Transformers Linkfest - Happy New Year

Happy New Year!
The years 2012 is looking pretty good on nearly all fronts for Transformers. Transformers: Prime starts season 2 in February, Transformers: The Ride opens in Hollywood in May, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron video game is coming in the fall and the Prime toy line is expected to hit store shelves very soon if recent reports of clearance prices are any indication. Third party makers are coming up with better and better homages to Transformers past with not Devastator, a Dinobot combiner, and more in the pipeline for this year and the comics are getting a soft relaunch that focuses on a post-civil war Cybertron for the first time in TF history. About the only area that is likely to remain slow is the live action movie front as most of the news will be focused on if Michael Bay is directing the 4th film and if not who will. I suspect that if the year ends with just a director and writer in place, consider it good news. Now on to the last link fest of the year which includes a DOTM/Little Mermaid mash-up.

Custom DOTM Masterpiece Optimus Prime
Hit the link for the gallery of a sweet custom job by DubCustomz. The figure uses leader class Revenge of the Fallen Optimus Prime as a base but then piles on a realistic paint job, custom built weapons and electronics to create a very sweet version of Prime.

Transformers: The Ride Grand Opening Date
Screamscape is reporting that the "Grand Opening" of Transformers: The Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood will occur on May 25th, Memorial Day weekend (as predicted). Keep in mind there is a difference between the "grand opening" and the official open date as people have to get trained and problems ironed out so I would not be surprised if the ride becomes available to guests by the second week of May.

Transformers Limited Edition Trilogy Set Details, Pre-Order

Today Paramount has issued their press release (below) with details about the 3D Transformers: Dark of the Moon Combo set and the Signature edition of the trilogy set. The release verifies the special features of the 3D set aka the "Ultimate Edition" referred to back in September. This four disc set will be the Blu-ray movie (disc 1), bonus features (disc 2), 3D movie (disc 3), and DVD/Digital copy (disc 4). The current cost on Amazon is $38.49.

As for the Michael Bay signed edition, now called the "Limited Collector's Edition Blu-ray Trilogy", the image above is what it will look like. It comes with seven Blu-ray discs which is essentially a combination of the Blu-ray editions of each movie and their special features minus any DVDs. Ultraviolet is handling the digital copy so no extra discs for that. The set is the 2-disc special edition of Transformers, 2-disc Special Edition of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and 3-disc Ultimate Edition of Transformers: Dark of the Moon in regular and 3D versions. Unless things have changed, this set is limited to around 5000 copies and currently being sold only through Amazon. The pre-order page is now up with a cost of $104.99. Both the Ultimate and Limited editions will be released on January 31st, 2012 in the United States. I don't believe the Limited Edition will be released outside the US. If ordering, make sure to use my links so this site gets credit for purchases.

Visual Effects Behind DOTM Chicago's Destruction

Below is another special effects behind the scenes video from Transformers: Dark of the Moon that focuses on how some of the effects were done for battle damaged Chicago. The video was actually released five months ago from The Daily (an iPad app) to help promote the movie but this is the first I have seen it. Thanks to Feris Othman for the find.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all
Below are three Transformers related Holiday messages thanks to Hasbro and The Hub. The last video is from voice actor David Kaye as the voice of Beast Wars Megatron. Feel free to post in the comments what loot you scored (or gave) this Christmas.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Set Extra Features List

Yesterday we are informed there will be an extra features disc for Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Combo and now thanks to Amazon UK we have the list. There are over 1 and half hours of extra features with some commentary on the previsualization from Michael Bay but doesn't seem the movie itself will have Bay commentary like the previous two movies. The 3D combo pack will be out January 31st in the States, don't know for other regions. (via TFW2005)

Blu-ray Special Features – over 1 ½ hours:
Above and Beyond: Exploring Dark of the Moon
- Rising from the Fallen: Development and Design
- Ready for Prime Time: Filming Across America
- Battle in the Heartland: Shooting in Chicago
- Attack of the Birdmen: Aerial Stunts
- Shadow of the Sentinel: Post-Production and Release

