[Movie] Transformers Movie (07-04-07)

Well, now that the movie has finally been given an official green-light, I thought it would be a good idea to create a thread for the upcoming movie.

The movie is currently still in pre-production, and will reputedly begin filming in May 2006. It is to be based on the G1 characters and concepts, but with a couple of changes (e.g. there will thankfully be no mass-shifting... so Megatron will be a tank, rather than a pissy little handgun )

The director for this movie is Michael Bay (The Rock, Bad Boys, The Island, etc). Spielberg is the executive producer, with other producers including Don Murphy (From Hell, LXG, the upcoming movie "Shoot 'Em Up"), Tom DeSanto (X-men 1 & 2), Lorenzo DiBonaventura (Constantine), and Ian Bryce as Line Producer. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are responsible for the current script drafts.

The original voice actors for Optimus Prime (Cullen) and Megatron (Welker) are being considered to reprise their roles if they are able to meet the quality needed for the movie (Murphy and DeSanto are for the original VAs, Lorenzo is against... pretty much everything. However, the final decision rests with Bay).

The final character line-up hasn't been revealed yet. However, thus far it looks like it will include:

• Autobots: Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Bumblebee, Jazz, (plus one more autobot to replace the thankfully axed Acree .... We think the replacement may be Ironhide)
• Decepticons: (Still to be officially announced) Megatron, Starscream, and 3 other cons (whose names are being kept secret with "placeholder" names until closer to the release date).
• Squishies/Humans: Spike (Shia La Beouf), Spike's dad, Mikaela (Spike's love interest -- Played by Megan Fox *drools*), Secretary of Defence (Jon Voight), Female Data Analyst (Rachel Taylor), Various Soldier Roles (one of whom is played by Tyrese Gibson). (I can't remember the rest of the actors involved off the top of my head ^^; Will have to do another update later)

The most notable aspect of this movie's development is that fans the amount of direct contact that fans have had with the people working on this film. Most notably is Don Murphy's website, where he and other members of the production team (including Ian Bryce and Robert Orci) directly interact with fans, and keep them regularly updated. Michael Bay has also interacted with fans on his website, although to a lesser degree.

For more information, the following links may be helpful:

• Running Summary of Movie Status
• Don Murphy's forums (where regular Sunday post updates are made)
• Michael Bay's Website
• Official Website (but bugger-all's been happening there at the moment )

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by SOLDIER

Grimlock, goddamn them. It better be Grimlock.

I'm very much excited for this (as well as optimistic that it will end up a quality movie). I'm still wondering what they'll do about Soundwave, since they've stated many times that he won't be an 80's boombox (can't they just say he scanned off a player that purposely has that retro design)? He's still my favorite Decepticon of all time, so I'm really hoping they don't mess up his look.

As if fans ever gave a crap about any human other than Spike and his dad. And I don't think they had a very big fanbase to begin with.

And wasn't Ravage one of Soundwave's casetticons (the dog)? Why should he count as one of the main Decepticons? Where are the other casetticons for that matter?

There's actually been speculation that it might be either Ironhide or Wheeljack. If they do have Grimlock and the dinobots, it'll probably have to be in a sequel (they're planning three movies at the moment, with Unicron a possibility in the third).

As for Soundwave, they were originally planning on making him a helicopter, but I'm not quite sure if that is still the case (Robert Orci came online and posted that he wouldn't be a helicopter, but we weren't quite sure if he was for real, or just joking around ^^; ... probably/hopefully he was being serious ). Regardless though, I think they intend to still have Soundwave being a central unit for "cassetticons" (or whatever they end up being in the movie), with him being able to deploy and then recall them. Personally, I was actually suprised that Ravage was named instead of Laserbeak. Oh well

Originally Posted by Knighthawk

I was so happy when I heard about the PS2 video game...then pissed that it was based off the crappy new generation of transformers

Activision have signed on and said that they will be doing the video game for the new G1-based movie ^o^ Sure, it most probably won't have all the Transformers from the cartoon G1 series... but at least Optimus Prime will be a good-ol Flatnosed/Cab-over truck

Most amazing jew boots

Originally Posted by orion_mk3

After "The Island," I'm surprised Michael Bay is even directing anymore. Losing $100 million has to have some kind of consequence.

