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 Linkfest

Another installment with more galleries, toys and a custom 7 foot Prime for sale.

Custom Optimus Prime 7ft Statue (mirror)
From EBay Australia is this rather sweet looking fan made statue of Prime in movie form. The work is the result of around $10,000 in parts, 75 days of label, and a whole lot of scrap metal. The weight is estimated around 450-559kg (992-1213lbs). Click the link to read a lot more about the project. The "buy it now" price currently at AU $47k with no bids. Click here for the auction. Thanks to Katie for the link.

NEST Deluxe Figures Gallery
Click the link for a look at the nest wave of NEST toys for Revenge of the Fallen coming out early next year. The images include Brawn, Lockdown, Ratchet, and combined Skystalker and Mindwipe (vehicle mode only).

Shadow Command Megatron & Strike Mission Sideswipe in Packages
At this link are images of the two toys in their packaging. Both are repaints that actually appear to be a better color scheme then their original look. I believe both are part of the next wave of toys coming out early next year.

Buster Prime & Jetfire 2-Pack
Asian only release, this leader class two pack features the improved version of Optimus Prime with Jetfire who is also featuring a new paint job with a black, brown and dark gray scheme. Still no indications if Buster Prime will make a Stateside or European release.

Official Images of 2010 Legends and Deluxes
Click for sizeable gallery of the next wave of Legends, Deluxe and HA Barricade that is coming early next year. It’s basically two images per, one for package, one for alt mode. The images include Legends Wheelie, Soundwave, Bluesteel Sideswipe along with Deluxe Dirge, Alliance Bumblebee, Tuner Mudflap, and Armorhide.

Ultimate Optimus Collection Auction
If your a fan of Optimus Prime you might be interested in this auction which has almost 140 different Prime items for sale in one auction. Click the link for images and the full list. The auction expires on December 20th. Thanks to OptiMagnusPrime for the link.

Leader Jetfire and Combo Review

In addition to the review of Long Haul, Peaugh has posted two additional reviews. One is Leader class Jetfire as a standalone toy and then a review of the toy combined with Leader class Optimus Prime. The combo mode is a bit more complicated and solid then you would think but still overall really worth it on its own. However, Jetfire (and Optimus) are pretty cool toys on their own so the combo mode is like a bonus feature. Thanks to Yoboy, Chris, and Sumudu for the links.

Leader Optimus Prime, Jetfire Combined (Updated)

TF08.net once again, this time even more pictures of Leader class Jetfire, this time for the first time combined with Leader class Optimus Prime. The result is interesting I guess. Not sure worth the $100 dollars for the total effect however. I will wait for the toy review and see it in action before making a final judgment on it. Below are most of the pics from the gallery with the rest here. Thanks to Adam for the link. Yep just the one combined picture so far.

Update: Additional pictures of Jetfire and the combined mode are now up at at TFW2005. Also below is a YouTube montage of the pictures. Thanks to -yoboy- for the links.

More Leader Jetfire Pics and Leader Starscream?

TF08.net (via TFW2005) has posted the below additional pictures of Leader class Jetfire from the Transformers 2 toy line in his packaging. Previously we saw a mock-up of the box. Sadly the new pictures do not show off the side of the package that contained a hint at what the combined mode of Optimus and Jetfire would look like. In addition, the site admin "yizhi521" added a note that suggests a fourth leader class toy is in the works, "and... new leader toy is starscream (F22)" joining Jetfire, Optimus Prime, and Megatron. Thanks to Scorpio for the link.

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.

Combined Optimus, Jetifre And Other Galleries

Yep, more toy galleries from the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy line for your enjoyment (or not), all of them from the TFW2005 forums.

First up is the rather tiny picture to the left that shows off the combined mode of Leader class Optimus Prime and Jetfire that has been hinted at for awhile. Of note is the combined mode doesn't quite match the black-out preview pick from Jetfire's packaging. In addition, there is the image of Devastator and his six Constructicons, a contradiction of the seven that recent press articles indicated would comprise Devastator. It looks like we will have to wait on the leak of the toy packaging to finally clear this one up.

Next is a shot of Wheelie in his packaging via an eBay auction. We previously got a look at his card backing and bio. Nothing much to add, he is still as strange looking as you expect. Makes you wonder if Scapel and him will have a tussle (that would probably be amusing to watch).

More Transformer comparison photos. This time of the Takara version of Deluxe Sideways compared with the Hasbro version. Takara's version has a darker paint job that does look better. The full gallery is here. Deluxe Breakaway (still not confirmed if in movie) also gets a Takara vs. Hasbro treatment. Takara Breakaway is a brown color instead of Hasbro's tan. In this case I am not sure if it is an improvement or not. The Breakaway gallery is here.