Uncharted Territory: NASA’s Future Then and Now

Deconstructing Chicago: Multi-Angle Sequences
- Previsualizations with optional commentary by director Michael Bay and previsualization supervisor Steve Yamamoto
- Previsualizations/Final Shot Comparison with optional commentary by director Michael Bay and previsualization supervisor Steve Yamamoto
- Visual Effects with optional commentary by visual effects supervisors Scott Farrar and Matthew Butler
- Visual Effects/Final Shot Comparison with optional commentary by visual effects supervisors Scott Farrar and Matthew Butler

The Art of CYBERTRON
- AUTOBOTS
- DECEPTICONS
- Environments
- Weapons and Gear
- Ships

The Dark of the Moon Archive
- 3D: A Transforming Visual Art
- Moscow World Premiere
- Birdmen Featurette
- Cody’s iPad
- The Sound of Transformers: Dark of the Moon

The Matrix of Marketing
- Trailers
- Marketing Gallery

ILM Behind the Magic - DOTM Transformations

Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) have posted a brief video that explains the differences in the transformation designs between the Autobots and the Decepticons in Transformers: Dark of hte Moon.

More Details on DOTM 3D, Trilogy Sets with Extras

Two recent posts on the Shoot for the Edit forums from admin Nelson provides a few more details on the upcoming Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D set and Signature Edition Trilogy set that is currently scheduled for a January 31st release date in the States. According to Nelson, the "TF Signature Series will be $100." He also later posted a bit more on what the Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Blu-ray edition will have and number of discs. The main good news is the 3D set will have extra features, exactly what isn't specified.

Transformers Linkfest - Speaking Of

The holidays are near and that makes me think of fun holiday things like Transformers toy. Hasbro may have bigger plans in the works for the Transformers: Prime line at least judging by a single picture. Also making plans is various 3rd party transformer makers with more images of previously known figures like not Devastator, not Shockwave, and not The Fallen. There are links to an Autobot Ukulele, articles on re-issues, and a look at not Sixshot. In the video department, we have a Kre-O commercial, TF book commercial and two reviews of two more not Constructicons. On the not so merry side there is also a potential PR nightmare for Hasbro if the mainstream media gets bored and looks into a report on one of their Chinese Transformer factories but in the meantime they are suing Asus.

Transformers: Prime - Robots in Disguise Bumblebee
Based on the image above, it seems the successor to the Transformers: Prime First Edition mini-line is ready to go called "Robots in Disguise" line with red colored package (personally I like the First Edition blue more). The deluxe Bumblebee seems to be a new mold. At this point I am a bit confused about the whole Prime line as far as what is being released when with what type of package (blue or RID red) but I assume the goal is to have a strong prescense on the toy aisles in time for the second season launch in Feburary. A leaked list of potential RID figures include deluxe Skywarp and Ratchet.

Transformers: The Ride Universal Hollywood Teaser Trailer, Website

Universal Studios Hollywood has released their version of a teaser trailer for Transformers: The Ride 3D which just recently opened at Universal Singapore. As part of that they narrowed down the launch date to May 2012 but did not specify a specific date. I assume sometime around Memorial Day (5/28/12) to take advantage of that prime vacation/end of school period. In addition the official attraction website PrepareForBattle.com has been gone live.

Death of Optimus Prime Preview

Tomorrow will bring Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime that "celebrates" the 125th issue in IDW's continuity. It has been hinted for months now that this is the literal death of Prime which acts as an epilogue to previous IDW continuity and prologue to the new direction on Cybertron with the launch in January of Transformers: Robots in Disguise and Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye series. Of course being comics, death is rarely permanent and "death" is not always literal. Click here for the first 7 pages that due little to clear up where this story will go by issue's end.

Fall of Cybertron: Art of the Apocalypse Preview

Last week brought us the first trailer for Transformers: Fall of Cybertron and now thanks to artwork from High Moon Studios, get a more detailed look at their designs. The "Art of the Apocalypse" preview includes a look at the concept art for Combaticon robot modes, the Dinobots, High Moon's goals with the game and more. There is also an updated Transformers Timeline (below) that suggests what the third game could be ("The Journey") with hints of other stories that Hasbro or High Moon may tell in the future. The full gallery provided to TFormers can be found here.

