Transformers Vault Dark of the Moon Description

The current edition of Transformers Vault book has provided a concise description of the upcoming Transformers: Dark of the Moon movie. The Vault book is a pictorial look at the history of Transformers and the various collectibles that have been made over the years around the franchise. Thanks to emptygalaxies here is the books description of the movie that he was able to transcribe from a picture he took of the page. Question marks denote that image was to blurry to determine the word.

Spoiler Warning (but not as nearly bad as adaptation info)

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Novelization Spoilers

If you managed to avoid the Transformers: Dark of the Moon spoilers revealed in the comic book adaptation, you can take another stab at it with the official release of the novelization by Peter David. If you don't mind having the entire story spoiled for you (and there are some major twists that are best to not know in advance), then head over to ComicBookMovie.com to read the full story summary from the novel. Thanks to Rumah for the link.

Comments Spoiler Warning: Avoid comments on this post if don't want to be spoiled as discussing the spoilers on this post ONLY are not off topic. Attempts to post spoilers elsewhere will be deleted.

More Dark of the Moon Spoilers from Peru

TFW2005's Neo-Bombshell has provided more spoilers from Transformers: Dark of the Moon to add to the Childrens Book ones. It is a good thing that Transformers is mostly an exercise in eye candy of CGI delights because most of the story secrets have been blown. He was part of a group of people that were allowed to see a 30 minute preview of the film. Based on the description (below), it seems it was a series of disconnected scenes rather than just taking a 30 minute section of the film and showing it. Thanks to Winston for the link.

SPOILER WARNING!

DOTM Children Books Reveal Spoilers

Two images from book removed due to DCMA request from whoever the publisher is. If they had contacted me directly could have learned what else they found questionable but I guess contacting me directly like an adult is beyond their capabilities.

Last week a leak of the comic book adaptation of Transformers: Dark of the Moon revealed major story spoilers from the moon that was significant enough to get Don Murphy to force all sites (including this one) to take them down. The info is significant enough that I don't recommend looking for it. Now this week it seems the childrens' book of "The Lost Autobot" and "Optimus Prime's Friends and Foes" is doing the same thing but not nearly at the same degree as Cth from TFW2005 reports (mirror). Thanks to Feris Othman for the link.

To start with what I don't consider spoilers (the name and alt mode of characters), the images do finally confirm beyond doubt that the alt mode of Wheeljack (aka "Einstein")is the blue Mercedes-Benz E550. A whole lot of hints up to now made it common knowledge but this is the first real piece f official anything that put it all together. This would mean that Wheeljack is the new BFF for Wheelie that Nelson mentioned.

SPOILER WARNING!

DOTM Adaptation Spoilers

Amazon.com has posted a preview of the official comic book adaptation of Transformers: Dark of the Moon. With it comes some major story spoilers if you get lucky with a little trick. Before Amazon corrected it, if you click the cover or "Search inside this book" you get about the first seven and last seven pages of the trade. To the left, click "Surprise Me!" a few times for random pages and would get access to more spoiler filled pages of the comic book. Fortunately, I did get screenshots of 11 pages the one time it worked for me so all the "extra" pages are below along with the spoilers they reveal. The trade is scheduled for release on May 25th.

It should be noted that adaptations usually work from a final movie script along with designs and storyboards offered by production. However, as Sir Peter Jackson points out, there are three phases to a script - writing it, filming it and editing it. As a result what the comic shows for a scene and what the movie shows may not be the same. Certain elements like the major plot points, characters, etc tend to stay static due to cost but the specific details can easily change (scenes, characters, etc being left on cutting room floor).

Update: Four additional pages added from Tempy5's flickr account. I don't consider characters and alt modes to be spoilers. So knowing that, the first set of images do confirm that Soundwave the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG as indicated by the game image. The new bit of information from the four pages is Wheeljack is part of the Autobot cast but look and alt mode remains unknown. The rest below is some major bombshell stuff so consider reading further very carefully.

SPOILER WARNING! Major plots points and potential character death revealed. Proceed at your own risk. SPOILER WARNING!

Dark of the Moon Comic Adaptation Preview Reveals Story Spoilers (Updated)

Per the request of Transformers: Dark of the Moon producer Don Murphy, the copyrighted images and spoilers have been removed. Due to the content of the comments, they have been cut off.