Two questions: first, what sort of movie is this going to be? The linked sites at the top seema little fuzzy on this. CGI? CGI + actors? Perhaps even some sort of cel-based animation (porbably not, but a man can dream)?

Second, who's set to score it? The augurs at IMDB have little to say, the above sites even less. Vince DiCola could probably use the work, though.

The apparent failure of The Island is more a reflection of bad promoting than bad directing. The promotion for the movie was sparse and poor. One thing especially was that they revealed far too much in the preview, which is something you don't want do if you wish to create hype (just look at the success of the "What is the Matrix?" ad campaign before the first matrix movie). The Island only did $35,818,913 domestically, but it did far better in the international box-office with a return of $124,466,160 (total of $160,285,073). Sure they were expecting more, but that isn't a flop. Now movies like Stealth ($32,116,746 domestically and $44,816,126 internationally) were definitely a flop, and Stealth cost $10million more than The Island to make.

As for the Transformers movie, it is going to be CGI + Actors. It might start off as a secret war between autobots and decepticons from the human perspective, but I can't say for sure. The number one thing they have to do with this movie is appeal to a larger audience, while still keeping the fans happy. The animated Transformers movie was absolutely awesome from a fan's point POV... however, the movie itself didn't do too well because it wasn't that accessible to the wider audience.

Nothing has been decided as to the music score. IMDB is like the GameFaqs of the movie world, except less informed when it comes to movies in preproduction... Hell they were even saying George Clooney had been approached to voice-over for Prime >___>; , which I'm happy to say that this is utter BS (based on reliable information provided directly by the makers of the movie on their forums). Casting has only just begun, and they've started with human roles first.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Actually, on the issue of Vince DiCola, he is supposed to make a presentation to Bay and the producers sometime this year (probably soon)... So it's by no means definite, but he's certainly being considered ^___~ **Hopes for the best**

Yeah, and it sucks how Chris Latta (Starscream) and Scatman Crothers (Jazz) are both dead ;___; I hope they pick good voice actors to replace them

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Kessler

Is this the same footage that was found to be fake? If it is, Don Murphy has posted a reply on his forums.

As far as the movie goes, I'm a bit worried. The Transformers was and is my favorite cartoon of all time. I'd really hate to see this end up just another crappy B-movie. If it isn't going to be taken seriously, I would rather not see it done at all.

Yeah, both Don Murphy and Michael Bay have said that the footage is fake. The transformations will be far better than that

As for worrying about the quality of the movie, they have a good list of people working on the film. There has also been an unprecedented amount of interaction between the filmmakers and fans... In other words, the fans are at least getting their opinions heard. That being said, this movie will not purely be fan-service... They want to make sure this movie is successful too, so yes, I'd say the makers of this film are taking everything very seriously ^__~

I was speaking idiomatically.

Well, I thought I'd bump this thread back up seeing as filming has now started. The first week of filming has just finished, and a teaser trailer is promised by early July this year ^___^

There've been a few disturbing "script reviews" based on old versions of the script. However, both Bay and Don have pointed out that these leaked scripts are at least 4 months old, and alot of work and changes have occurred since then.

It appears that the decepticon line-up may have changed since I first started this thread. We don't know anymore who officially will be on the Decepticon side. There has been talk, for example, of having Soundwave sit it out for this movie and appear in a sequel.

Anyway, here's Bay's update from the first week of filming

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by SOLDIER

And that better not be a final script. Soundbyte? Screw that shit. Soundwave or nothing.

Honestly, could they please not mess with him? He's probably the most iconic Transformer after Optimus.

constructicons inferior.