Update: It seems the artwork was part of the Fall of Cybertron "Survival Kit" (lunchbox) that was sent to various media outlets (sadly not me) that included a "Soundwave" energy drink, "Energon Bar", and artbooks. Click here and here for galleries.

Transformers: Prime Season Two Starts in February

A new promo that started airing during Transformers Rescue Bots reveals that The Hub has scheduled Transformers: Prime returning in February 2012. No exact date or time provided but at least narrows it down. (via Seibertron)

IDW March Transformers Comics; Costa Exit Interview

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for March that continues the post civil war era for Transformers. A total of two comics and three trades are being released that month including one that teaches you how to draw Transformers. If you are interested in the books, just let your local comic book store know. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, Locke & Key, and more click here.

On a related note, ex-Transformers (and current G.I. Joe) writer Mike Costa did a sorta of exit interview with The Underbase Podcast. The result is a very honest perspective on how difficult it is to write for characters with tens of million of years in lifespan but behave like humans with only decades of experience as well as his experiences with the more ...lets say "passionate" side of Transfandom. A summary of the discussion can be found here, a partial transcript is here, and the interview is here (mp3 file). Suffice it to say, his chances of returning to the franchise are slim.

Dark of the Moon Nominated for SAG Award

Today the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG) nominations were announced and Transformers: Dark of the Moon received a nomination in the category of "Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture." My guess is this category (along with the TV equivilant) is a means for SAG to acknowledge the hard working stunt crews that make the actors look so good in action scenes. Members of SAG (pretty much any actor that ever had a speaking role and still pay their dues) will have until January 27th to vote. The winners will be announced at the January 29th, 2012 ceremony on TNT and TBS. Congrats to the crew of Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
The Adjustment Bureau
Cowboys & Alients
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
X-Men: First Class

Transformers Trilogy Set Out Now

Just a quick reminder that the Transformers Trilogy 3-disc box set is now available at retail. Amazon has the Blu-ray set for $39.99 and the DVD set for $25.49. Amazon only lists the extra features that come with Transformers I (Bay commentary, behind the scenes stuff), indicating nothing for the other two movies.

It still isn't known how this set compares with "Ultimate" set or the "Signature edition" that is coming out in late January. I continue to advise don't buy until all the information about all the editions are finally out. I still have not bought my own copy. This constant double dipping that the studios have tried to force on their fans has led to me pretty much stop buying movies entirely.

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Behind Scenes of Trailer

Sunday brought us the first trailer for Transformers: Fall of Cybertron and now we have a behind the scenes video for it. The video (below) has Game Director Matt Tieger and Cinematic Directory Dave Cravens talk about their motivations and emotions they were trying to convey in the opening cinematic along with their favorites moments in the trailer. Information wise not much was added but Tieger did confirm that it is the Combaticons forming Bruticus. (via TFormers)

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron VGA Trailer

Tonight Spike's Video Game Awards were held with a bunch of world premieres for trailers for games coming out in 2012 including Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, the sequel to Transformers: War for Cybertron video game. The trailer (below) appears to be a portion of the game's opening cinematic with an interesting choice in music (The Humbling River by Puscifier). Many other game trailer also premiered including Hitman Absolution, Diablo III, and BioShock Infinte. Click here to view those. My guess is the combiner is Bruticus (Combaticons).

Transformers: Dark of the Moon on Shortlist for Visual Effects Oscar

Friday the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the 15 films that are on the shortlist for a potential nomination for Achievement in Visual Effects for the 84th Academy Awards with Transformers: Dark of the Moon being one of them. The way it works if from the 15 films (list below), 10 will be selected by members of the Academy's Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee. From those 10, all members of the VFX branch will have a chance to watch 10 minute excerpts from each film on January 19th. The members will then vote and choose the five finalists for the category that will be announced on January 24th, 2012. The last step is all members of the Academy (not just the VFX branch) will vote on who will win the award which will be announced on February 26th, 2012.