Amazon.com has posted a preview of the official comic book adaptation of Transformers: Dark of the Moon scheduled for release on May 25th. If you click the cover or "Search inside this book" you get about the first seven and last seven pages of the trade. A system error revealed more pages than intended leading to major story points being revealed.

I don't consider characters and alt modes to be spoilers. So knowing that, I will reveal that the leaked images did confirm that Soundwave's alt mode is the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG as indicated by the game image. Also Wheeljack is a confirmed Autobot in the movie but I saw only has his name being said. Did not see his robot mode or vehicle mode to confirm if "Einstein", the blue 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550.

It should be noted that adaptations usually work from a final movie script along with designs and storyboards offered by production. However, as Sir Peter Jackson points out, there are three phases to a script - writing it, filming it and editing it. As a result what the comic shows for a scene and what the movie shows may not be the same. Certain elements like the major plot points, characters, etc tend to stay static due to cost but the specific details can easily change (scenes, characters, etc being left on cutting room floor).

If you wish to seek out the spoilers, that is up to you. Be warned the pages did reveal major plot and character developments in the story. If you are even a little bit sensitive about spoilers it is advised to not seek out that information.

DOTM To Spin Moon Conspiracy Theory

Transformers: Dark of the Moon producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura recently spoke to the Associated Press about how the moon landing ties into the movie plot and add a spin to moon conspiracy theories. Not that it was staged. We all know that rumour is a bunch of bunk.

No, this story involves what Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were doing during those 21 minutes of radio and video silence on the Apollo 11 mission. You think they were turning over rocks and drinking Tang? Think again. Turns out the two astronauts were actually bouncing over to the dark side of the moon, investigating a crashed alien space ship that turned out to be — yes — a massive Transformer robot.

"We give you a whole new reason why the moon landing actually did happen," says Lorenzo di Bonaventura, producer of the Transformers movies. "Everyone was right. The conspiracy existed. It was just a different one than people thought."

"With moon conspiracies, there's a contradiction at work," says di Bonaventura. "There's a deep-seated romanticism about the moon with the poetry and romantic settings. Then you have this notion that there's this gigantic lie propagated about what may be 20th Century man's greatest single achievement."

What catches my eye isn't a summary that the teaser trailer hinted at but the idea that The Ark just might be an actual Transformer like Omega Supreme that Transformers fans has been theorizing for months now. However, before you see this as confirmation note that the information didn't come from Lorenzo but the article writer so for now the idea remains rumor only. (via TFW2005, thanks to Chris and Sahara for link)

Pakistan DOTM Description

While we have two possible dates for the next release of the trailers for Transformers: Dark of the Moon, one thing we still are not clear about is the may thrust of the plot of the film. Atrium Cinemas, in Karachi, Pakistan apparently has some insight based on their description of the film:

"The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and learn its secrets, which could turn the tide in the Transformers' final battle."

No idea if this is based on information provided by the studio or if something derived only from the trailer. Something else to add to all the speculation.

TF3 Trailer Ship Identified

Call it a result of the trickle of Transformers: Dark of the Moon news, but guess can't hurt to know that someone close to the production has identified the ship in the teaser trailer as "The Ark". Probably not a surprise to anyone. The more or less official confirmation comes from two posts by Nelson, the admin of MB.com that has access to info about the movie.

The first post was a comment from an article by CollectSpace.com that is an interesting, if overzealous comparison with the real Apollo 11 mission. Spoiler, the trailer isn't historically accurate.

Not that I missed, I simply didn't care.

A 1956 Continental Mark II convertible could've been parked next to the Ark on the moon and I would've not cared.

I guess someone needed some web hits!

The second post was to correct the assumption that Michael Bay did not direct the footage used in the trailer.

Wrong. He said initially he didn't have anything to do with it and then later became totally involved. Who do you think shot those NASA, astronauts walking on the moon, and Ark scenes?

The "news" is mostly trivia fun for the Transfans. Much like the Nemesis in Revenge of the Fallen I doubt it will be identified by name in the movie. From a story perspective the ship itself is the important part, the name not so much. It could be called “The Bayhem” for all impact the name will have on the overall story arc. Hopefully if the identified by name in the story, they stick with The Ark.