Last is a small gallery (here) of the Transformers version of Jenga. As you can see, it is the classic game that when stacked for play forms the faction symbols. I like the touch of adding them to each block.

Thanks to Phil for the links.

Complete Audi Chase Clip, More Screenshots

Below is a clip from Kevin (thanks!) where he combined the Audi chase sequence from the first trailer with the additional footage from the ShoWest montage to create a full sequence. In addition are a few more screenshots to join the previous batch from the montage that shows off character faces and a bit more. Thanks to Dave, Eugene, Asri, and Simon.

Video pulled by YouTube due to Paramount copyright claim.

Fallen Bio, Jetfire, Gravity Bot Pics and Other Galleries

TF08.net has scored more photos of the Transformers 2 toy line. This time it includes a first look at Leader Jetfire, Voyager The Fallen in package with bio, Interrogator Barricade, Cannon Bumblebee, and multiple gravity bots. Below are a few pictures with the full gallery here. Thanks to Phil and DeceptiFreak for the link.

In addition, here are a few more galleries.
Cannon Bumblebee - A side by side comparison of preview Bumblebee with his counterpart
Wobbler Transformers - Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron wobbler pics.
Voyager Megatron - Another gallery of the figture in different poses.

Voyager The Fallen Bio:

For millennia, he has waited. Thousands of years have dragged by as he recruited proxies, one by one, to scour the cosmos for the artifact he required. Now he finds he must return to the primitive, flesh-slug infected planet on which his quest began. Nothing will stand in his way this time. If need be, he will scour the surface of this disgusting world clean in the fire of his rage, and search through the blasted rubble for that which he seeks.

Eight Constructicons In Transformers 2?

Two new articles on USA Today and Yahoo! Movies suggest that Transformers 2 will feature a total of eight Constructicons, seven of which will form Devastator. The articles are part of a first look at some of the Transformers 2 robotic cast. This would be the first official word on many of the characters that we figured out over time between set and toy pictures but news to the general public. One change is Wheelie is being officially cast as a Decepticon and the addition of "The Doctor" also called Scalpel according to the Hasbro toy packaging and has the alt mode of a microscope. Below are excerpts.

Ravage and Soundwave
"In the spirit of 'more than meets the eye,' Ravage isn't just lethal because of his sharp teeth," says screenwriter Alex Kurtzman. "There's actually another skill set Ravage has that didn't exist before, so there's going to be a surprise for fans." ...his role will be similar to the 1980s cartoon and Hasbro toy — the ultimate spy.

Ravage doesn't turn into anything. But Soundwave will appear, again serving as an evil communications expert but this time in the form of an orbiting space satellite.

And Ravage, as before, won't speak like the other Transformers. "We wanted to stay true to the idea that Decepticons who take visual clues from beasts maintain that," says Orci. "It would be strange to have a talking jaguar, or a scorpion with an English accent."

Insecticons
"We have big guys, some little guys. We have a lot of littler ones, too. Little weirder ones," Bay says. Like the Insecticons, which were giant bugs in the original series and Hasbro toy line, but are now tiny creepy-crawly infiltrators.

Jetfire
As in the original, this fighter plane crash-landed on Earth a long time ago, and he will become a reformed Decepticon now fighting for the humans. His alternate form is the SR-71 Blackbird, the outdated but still-sleek Cold War spy plane.

"He's old, craggy, forgetful ... doesn't work very well. Can't transform very well, because he's very geriatric. They get stuck with him a lot," Bay says. "He knows the plan of the bad guys, but he forgets all the good parts of the plan."

The Twins
"Some of the junior Transformers are just dumb," Bay says with a laugh. "But it's great for kids because they're like the Little Engine That Could. They're (screw)-ups, but they get really heroic at the end."

Arcee
Arcee is the only female and turns up as Megan Fox's hot-pink motorcycle. Co-screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci say she was in an early draft of the first movie. "But we felt we needed to win the audience over before asking for that suspension of disbelief: a feminine alien robot," Kurtzman says.

The Fallen
The Fallen is an ancient robot, sort of the Transformers' version of Lucifer. He's one of the original robot aliens, and his defiance and arrogance led to his banishment into another dimension. The screenwriters say that The Fallen holds the key to life on both Earth and Cybertron, the Transformers' home planet.

