Transformers Linkfest

Lot of new links to various Transformer galleries including new Alternity gallery with review, look at Legends Devastator in G1 colors, Masterpiece Nemesis Prime and more.

Alternity Bumblebee and Cliffjumper Gallery
Huge 84 image gallery of the now finished version of the next figures in the Japan exclusive Transformers Alternity line. The alternate mode is the Suzuki Swift Sport and the two are essentially identical except for color and head mold. The Alternity line are small (about Deluxe sized) but detailed toys with complex transformations and use of die-cast in their construction. The average stateside import price is $50.

Alternity Bumblebee Video Review
In addition to the above gallery, here is a video review of Alternity Bumblebee that shows off the gimmicks and the transformation of the toy. Due to cussing can't exactly call it safe for work nor is it as good as Peaugh's but gives you an idea of whether the toy is worth the extra cost.(via TFW2005)



Masterpiece Optimus Prime in Black
Gallery of in package MP Prime in yet another re-issue (I think fifth version). This time the Japan exclusive is sporting the black and teal that tends to be associated with Nemesis Prime.

EZ Collection Devastator in G1 Green (mirror)
Click the link to view an official gallery of images from Takara of the repaint of Legends Devastator that remains a Japan exclusive. He is sporting the G1 green that the Constructicons first had back in 1984. Thanks to Christopher and RY for the links.

Next Masterpiece Toy Hint
In an interview with TF designer who created MP Prime, Buster Prime, and more Hirinori Kobayashi hints that the next figure in the MP line will come from the Season 3 line of toys. That season was dominated by characters from Transformers: The Movie.

XBox Revenge of the Fallen Avatars
Now available on the XBox Live Marketplace is Transformers: ROTF clothing and helmets for your avatars. The helmets (Megatron, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime) cost 240 MS points and the shirts (7 types total) are 80 MS points.

Device Label Grimlock and Trypticon
Now available in Japan are these two new Transformers from the Device Label line. Grimlock and Trypticon are identical (except for paint job) whose alt mode is a fully functional optical mouse. The average cost stateside $50 each.

Another Leader Starscream Gallery
A new high-quality gallery of the upcoming toy that almost seem like official images. No clue when Leader class Starscream reaches stores, actually thought he would have by now for the Holiday season but maybe he is being held back for the 2010 wave of toys. Thanks to Kaly for the link.

NEST, Demolisher Galleries and Breakdown Video Review

Another link fest to Transformers galleries and such. Thanks to RY for the links.

NEST Sub-line
From Toys R Us Japan, a look at official photos of various new toys (most repaints but not all) that are coming out for the Revenge of the Fallen toys under the NEST tag.

Demolisher Repaint Gallery
New gallery that compares the new Demolisher with his old. The new version is sporting a silver/white paint job that includes additional detailing with dirt on the treads, scoops, and arm. Currently it’s a Japan only release but I wouldn't be surprised if he makes a stateside release at some point down the line.

Breakdown Video Review
New review from Paugh of the scout class car repainted as a homage to the Generation One Stunticon of the same name.

Transformers Galleries, The Plague and More

Below are a few links to new toy galleries and more.

The Plague and Leader Starscream
The image to the right is a screen grab from the Blu-ray edition of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen that shows off an unused concept character called The Plague. Could this be an early name for the Fallen or possibly a new character that might pop up in the third film? Additionally at the link is images of Leader class Starscream that will hopefully hit retail by Christmas. Thanks to RY for the link.

More Revenge Repaints
Click above for a look at rather ugly repaints of Fast Action Battler Skids and Mudflap along with Dead End and Knock Out. Hasbro's love of creating at least 2 repaints (or more) of every mold continues. Thanks to Ben1227 for the link.

Fast Action Battler Arcee
Gallery of the upcoming toy that retains the ugly look of the original.

Recon Ironhide in Package
Voyager class Jungle Attack Ironhide has been renamed according to the new images the character in packaging pictures. Recon Ironhide is a repaint of the figure but now includes more weapon accessories than ever before. Pic to the right is the back of the box with his bio.