One a related note, the image to the right theorizes that the ship that Shia and Rosie filmed on in Detroit could be an escape pod or something from the Ark. Thanks to John for the pic. Speculate away in the comments (but keep it civil or will just delete your comment).

Transformers 3 Plot Summary

From the same source that revealed the official title of TF3 as Transformers: The Dark of Moon now provides us with the official plot summary for the movie. The information comes from Amazon, via TFW2005, with an early entry for Transformers 3 Push-Pops, which are books with pop-up pages based on the movie. Well "plot" might be too strong a word as it doesn't reveal a thing that Michael Bay didn't talk about more than four months ago in a USA Today article. With minor tweaks this could be used to describe many episodes of the Generation 1 cartoon series. Thanks to Kris for the heads-up.

The Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, are back in action, taking on the evil Decepticons, who are determined to avenge their defeat in 2009’s Transformers Revenge of the Fallen. In this new movie, the Autobots and Decepticons become involved in a perilous space race between the U.S. and Russia, and once again human Sam Witwicky has to come to the aid of his robot friends. There's new characters too, including a new villain in the form of Shockwave, a longtime "Transformers" character who rules Cybertron while the Autobots and Decepticons battle it out on Earth.

One Name Theory Rejected, Two Confirmed (Updated)

In a new series of posts from Nelson, the webmaster for MichaelBay.com, more info on the Mercedes Benz E550 Autobot and another name for the Nascar vehicles has been rejected. One theory for the Benz is he is the replacement alt mode for Jolt. Not unreasonable considering the similar color scheme and shape.

Nelson posts the "Mercedes is not Jolt." He does indicate if Jolt is or is not in the movie so that remains unknown. He then later eleborates, "the blue Mercedes and the Einstein-looking bot are the same" confirming the suspicions of some. Sadly, "Einstein" remains nameless, with Nelson previously rejecting Kup and Perceptor as names. The current contender now seems to be Wheeljack. Thanks to Chris for the links.

While posting about the Benz, he also went ahead and quickly rejected another name about the Nascar vehicles. Previously guesses included Stunticons and Omnibots and now Nelson adds Rallybots to the rejection pile with a simple post of "No." to the idea.

The new theory, and maybe the best one yet, comes from an extra set report, who reportedly heard that TF3 production crew called them the "Wreckers" (now confirmed, see update below). Of all the names, I could see this one speaking to Bay the most simply due to his love of causing mass destruction. It also fits for their look with all the artillery. The Wreckers was created specifically for the comics by Simon Furman as an Autobot commando unit comprised of various and changing G1 characters. The IDW series, The Last Stand of the Wreckers is the most recent use of the team in comic continuity. Image and link from TFW2005.

Update: More from Nelson this time on the TFW2005 forums. He verified that the name of the Nascar cars with the post "They're Wreckers." He then followed that up with, "That's what they're referred to as on the set," confirming the set report on that regard. Last, he made a correction (with pic) on the model of the Mercedes Benz as an E550, not E350 as I had guess incorrectly as the number from pictures. Still not sure of the year but assume 2011. The cheat sheet has been updated accordingly.

Opening Scene for Transformers 3?

Chud.com has posted a brief description of what the opening scene to Transformers 3 could be. It could be fake as the described scene ties directly into the information revealed last month about a major plot point being the space race between the United States and the USSR as Bay said, "It ties in what we know as history growing up as kids with what really happened." We probably will not know the validity of this particular rumor until the movie is released but spoiler warning just in case. Highlight the below to read.

There’s a disturbance on the Moon. A robot shaped disturbance. Scientists on Earth see this and the information gets passed up the chain of command. In the White House men in black suits are breathlessly running through the halls, and they burst into the Oval Office. The president is behind the desk, back turned to the door, looking out the window. One of the men tells the president, 'Sir, something's happened on the Moon!' The president turns around.

It's John F. Kennedy.

