Transformers Linkfest - TF: Prime Toys

Transformers: Prime season 2 is coming and with it is the toys. With this linkfest edition we have links to galleries of upcoming Prime toys and video reviews. Also a look at the latest WST toy, toy fair news, Generation 2 prototypes, DOTM contest winner and return of Marvel Transformers continuity. Finally we have reviews of several third party toys including the final components of Hercules, a Devastator upgrade kit, and interview with the narrator from the G1 cartoons.

Transformers: Prime Galleries - Hasbro Pics | Voyager Megatron in box | Wheeljack, etc in package | Deluxe Bumblebee | Deluxe Bumblebee | Deluxe Ratchet | Deluxe Arcee
The next non movie wave of Transformers, based on the Transformers: Prime cartoon, is now about to get released. It has already been released in the UK and Japan. There are reports that Toys R Us stores in the US are starting to stock them. This means lots of galleries as the volume of links show. Over all have to say like the designs but at this point I am just glad to see something that isn't based on the movies. By the way, Hasbro once again decided to rename their classes, just to keep things confusing. There is Cyberverse (Legend), Revealers (Deluxe), and Powerizer (Voyager). I will stick with the old naming class scheme as just less confusing to me.

Transformers Limited Edition Pinball Review

The Transformers Limited Edition Pinball machine from Stern is now out and Chris Bucci has posted part 1 of his look at the latest addition to the collection. The $5000 plus machine is based on the movie universe and came out in various limited edition. In the below video he talks about his love of Transformers, unboxing, assembling, along with the various different versions Stern created. If you are a pinball and/or Transformers fan, worth a look.

Transformers Pinball Clips and Images

Stern has posted new images and video clips showing off their latest creation, the Transformers Pinball machine. The game is based on the Transformers movies with various character specific gags. Details can be found here, images here, and videos below.

   

The Hub of Transformers Tour

Hasbro's The Hub network along with Blockbuster video (they still around?) have announced a fall tour to promote the network, the season finale of Transformers: Prime, the home video release of Dark of the Moon and the upcoming Transformers: The Ride in 3D that is opening in Universal Studios Hollywood next year. The tour is currently schedule to run from 9/30 to 10/22 hitting 8 Blockbuster stores in six states. The tour is supported with a Facebook contest for chance "to be among first to experience" Transformers: The Ride and will have the Bumblebee Camaro or Sideswipe Corvette on hand. Based on the dates, the tour has two traveling caravans with a TF car attached to each. Below are the locations, click here for the full press release along with mockups of what the tour will look like.

"Transform Your Treat" With Hostess Contest

As promised by Paramount's press release on the home video release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Hostess has started their "Transform Your Treat" contest for a chance to win $25,000. The contest, which runs from September 12th to October 16th, is supported by a TF themed website and limited edition TF named snack food. The boxes (below) will also include a $4 rebate on the purchase of the movie. Press release below.

TRANSFORM YOUR TREAT WITH HOSTESS®
FOR A CHANCE TO WIN $25,000
This Halloween Hostess joins with “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” to offer an online sweepstakes with exciting prizes
Irving, TX, September 14, 2011 - Hostess®, maker of America's most iconic snack cakes, is partnering with Paramount Home Entertainment this Halloween to offer consumers a chance to win a grand prize of $25,000 and a host of other “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” prizes with the “Transform Your Treat” instant win game. As part of the alliance, Hostess is also introducing limited-edition TRANSFORMERS-themed snack cakes featuring OPTIMUS PRIME®, SHOCKWAVE™, BUMBLEBEE™, and SENTINEL PRIME™ from the box-office blockbuster movie, based on the iconic Hasbro TRANSFORMERS brand, in grocery stores across the country.

Close-Up With Special Edition Transformers Camaro

Transformers fans with the money will have an opportunity to own Bumblebee starting this September. Available for purchase now for sale next month, the package lets you own a tricked out 2012 Chevrolet Camaro with Transformers: Dark of the Moon inspired touches. A new article and video (below) from GM breaks down all the details from Adam Berry, Senior Creative Manager at GM who helped work on the special edition. Images of the car can be found at Camaro5.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Linkfest

Time for a little cleanup on miscellaneous stuff that has popped up related to Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Links include a look at custom figures, a chance for Nebraskans to see two DOTM vehicles, a TF limo, new apparel line and more video reviews.

Customized DOTM Ironhide, Megatron and Sentinel Prime
Hit the link for a look at the custom figures based on the Dark of the Moon toys, each with a new gorgeous paint jobs, lights and other custom details that really make the figures stand out.

Gearing Up for DOTM
An interesting article with Tactical Pro Shop CEO Matthew Kime as he talks about how his company help outfit the gear that NEST wore in Dark of the Moon. “We started this project in Feb. 2010, so we had to be very proactive regarding where things are heading, plus integrate conceivable pieces of tech that this ‘elite’ unit would have had developed for their mission.” The company also helped on ROTF, helping with supplies when the shoot ran short in China.