Encore 18 Skids
The latest re-issue gets its own gallery as Generation One Skids is about to be released in Japan. I am especially digging the classic packaging and probably need to add this figure to my wish list as I never had a chance to buy this one those many years ago when first released.

Demolisher and Rampage Repaints
Yep, more repaints this time for the Deluxe Rampage and Voyager Demolisher. Rampage is getting a new red color and Demolisher turns white in an effort to make them more accurate to their look in the movie. No indication if this is a Japan only release or if these will make their way stateside sometime next year.

CGI Demolisher and Chromia

TFG2.com has posted new images of two Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen characters. One for Demolisher (or could be Scavenger) and the other for Chromia (one of the Arcee bikes). This one joins Rampage/Sideways, the Twins, Arcee 3, Megatron, combined Prime/Mixmaster, Scrapper and The Fallen.



Update: Thanks to Robert who pointed out that I forgot the third picture in the gallery. At this point not sure who is what, since this one could be blue or could be purple. Regardless, very odd and ugly.

CGI Rampage and Sideways

From TFG2, below are a few images of Rampage (red in movie) and Sideways in CGI along with their real world counterpart. Rampage is apparently in his jackhammer mode. Overall they look pretty good.

Devastator, Prime and More Movie Stills

A few new movie stills are now online from Celebutopia. They show off Bumblebee, Demolisher, Prime looking bad-ass with his swords and Devastator looking small (yet still awesome) in the desert. Thanks to Gregory for the link. He noticed in the Devastator still you can barely make out the twins in front of him in the open area before the trailers and water tower.

Botcon: Bay Presents ROTF Footage

Yesterday, during the Botcon Awards (no idea who won what), Michael Bay himself introduced clips from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Cool move on his part since he didn't have to make the trip. Sadly no video but below is the description from Seibertron.com. Spoiler warning. Thanks to G0M3Z for the heads-up.

With our anticipation at its highest level, the attendees of Botcon roared into cheer as the first clip of the movie started. The footage started with John Turturro and Sam's roomate in the middle of a construction zone looking on to a group of construction vehicles surround them. The constructicons were revealed when Mixmasters Decepticon symbol is shown and Scavenger begins to transform. At the same time the other constructicons move closer to form Devastator!!!

Scavenger literally forces all the other constructicons into the gestalt ala Scorpion in Mortal Kombat [I think he means that "Come Here!" with chain grab move - ed]. Tuturro then runs with Sam's roomate when the scene cuts to Sam and Mikaela running from Rampage.

Rampage begins chasing Sam's father when Sam jumps in front of him to draw his attention. Sam then says "Wait, it's not them you want. It's this, the MATRIX!" He then holds up an item and continues to coax Rampage when Bumblebee arrives. The battle begins.

Rampage and Bumblebee fight ferociously with Bumblebee getting the better of Rampage when Ravage enters the fray. Using his hip cannons he blasts Bee and jumps on his back. Bumblebee then forces Rampage to the ground when Rampage lunges for Sam and takes Ravage and tears him apart piece by piece.

Bumblebee then rips Rampage's arm off and decapitates him.

CGI Combined Optimus and Jetfire, Mixmaster

Yesterday we saw the artwork of what the combined mode of Optimus Prime and Jetfire could look like and now today, as found by S250, here is the CGI version of the mode along with Constructicon Mixmaster. Overall it look extremely powerfully by giving Optimus an armored look complete with jetpack for flying. Thanks to Simbatron and Thirston for the heads-up.

Update: Here are the original links to JetPrime and Mixmaster pics on TFG2.com as they had the images first. Thanks to lonegamer for the links.

Voyager Long Haul Video Review

Peaugh has posted several new reviews of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toys. First up, here is his review of Voyager class Long Haul. Over all the toy is very solid in both modes, the only complaint he had (which I agree with), is that the wheels near the head could not be rotated further back. Thanks to Yoboy for the link.

CGI Scrapper Artwork (Updated)

TFG2.com has posted an image, found by TFW2005's S250, of what Constructicon Scrapper may look like in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The result is rather interesting and based on the detail level, I am guessing it is based on the upcoming video games. Thanks to ghola_tleilaxu and Phil for the heads-up.

