Transformers Death Star

The Death Star. Transforms into Darth Vader. Not a darn thing to do with the movie. Just thought it was cool. Pics from TFW2005.

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Hasbro Banking on Transformers Movie

In an online article, probably to the surprise of no one, Hasbro is banking on the movie Transformers to drive up the sells of the toy Transformers and anything else that could benefit from the line which explains the hundreds of licenses issued for everything under the sun to get the TF work over. So what does this mean for Transfans? Probably more TF stuff out there then can afford to buy. As far as the future though...I don't know, I guess it depends on the how much the movie influences future toy lines. Personally I am annoyed at the end of the Alternators and Classics line and hope those kind of lines are not ignored in the future.

The article:

Hasbro Banking on 'Transformers' Change
By Michelle R. Smith, Associated Press Writer
Hasbro Banking on "Transformers" Hitting It Big at Box Office

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Hasbro Inc. struggled when the toy company tied its fortunes too closely to toys based on movies.
But a movie based on its toys? That could be a different story.

Hasbro is banking that the July 4 release of the DreamWorks/Paramount movie "Transformers" -- based on Hasbro's "robots in disguise" toys introduced in the 1980s -- will herald a new era for the company that in the past few years has been remaking itself from a toy maker to an entertainment company.

"'Transformers' sort of opens another chapter for us," said Brian Goldner, Hasbro's chief operating officer, who is listed as an executive producer on the movie. "In the past, I think that the company may have thought too narrowly about its brands as forms of entertainment."

In 2000, the Pawtucket, R.I.-based company was struggling. The toy maker lost $144 million after fads for Pokemon trading cards and the electronic pet Furby faltered. It cut hundreds of jobs. Then-chief executive Alan Hassenfeld called it "a very painful year."

Part of the problem was an over-reliance on movie-related toys, like tie-ins to the "Star Wars" franchise, said Sean McGowan, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities.

"They would be hot for a while, then not hot," McGowan said.

So Hasbro's executives went back to basics. They turned their focus to time-tested "core brands," names consumers knew and trusted: Playskool, Monopoly, My Little Pony, Transformers and others. They looked at the brand's core idea and thought of ways to contemporize it and parlay it into new products that would turn the company around and keep it growing.

Since then, they've developed new versions of Monopoly, released a line of Playskool products for CVS drugstores, including diapers and baby bottles, created a "My Little Pony" live stage show -- based on the toy -- to name a few.

While Hasbro still does its share of movie tie-ins -- "Spider-Man 3" and "Star Wars," for example -- it still has a treasure trove of stable properties, McGowan said.

Another upside for Hasbro is that it owns the Transformer brand, so on most Transformers-related products it doesn't have to pay royalties and can license the name. Hasbro signed up 230 licensees for "Transformers" the movie, items such as video games and cell phone games, Goldner said.

"The last couple years have been the best years they've had in a very long time," said Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of Toy Wishes Magazine.

Hasbro started the year strong, reporting a profit of $32.9 million for the three months that ended April 1, versus a loss of $4.9 million in the year-ago period. The company credited core brands and strong sales of games, led by Monopoly. Shares surged to an eight-year high, but some analysts have since downgraded their projections, warning that the stock price already factors in the high expectations for "Transformers" and that sales could slow down next year.

The idea for the "Transformers" movie started percolating in 2002, when Goldner and his team began re-examining Hasbro's properties for boys. At around the same time, "Spider-Man" was making its debut as a live-action, blockbuster movie and Goldner realized Transformers could do the same.

"I looked at Transformers and G.I. Joe as opportunities to enter that same arena," he said. "Three-quarters of now-adult men had played with these products as children."

Hasbro licensed the Transformers to Dreamworks and did not produce the film, but Goldner is listed as a co-executive producer. In contrast, Marvel Studios, a division of Marvel Entertainment, was involved in producing the Spider-Man movies based on Marvel characters.

"Transformers" is not the first movie to be based on a toy or game. The 1985 movie "Clue" took themes and characters from the popular Hasbro board game. Indeed, there was an animated Transformers movie in the 1980s (when the "Transformers" animated TV show and comic books were wildly popular).