Yes, the opening scene of Transformers 3 takes place in 1961 or 1962. The gist of the story has to do with the Transformers' involvement in the space race, and this is the reason why JFK was so hot to make sure America was first to the Moon. It sounds like a fun direction; there are a lot of stupid conspiracy theories about Neil Armstrong et al meeting ETs on the Moon, and this is a fun way to play with them. I hear this was Spielberg's idea, and it really does sound like something he'd come up with. If you're like me and you like the Spielberg-influenced Transformers but hate the mostly Spielberg-free Transformers 2, this is all good news.

End of description.

Transformers 3 Villain, Plot, 3D and Trilogy End

USA Today has posted an article that reveals the most information yet about Transformers 3 including who the main villain is, what the basic plot is about, the final word on 3D, a returning cast member and more in talking with Director Michael Bay and Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventure. Thanks to Christopher for the link.

With shooting underway on a third movie and plans to debut next summer, Michael Bay and Co. acknowledge missteps with the last one and aim to upgrade the shape-shifting robot franchise with a more coherent story, less goofball humor and a pledge that characters who die will stay dead. It will also be in 3-D.

"I'll take some of the criticism," says Bay, standing at a set built to resemble a dilapidated nuclear reactor. "It was very hard to put (the sequel) together that quickly after the writers' strike (of 2007-08)."

"This one really builds to a final crescendo. It's not three multiple endings," the director says.

Bay calls the second film's villain, The Fallen, "kind of a (expletive) character." The new movie's foe is certain to make fans of the original '80s incarnation smile: Shockwave, the robot cyclops-turned-laser-cannon, who became dictator of their home world of Cybertron after the other Autobots and Decepticons journeyed to Earth.

"One thing we're getting rid of is what I call the dorky comedy," Bay adds. So the twins, the two bumbling, slang-spewing robots? "They're basically gone," he says, though John Turturro returns for comic relief.

The new film features Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) taking his first tenuous steps into adulthood while remaining a reluctant human ally of Optimus Prime. "Shia has this great line: 'You know, I've saved the world twice, but I can't get a job,' " di Bonaventura says.

"I love Megan and I miss the girl," LaBeouf says, flecked with fake blood and dirt during a break between shooting. "But Sam and Mikaela became one character, and here ... you have discovery again from a new perspective."

Plot details are under wraps, but it delves into the space race between the U.S.S.R. and the USA, suggesting there was a hidden Transformers role in it all that remains one of the planet's most dangerous secrets. "The movie is more of a mystery," Bay says. "It ties in what we know as history growing up as kids with what really happened."

While Optimus Prime, Megatron and even Sam all have died and been resurrected, di Bonaventura says this film will have no do-overs: Die, and that's it.

Bay hints that there may be a lot of that. "As a trilogy, it really ends," he says. "It could be rebooted again, but I think it has a really killer ending."

To summarize the information:
- The movie is in 3D, no official word if shot in 3D or converted but likely the latter
- Big bad is Shockwave. Alt mode unknown, in G1 cartoons it was a laser gun and in later incarnations it was a Cybertronian tank.
- John Turturro returns and Agent Simmons
- Twins "basically gone", which I read as they come and probably go violently from the movie early on
- Plot focuses on the "hidden" story behind the space race of the 60s through 80s.

Shia: "Targeting Humans" in TF3

Shia LaBeouf continues his promotion of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps at the Cannes Film Festival. While there, NME.com asked him about Transformers 3.

“When I saw the second movie, I wasn't impressed with what we did," he said. "There were some really wild stunts in it, but the heart was gone... we got lost. We tried to get bigger. Mike [director Michael Bay] went so big that it became too big, and I think you lost the anchor of the movie."

He added: “You lost a bit of the relationships. Unless you have those relationships, then the movie doesn't matter. Then it’s just a bunch of robots fighting each other.”

Of Transformers 3, he added: “There's going to be a lot of death, human death” as “this time they're targeting humans”.

It almost sounds like the Transformers war may add a new front to the battle.

Transformers Dark of the Moon Cheat Sheet

A cheat sheet (so spoiler warning) for Transformers: Dark of the Moon as information comes in. I have tagged items based on validity of the information. Rumor means the info comes second hand or through unofficial sources. Unverified means it comes from credible sources or seems likely. Verified means it was either provided from people with the movie or through mainstream media sources that are unlikely to be lied too (but no guarantees). If I miss anything note it in the comments or email me as I intend to keep this updated. The below is ultimately speculation until officially confirmed through those with the production.