Quoted for truth

Yeah, that's something we're very worried about... There is a list of major concerns that the large majority of fans don't like about the old scripts. I swear they better not fuck with Soundwave and make him a 4ft minion that gets his head kicked off (twice! )... I'm just hoping that it was either a placeholder name, or complete misinformation (I mean, I can handle them making Soundwave a vehicle... but it better be one kickASS vehicle... )

... If they want to make Soundbyte as a homage to the G1 alt-mode (because for toy purposes that would be the closest thing we get to a re-issue... and I want one...), then I say they should only do it IF said SB is a minion of the true SOUNDWAVE!!!

Other disturbing rumours include Mutebee (Bumblebee not speaking for the WHOLE movie due to battle damage... Can't Ratchet repair him, or is Ratchet Cybertron's worst doctor?), Optimus Lips (Prime with retractable faceplate? Why?), Jet Megatron, and Brawl as a police car (once again, I'm hoping that this is nothing but a "placeholder" name)

FELIPE NO

Some nice pretty vehicle images from the Transformers movie have been leaked. I made a journal entry about them, and then afterwards thought I should post it here too... And since I'm too lazy to re-type everything, I'll just link it

Click Here

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by acid

While I still do believe that Bumblebee should be once a Volkswagon, always a Volkswagon, I can live with the change.

Specifically since this will be the real debut of the new Camaro concept that'll probably go into production in the next few years.

Yeah, it kinda does suck how VW refused to be involved with Transformers ;___; (so no BB alternator, and no BB VW in the movie ;____; )

... But I have to say, the Camaro idea is definitely growing on me

How ya doing, buddy?

Nice ^____^

I like the music on the site. Sure, it's just placeholder music for now, but hopefully it gives us an indication of what the tone of the movie will be like

Can't wait for the teaser now!! ^____^

Originally Posted by SOLDIER

I don't have a clue whose eye that is. Is it part of a face, or is the eye in the center? If it's the latter, it's got to be Shockwave, but I'm not sure.

The coloring resembles Optimus Primal, but that's it. Otherwise, the poster is a bit blah. Something that parodies a car ad would've been far more clever.

I think the eye is just a generic transformer eye looking out through a slightly modified version of the autobot faction symbol (i.e. metallic grey and eye shape altered slightly to make it look more menacing in the poster)

Try comparing the autobot faction symbol with this image, and note the creases around the nose, the upper left of the eye, and the deep "gouge/scar" above the brow. You'll see what I mean ^___^

ADDITIONAL POST:
Okay, so someone on TFW2005 actually took the flash file from the official website, took it apart, and saved the complete eye image from the flash file.

Definitely the Autobot Faction Symbol



There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Protom@nNeo

Even though blue, the eye is clearly evil. I say its megatron look at the black slanted shape of the the eye to be able to tell

Nah, it's definitely the Autobot Symbol

Here's the poster with the gamma heavily adjusted. Could it be any more obvious



Now compare that to the Autobot Insignia:


Also notice the image I posted above which has the complete picture of the "face" that was decompiled directly from the flash file on the official web page. Notice the startings of the "streak"/groove at the bottom of the eye, which is an easily recognisable part of the autobot symbol


Yeah, so the eye is changed slightly, but they did that with the decepticon insignia as well (below is a picture taken from one of the decepticon cars - a Mustang - to be used in the movie, followed by the original decepticon symbol)





This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Principal photography started on 22 May. I'm not quite sure how long filming will take for this movie, but if it's any indication I know that for The Island it took around 84 days.

As for special effects, ILM has been working since pre-production on the CG models for each transformer, so hopefully this will mean that they will be able to focus more on other aspects of the film in post-production.

In any case, I think they have plenty of time. Spiderman 3, for example, is still filming (or at least was still filming last time I check last week), and that's slated for a May release.