Update: For those wondering, yes it is Scrapper that is chasing after Sam and Mikaela in the trailer, the moment when you see a yellow Transformer looking around the side of the building just before its roof blows. Below is a screenshot from TFG2 of that scene to compare with. Thanks to Yoboy, Andrew and Phil for the info.

Voyager Long Haul in Packaging

TF08.net has posted a look at Voyager Long Haul in his packaging. He is a pretty sweet looking figure and quickly becoming a must have for me. Thanks to Yoboy for the link.

Voyager Long Haul Bio

Long Haul is too bitter to be an effective soldier on his own. Despite the fact that he is part of one of the most destructive and terrifying Decepticon squads of all time, he is often treated as little more then a cargo hauler. Other Decepticons sling their gear into his bed without a second thought, and order him to carry it around for them. Rather than confront them, he'd rather grumble about it privately, then stop on the way and destroy whatever he's been given responsibility for.

Voyager Long Haul Robot Mode

The other day we got a preview look at Voyager Long Haul's vehicle mode and as expected TF08.net didn't disappoint as it posted pictures of the robot mode. I am really digging this toy and looking forward to peaugh's review. Many pictures below and more here. Thanks to Scorpio for link.

First Look at Long Haul, Ravage Review and Scalpel

TF08.net has posted the below two pictures of Constructicon Long Haul, who appears to be Voyager class. So far no robot mode pictures but I am sure they will be along soon. As per the other toys, these do not have a mode to combine into Devastator (separate Supreme class toy for that purpose).

Peaugh has posted a review of Deluxe Ravage that shows off his "reentry" and cat modes. The alt mode useless, the cat mode makes it worth it.

Last, a new auction shows of another set of pictures of Deluxe Scalpel (The Doctor) in his packaging. Unlike the previous packaging pictures where he was displayed in profile, this time he is situated face forward.

Thanks to DeceptiFreak for the Long Haul link and Scorpio for the rest.

Update: Oops. The video was for FAB Long Haul, not Voyager class. Thats what I get for doing a hit and run without checking first (at work so...).

Story Spoilers from ShoWest? (Update 3)

In the new theatrical trailer thread, an anonymous post reveals some potentially spoiler information about the Transformers 2 story based on information they got at ShoWest. Normally I don't post these but in this case the information is consistent and logical enough with the information we have that it makes me wonder if it is not legit. At the very least it will probably lead to a lively (and hopefully insult free) discussion in the comments. I have edited the post a bit (mostly using bullet points) to make it easier to read. My comments are in brackets [].

I work in the effects industry but I am not affiliated with this film. We do have an online community (member only) where we discuss various projects around the various studios. I have some knowledge about some of the robots in the shots from the trailer.

- The robot with the "loose" treads is called Scrapper. Hence the reason he is "fist" fighting with Bumblebee.
- The yellow robot is Rampage.
- The helicopter is Blackout. You could see it at the ShoWest if you were there but more now with a HD feed of this trailer you can see that Blackout has rust on him just like Megatron does. Blackout is mostly intact.
- The robots crashing into the aircraft carrier are the Constructicons. Many people believed it was members of Starscream's air force but as you can see from the video there are no robots present. We saw an additional scene where Long Haul and Mixmaster are destroying the ship from within and end up ripping the hull of the carrier in half.
- What I was told is Soundwave has been scanning vehicles and when the Decepticons come to earth they fly by him in space and receive their alt mode on the way down. [Strategically and story wise, this is a genius idea]
- This is why Long Haul, Scrapper, and Mixmaster are as their alt modes over Megatron. Brawl and Bonecrusher do not return. They use Brawls parts to reform Megatron underwater (tank tracks and fitted with a particle cannon that Soundwave provides.
- Soundwave is only seen in the trailer as one of the 4 robots down in the ocean. By the way if you think Long Haul is huge Soundwave is about 6 feet taller. The other plot point is the cold and pressure does not affect their bodies like the humans thought they would. Two Decepticons give up their sparks to revive Megatron and Blackout who we find out is 3rd in command behind Starscream.
- Michael Bay made Soundwave's role as Megatron's most trusted friend (aka bodyguard and secretly unknown to Starscream as the real number 2) hence the recovery effect by the Decepticons.
- Mixmaster and Megatron can semi-fly in the film but not much. Megatron has back rockets and Mixmaster has the spinning gears turbines under his arm shields (cement mixer barrel) that he uses a few times. Mixmaster has a lot of screen time. [This would explain how Megs "swimming" up so fast and how Mixxy gets on the bridge]
- We saw a short 5 second shot where Long Haul stomps on Jazz's corpse underwater. [Sorry but I have not and still don't think Jazz returns and I could see this being Bay's definitive statement on the matter]
- There are 5 other jets that fly with Starscream but have not been named at the time of the show. I do not know the type of aircraft.
- Barricade is the one crashing into the library but isn't seen.