The Doctor
A smaller, but no less malevolent Decepticon is known as The Doctor — a spider-like droid that transforms into various implements of torture and has a not-so-nice encounter with star Shia LaBeouf.

Devastator
These seven robots — Scavenger, Scrapper, Hightower, Longhaul, Rampage, Overload and Mixmaster — transform into construction machinery, but also link up with one another to form one gigantic robot stomper named Devastator.

"He's made of vehicles designed to build, and he turns into is someone who loves to destroy," Orci says. "He is an agent of absolute chaos."

"Spielberg saw it and said, 'This is (expletive) awesome!' " Bay says, and adds: "It's always nice when you can make him swear."

Missing from the list is Megatron, who Bay has already verified is returning. Of interest is the bit about Devastator merging with seven Constructicons, one of which is not Demolisher (the one wheeled guy in the trailer busting through a bridge).

The 2009 Toy Fair pictures and display along with the preview on The Today Show suggested that the toy was a combination of six constructions:
     Demolishor - red O&K/Terex RH400 Hydrolic Mining Excavator (torso)
     Scrapper - yellow Caterpillar 992G Front Loader (right arm)
     Long Haul - green Caterpillar 773B Dump Truck (right leg)
     Mix Master - silver Mack Cement Mixer (head)
     High Tower - yellow Kobelco CK2500 Truss Crane (left arm)
     Rampage - yellow Caterpillar D9L Bulldozer (left leg)

Apparently this is wrong. Instead of Demolisher we have the addition of Scavenger and Overload whose alt modes remain unknown. Suffice it to say I am a bit confused. Either the Toy Fair displays were missing two Constructicons (why do that when the Fairs purpose is to sell a line to vendors?) or USA Today and co have some of their information confused ("The Doctor" vs Scalpel). I guess things will get cleared up a bit more once the toys get released.

Thanks to all the site readers for sending in the links.

Update:As pointed out in the comments, the Toy Fair pictures did show one of the toys with the word "SCVNGR" which even then was identified as Scavenger but dismissed as an error or early production model. Clearly, instead there are two variations of the Hydraulic Mining Excavator as part of the Constructions. One is Demolisher seen early in the film (and now I assume meets a bad end) and the other is Scavenger which helps form the torso of Devastator.

Best guess for Overload is the Komatsu HD465-7 Articulated Dump Truck TFW2005's source provided way back in October. The other six were right so small leap to assume the last is correct too. My best guess in this scenario is Overload is the lower torso that the legs connect to and Scavenger is the upper that the arms and Mixmaster attach to.

Update 2: Oops got my construction vehicles confused. Probably going to do that a few times with the Constructicons.

First Look At Leader Jetfire Packaging

Australian forums OTCA has pictures of Leader class Jetfire packaging for Transformers 2 toy line. Not so much the toy itself but rather what the toy will look like and its box once it is released to market. The pictures were taken at the 2009 Toy Hobby and Nursery Fair in Melbourne, Australia. The toy will be part of wave 2 of the line which I think means a release date of around August 2009.

As the pictures show, Jetfire is the Autobot that uses landing strut as a cane. The packaging also teases with a silouette of the combined mode of Leader Optimus Prime and Jetfire. Overall a good looking figure that will look fantastic after ILM does their magic for the movie. The real question is whether the combined mode is used in the movie. Thanks to Brock and Phil for the link.

Leader Jetfire Bio:

Jetfire grew tired of war a long time ago. The reckless ambition of the Decepticons, and the senseless violence of their war sickened him, and so he left Cybertron to go into hiding. The form he eventually chose on Earth seemed appropriate for one who wished to remain unseen. He slumbered in peace for years. Now, reawakened by the arrival of the war on Earth, he decides once again to enter the fight - this time on the side of the Autobots, and this to end it for good, whatever the cost.

* Yep some comments have been cut if it seems other comments reference things no longer there. In some cases because of the cussing etc, in others because the comments were clearly going to lead to another mini-flame war (whether intended or not). My advice is to simply ignore insults. Its easier on everyone and besides if the person's opinion doesn't matter to you then they probably are not worth the time it takes to reply back. If removing posts does not work (or get to annoyed to continue) I will simply disable comments for this post. Trying this approach because those involved do add to the site, just occasionally go off on tangents so why throw out the baby with the bathwater if it can be avoided (for now).

Turturro Voices Jetfire?

In a translated article by Djeeloo on the Shoot for the Edit forums, from French magazine Premier Cine Live, is an indication that John Turturro (Agent Simmons) will be the voice of Jetfire. Also, signs are not good for Transfan love for the Twins. Thanks to Richard for the link. Slight edits have been made to the original post.