But in recent years, toy companies have ramped it up. Marvel has had great success of late with movies based on its comic book characters: "Spider-Man," "X-Men" and "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer," the 20th Century Fox film, which debuted as the No. 1 weekend flick last week with $57.4 million in sales, slightly surpassing the $56.1 million opening of "Fantastic Four" two years ago.

Mattel also has released a series of successful direct-to-DVD movies based on Barbie, Silver said. Later this summer, Lions Gate Films plans to release "Bratz," a live-action movie based on the MGA Entertainment dolls popular with tween girls.

"At the end of the day, Hasbro and some of the other large toy companies realize they're in the entertainment business," Silver said. He describes Hasbro today as "a family entertainment company."

The movie is one of the most anticipated of the summer. It won an MTV Movie Award this month for the best "Summer movie you haven't seen," and is opening on what has traditionally been one of the biggest moviegoing holidays of the year.

"They put their stake down and everybody avoided it," Silver said. "That is the biggest statement of how Hollywood expects the movie to be."

Goldner said Hasbro is now working on a movie based on G.I. Joe, and he won't rule out other Hasbro-related movies down the line.

"You could imagine what a Monopoly movie would be like," Goldner said. "It's not a film of a board game. It can be the whole experience people have, and all the iconography of Monopoly."

Independent toy analyst Chris Byrne said the idea could work.

"Monopoly makes a lot more sense than some of the movies we've seen," he said.

Goldner said he doesn't want to stop at Transformers or movies.

"Our brands have great salience among so many audiences and have been enjoyed by so many generations," he said. "There's a bigger story to be told, and that can be done through numerous forms of entertainment."

(source)

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Radio Shack Transformers Toys

A rep for Radio Shack sent me a link to some Transformer toys that Radio Shack sells. Posting about it because figured people might like to know about them. Most of them are of the radio controlled this and that variety, and many don't transform.

Some links:
ZipZaps Micro RC TF Starter Kit - Basically tiny remote controlled Transformer cars.
Micro IR Transformers Car - These seem to transform, also remote controlled with the controller looking like a gun or something.
RC Transformers Starscream Micro Flyer - Small radio controlled plane. Nothing really "Starscream" about it except the Decepticon logos on the wings.

Amazingly enough, the folks at RadioShack created a YouTube video that sure is a qausi commercial, but its more informatative because not restricted by length and need to jazz thigns up for the 15-30 second attention grabber that commercials need to be. This is the kind of thing others manufacters should be doing. Never can go wrong in making it easy for consumers to find out if something is worth getting and videos can help in that.

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Interesting Transformers Products

BigBadToyStore.com have put up some interesting Transformers related products. The first is pillows (pic on left) in the shape of the Decepticons and Autobots. They retail for $22.99. Not sure if they are a retail item will be able to find anywhere in July or something just they have. Personally going to wait and find out before ordering.

The other item is a 2 Meter (6.5ft) tall Optimus Prime statue that's $3,999.99 with estimated $300-600 shipping fee. Yep. that is the price and not a typo. Its so big that the store is hoping they can deliver it to a place with a dock since comes on a pallet and probably need a truck to take home since weighs 175 pounds (85kg). Pics below of the statue are from TFormers.com.

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Bay's Press Kit Contest

Michael Bay's blog is running a contest that allows winners to get a Hasbro Press Kit that includes lots of Transformers toy goodies.

About the contest:

So, what do you have to do to win this? Simple. Answer the following two (2) questions:
1. Who is your favorite Transformer
2. And why is it your favorite Transformer

E-mail your name, address, and answers to: contest@michaelbay.com

Here are the contest rules:
- You must live in one of the following countries: US, UK, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, & Switzerland.

- You will have to pay for shipping and insurance through Paypal.com. You have 24 hours to pay once you are contacted (if you do not respond, your prize is void).

- The winner will be announced on this blog. You will be contacted with shipping and insurance rates info. If you are the winner and can't pay, the prize will be given to another contestant.

- There are no returns, refunds and/or cash exchanges.

- The contest ends on Friday, June 15, 2007.