We saw more of that shot at the ShoWest show in private. Finally the major spoilers is as follows so look away if you don't want to know.

Remember when Michael Bay said Ravage does something no other transformer does? Well Alice is Ravage. Well they kinda gave it away when they said she had a tail and a tongue. Ravage is really small like a real jungle cat. He is sent to kill Sam but realizes Sam has information about The Fallen so he tries to get it from him. Once she turns on Sam and comes after him then she shows who she really is and Barricade shows up to help. Enough said. Now I said enough but hey there was 300 plus people at the ShoWest after party. I am out. Enjoy Revenge of the Fallen because a lot of great lads at ILM and DD did the work. [This is an elaboration on a plot point that video and story leaks indicated and Orci indirectly verified]

Update: To add to the above, a post from a possible DreamWorks employee confirms some of the above and denies other. It has a tinge of the realistic to it and is convincing enough to make it worth posting. As always though, all of this remains unproven but very interesting. Some edits made for clarity, my comments in brackets.

This is a shock to us here at Dreamworks. We are NOT asking you to remove this info [maybe a few months ago we would have] but we will clear some up for you. I will say that most of the info is correct but some is not.
- The robot that is fighting Bumblebee is NOT "Scrapper" because if you look closely he is seen by the wall [yellow bot] when Shia & Megan jump from the blast of Starscream. We aren't revealing if the red bulldozer has a name just yet. Around 10 bots will be nameless.
[Could this be Overload, the 7th Constructicon recent articles mentioned?]

- 2 Decepticons do NOT give up their spark for the return of Megatron. It is just one. If you look through TF mythology this won't come as a surprise. This character willingly sacrifices himself.
[I believe this is a reference to Beast Wars series which created the Spark concept and made them transferable. Who does the sacrificing? If Blackout does comes back, does a Decepticon also die for him?]

- A lot of people speculate that the tank tracks on Megatron are from Brawl--they are NOT. His tank tracks are Cybertronian metal and that is the reason most of his body has rust but the tracks do not. He is built from deceased Decepticons but not from the Laurentian Abyss. There is a double-meaning to the name Long Haul (think back to his F.A.B. toy bio)

- Isabel's character is NOT a human form for Ravage. I will not say who but think back to the videos I am sure you have seen with the crew & the puppet-like minion. Ravage actually has nothing to do with the college aspect. Soundwave enlists someone else for that job. All I can say is this...Ravage is far too big [unlike the info you have] to be Isabel.
[This does not discount that Alice is not a pretender, just not a skin for Ravage but another un-named Transformer such as the Frenzy-like creature. Mass wise, Ravage does seem way too big.]

- There isn't a character in the film named "Gridor" because it indeed is Blackout. We had that toy made because we weren't going to show him until this final trailer and we felt if the toy was leaked with that name [we were right] it would ruin the surprise. Mike insisted on the scene with him in it for the Vegas footage. Fans will indeed see a Blackout toy after the release of the film.
[Looks like Blackout, attacks like Blackout, if sounds like Blackout, must be Blackout, but why the white coloring?]

