Transformers Toys Get Release Date

Zobovor over on alt.toys.transformers (use to post there years ago) via TFW2005 got hold of the Walmart 2009 Spring Modular Guide that reveals that the chain plans to deploy Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toys on May 29th. Wal-Mart's internal release date is probably approved by Hasbro so likely other chains will release the toys around that date also. From the Guide:

*Action Figures is a "win" category for the toy department. Sales for Spring and Summer 2009 will be driven pirmarily off the new Hollywood movies coming to the big screen.

*We will do two mod updates during the season to introduce a couple of the above properties. On March 9, we will do an update to incorporate of the [sic] new Wolverine toys from Hasbro. Then on May 29th, we will do a second update to bring in all of the new Transformers 2 toys to support the movie release.

*Transformers will be far and away the largest action figure license for the year. On May 29th, when we do the mod update, we will dedicate major space on our action figure modular to support this movie event.

TF2 Deluxe Sideswipe Info, Image

Cybertron.ca has posted some information on the design of the deluxe class TF2 toy for Sideswipe. From ACToys is a potential image of his head. Sideswipe is the silver Chevy corvette Centennial seen on various Transformers 2 sets over the summer (potential movie design here). The more information we have about the toys look, the more information we may have about how the character will look in the movie. Below is also the two head pics of Sideswipe put together (left is toy, right is CGI version). Thanks to Minime for the Seibertron link to the info.

-dual shock absorbers for lower legs
-unique feet: formed from the front portion of the car (right front side of the car on the left, left front side on the right), each foot appears to be either a tire split in 2 halves with a stabilizer (foot) sandwiched in between OR a tire sandwiched between 2 stabilizers (meaning he would have roller feet)... probably the 2nd option...
-2 pairs of struts linking the upper legs to the lower torso
-chest is formed from the rear section of the car (outer parts) with a black section in the middle (exposed when you lift up the middle rear section) with a silver Autobot symbol on the right (think Alt. Meister when you lift the hood)
-clear blue windshield hanging off the back
-wheels (near the elbows) and rear car sections (pointing forward) hanging off the arms
-hands: 1 thick thumb and 2 thick fingers (a bit like Blackout)
-head is bit a Megatron-esque, but different... hard to describe... has blue light piping
-middle rear section of the car is pointing up on the back in robot mode (like Trans Scanning Bumblebee) and you can see 4 exhaust pipes
-hood halves hanging off the back as wings (front pointing down)
-red/orangy tail lights
-clear headlights
-blue knees
-car has long and pointy rear view mirrors (probably rubber)
-small molded Corvette symbol on front of the hood

TF2 Optimus Prime Character Summary

TFormers.com has new image from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Leader class Optimus Prime toy that reveals the full character summary that the previous image cut off. The summary is further evidence that Megatron remains dead for the sequel.

With the destruction of Megatron, Optimus Prime thought he was finally, after millions of years, at peace. Little did he know that the escape of Starscream would draw dozens of new Decepticons to Earth. The desire that burns brightest in his spark is that the war will soon end. He is determined to see that end come, and so he works with his human comrades and the other Autobots to hunt the Decepticons that have come to Earth, and destroy them, one by one.

TF2 Dirt Boss In Package

From TFW2005 is the image to the left of Dirt Boss in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen packaging, confirming the toy is at least part of the toy line. It is not verification that the character has a role in the movie or part of Devastator.

LaBeouf's On TF2 Filming Danger

Other websites are posting about My Park Magazine's article the danger Shia felt filming Transformers 2. The article is really re-write of USA Today's orginial article from last week so old news really. Here is the relevant segment for those that missed the article.

"It makes you run fast because you are genuinely terrified," Fox says, looking sun-baked and weary. "And you still feel blanks. With that many guns going off, you don't really know."

It requires an act of faith in the troops who are aiming machine guns toward them.

"I've got 75 military officers firing at me, and I have shrapnel falling on my head that's bigger than my arms. It's hard to be normal," LaBeouf says, sweating after several hours of running and diving in the sand.

"Not that we don't trust (special effects coordinator James D.) Schwalm and the boys," he adds. "But even an eyelash flying at you at 700 miles an hour will cut you. You're running past them, and your clearance is only about 10 feet. These dudes are moving, and if one trips or falls and we run into the muzzle of a blank, that could blow your chest open or burn you."

The danger leads to camaraderie on set between stars and servicemembers. At the conclusion of one sequence, a soldier who spent the blazing day crouched in full battle gear beside a Humvee asks Fox and LaBeouf for an autograph as they pass, apologizing almost shyly as they take his pen and paper.

TF2 Leader Class Optimus Prime

Found by Minime, is the below picture of the Revenge of the Fallen Leader Class Optimus Prime, that is the $40 or so version. In general the toy looks about the same but it appears the transformation has been modified just a touch a lot. I don't have the TF1 Leader version so unable to make a direct comparison.


Update: From reading the comments, including the below image, it appears that the TF2 Leader Optimus is not the re-release I assumed but a nearly complete re-design that has made the toy match much closer to the movie design and much better looking toy overall.

TF2 Toys: Mech Alive, Knock-Out and Deadend

Various more Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy information has been leaked, mostly involving the probable non-character toys and the new gimmick for the line.

The first images below is of Leader class Optimus Prime that introduces "Mech Alive" to the line. The concept is described as "Reveals moving armor panels and internal gears" which might be a new name for the "Automorph Technology" or a modification of the concept.

The next two is confirmation of Deadend's name via a shot of the instruction book and a montage of the character. The final three pictures is the Autobot Knock Out in his package. I doubt either character makes an appearance in the movie but maybe shows up in the video games.