RoTF Official Novelization Spoilers (Update 2)

"Brundok" over at TFW2005 has received a copy of the official adaptation novel (i.e. "adult") for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. As expected, the novel is a more detailed version of the junior novel summary from the other day and appears based on a later version of the script but again Bay could have made any number of changes during production and post production that the novel will not reflect.

Brundok finished the book. The full details spoilers are here with a few details below to add to the junior novelization summary (highlight to read). Thanks to Alyssa for the link.

- The Arcee bikes have individual robot forms and do have the ability to form one robot.
- Two websites that will participate in the ARG promotion this year, one is www.therealeffingdeal.com that is run by Leo Spitz, Sam's roommate. The other is www.gianteffingrobots.com run by RoboWarrior, i.e. Simmons. Currently the passwords to log into either site are not known.
- Sam's mother has a close encounter with brownies with a little something extra so that should be a hilarious scene.
- Ravage has a re-enter mode because he breaks off of Soundwave, a satellite in Earth orbit. He steals "the shard" (two pieces of the AllSpark? Still confused on how Mikaela has one and NEST has one) from NEST.
- The Doctor, three Constructicons and one other descend to revive Megatron. The "red shirt" Decepticon is sacrificed for parts so the Doctor can re-assemble Megatron and revive him with the shard.
- The fight with Megatron, Starscream and Blackout ends with Optimus Prime going into "status lock." This is another Beast Wars concept that indicates heavy damage or low energy. Think of it as the Transformer version of a coma.
- The scene in the trailer of Sam drawing the "language of the Primes" on the ground is him talking to Jetfire to get more info on The Fallen.
- Ransack is in the novel, apparently one of the Seekers created by the Primes (created to find appropriate suns for the Sun Harvester).
- In this version, The Fallen kills all the the Primes but one escaped with the Matrix and sealed himself and his brothers in an unknown tomb. Optimus, the last decendent of the Primes, is the only one that can stop The Fallen.
- In Petra, the room "found" by the fighting Twins is the fused bodies of the 12 ancients, one with an outstretched hand holing a pile of black sand.
- Scene from trailer with the Insecticon is part of Sam and Mikaela's attempt to get to Prime with the Matrix. Ripping him aparts alerts the Decepticons to their location and the chase begins.
- Devastator forms from 7 Constructicons, not six, in the novel.
- A 'Con, carrying Sam's parents captured in Paris, threatens to harm them if he doesn't turn over the Matrix. Bumblebee attacks the Con as Sam and co escape. This is probably the seen between BB and Rampage or Scrapper in the trailer.
- Skids is sucked into Devastator's mouth but bursts through his right eye. Like a video game boss battle, do to size and slowness, staying underneath the monstrosity keeps everyone safe.
- "A pogosticking 'Con is bouncing around destroying everything in sight." (A new character I guess.)
- The Fallen teleports into the battle while Devastator moves toward and onto the Pyramid containing the Sun Harvester. Fallen also seems to have telekinetic abilities to go with his teleportation skills.
- Simmons provides Devastator's coordinates to the Navy so they can fire a new Rail Gun. Yep at some point Lennox says/writes "Bring the Rain".
- Jetfire destroys a 'Con, Skorponok attacks Jetfire wounding him with a blow through the chest and gets his head removed for the effort.
- Megatron, in tank mode, is the one that blasts Sam into unconscience where he speaks to the Primes. Matrix reforms, used on Prime to revive him, Jetfire sacrifices self to Prime can merge with his parts and fly, and Fallen activates the Harvester.
- Devastator hit point blank by rail gun and broken into component parts, Prime breaks the Sun Harvester and confronts Fallen, Megatron and Starscream. Prime precedes to own him, asks for Megatron's help who ignores him. Fallen opens a portal to escape, Prime yanks him back but Starscream and Megs use it to escape.
- Spire from Harvester rammed by Prime (with jetpacked assistance) into the Fallen, killing him. Matrix retrieved from device. Battle won.
- Optimus: "I know one thing. Whatever it may hold, it is a future we'll meet together. Our Planets, our races, united by a history long forgotten, yet to be discovered." Tilting back his head, he peered up at the sky and through it, to the stars beyond."
- Epilogue: Back on the Nemesis Megatron waits for himself to repair. He goes back to the cargo bay as the lights flicker on. Megatron peers at the numerous sarcophagi, hold protoforms all Loyal to Him! "Arise"

End spoilers. Please keep the comments civil.