- Starscream does have re-enforcements however there are only 3 that accompany him. They also use the same scanning technique. If you remember, we had an original artwork with Soundwave in his satellite mode where meteor bots are flying by. Ehren came up with the idea like Teletran-1 for the Autobots. This is but one of the many things Soundwave adds to this film. Mike loved this idea because it saves time on having each individual bot scan & transform.
[This is a genius idea because now very little screen time has to be wasted on getting Decepticons in an alt mode, they just literally do it on the fly and go right into the main story]

- That was a secret of ours however, one of our biggest secrets is now revealed regarding Barricade. As Mike would say...the cat's out on that one. The crew knew the cop car would draw attention on set hence the reason there wasn't a confirmed set-picture---the car is CGI for roughly 3 seconds before a transformation to robot form occurs.
[We already knew Barricade was back, just not how he would be used]

- The rest of the info is indeed accurate along with the info on Jazz. We knew a lot of people wanted him to show up but if everyone returned it defeats the purpose of having tragedy in the franchise---same with Brawl & Bonecrusher.

I'm sorry if any info has been spoiled for you but the great thing about our dedication to this film was for each and everyone of the fans out there. We listened to all the good & bad comments over the past couple of years. Enjoy the film!!

Update 2: The plot gets a little more interesting as the orginial poster comments on the the above which was a comment on his first post and adds a few more potential story details. Honestly these two posters are not really opposing viewpoints, at most the differences come down in identifying what Constructicon is which and who Alice is the Pretender of.

Hey all of you. I am the poster from last night that provided the information that I am surprised has grown so much. I just wanted to respond to the guy that claims he is from DreamWorks. I have a feeling this guy is a fake. Industrial Light & Magic and Digital Domain are doing the visual effects for this film. DreamWorks and Paramount are making it. This guy is talking like he is sitting in on the visual effects sessions which only the writers, producers and director would do. Plus he is stating that quote:
"That's right, some big secrets were revealed that we didn't want published, so what I am going to do is confirm them for you. Then add a bit more that you didn't ask to hear because we want to keep it tight lipped around here. --DWE"

Now why would someone who works for DreamWorks start confirming secrets and add a bit more if they want to keep it tight lipped? Also without Michael Bay's permission and all cast members have to sign a contact not to release information.. I do not work for DreamWorks as I stated last night nor did I work on Revenge. I am friends with people at ILM and DD and our company was one of many that attended ShoWest. I am not under contract to keep my mouth shut because like I said I have nothing to so with the production. They sign as DWE meaning DreamWorks Entertainment. There is no division under that name. It is only DreamWorks Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG. I suspect this is someone trying to toy with the information I have provided. I don't really care either way.
[All valid points, personally I thought DWE meant DreamWorks employee]

I am myself a huge fan of Transformers and just thought I would volunteer the information I was made privy to at ShoWest. I would love to provide information as to who I am but just in case it may get me or someone at ILM or DD in trouble I shall remain in the shadows. Like I said there were 300 plus people at the ShoWest after party so I felt it was safe to tell you guys what I know.
[Also like more information, so volunteering is good but people are going to muddy the waters which is easy to do until the movie comes out.]

I am just posting this last time so if you see anymore posts claiming it is me then don't believe it. If you need straight facts or get a 100% confirmation then take the word of Roberto Orci or Alex Kurtzman over some guy claiming to be from DreamWorks.
[Couldn't agree more, if doesn't come from official channels, it remains under the speculation category.]

In closing I will say I sent a email this morning to someone in the know to clarify about the changes on Scrapper and Rampage and I was told is the yellow bot chasing Sam is Rampage but he was changed from the toy seen as the yellow Rampage to the a wheeled construction machine and his head was moved to that robot model. Look at the head of Rampage on his toy box on this site and then look at the scene with Sam jumping off the roof and you will see Rampage has the same head as the toy but is another mode. Scrapper was given his body, color changed, and a different head for the film. Same thing was done with Demolishor from the movie to the toy itself (different colors).
[Hasbro production means toy designs had to be locked about a year ago to get the engineering and manufacturing done in time for the movie. ILM and Bay are not under any such restraints so they can make adjustments right up to the very end so this is very plausible.]