The contents of the Transformers press kit are:
01.- Optimus Prime Voice Changer
02.- "Optimash Prime" Mr. Potato Head figure
03.- Deluxe Class Bonecrusher
04.- Deluxe Class Swindle
05.- Optimus Prime "Battle Rig Blaster"
06.- Robot Fighters game featuring Optimus Prime and Megatron
07.- "Transformers: Ghost of Yesterday" Prequel Novel by Alan Dean Foster
08.- T-Shirt featuring Barricade's police logo
09.- Small projector toy that shines an image of Optimus Prime
10.- Transformers press kit material and CD-rom
11.- Decepticon movie logo magnet
12.- Autobot movie logo magnet
13.- Leader Class Megatron action figure
14.- Transformers 3-D Battle-Card Game sample pack

There are no returns, refunds and/or cash exchanges.
The contest ends on Friday, June 15, 2007.

Good luck!

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Movie Starscream Protoform Pics

An Ebay user has pics up of the Protoform or Entry Mode version of the Starscream toy for Transformers the movie. Its validity is unknown but it does match previous pictures of this toy. Sadly the face is still of the Waspinator's brother variety. As just a Transformer, even independent of the movie, it doesn't exactly excite me. Its probably one I will pass on unless the price is good. How much, if any screen time, this model has in the movie is unknown.




(source)

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Transformers Movie Prototypes Toys in Blister Packs

ACToys.net has posted multiple pics from Pumaking of the movie version of Optimus Prime and Starscream prototypes both in and out of their blister packs. Whether these are actually real prototypes are a fan created mockup is unknown. Neither for instance look nothing liked leaked versions of his design unless the gimmick is pre-Earth modes or something. Thanks Garry M. for the link.

More pics are here.

Update:
Turns out based on AICN and also reading the back of the packages (see below pic) which I didn't do, the design of the toys show the "Protoform" for Optimus Prime and Starscream. Now Protoform has been around since G1 but wasn't really given a name until Beast Wars. In the context of the movie, its basically the Cybertron form of the Transformer until it adopts an Earth form to "camouflaged" itself.

From this you can infer that every Transformers in the movie will have to have 4 separate designs: Cybertron robot, Cybertron alt-mode, Earth robot, and Earth alt-mode. Twice the bang for you buck if selling toys but also twice the design work. Usually Transformers in this size back cost $10.00. Also the indicated detail is not bad too which gives me hope for the up coming toyline. This also means hat the leak pics up to now are only half the story with final designs and all 4 versions still out there to be revealed for public consumption and opinion.

The extent the Protoforms will be used in the movie, if at all, is unknown.


Update to the update:
Checking the comments, eagle-eyed readers have noticed that the blister pack makes mention of an "Entry Mode" suggesting that the movie might introduce not 2 versions of each Transformers, but 3 versions: Cybertron, Space Travel/Atmospheric Re-entry, Earth mode. Each with a robot mode and alt mode for a grand total of 6 designs for each.

This theory has some legs. Considering in the past the writers of the movie script have expressed that they though the concept of the Ark to be unnecessary. This is followed up with the "how do they get to earth then?" question. This might be their answer to that. This theory also fits in with the opening of the movie mentioning comets coming to earth (TFs entering the atmosphere). Finally, purely from a toy making perspective, when you only have 13 Transformers for the line, having them each with 3 modes equals 39 toys minimum to sell. That would probably represent about 3-4 waves that will last through the DVD and Christmas '07 season. Ultimately time will tell, either the release date of June 7th or more likely the New York Toyfair in February.

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Botcon 2006

Botcon 2006 was held over the weekend in Lexington, Kentucky. Botcon is the main Transformers convention held once a year to celebrate everyone's favorite toys. Even Hasbro shows up to show off their wares so it basically has unofficial official status. Sadly, as far as movie news, a whole lot of nothing. There was a movie related video presentation with a blurb from Michael Bay but no new information was revealed.

Most of the news is all Transformers toys related, with plenty of info on the new Transformers Classic line, re-issues, the final Alternators, and confirmed their intent to release the movie related toy line on June 2, 2006 (neat trick if they can pull it off, TF sadly are no Star Wars). What follows is lots of links, many with images of the toys and what not for those interested.

Hasbro Press Release - check out the Alternator link, drool.

Hasbro Presentation and 20th Anniversary DVD info - break down of the revealed toys, and what features the animated Transformers movie will have when released in November.

