the official launch date of Transformers: Robots in Disguise as March 14 on the Cartoon Network. The first video is a tv spot for the show while the second is a behind the scenes peek that looks into the story and character points of the show.

Transformers: Robots In Disguise Debuts March 14

Hasbro has finally announced the premiere date of Transformers: Robots in Disguise on March 14 at 6pm with a one hour premiere on the Cartoon Network. After that the series will air in its regular 6:30am ET time slot starting March 21st. As the time slots indicate, despite what the press release (below) says about the series being all ages, Hasbro is clearly aiming it at the pre-teen crowd. Not being negative about it (as I have enjoyed my share of preteen cartoons over the years), its just a reminder to modulate your expectations accordingly. TV spot also below.

Creating the Knightship in Transformers: Age of Extinction Video

ILM has posted a new behind the scenes video for Transformers: Age of Extinction that gets into some of the design choices and details that were created for the massive Knightship (aka Lockdown's ship).

Linkfest - Dinobots and Combiners Oh My

It has been a months since did my last linkfest and its shows with an epic ton of video reviews for upcoming figures from Hasbro's Combiner Wars line and all the third party figures. Below are a bunch of reviews for the first wave for the Combiner Wars with an occasional look at an incomplete combiner as Hasbro chose to swap a Stunticon with an Arialbot for each wave to emphasize their ability to swap to create "new" combined robots. Also a look at the first wave of Robots in Disguise toys along with Masterpiece Ultra Magnus and Bumblebee.

For third party reviews the theme is the Dinobots with four lines coming this year. Two of them are Masterpiece scaled figures from Fanstoys while Planet X's are based on War for Cyberton, and one is regular scaled release (from Fansproject) while last is a combiner (from Toyworld). Hopefully the reviews below will help in deciding which of the four to commit to. The 3rd party pattern remains combiners. Other than the Dinobots there are currently takes on the Terrorcons, Combaticons, Technobots and Protectobots. Before the reviews here are links to some upcoming releases, two 80s Transformers videos, and an update on Transformers: Robots in Disguise cartoon series.

Update: Added this reveal of Combiner Wars Devastator. No real deal details except that he may follow the G1 version with six characters merging and come complete as a collection rather than sold individually. Hopefully more will be revealed at the New York Toy Fair that starts Feb 2.

The Return of the Go-Bots?

It looks like Hasbro is looking to finally make use of the Gobots. The company has filed for a new Go-Bots trademark for "distribution of motion pictures, ongoing television programs" and "Toys, games and playthings, namely, toy vehicles and accessories for use therewith".

The franchise was created by Tonka in 1984 which had rushed developed the franchise to compete with the sudden success of Transformers by licensing the toy designs from Bandai (so basically the toys not good enough for Hasbro to license when developing Transformers). The franchise was acquired by Hasbro in 1991 when Tonka took on too much debt when it purchased the now defunct toy company Kenner in 1987. Since the 80s toy designs were owned by Bandai, only names from the franchise have appeared here and there in various other toy lines and Transformers toys over the years.

Even if Hasbro owned the toy designs, I don't see them bothering to re-create the 80s version of the Go-Bots in any form. I suspect this new trademark application is to create a new line of toys with a TV cartoon/commercial series. The movie aspect is just tacked on because why not, the line could be enough of a success to warrant it. I could see it as a sub-line of Transformers, maybe directed at kids but really with such a generic name more likely is it will be a completely different idea with a gimmick that has nothing to do with transforming. Thanks to Silver Knight for the link.

Transformers: Age of Extinction Free to Listen

As part of an attempt to get attention for their movie scores for award season, Paramount has posted 82 tracks from Transformers: Age of Extinction score composed by Steve Jablonsky. For license reasons, something about a 12000 sale limit and any after that increases the licensing cost, the score itself is not available to purchase. Click here to listen to the score. Thanks to Silver Knight for the link.

IDW April 2015 Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for April 2015. Four floppies and one trades are coming out that month. The Combiner Wars continues. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, and more click here.

Transformers: Age of Extinction Shut Out of the Oscars

For the first time a Transformers film was shut out of getting a nomination in the Oscar technical categories. After this morning's announcement of the Oscar nominations, Transformers: Age of Extinction received zero nominations in its greatest strengths of Visual Effects, Sound Mixing and Sound Editing. For the previous films Transformers 1 received three nominations, ROTF received one and DOTM received three. None of the films have won an Oscar. Below are the nominations this year for the categories the previous TF films has been nominated in. I would swap out Interstellar for Age of Extinction in all the categories and the Sound Mixing noms are baffling. The full list of nominations can be found here. The winners will be announced on Sunday, February 22 starting at 8pm ET in show hosted by Neil Patrick Harris whose previous hosting gigs have usually been very entertaining.

Visual Effects
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Interstellar
X-Men: Days Of Future Past
Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes
Guardians Of The Galaxy

Transformers: Age of Extinction Receives 7 Razzie Nominations

To no surprise, Transformers: Age of Extinction received the most Razzie Nominations today with seven. The Razzie Awards acts as an anti-Oscar that "awards" the worst major theatrical releases of the year. For the franchise the first Transformers film avoided nominations but Revenge of the Fallen received 7 noms and "won" 3 while Dark of the Moon received 8 noms but "won" none.

The "winners" will be announced the day before the Oscars on Saturday, February 21. I wonder if Michael Bay will provide another Razzie "Math Equation" like he did with DOTM. A defense that came down to "lots of money was made so there." Redemption can come tomorrow as the Oscar Nomination ceremony will be held in the morning. Age of Extinction has a chance to get nominations in the technical categories including for sound, editing and visual effects. Below are the categories that Age of Extinction was nominated in.

Peter Cullen Hopes for Less Dark Transformers Sequels

While appearing at the SacAnime 2015 panel on January 15th in Sacramento, California, Peter Cullen commented on Transformers 5 and 6. The voice of Optimus Prime spoke of hoping for a less darker tone to future films and mentioned that he agrees with fans about some of the moments when Prime isn't so Prime but that ultimately the boss' orders prevail (we all know that feeling).

"There is a sense that Transformers movies are going into a darker area" stated Mr. Cullen. "I think I brought the concern to the movie studio and certainly to the writers. Perhaps…Transformers 5 and 6 movies will go back more to its roots. There was an occasion where one line [in Transformers: Age Of Extinction] which Optimus Prime had, I did not want to say. It was my gut instinct and certainly my commitment to the character… not to say the line. But I was told to say. You can’t fight the big boys. I think you all know what that line was."

My guess is the line he is referring to is "I'll kill you" but there are a few others that would qualify. Below is about an hour long video of his panel appearance.

Michael Bay On Action in Transformers: Age of Extinction

Below is a newly posted featurette for Transformers: Age of Extinction that has Michael Bay discussing his approach to filming action sequences for the movie. This is the same special feature that was part of the Blu-ray release of the film.