Fox-y New Movie Stills

Megan-Fox.net, always a good place to go to drool over the lovely Mrs. Fox, has scored some new photos from Transformers 2. The photos provide a few shots of the human heroes in various bits of danger and an awesome high-tech set that would be perfect for a LAN party.

Obviously my favorite is the one with Megan Fox, partly for the obvious reason and partly for the amusement of the long sleeve shirt in the desert as to hide her Marilyn tattoo on her mid arm as the sand would probably cause make-up problems. As a side note, a bit of fun while watching her movies is to note how costumes, make-up and stage directions are used to hide that tat (How to Lose Friends had her holding shoes at strange angles and times). Thanks to Grant for the heads-up.

More Toy Galleries, Another Review (Updated)

Many more toy galleries are online including a possible Deluxe version of Megatron, Ultimate Bumblebee and some Fast Action Battlers. Also Peaugh is back with a video review of FAB Jetfire.

Voyager Megatron - Turns out he might be real as the new gallery (some pics below) shows.
Ultimate Bumblebee 2.0 - He's back with modified transformation and body to reflect his new 2010 model.
FAB Sideswipe - Via eBay, I believe the first look at this version
FAB Ratchet - In his desert green colors, still no clue if this reflects his look in the movie.
FAB Megatron - Still ugly, still better looking than the jet.
FAB Starscream - Still butt ugly too.
Bruticus Maximus - A look at the re-issue from Transformers: Energon line to go with the Superion repaint. (Forgot to add includes pics of vehicle mode of Voyager Starscream and Ratchet).
Deluxe Sideswipe - Large gallery of the toy.
Deluxe Sideways - Another large gallery.
FAB Jetfire Review - Of note is it appears the FAB Jetfire and Optimus do not combine, contary to previous rumors for this version.





Update: Turns out the Megatron pic was real. Updated his link to the new, better gallery and added a few sample pictures.

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.

StarCraft II Gets Omega Supreme Defense

Blizzard has revealed another capability for the Terran Military for StarCraft II. The new ability is for your entire base to transform into Terra-Tron to wreck havoc on your enemies.

With the use of magnetic flux generators and through some simple modifications to our existing building schematics, we've found we can utilize structures that already exist in our bases to assemble the frame of a siege-class combat walker—a construct that some of my colleagues insist on calling the Terra-tron. The Terra-tron is best deployed as a last-ditch effort to hold an important location on the grid. Currently the cost of operation is a bit of a problem, as energy conduits and pipes become dislodged or severed and leave dangerously exposed electrical wiring, steel framework, and sewage systems. However, let me assure you that we are working diligently on new waste-containment systems that should eliminate this problem and get our buildings back up to code in the near future."

Click here for more screenshots, dialog, and videos that show the "whole blasted base" in action. As a long time fan of StarCraft, I can't wait until they finally release it (I think end of this year). Of course this is April Fools joke by the folks at Blizzard. I like the use of Transformers as a reference for a cool design. This would make for a fun un-lockable in solo play. Thanks to Monz for the find.

Two New TF2 Toys

Two more toys have popped up online from The Arker via Seibertron.com for the Transformers 2 toy line. I don't think they are April Fools jokes either. One is called Dune Runner (an Autobot) and the other is Scalpel (a Decepticon). No clue if the characters are in the movie but I doubt Dune Runner is (seen before). Scalpel reminds me of Frenzy with that goofy look and design and makes me think he just might make an appearance.

Deluxe Dune Runner bio:

Back on Cybertron, most rolling surfaces are flat, lightly textured roads - perfect for speed and traction. It wasn't until he got to Earth that Dune Runner experienced anything like [?]. He can't say he enjoyed the new vehicle mode, but he appreciates that it lets him patrol the deserts and mountains where many Decepticons have taken to hiding.