Another tidbit and a spoiler is as follows..
So it was mentioned by the DWE guy about the shots of the Frenzy like creature on Sam's dads Saturn car being Alice. Well after Sam gets chased by Barricade and Ravage and Bumblebee shows up to fight them off right as Sam's dad arrives and they get attacked by this creature who is with Barricade. They escape and drive home which isn't far from the college but the creature is hanging on the car. That is when more of these creatures attack their house and hurt his dad and that is the scene where Bumblebee crashes through the fence to save them. From here they go to see Simmons and find Prime aka the graveyard scene. The scene where Bumblebee is dancing in the garage and the house damaged outside is because Bumblebee accidently falls into the side of the house and that is why Sam is kind of cold to him in the garage about how he isn't coming to college with him after his dad lets him have it.

Update 3: DWE replies to the above. I edited it to specific story stuff but you can find the full post in the comments.

...however I must add another clarification:
Trust me when I say this......all of the toys that associate with the major classes [SCT, FAB, DLX, VOY & LDR] will be named correctly. The name "Grindor" is only for the F.A.B. toy and that's it. There will NOT be any mix-ups...I can give you my word. Ehren has been VERY adamant about this fact as well---he will be the first to say that he's the ultimate "fanboy"

To be honest we haven't read a post from one person yet that has the ending figured out [not to say that someone doesn't know it...we just haven't read it] but the fans on this blog as well as the others are VERY smart at picking up details.

Megatron returns..I never said who he gains the spark from.
Alice is a pretender..all you know is that it's not Ravage.
The seekers were obvious..I didn't say who the 3 were.

I hate to do this again but as you know Sam & Mikaela have a long-distance relationship and the info you were given in the 2nd update is also incorrect to an extent. The college Sam attends is an east coast university so the school and his house would NOT be in a close proximity to each other [that should give it away right there]

If you remember [I'm sure you do--who am I kidding] the coloring book revealed a "kitchen crew" of drones. They do NOT appear while Sam is enrolled in college. Those two points in time do not intersect during the film.

[The Spark] DOES NOT come from Soundwave. Trust me when I say this as well...Bob, Alex, & Ehren did justice to the original character & the visual effects on him are AMAZING. I will go out on a limb here and say that when you see & hear the new Soundwave you will NOT look at the original in the same way. Those 3 men & Mike listened to the fans. You will LOVE this rendition of him [unless you are rooting for the Autobots]

Three Constructicon Video Reviews

Peaugh, Transformer reviewer extraordinaire, continues to get hold of those Revenge of the Fallen toys before anyone else. This time he reviews Voyager Mixmaster, Deluxe Rampage, and Voyager Demolisher. Note that these figures do not combine to form Devastator, which is an entirely different $100 toy that has the separate vehicle modes and the combined mode but not the individual robot modes. Thanks to Scorpio and other readers for the links.

Mixmaster Bio, Packaging

TF08.net has posted images of Voyager class Mixmaster in his packaging which reveals his bio. He looks like a pass to me, don't like the robot mode and calling him a "triple-changer" is a reach. Thanks to Phil and DeceptiFreak for the link.

Voyager Mixmaster Bio

Resident chemist and explosives expert for the elite among the Decepticons, Mixmaster has spent his entire life learning all there is to know about chemical interaction. He can make thousands of poisons, explosives, and deadly gasses from the materials around him. The other Decepticons rely on him to fashion powerful warheads for their missiles, and dangerous venoms in which to coat their blades.

Combined Keychain, More Mixmaster and Ratchet

More stuff from the Transformers 2 toy line.

Yesterday was the first image of the "Power Up" Optimus Prime and Jetfire combiner leak. Joining that leak is a look, from TFW2005, at the keychain that a few months ago helped confirm that a combine mode was planned for the two characters. The greater detail that the static keychain allows indicates that while the toy is not that impressive, the CGI version (assuming this combined mode is film inspired) will be awesome to behold.

Next is a reminder that Ratchet is supposed to be in the film with an eBay auction for Voyager class version of the character. Other then looking like a brighter shade of lime, it seems to be the same toy as the first movie.

Last is another gallery for Voyager Mixmaster that can found here. His robot mode doesn't impressive me at all but I really like the vehicle mode.

Thanks to Phil for the links.