Transformers 3 Script Completed?

In an interview with MTV during ShoWest in Las Vegas, Josh Duhamel once again confirmed his next project is Transformers 3 and confirmed the script is finished. "I read it yesterday," he said of the script. "I think that after reading it, I was really pleasantly surprised and happy. They did a great job."

From MTV:

Duhamel's comments confirm what Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner told MTV News earlier this year. "You're going to see that great core mythology brought to the fore, and Michael [Bay] is hard at work at making this a reality and we're very excited about it," he said.

Does that mean we might catch a glimpse of the Dinobots, those classic robots who morph into dinosaurs? Duhamel paused when asked that question before admitting, "I can't tell you."

Considering that production is probably still a few months away, it wouldn't surprise me if Josh read a finished draft of the film but that further tweaking is still ongoing. Thanks to Christopher for the link.

Transformers 3 Returning to "Core Mythology"?

Last week MTV spoke with Michael Bay about Transformers 3 and this week its Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner who revealed what sounds like a back to basics for the Transformers franchise. From the article:

"You’re going to see that great core mythology brought to the fore, and Michael is hard at work at making this a reality and we’re very excited about it," the series executive producer and Hasbro head Brian Goldner told MTV News. "I mean, I think it’s a great time to put it out in 2011 and we’re very excited about the movie."

"What we’re really doing is getting back to some of the core character development and storytelling. And I think there’s some elements of the core story that the filmmakers, Michael in particular wanted to tell," Goldner explained. "He’s really well-versed in the Transformers lore. So I think you’ll see, you know, less bedlam, more characters."

So far "characterization" seems to be the key word here, how that goal translates into a script and then a movie should be interesting to see.

Transformers Writers Talk Twins, Not Doing TF3

In a new interview from IGN, Transformers: ROTF writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman talk aobut their long writing careers that began back in the Xena and Hercules days all the way to their curent projects such as Fringe and the sequel to Star Trek. Below are the Transformers relevant portions, click here to read the entire interview.

IGN: ...during the panel you talked about warning others involved in the movie about the way Mudflap and Skids were portrayed in Transformers 2 and how it was going to be received. When you lose a battle like that, do you try and stop from going on every message board to defend yourself? The projects you work on are group efforts, but obviously a lot of people online don't always realize that when they see your name as writers.
Orci: Yeah, you've got to take responsibility for everything. We're all in it together and it's a harmony. It's a joint venture. And a lot of things will be expressed that way.

IGN: Why did you decide not to do Transformers 3?
Kurtzman: I think it was largely a matter of the fact that we have a couple other movies on their feet and some television things happening now, and didn't feel we could responsibly do it and give it what it needed. Cowboys & Aliens is a very full time job right now and we should be focusing on that, because it took awhile to get it on its feet.
Orci: And the second one we didn't think we could responsibly do, and that's why we were so happy to team up with Ehren Kruger, who was amazing. This time, I think even teaming up with him, we wouldn't be able to give him what would be fair. And it's really a matter of time, but again, the best idea should win, and they need an idea now. We don't have one right now, so…

IGN: Mudflap and Skids became such a controversial focal point of the second movie. Have you resigned yourself to the fact that people are going to ask you about them for a long time to come?
Orci: Yeah. I think… Michael [Bay]'s spoken about this. His intentions certainly weren't to insult anybody or anything like that. When you get in with comedians and you're doing voiceovers and you're improvising and you're mixing and matching lines, you don't always see how it's going to turn out. So certainly there was no bad intention I think on anybody's part.

Orci, Kurtzman Not Returning

Roberto Orci has confirmed that he and his writing partner Alex Kurtzman are not returning to write Transformers 3 on the Don Murphy forums.

So Bob and Alex is it true. you wont be involved this time round.
It's true.

Sorry to hear that Roberto, really I am. Are we in good hands with Mr. Kruger? Does he know his Transformers?
He does. He really did his homework. He's awesome.

There you have it. Orci and Kurtzman are out, Ehren Kruger is in. Whether that is good news or not probably depends on your feelings regarding much of the humor of the second film (the Twins, Devastator's balls, etc) as most of that came from the minds of Bay and Kruger. As always, time will tell. Link from TFW2005.