Deluxe Scalpel bio:

Scalpel has a massive database of anatomical data for millions of creatures across the universe. He can unassemble anything that doesn't struggle to much in a matter of minutes, and usually puts it back together with only a few parts in the wrong place. He serves as medic to the Decepticon army, but most Decepticons prefer to suffer in silence rather than allow Scalpel to work on them.

LG, Transformers 2 Tie-In

LG Mobile Phones issued a press release today announcing it is working with Paramount to do a tie-in promotion for their line of mobile phones and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen part of which will include a limited edition phone. Of note is Bay might be available for you to meet at the ShoWest LG Booth, if you are in the Las Vegas area on April 2nd. Below are excerpts from the release.

Visitors at the LG Mobile Phones booth (#4100, Central Hall) will have the opportunity to meet renowned film director Michael Bay on Thursday, April 2, at 2:00PM (PDT) as he greets fans and signs posters from the new movie. LG Mobile Phones will also unveil design renderings of a LG limited edition "Transformers" Versa phone, which will be made available only through consumer promotions as part of their overall movie tie-in campaign.

Prior to the film's June 24 release, LG Mobile Phones will reveal advertising, retail, online and other consumer electronics initiatives utilizing the film as a key theme for the marketing campaign. The LG limited edition "Transformers" Versa phone, along with the company's premium line of handsets, offers the latest in mobile technology, allowing people to change their mobile life using one device. Many of these LG Mobile Phone products were used during the making of the film.

60 Robots in Transformers 2?

For a while now the number of Transformers in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen numbered around 40 but a new article from Variety is pegging that number around 60. The article, part of the nod to Michael Bay for his Vanguard Award, discusses the demands Bay has for the visual effects work being done by ILM and Digital Domain for movie.

"Michael took the production value up many, many notches," [ILM's lead VFX supervisor for TF2 Scott Farrar] says. "Just the backgrounds alone are huge. It's a combination of 'Apocalypse Now' and 'Ben-Hur,' in regards to fantastic backgrounds and the unbelievable sets we worked at around the world."

Everyone involved in "Revenge of the Fallen" is keeping the details under wraps, but Farrar says there are some 60 robot characters, and they play in settings around the world. Some, like refineries at night, were chosen to boost the visual drama and show off the scale of the giant 'bots.

What's more, this time the Transformers will interact much more with the world around them. Farrar highlights "the splashes and the hits and the fighting on dirt or moving, banging into trees," explaining, "Things splinter and break, they spit, they outgas, they sweat, they snort."

One new challenge is that several sequences will be shown in Imax format, approximately 16 times larger than 35mm, which means the CG work must be finished at much higher resolution. At that scale, it can take several days to render a final frame.

All this is on top of creating a new family of giant robots. "(Bay) had to learn a whole litany of new things by getting into this robot culture on the first film," Farrar says. "I don't think he'd ever worked on a film where he'd done so much directing of animated characters. So he's really taken it to heart, and I think not everybody does, but he actually enjoys the process."

A few things of note. One is "60 robot characters". Now there is a difference between an appearance and an actual character. For the purposes of VFX, whether a Transformer is in the background, foreground, on screen for two seconds or 20 minutes, a rather detailed design effort has to go into creating that 3-D object so it can be inserted into the film properly. As a result, if there is a scene on Cybertron, one moment could have "60 robot characters" in it. I think that there may be up to 40 named characters and the rest are probably background for whatever a particular scene needs.

The second thing of note is something that Transformers 2 will probably not get credit for being the first film to have VFX used extensively for IMAX scenes. The Dark Knight was one of the first major summer movies to have scenes specifically created for the IMAX and proved that studios could make money off of IMAX, but they "cheated" it a touch by filming rather standard scenes in the format. Michael Bay's use in Transformers 2 much more ambitious, complicated and expensive with CGI Transformers effects that have to scaled accordingly. Personally I was unimpressed by The Dark Knight IMAX Experience compared with the regular theatrical movie and hope that Transformers 2 IMAX Experience creates a much more dramatic distinction between the two formats.