(Oh yeah, one more thing, the Paramounts legal team has scoured the net trying to take down the set pics that were put up, and TFW2005 definitely was one of the sites affected. I know of one site that still has all the set pics up, but I'm not gonna post it here just incase it gets noticed. I've got the pics saved though, so I might upload them in a zip file off-site and then post the link)

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Yeah, that pic was definitely from the San Diego '05 comic con

As for whether they'll do a big reveal at this year's con, I have no idea ^^;

I honestly hope they do though, because I just want to know how Prime will look in this movie, and what vehicle he will be. If they get Prime right, it'll boost my confidence in this film immensely (because at the moment, I'm cautiously optimistic ^^; ).

I was speaking idiomatically.

Have no fear, none of the footage from the "teaser"/announcement will actually appear in the movie, and no, the Transformers are NOT martians They're still good-ol' cybertronians

Also, the teaser bits with the rover from the teaser were shot by Michael Bay in a total of 45mins So, thankfully, it seems he's focusing on more important aspects (i.e. the actual movie )

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Murphy (30 Jun 2006) http://www.d13satellite.com/donmurph...threadid=11723

Okay just ducked into the trailer here after letting Michael know that the teaser site is crashing every few minutes because of the insanely heavy traffic. He was pleased and commented that it is NOT a trailer. Or even really a teaser. He called it an "announcement" and I guess it is. I mean there's no footage from the film in there. We are on Day 29 of 81. Still so much to do. So let's call it an announcement because he's the director.

Anyway here's the day-

1- Some lowlife scum illegally posted the "announcement" on YOUTUBE this morning. ( I wonder he he was from Wales?)
2- We got it down within a few hours.
3- Dreamworks decided, screw it, it's ready, you want it that bad you might as well have a great copy of it. So the site went live a few days early.
4- Site started getting 100,000 hits an hour. Insane. Site not ready for that. Downloading very slow.
5- You guys reported in your feelings.

So that's the story gang.

Otherwise, take it easy.

(Btw, the Wales reference actually relates to a site created by some fans, which has subsequently been causing trouble for the production crew - i.e. Illegally posting copyrighted images [and in this case even illegally trying to release the "announcement" a couple of days early], Tricking people into to thinking that it is the real official site, Attempting to make money from the site by trying to sell the domain name to Paramount, Causing interforum flamewars, etc etc... These people happened to Welsh )

Quote:

Originally Posted on Michael Bay's Official Site http://www.michaelbay.com/blog/newsblog.html and Permalink

Transformers announcement teaser stuff...
07/01/06 03:19 PM
BTW, for those of you asking:

1- None of the Mars story, launch footage, and rover footage is going to be in the movie.

2.- Yes, Bay did shoot the rover footage.

This teaser is meant to function as an "announcement" to the general public that there is a Transformers movie on its way. It is much like the first Spiderman trailer with the bank robbers and two towers in that regards

Hopefully they'll have a proper teaser trailer ready once production/shooting finishes (I'm hoping that such a teaser will come out in Sept/Oct... but realistically I'd be guessing that it'd be released closer to Dec/Jan)

Oh, and as for the Mars sky being blue, we can blame NASA for the confusion ...

• http://mars-news.de/color/blue.html
• http://www.libertythink.com/totalinf...n/BlueMars.htm
• http://mars-news.de/life/
• http://webexhibits.org/causesofcolor/14C.html

As for the Beagle-2... well... okay, that was a bit of a factual "oops", but in the end I don't think it mattters, since it won't actually appear in the movie

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Mobius One

ZOMG, BUMBLEBEE!

Spoiler:

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7...mblebee9aj.jpg

Yeah, that image is something that made the people at Paramount Legal very very unhappy a couple of weeks ago. They went on a spree and hunted down all the sites they could find with it up on, and proceeded to pull the pics down (they even went so far as to pull down a movie blogger's entire site... which caused a bit of anger and angst... oh well )

The pic was taken at the Hoover Dam shoot. Too bad they couldn't have gotten a more frontal shot of the head

In any case, it's clear they're going for a look closer to the Alternators/Binaltech toy line for this movie

