Transformers This and That

Just a few random Transformer related things that I have collected over the last few weeks.

Robot Chicken: Transformers - Thanks to Mindy for the link. Apparently Peter Cullen was approached to voice this skit but declined. Not sure who the replacement voice is but probably one of the regular cast.

Transformers Nike Pack - Nike plans on released Transformers related shoes in 2009. The pack will come in GS sizes (whatever that means). Thanks to AirForce1s for the link and pictures.


Bonecrusher Goes to Afghanistan - The Daily Star reports that the US Department of Defense will send the Buffalo to Afghanistan. The model was used as Bonecrusher in the first film before his demise at the hands of Optimus Prime's sword. The vehicle is part of a fleet of 700 new vehicles that are going to the region. Thanks to Chris for the link.

Almost Transformers - Rather bizarre video that shows people disguised as appliances and scaring people. Thanks to Stefan for the link.


Chinese Transformers Movie - In last bit of information is news that Jeffrey Lau plans on directing a Transformers like film for China. The title of the film is Robot and "present a refreshing look at Chinese robots for people who are used to stereotypical Hollywood figures like Spiderman and Superman." The filming starts November 19th in China. Yay copycats, I guess.

Transformers 2 On the USS John C. Stennis

From Seibertron.com comes news that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen production spent November 1st and 2nd filming on the USS John C. Stennis. This contradicts news from Nelson that shooting wrapped around the end of the month. Roberto Orci had suggested that production may wrap on November 5th but at this point I guess we will not know for sure until Bay pops up somewhere and announces it.

The filming involved Michael Bay and the core Transformers 2 cast of Shia Labeouf, Megan Fox, Tyrese Gibson and Josh Duhamel. Filming occurred on "closed sets" and on the flight deck showing normal operations. Duhamel and Tyrese where in dress uniforms while Shia had "beat-up" makeup on so difficult to tell exactly where in the storyline the scenes might be for.

The full set report with pictures can be found here.

Thanks to Rich for the heads-up.

More Constructicon Toy Rumors (Updated)

s250 has provided another rumor regarding the Devastator toy. S250 previously posted the information about Megatron and Sideswipe's possible movie designs.

At local agent clearance event, I met their product manager. He gave me a little blur information about Devastator.
We have some rumor and speculations about Devastator likes Energon Optimus Prime [pic above - TFLive], and his words proved this. In the Gestalt version, most construction vehicles just transformable drones as a part of Devastator, no robot mode.
These vehicles will get Deluxe version, can transform to robots, but I think Deluxe version can't combine.
And he's not very sure about the members number.

And he mentioned Optimus Prime and Jetfire combine, but no details.

Judging from last year, the toys are often a solid guide to what a character looks like and how used in the movie. In this case I have no real clue what to make of this description except that it continues to feed the rumor that the famed gestalt will appear in the movie.

Update: TFW2005 has posted a little bit more information about Devastator from S250.

Devastator Gestalt toy will be formed as follows:

Dump Truck - Right Leg, Bulldozer - Left Leg, Wheel Loader - Right Arm, Truss Crane - Left Arm, Excavator - Right Shoulder, Articulated Dump Truck - Left Shoulder, Cement Mixer - Head

S250 has also received an update regarding his previous information, the update being that six of the seven components (the lone exception being the Truss Crane) also apparently have a robot mode. The Truss Crane is listed as having "no robot form".

Megan Fox as Wonder Woman

From Wonder-Who.com is the below image of Megan Fox as Wonder Woman. It has nothing to do with Transformers but I figured the Megan Fox fans wouldn't mind considering how good she looks and how well done the photo shop design of the costume is on her. Now this site nor the image has anything to do with a rumored Wonder Woman feature film. Currently that movie is in limbo with no script and no director so this is entirely for fun...but it does get you thinking (which may very well be the point).

Orci Answers More Questions

Here are more questions asked by fans and answered by Transformers writer Roberto Orci over at TFW2005. There really isn't much new information (unless you just want to read more into his replies then need to). My comments in parenthesis and italics.
On what day did / will filming end?
two days left
(This suggests that filming will end on November 6th, which contradicts the post on Michael Bay's board. Not sure what to make of it, could just mean that 1st unit wrapped last week and 2nd unit wraps this week.)

How do you and your writing team go about selecting characters and storyline
for movie?
Different for each movie. For TF2, we start with the characters we know we have to have and start by imagining what they'd be up to two years later if we were merely thinking realistically, and we go from there.

Will Primus be mentioned/referenced in Revenge of the Fallen?
Perhaps... certainly some form of deep back story and mythology will be important
(I read that as no on Primus, but yes on some established Transformer mythology might be used, possibly in the backstory of the Fallen?)

When I think of the decepticon Soundwave, three things come to mind: 1) His distinctive vocoder voice, 2) His loyalty to Megatron, 3) His (cassette) partners such as Ravage & Laserbeak. My question is, will we experience all three of these characteristics in the next movie?
All signs point to yes

I was wondering if the Beasties had any influence in the Original Transformers design. Can we expect more beast-like qualities/references?
Not for us. We didn't indicate that type of design in the writing. You'd have to ask Bay and Hasbro and designers.

Can you comment on this supposed concept art for Soundwave?
I thought you said he wasn't going to be a pickup truck?
This concept art appears to imply it is Ravage who is a truck, no?
(I read this as a non-answer where he is not confirming nor denying anything.)

Are their going to be evil humans that work with the decepticons?
Certainly, not every human will be on their side.
(This could hint at the rumor on Alice...or it could just mean any number of other things.)

How much input is given to Jablonsky on the score? Or do you happily let him do his own thing? Will there be more, separate, themes for the Decepitcons?
The input he was given in general was to make sure the score was more melodic and classic in nature, rather than being too electronic, which could be a temptation when dealing with robots.

Have you ever, even fleetingly, discussed a nod or crossover with G.I. Joe with Lorenzo di Bonaventura? Or does that film being set ten years into the future prohibit the idea?
No, but in a way, the Transformers vs GI Joe series inspired the first movie -- hence the heavy soldier presence. In a way, that is what we did.

Simpsons' Transformers Parody

Last night The Simpsons' aired a parody of Transformers as part of its annual Treehouse of Horror episode. While the TF section was said to be inspired by the movies, it seemed to me to be mostly inspired by the 1980s cartoon. Either way it was usual goofy Simpsons fun. Below is the video from Transformers Matrix of that section of the episode.


Update: Via Hulu.com, here is the entire Simpsons's Treehouse of Horror episode in better quality then the above. The Transformers section begins about a minute and a half into the episode.

"It's A Wrap!"

From Bay's official blog:

Nelson here..

As of this week, principal photography for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has ended.

Congrats to Michael and his team.

It probably ended around the same time that Shia was spotted at LAX so October 27th or 28th. Now begins the editing of the film together, finalizing of FX work for scenes, working on the music, sound effects and casting of the Transformer voices. Thanks to Rich for the heads-up.

To echo the above, congratulations to Michael and the cast and crew of Transformers 2. Also a big thanks from me to all the site readers for the information they provided and keeping me (and therefore everyone else) up to date on the movie production.

There is still a lot of work for Bay and company to do (including getting that teaser trailer together) so still plenty to post about in the future.