ILM, Hasbro Thank Michael Bay

Industrial Light & Magic and Hasbro each paid for ads in the Hollywood Reporter to Michael Bay for Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Below are the ads as posted on MB.com.

Transformers: DOTM US Premiere Video

Last night was the US red carpet premiere of Transformers: Dark of the Moon at Times Square in New York City. At the time, it was posted live by Yahoo! Movies but for that missed it, below is a summary of the precedings.

Transformers 3 Chevy Rollout Commercial

If you love the cars of Transformers: Dark of the Moon you will like the video below. It is a glorified commercial for the Chevy cars used in the movie and has little to do with promoting the movie beyond using footage from it.

New Dark of the Moon Clip

A new clip aired today when Shia LaBeouf appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman and than put up on Yahoo! Movies. The clip is a confrontation between Sam and National Intelligence Director Mearing. Shia's appearance on the show can be found here where he related the story of an argument he had with Bay. Thanks to Sam for the heads-up.

"I know his name" Clip

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Collector's Posters

Mondo Tees has announced a giveaway and special sale for two posters they created specifically for Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The giveaway portion is the first 3000 ticket holders to the Arclight Hollywood in Los Angeles will be given a print of one of the posters below. The sale portion is @MondoNews on twitter will announce when a variant of the same poster will be available to buy on Wednesday. I am not clear which is the giveaway poster and which is the one to buy. Personally I am not interested in buying a print do find the artwork interesting. Press release and poster images below. Thanks to emptygalaxies for the heads-up.

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON
Mondo has partnered with Paramount Pictures for a special in-theatre giveaway. Mondo commissioned Artist Jesse Phillips to design a limited-edition TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON movie collector’s print. Arclight Hollywood in Los Angeles is the only theatre where this print will be handed out at the Tuesday midnight shows of the latest installment of TRANSFORMERS. The first 3,000 ticket holders at the Tuesday midnight shows will receive one of these collector’s items.

Additionally, Mondo will have a variant of the poster available for sale at MondoTees.com on Wednesday, June 29. Follow @MondoNews for on sale announcement.

Artist: Jesse Phillips
Size: 18x36
Edition: 200 (Variant)

2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro Announced

Chevy has announced their plans to release the 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro. This would be the second time the company has done this as they also release a Transformers inspired version of the car in 2009. Ordering begins in July for September delivery that adds a $3000 to the cost of the car. Below is the press release.

DETROIT – The Chevrolet Camaro returns as the Autobot “Bumblebee” in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which opens exclusively in 3D Tuesday and worldwide Wednesday. To celebrate, Chevrolet will offer a 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro Coupe to Bumblebee fans in the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Europe, South America, and the Middle East.

“The Transformers franchise has helped introduce Camaro – and Chevrolet – to a whole new generation of fans,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “Its role in the films helped make the Camaro the best-selling sports car in America, and one of the best-known cars of any kind around the world.”

The fifth-generation Camaro previously played Bumblebee in the 2007 film Transformers and in the 2009 film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The films generated $1.5 billion in global box-office sales, and helped reintroduce the Camaro to consumers after a seven-year hiatus from dealerships.

In 2009, the Camaro was the most-searched-for car on the web, according to Yahoo!Autos, even though the first models didn’t arrive at dealers until late that year. In 2010, the Camaro assumed leadership of the U.S. sports car market from the Ford Mustang for the first time in 24 years. This year, the Camaro continues to lead the segment, fueled by the introduction of the Camaro Convertible. Chevrolet has sold 40,275 Camaros this year, compared to the Mustang sales of 30,206.

That momentum is expected to accelerate early next year with the introduction of the 550-hp (405 kW) 2012 Camaro ZL1, as well as limited-edition models such as the Transformers Special Edition.

The 2012 Transformers Special Edition will be offered as a $3,000 package on 2LT and 2SS Camaro Coupes with Rally Yellow paint. In addition to the content offered in the popular RS appearance package, the Transformers edition will feature black rally stripes that stretch over the hood, roof, decklid and unique high-wing rear spoiler; 20-inch, black-painted wheels wrapped in high-performance summer tires; and Autobot Shield logos on the center caps and front quarter panels.

Inside, the Transformers Camaro has a black leather interior accented with yellow stitching on the instrument panel, center console, armrests and seats. Autobot Shield logos are embroidered on the front headrests, as well as the center console lid.

Two dealer-installed options are also available: exclusive, 21-inch, black-painted wheels and a black ground-effects package.

Customers may begin ordering the 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro in July, with vehicles arriving at dealers in the U.S. and Canada in September.