Transformers 2 Game Voice Cast Video

Gametrailers.com has posted a video that introduces various members of the voice cast for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game that Activision confirmed would be in the game. The video seems to confirm that James Arnold Taylor is the voice of The Fallen so its not a small leap to assume the same for John Di Maggio as Sideways. Thanks to v1p3rS for the link.

Transformers 2 Trailer in Czech, Russian (Updated)

Below is the new Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer only it is dubbed (rather badly) in czech. According to Milan, who sent the link, Transfans in the Czech Republic are considering not going to the movie. Subtitles or dubbing, which do you prefer?

The YouTube embed doesn't seem to be working so click here to view it.

Update: Another dubbed version of the trailer, this time in Russian, here. Thaks to ghola-tleilaxu for link.

More Leader Jetfire Pics and Leader Starscream?

TF08.net (via TFW2005) has posted the below additional pictures of Leader class Jetfire from the Transformers 2 toy line in his packaging. Previously we saw a mock-up of the box. Sadly the new pictures do not show off the side of the package that contained a hint at what the combined mode of Optimus and Jetfire would look like. In addition, the site admin "yizhi521" added a note that suggests a fourth leader class toy is in the works, "and... new leader toy is starscream (F22)" joining Jetfire, Optimus Prime, and Megatron. Thanks to Scorpio for the link.

Activision TF2 Video Game Voice Cast

Activision has issued a press release about the voice cast for the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game which will have a return of the first game's voice cast with a few additions.

ACTIVISION SECURES ALL-STAR TALENT LINE-UP FOR TRANSFORMERST: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN VIDEO GAME

Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Peter Cullen and Frank Welker Return to Provide Voice-Over Performances

Santa Monica, CA - May 15, 2009 - Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI ) has assembled an all-star cast for the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game, including the film's leads Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, who will reprise their starring roles in the game, and fan favorites Peter Cullen and Frank Welker, the voices of OPTIMUS PRIME and MEGATRON from the original animated series. In the new game, developed under license from Hasbro, players are thrust into an adrenaline-pumping battle to defend Earth from a DECEPTICON attack that threatens mankind.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen features an extensive line-up of film actors, along with the voice talent that fans will recognize from the classic animated series," said Rob Kostich, head of marketing for licensed properties, Activision Publishing, Inc. "The diverse cast allowed us to not only capture the epic storyline from the film, but also seamlessly expand the fiction to create a unique and authentic TRANSFORMERS experience that fans of all ages will enjoy."

In addition to Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Mark Ryan (Bumblebee), Jess Harnell (Ironhide), Charles Adler (Starscream) and Robert Foxworth (Ratchet) reprised their film roles for the game. Voice-over veterans John Di Maggio (Sideways) and James Arnold Taylor (The Fallen) also join the roster.

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game is based on the upcoming live-action feature film from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures in association with Hasbro, which opens nationwide on June 24, 2009.* The game lets players take on the role of their favorite AUTOBOTSR or DECEPTICONSR, picking from the largest, most diverse range of playable Transformers - each with their own distinct abilities and weaponry. Set in unique environments across the globe such as Cairo and Shanghai, the game allows players to instantly switch between vehicle and robot modes as they drive, fly, fight and blast their way through intense, pressure-packed levels. After engaging in single player action, players for the first time ever will be able to go online and battle friends in all-new multiplayer modes.

John Di Maggio and James Arnold Taylor are joining the video game cast but this isn't confirmation they are part of the movie. However, looking at their IMDB.com entries with many televisions shows and animated movies between them, the odds are high that they are part of the movie voice cast. The game will be released on June 24th, the same day as the movie. Thanks to Darian for the heads-up.

Linkin Park Interview, Stan Bush's Quest (Updated)

A bit more soundtrack news. First up is from Linkin Park as they ramp up for the world premiere of their single from the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundtrack on Monday that will include the music video. As part of that, the Linkin Park Times has an interview with Mike Shinoda were he discusses the track. Snippets below, the full interview here. In addition, click here for pictures taken during the shooting of the music video. Thanks to Jose for the link.