Apparently this BB that you see is what is called a "non-shootable"... In other words a scale reference model (if you look closely you can see that the model is far from refined... the hydraulics underneath BB to make him move are clearly visible, and you can also see bits of steel scaffolding around his shoulders [look at the big discs closest to the engine block] and elsewhere... the original image was higher res, which made these things a little easier to see )

Apparently (according to Michael Bay) the actual CGI models are even MORE detailed than the non-shootable

Anyway, Nelson from MB.com explained the concept of a "non-shootable" pretty well, using a scene from Bad Boys 2 for illustration:

Quote:

From "Nelson" - Forum Admin of the Michael Bay forums
Notice how the "non-shootable" boat from the Raw Plate is removed (in the Live Action Boat Removal piece) and replace with a complete CGI one.

Hence the non-shootable boat that was shown was for reference (for the drivers and CGI guys) and doesn't appear in the final composite.

View a "non-shootable boat."

FELIPE NO

Yeah... things really aren't pretty at all now at the Transformers forums

It's been announced that Bay should be making a response to this leaked picture soon......... So we're waiting......... But fuck, there's not a whole lot that he can say... How does intend to spin THIS bullshit ;_____________;

Massively heartbroken doesn't even begin to cover this.

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The movie follows a few different story lines all at once from the perspective of humans

One is the story of Sam / Spike taking place in a small/medium town.

Another will revolve around a troop unit in the middle east and their first encounter with decepticons there (namely Scorponok)

Another will focus on "Project Iceman"... An accidental discovery of a Transformer/Decepticon (?Possible megatron) frozen in ice somewhere in the Arctic circle.

And finally, there is one that focuses on the government and government code-breakers trying to either decipher a garbled message, or possible an extension of the Project Iceman story. Somewhere this will also include the secretary of state (Jon Voight)

As the story progresses, their invidiual story arcs will converge into one for the finale.

So, yeah, based on that premise, it sounds like a well-written scripts... Just too bad it seems like it's being cheapened unecessarily.

Anyway, I'll let you know what Bay says when he finally emerges

Oh... and that flatnose truck was taken at the Comic-Con a year ago, before the movie was officially greenlit, and before Bay was officially brought on board ;____; It seems things have changed drastically since. The movie is becoming less and less G1... or indeed less and less Transformers

Right now, it looks like the movie will be a good movie about robots that transform.... However, it probably won't be a good Transformers movie ;_____;

Jam it back in, in the dark.

While Bay hasnt himself appeared yet, the long-nose truck portion of it has definitely been confirmed... And the flames will be appearing in some context. No idea what. Let's just hope that this is only on the vehicle that Prime scans, and that he at least retains his G1 colour scheme

Quote:

Nelson (MichaelBay.com Administrator) Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:54 am

Spoke to Bay this morning...

...as I said, he will post later on later regarding the designs (when I say later it could mean tonight or in a couple of days).

Among some of the stuff:

-They (Bay & Co.) are commited to maintaining total secrecy about this project until it hits the screen. We spoke of how there was no surprise factor to Peter Jackson's King Kong. You knew the whole movie ahead of time. There are some in the team who believe the audience's first peak of the robots in their normal mode should be when they sit down to watch the movie in the theater (in other words, no sneak peak of them in their normal mode in the trailers).

-Bay & crew are well aware of sites putting out BS info in orded to elicit a response from Bay & Co.

-The reasons why they went with a huge long nose truck for OP (BTW, regarding the flames, there is a context for them like Orci pointed out). Bay said they did test with flat noses (FN) for scale purposes, and the FN would only be about 20 to 25 feet tall, so they went with the biggest truck they could find: the Peterbilt. We're talking 40 to 50 foot tall robots here. The physics for these robots have to be real...aka no magically disappearing parts. Also, OP is going to have much more red than what was shown in the supposedly "leaked" photo.

-Regarding the designers... all I can say is he said they all had to be fans of the show in order to get their jobs.

-Regarding the Ludacris rumor...no, he does not have a part in TF.