Frank Welker Interview - no real info but gives you an idea of just how much he has had a hand in the cartoons we grew up on and you probably didn't even know it.

Peter Cullen Panel - Main info is he has a contract to do three Transformer movies, so sequels are definitely planned, assuming box office dollars support one. Also a contest starting in a few days to submit Optimus Prime phrases to possibly used on the movie.

Transformers line images - lots of pics of upcoming Transformers.

Transformers Classic pics

Titanium Line info

It has also been announced that Botcon 2007 will be held July 1st in Providence, RI, just a few days before the intended release date of the movie so it should be a lot of fun with many a movie related celebrations and reveals.

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Transformers Toy Stuff

Another day, another day without movie news. So instead I will recommend some links to check out upcoming Transformers toys.

My favorite is the must have "Masterpiece Starscream". Sucker just looks great and probably fun to play with to. Its designed the same way as the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime from last year was. Besides, who can pass up a version that features that Starscream smirk. Pics are here and here.

Hasbro has recently updated its site with news of the next planned Alternator, the Honda Civic SI, called Rumble. Yes its named after the cassette Transformers Rumble and when in robot mode is clearly modeled after him with the chest plate and the hammer arms. The Alternator line is simply Transformers at its best. Is a perfect model of the car that turns into a fully articulated TF robot that usually looks awesome in any mode. If a fan from the past, its worth your while to hit a toy isle and give them a look-see. The info on Rumble is here.

For you Generation One (G1) fans (original TF from the 80s), comes the Classic Line for the holiday season. Its basically the original Transformers updated using current toy technology which means more detailed look, better articulation and even better no stickers! Click here for a few pics of Hot Rod, Starscream and Bumblebee.

A final bit of news is a rumor that the planned release of the Transformers movie toy line is June 2nd 2007. The site claims its direct from a Hasbro rep but I have my doubts. One reason is usually movie line toys are released 2 to 3 months ahead of the movie. Another is toy lines are not like DVD release schedules where they only get put on sale after a certain date. In fact I have never heard of a "release date" for a toy. Basically the manufacturer (Hasbro) makes then and ships then and its entirely up to the stores on when they stick them on the shelves. Toys R Us is famous for sitting on entire toy lines while it tries to clear out the old (rather then just put em on sale and get rid of them). Its one of the many reason why that company has been hurting for years. Even now, its really not recommended to look for the latest release there but instead hit the local Wal-Mart and Target. Any case, I say keep an eye out starting in May.

As the above shows, the next year in Transformers toys is bright and sweet with no less then three lines planned for the fans and the nephews alike. Oh and a warning for the TF newbies, don't be fooled by different colors. Hasbro is famous now for releasing the every Transformers about 3-4 different times and the only difference is its name and color scheme.

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Brian Goldner Comments on Megatron

COO of Hasbro, Brian Goldner, once again provides a little insight on the intended toy designs for Starscream and Megatron over on Don Murphy's forums. The most important part for may would be "Throughout time [Megatron] has had a very big gun...."

Good Afternoon--Let me answer your questions. Starscream is simply the coolest, most aggressive military jet in the skies. The military has given us unprecedented access to deliver this character to the audience in the most compelling way. He is Very much like G1. As noted to Nelson earlier in the week, the details, deco, weapons, and sculpt itself will change as we move from grey model to final form.

Megatron is an early style board. Without revealing too much of the story, there is a very important reason for his look to have evolved from pure G1; although the final look is a work-in-progress--ILM has just recently begun all their CGI development. Megatron has a iconic personality, and approach that dates back to G1. Throughout time he has had a very big gun....

Good sign, makes you wonder what is coming. I am still undecided on Megatron. The leaked designs are sweet, actually quite fantastic and should be fun to watch on the big screen and see in toy form. The problem is its just not a Megatron we know and love. I can't decide (yet) if I think that is important or not.