Set: Egypt, in front of Kheops Pyramid, stands an ancient 30’s palace built for King Faruk’s guests.

At “Action”, Shia runs through the yard, stops at the doorstep and hits the door with his shoulder. Megan Fox, John Turturro and Ramon Rodriguez come next and hurry inside the building.

Shia heads up, shout a few words at an imaginary Bumblebee, and gets in. Three cars, the Camaro, the red TRAX and the green BEAT, start quickly and stop a bit further away to look out. The three vehicles are driven by black-suited (and thereby “invisible”) stuntmen behind the smoked glass.

At the end of the day, the crew moves to the third and smallest pyramid, Mykerinos. John Turturro, back as always angry agent Simmons, has to climb up a few stones. This hasn’t been done for 30 years: Too many accident occurred and Egyptians had forbidden it. Turturo will try to run from an imaginary Decepticon.

Michael Bay says: “I had the idea of these two stupid Transformers, Skids and Mudflap. They’re twins who can’t stop bickering, but they do heroic things at the beginning of the movie.

Bumblebee, on his side, has become more serious. He doesn’t want to leave Sam’s parents’ garage. There is also an old Transformer, who loses screws and bolts at every move. And it’s John Turturro voicing him.”

The movie will start at Gyzeh, Egypt, long before pyramids were built, and will end at the same place nowadays, with a huge fight between Autobots and Decepticons.

It’s said that we’ll learn in the movie how pyramids were built. Does it involve any Transformer?

The article is in line with the USA Today article and pictures from last year. Now the "old Transformer" (and voicing) has not officially been identified but Jetfire's bio describing him as having "ancient strength" seems to indicate he is the likely culprit.

Five Toy Demo Videos

Below are videos that demonstrate five of the toys for the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toys. It is a solid way to get a good look at the toys and how they transform. Thanks to Cenjor for the links.

FAB Jetfire, Long Haul, Sideways, etc Galleries

Few new galleries of Transformers 2 Deluxe class toys. From TF08.net, a two page gallery of pictures of various Deluxe Fast Action Battler size Transformers 2 toys. It is a good look at Jetfire, a re-color of Ratchet, Skids, Rampage, and Bumblebee. I think my favorite of the group is Long Haul mostly because he is the creation of Transformers fan Josh Nizzi, hired by Michael Bay for Transformers 2 thanks to his Long Haul art. Makes me wonder if its just a matter of time for Jester and Jolin. The other gallery is from TFormers for Sideways.

Various FABs | Sideways

Three More FABs Toys, Three More Bios

TF08.net, via Seibertron.com, has posted the back of the Fast Action Battler cards for Ratchet, Long Haul (a Constructicon), and Jetfire. Each has a bio that begins with "Around the world, the Autobots battle in secret to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons. Little do they know that an even deeper threat is about to arise..." then gets specific for that character. Of note is verification of Jetfire's character arc of a reformed Decepticon. Pictures are below the bios. Thanks to Katsuhono for the link.

An additional note, the blog logo has been updated thanks to Eoin. Hope you like it, makes it little easier I hope for people to know they landed in the right place for all their movie inforamtion.

Ratchet FAB Bio:

After learning from Ironhide that more Decepticons had been detected on Earth, Autobot Ratchet immediately began research into how best to upgrade his weapons. After two months in his workshop, he developed a new particle beam blaster. Now he needs to find a Decepticon to test it on.

Long Haul FAB bio:

Long Haul never talks, unless he's going to complain about something. The other Decepticons expect him to carry all their stuff, but he'd rather be fighting than transporting a bunch of missiles and laser cannons. He likes to let other robots' gear bounce out of his truck bed, and then tell them it got "lost" on the way.

Jetfire FAB Bio:

After remaining hidden for years, Jetfire is ready to rejoin the fight! He realized the error of the Decepticon way a long time ago. Now, he fights alongside the Autobots, hoping to use his ancient strength to bring his former comrades to justice!

Keychains Reveal Prime, Jetfire Merge?

TFW2005 has posted four pictures (mostly blacked-out) whose silhouettes indicate what characters they could be. One of them (left) seem to verify that that Optimus Prime and Jetfire have a combined mode complete with wings, boosters and a large gun, must like what their Legends class counterparts indicated.

The other key chains look to be Starscream, Megatron, and Bumblebee. That is two classes of Transformer 2 toys that show the combined mode which makes me wonder what other classes it will extend to and whether or not that mode is used in the movie.

Trailer Screenshots and Observations (Updated)

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

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

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

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