I can handle the long-nose Prime... I don't necessarily like it, but I can deal with it.... But the Flames are just pointless, and if anything detract from Prime's character

Anyway, still waiting on Bay... I'm getting tired of waiting, and fed-up with feeling disappointed

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Interrobang

I fucking hate this thread.

Great. Another smart-ass ignorant motherfucker who thinks he knows everything. Well then your solution is simple... Don't post in it dickwad

Quote:

Who the fuck cares? It's a movie. It's supposed to be an alternate interpretation of Transformers. If I wanted fucking G1, I would buy the season DVDs.

[Luthor]WRONG!![/Luthor] The entire premise behind making this movie was to make it G1-based. Look at the character line-up. Read the original announcements by the people involved (e.g. Don Murphy, Tom DeSanto, Steven Spielberg, John Rogers, Robert Orci, Alex Krutzman) way back in 2004. The script was written as an adaptation of the G1 story-line. NOT Beast Wars/Beast Machines, NOT RiD, NOT A/E/C. Idiot.

Quote:

http://www.tfu.info/1991/Cybertron/S...starconvoy.htm
http://www.tfu.info/1994/Autobot/Opt...timusprime.htm
http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/Opt...timusprime.htm
http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/Opt...timusprime.htm
http://www.tfu.info/1997/Autobot/Opt...timusprime.htm
http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/Spy...timusprime.htm
http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/d...2B14A6033C14A1

Oh great, so he finds the more obscure toy versions of Prime and posts them up, and he thinks he knows something. Seriously what neanderthalic cave did YOU crawl from? Did these versions have massively popular cartoon series that they were in, which appealed to generations over two decades? (Answer: No... btw... just in case you still don't get it)

In taking a pre-existing franchise and adapting it to cinema, the tried and tested successful method involves finding what worked in the original franchise to make the series popular, what aspects were the heart and soul of the piece, and then taking those elements and using them to build a faithful adaptation. Yes, changes are necessary, and so long as they are done in good taste there are no problems. However, when you have changes that are made to the detriment of the core of the franchise (in this case, anti-characterstic flame design on Prime, which is totally contradictory to his personality), then problems are encountered.

More examples? X-men had many changes. The suits were thankfully changed. However, the main characters retained their basic characteristics and overall look. In contrast, Catwoman shit all over the franchise. A complete change in costume and character that looked awful, a poorly written script that was the chaotic product of too many scriptwriters being involved... A script which had no real common link back to source material. Which one succeeded and which one failed? >___>;

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Interrobang

The point is that the character of Optimus Prime can be adapted to something other than "flat-nosed red truck", and has been.

IT'S A FUCKING TRUCK.

No shit captain obvious... And if you actually bothered to read the fan response to the alt-mode for Prime before opening the maw of stupidity that is your mouth, you'd find that most fans DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE LONG-NOSE! Yes, they'd PREFER flat-nose, but we understand the need for the longer nose. Hell, considering there was rumour of him being a Firetruck in this film, we're a little relieved on that point.

The actual PROBLEM here (and listen very carefully, sparky, so that you don't make more of an ass of yourself than you already have) are the motherfucking FLAMES. On a decepticon whose character is arrogant and hotheaded, these flames would look great. However, they don't suit Prime at all, and are completely contradictory to his character and leadership style (no matter WHICH arm of the Transformers you franchise you look at, old or new).

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Interrobang

You're still overreacting on the basis of your preconceived notions of a fictional character in a '80s cartoon. It's a piece of fiction that you and a mass of thirty-year-old children are getting too personal with. While we're on this point, the "THE FANS THE FANS THE FANS" shit doesn't work on me because the great majority of them are fucking retards who still haven't gotten over the fact that Transformers is primarily for children. You can't really expect me to give a shit about their opinion.

The insults don't work if you're trying too hard, by the way. "Maw of stupidity that is your mouth" No.