(source)

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COO of Hasbro Comments on Starscream

More notes from Transformers movie related big wigs. The first is a message from producer Don Murphy and now another note from COO of Hasbro, Brian Goldner. Hasbro is the American side producers of the Transformers line who are committed to producing the movie related line, which is the past is an indication needs to be ready to hit shelves by late May on the outside. He is speaking on the grey Starscream toy prototype, seen here:

Please let the people on the board know that any grey models they have seen are VERY early forms of toys and will be revised and changed, and will gain tremendous detail as they move toward finished products...

thanks and regards,
Brian Goldner

Its kind of sad its necessary for him to do this. The image is of a grey figure. Its screams prototype. Prototype in turn indicates that its still being worked out and updated. Its the whole point of the prototype is to allow tinkering with the final design until its locked. I will reserve judgment on the toy once see a picture that is close to the final design (and hopefully not so close to brother of Waspinator). They have at least 8 more months to tweak the design so I am not worried. The detail though, based on what little have seen, should be a joy to behold.

- be so glad when better quality pics without that ridiculous watermark comes out. Also made update to reflect original source of the note, thanks Shan

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Leaked Toy Images, Movie Robot Mode?

In this weekend of Transformers news comes leaked images of the potential plans for Optimus Prime, Starscream, Blackout and Scorponok. Since toys nowadays can do a remarkable job of recreating the characters and moments from the movies, its safe to say these images give a strong hint at to what the Transformers modes will look like in the movie. If they can pull of this detail for the toys, I can't wait to unleash my inner 10 year old with them.






As an aside, TFW2005.com, I understand why people use watermarks(referring those HUGE yellow words on the above images), but when the watermarks interferes with the image being displayed, you are taking the protecting of intellectual data (that usually isn't even your data to begin with) a little to far. Drop the watermark in the corner like everyone else. Or fade it, but do something so that it doesn't interfere with what you are presenting. When you have professional photographers that don't even do that, you should know you are taking the watermark a little to far.
(source)

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SDCC '06: Transformers Toys

TFormers.com has posted a ton of pics of toys that are being show at the San Diego Comic-Con. Personally I can't wait for the release of Transformers Titanium Figures (some of which just pose, others transform) and the Classics line. Both lines harken back to the G1 days while making use of better design and technology available to toys today.

Titanium pics here.
Classic pics here.
Cybertron Repaints here and here.
Masterpiece Prime here.
MP-4 Convoy here. (sweet toy, I have the Japanese release of same)

(source)

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Toyfare Transformers Article

Toyfare is out and in it is a combination of new and old rumors regarding the Transformers movie.

"AutobotWonko" over at tfans.com forum provided the highlights:

- Cybertron does appear in the film, but most takes place in the American Southwest.
- Rumored battle in downtown LA
- Spike will be Sam Witwicky and Sparkplug is still Sparkplug
- Bernie Mac sell Bumblebee to Sparkplug
- Josh Duhamel is Commander Lennox and he leaders an elite military unit to "fight a gargantuan Scorponok in the desert!"
- Optimus Prime, there is rumored test footage out there if you google "Transformer Test Video" (Which was fan-made. A link to it is here.)
- Bumblebee is a yellow 1975 Camaro. (pics here)
- Ironhide is a pickup truck
- Jazz and Ratchet are unsure beyond Jazz will be pimped out and Ratchet a ambulance.
- Megatron is a Cybertronian Jet
- Starscream is a F-22 Raptor jet
- Devastator is a M-1 Abrams Tank (pic here)
- Brawl is a police car (pic here)
- And finally, Soundwave: "Now a boombox (he supposedly sneaks onto Air Force One!), this fan-favorite reportedly stands 4 1/2 feet tall and may be renamed Soundbyte!" (the bit about Air Force One is old, the renaming rumor is news to me.)

(source)

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Transformers Classic Toyline Announced

Hasbro announced that their next Transformer toyline is Transformers Classics, which updates the original generation 1 toyline using modern designs. The line will be released in November 2006 and the initial wave 1 will include redesigned Starscream, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Hot Rod (now Rodimus) and Astrotrain (not sure if he is a triplechanger). Also Megatron will be return in a gun form but due to current laws, not the realistic gun he use to look like but a futuristic blaster.

Click here for the press release.
Click here for some pictures for the new toys.

Now what does this mean in regards to the movie? Nothing since that toy line will be separate and based upon what designs the filmmakers and Hasbro execs approve. However until then, at least get some G1 goodies using modern toy designs and manufacturing which means something that G1 didn't have before - articulation and no stickers.

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