US DOTM Premiere Live Streaming Event

Paramount Pictures has announced that they are teaming with Yahoo! Movies to stream the US Premiere of Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The red carpet streaming will start tomorrow June 28th at 5:30pm EST and likely be in plenty of time for people to hit their theatres for the 9:00pm early 3D release of the movie. On a related note, here are two galleries from two other country premieres - Berlin & United Kingdom. The live stream will be here.

More from DOTM World Premiere With Linkin Park Performance

Thursday was the World Premiere of Transformers: Dark of the Moon at the Moscow International Film Festival. As part of that, after the movie Linkin Park held a live performance that included Iridescent. MTV has posted an intro and video of the performance (below) that includes quick snippets from the cast talking about the band. If you just want to see and hear the performance, Linkin Park has posted the same video (also below) without the cast introductions. In case you missed it before, the last video is the YouTube embed of Paramount's behind the scenes video at the World Premiere. Last, click here for gallery of images from the group press conference. So far I have not seen it online so unable to post about it. ET's also posted a report from the concert (video here) which said MTV and VH1 will be airing the concert at 7PM EST. Thanks to Mackie for the link.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon's Moscow World Premiere (Updated)

Today, Transformers: Dark of the Moon premiered in Moscow. The film opens the Moscow International Film Festival. As with all premieres, you get your usual red green carpet images of the stars and director. Linkin Park was also on hand with a free concert. With it comes a press conference and shorter one-on-one interviews. No press conference video yet available but below are links to galleries and video embeds of interviews with the cast. I will likely add links and whatever else that pops up as more news from the premiere hits the web. Thanks to Eanetdude for some links and Tamar for Moscow pics.

Update: Added more links to galleries and a new video from Paramount that summarizes the day's festivities with a tilt (of course) to promote the movie.

Galleries: TFormers | TFW2005 | MB.com | PopSugar | MovieGeeks (Linkin Park) | Movieline
Links: MTV Blog | THR | We Are Movie Geeks | Collider

Video Interview Summaries:

Dark of the Moon Linkfest

Transformers: Dark of the Moon is now less than a week away from release. Thursday will mark the world premiere in Moscow even it seems Michael Bay and company already really premiered it in Rio de Janeiro and other places, but just didn't throw a party for it like they are in Moscow. In case this is another chance to get caught up on Dark of the Moon related stuff.

Takara Heat Scramble Booster Pack Art
Heat Scramble is apparently a collectible card game that Takara makes for the Japan market. For our purposes it is mostly just a great way to look at unique artwork inspired by all three Transformers movies.

Diecast Transformers Vehicles Coming
Full Metal Hero is reporting that Tomica (part of Takara-Tomy) is planning to release a die cast vehicle line around the movie version of Transformers. Think of them as (probably) higher quality matchbox cars. This is for the Japan market only.

Brazil Dark of the Moon Screening Mini-Review

Brazilian website The Omelette (english) has posted a mini-review of the 1st worldwide screening of the completed version of Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon that Michael Bay attended in Rio de Janeiro.

The translation is imperfect but in short the writer seemed to enjoy the movie, especially the 3D, noting that the franchise has returned to its roots and is better than the Revenge of the Fallen. (via S4TE) Thanks to someone in the comments, here is a better translation to English.

Transformers Release Bumped Up Again

Deadline reports that Paramount's internal projections are indicating they could make $150 million at the US box office over the five day 4th of July weekend. In a desire to exceed or surpass that number they have decided to announce "an exclusive 3D and IMAX engagement" for Tuesday, June 28th at 9PM. Paramount had previously bumped the release date from July 1st to June 29th. They also did this for Super 8.

The exact details are unknown the time frame allows time for theatres to still do 12:01AM showings. If I recall correctly, Paramount did the same thing for Revenge of the Fallen. Personally I have my tickets for the 7PM showing of The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Extended Edition showing and the 12:01am Transformers: Dark of the Moon in IMAX 3D so it has no impact on my movie plans for that day.

Dark of the Moon Linkfest

The movie news keeps coming and expect to ramp up even more with the world premiere in Moscow, the various talk show appearances and who knows what else. This is probably the best time to squeeze in various Transformers: Dark of the Moon news related to toys, promotions, toy reviews, Kre-O reviews, Oakley 3D glasses and more.

Life Sized Transformers Scrap Metal Statues
At this link is a few pictures of Transformers created over the years from scrap metal. I think I have posted about most of them at some time or another but nice to see them collected together. If want to check out more Optimus Prime, click here. Thanks to Feris for the link.

Soundwave Toys Coming
Now that we know that Soundwave's earth mode is a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, it is just a matter of time before the toys would come out. Full Metal Hero is reporting that three of them are in the works - a Human Alliance with Laserbeak, Deluxe Soundwave, and Cyberverse Legion. Expected release date is October, sadly no images yet.