"We met with (director) Michael Bay," Shinoda said. "He showed us scenes from the new film, and we tried to write something that was both true to the spirit of the movie and true to the spirit of our band in some way.

"Michael is not fond of showing parts of the movie unfinished and out of context," Shinoda continued. "I totally get it; I hate playing anyone our rough songs before each one is done, out of the context of the album. But he knew it would give us the best shot at trying to capture some of the emotions in the movie, so we did it. After we wrote 'New Divide,' we met with (Oscar-winning composer) Hans Zimmer and (composer) Steve Jablonsky, and they asked if we would help incorporate various themes from our song into the film. The musical themes ended up being placed in a lot of important scenes in the film. I'd tell you which scenes, but I don't want to give away the story."

The video, directed by Linkin Park DJ Joe Hahn, will debut around the time of the single's release. Shinoda was coy about the clip's direction. "You'll have to ask Joe Hahn, who's directing it," he said. "He's planning on using a lot of really interesting cutting-edge visual techniques, blurring the line between our performance and some kind of digital/mechanical reality. I'm not really sure--he's either being secretive about it, or it's way over my head, so he's just skipping the explanation."

In addition, Stan Bush, famous to G1 era Transfans as the writer/singer for "The Touch" from the animated Transformers: The Movie has remade his classic song (below) in an attempt to get it added to the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen soundtrack. I wish Stan luck but it is a huge uphill battle as I think Bay makes his music choices based less on how it fits the film and more on commercial viability and access it gives him to various bands (Bay started as a music video director). Thanks to Scorpio for the link.


Update: Stan Bush has released a new alternate cut The Touch that focuses more on the scenes and less the singers and the like. Also seems like the rappers part has been trimmed. His note to TFormers:

"We listened to the overwhelming responses and decided to make a more fan friendly edit, focusing more on the awesome scenes from Transformers and Revenge of the Fallen. We realized that the video may have been distracting to some, which wasn't our intent, so please watch and enjoy this new version, and let us know what you think of the song."

RoTF UK Premiere Dated

The Revenge of the Fallen world premiere is scheduled for June 8th in Tokyo, Japan and now via purehmv we know the premiere date in the United Kingdom is on June 15, 2009 at Leicester Square, London. The information comes via opportunity to "buy" a pair of tickets to the premiere with 100000 points which are granted via the store's loyalty card program for purchases. If you’re in the UK I will let you decide how want to handle things, but here is the fine print about the UK premiere.

Transformers 2 - Pair of tickets to Premiere
We have a pair of tickets for this much anticipated Premiere. If you redeem this you will walk the red carpet amongst the stars!

Terms and conditions: The Transformers 2 premiere is on the evening of 15th June 2009 and the reward will be available to redeem until 1pm on 11th June 2009. There is one reward of 2 tickets (one pair) available and the purehmv member must be in attendance with a guest of their choice. Because of the nature of the film both attendees must be 18 or over. The premiere will take place in Leicester Square, London. The purehmv member will be responsible for all travel, accommodation and associated costs incurred. Tickets must be collected on the day of the premiere at the reception of hmv 's Head Office at 142 Wardour Street, London W1F 8LN, which is a short walk from Leicester Square. We regret that tickets cannot be sent in the post.

An interesting thing about Hollywood movies is they tend to have a lot of premiere parties. There is the world premiere and then additional premiere in critical markets such as US, Japan, UK and so forth. The point of the premiere party is simple - free press. When the studios throw these expensive events, the stars come out and with them the press, which talk about it for a day or so in magazines, newspapers, television and the internet in the respective countries. The net result is millions of dollars of free press getting the word out that the movie is coming to a theatre near you real soon. Why mention this? Just to clarify why you might be hearing news about TF2 premiere parties in various countries over the next month or so. And nope so no clue on the US date but a site reader has indicated that the Smithsonian is a rumored possibility. Thanks to Carnivac for the link.

Small update: I forgot to add that there is a difference between the premiere party for VIP people invited to go and the actually release date of the film in a particular country. Usually one occurs about a week to two weeks before the latter so be sure to check the "worldwide release dates" link on the top left of the blog.