So in essence you are:
A) Trolling
B) Too stupid to comprehend anything but low-brow insults
C) Too thick-skulled to listen to what people are actually saying, but instead clouded by your overriding ignorant stereotype and perceptions.

I would point out once again that you're an ass, but you're already doing a good enough job on your own.

I was speaking idiomatically.

It's called making an observation.

You came here armed with nothing but your stereotypical dogmatic view of a what a "fanboy" is, and an oversized ego, and decided to start by hurling abuse. In your eyes there exist only two extremes - The general public and the thirty-something fanboy purists who live in their mother's basement. You consistently show that your goal is forum-bash. Your arguements consist of returning back to your dogmatic perception of the fanboy rather than face the reality of what is being said.

Hence, A), B), and C) above. *shrugs*

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by acid

Overall a decent list. Not everyone I wanted, but it's not terrible. I will say however that there is no Soundwave, and that I am pissed. Brawl? BRAWL? Over Soundwave. weak.

They cut Soundwave out in this movie because of the catch-22 that no mass-shifting for this film posed (at first they had Blackout lined up to be Soundwave, but they were worried about the reaction to the new alt-mode... then it was Frenzy who was meant to be Soundwave, who was more true to G1... but let's face it, not exactly strong or menacing)

Don Murphy mentioned towards the beginning of the year at the Toronto BotCon that they were thinking of leaving Soundwave out for another movie, because, in his words, "I don't want to be the one that screws up Soundwave"

Personally, I wouldn't have minded Soundwave being the MH-53, but then again, I wouldn't mind him being introduced in a sequel either if it means he has more time dedicated to the development of his character

Anyway, I'm pretty satisfied with how this character line-up is sounding

FELIPE NO

To be honest, I can live with Prime's robot mode. The flames still look ugly and unecessary IMO, but I can tolerate his bot mode as a whole. Bumblebee looks alright, although his chest area seems a little disorganised to me. Still, I can see potential for it when it gets into full motion.

Blackout looks pretty badass and I like what how they handled the rotor-blades. He does look a little junky and messy in places, but overall he looks evil and mean as hell. Also, as a non-transforming minion, Scorponok looks pretty cool.

However, I don't like Starscream's design. It looks clumsy and messy to me. I think his chest could be a lot better designed so that he didn't seem like a large diamond with legs and arms sticking out awkwardly. I think it would work better if they took some of the mass from his chest and put it towards beefing up his legs a little bit. I also don't see how splitting the cockpit on his chest is supposed to aid his transformation. It seems like a unecessary non-functional split to me just for the sake of trying to make it look more complex.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

So three tv spots have been seen now. Two official release, and one leaked.

I've uploaded the third tv spot: http://www.sendspace.com/file/vfaku9

I won't upload the first two, because they were official releases and you can easily find them on YouTube

The official release ones look awesome. Starscream may be "one ugly motherf*cker" (thought the Arnie/Predator line would be appropriate ), but at least he moves awesomely. The bot designs still look overly messy to me, but I've reconciled with that fact and am looking forward to the movie again... especially after seeing how they move.

However, the third tv spot (i.e. the leaked one) was a little disturbing. They finally showed Prime speaking, but with a weird voice and no faceplate. The lips on Prime look ridiculous to the point of distraction. I don't see why it is necessary to mess with him like that. Having lips isn't necessary to have something emote... especially lips that look as unsettling as that.

The voice is a bit of a slap in the face too. Why give fans Cullen, only to distort his voice so much that it doesn't even sound like Prime? (for those wondering, the voice from the tv spot is Cullen's voice taken down two semitones)

There are rumours that the leaked tv spot was put out their to judge the reaction it would receive. I honestly hope that this is true and they intend to just leave Prime's faceplate on. There seems to still be division in the ranks of the filmmakers as to whether the faceplate should be left on or retractable. I recall Robert Orci himself stating that he and Alex Krutzman felt that the faceplate should stay on.

Anyway, I'm still looking forward to the movie... But I wish the fucking around with Prime would stop

Jam it back in, in the dark.