Transformers: Prime The Complete First Season Set Announced

Shout! Factory and Hasbro have announced that that the first season of Transformers: Prime will be released on March 6th on Blu-ray and DVD formats. The 26 episode season will come on 4-disc in either Blu-ray ($64.99 SRP) or DVD ($29.99 SRP) with a 96 page graphic novel from IDW. Currently Amazon has the Blu-ray set up for pre-order at $45.49. No mention is made of any extra features. Suffice it to say that anyone that has bought, but no opened, the TF: Prime Darkness Rising disc might want to wait as a full season set strikes me as the better deal. Press release below.

Transformers: The Japanese Collection Release Details

Shout! Factory has officially provided the details on the release of Transformers: The Japanese Collection. The 13 disc set, with Japanese audio tracks and English subtitles, will be released on January 2nd, 2012 and is currently priced at $90. The set is comprised of what was the continuation of the Transformers Generation One cartoon, acting as a kind of season 5-7 with Headmasters, Super-God Masterforce, and Victory seasons. Details at the below press release.

Transformers Linkfest - Generation One Past

Time that semi-weekly list of links and videos to various Transformers related topics. This week includes a heavy look back at Generation One with an entire case of G1 triple-changers up for auction, a series of blog posts from TFSource that is worth reading, a date set for Botcon 2012, and 3rd party toys inspired by those 25 year old toys. On the Dark of the Moon front, it appears that the Wheeljack and Soundwave toys are on the verge of release with galleries and videos. In addition, below are videos of a fan made Megatron voice changer helmet and two reviews.

TFC Toys Hercules in Color
More images of the combined "not" Devastator that is looking pretty sweet. The first two of six not Constructicons has been released with two more coming by year's end. The scale isn't bad with Hercules crushing deluxe Generations Prime's head. The final result will be about the size of Unicron.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Blu-ray Combo Cover

Blu-ray.com has revealed the cover for Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D combo pack that is due for release on January 31st, 2012. For some reason it is being called a "Limited Edition" on the cover, not sure what that means in this context. The pack has DOTM in 3D on Blu-ray disc, regular Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy. Not sure if that means 3 or four discs total. There is no mention of special features but I am willing to bet that this pack is identical to the previously released combo pack with just the extra 3D disc added. Theoretically there is still an "Ultimate" edition on the horizon but who knows what is going on at this point. In short, it seems if you had not bought the movie yet this does nothing to clear up if you should commit now or not and if you already bought it then you are not missing anything. (via Seibertron)

Bay: Not Decided on Transformers 4

Michael Bay has stopped by his Shoot for the Edit forums to provide an update on the recent rumor that he was on the verge of signing on for Transformers 4. As expected, the status quo has not changed. He writes:

Right now I'm not decided on Transformers 4
Studio's are passing rumors but I'm not sure what I'm doing? I know I'm going to do Pain and Gain early spring but that's it for right now. I'm leaving all my options on the table. I've got several Studio meetings in the next two weeks.

Michael Bay On Verge of Signing on for Transformers 4?

New York Magazine's Vulture blog is reporting that director Michael Bay is "in final negotiations" to direct Transformers 4. Transformers Executive Producer Steven Spielberg has said he wants Bay for the next entry in the franchise. Last week, while at the opening for Transformers: The Ride in Singapore, Bay admitted that "We're talking about it, but there's nothing right now. I'm going to do a tiny movie first, then we'll talk about it, if I potentially do it."

The "tiny movie" is Pain and Gain based on a real life story of torture victim hiring a private eye to hunt down the "Sun Gym gang" of Miami bodybuilders that kidnapped him. The current rumor is Dwayne Johnson is being approach as lead but Mark Wahlberg passed on offer. According to Vulture's source, Michael Bay has been wanting to do the film since at least 1999 when the story was published and using the film as "Paramount's leverage" to get him to commit to a fourth story.

Transformers #31 Preview, #80.5 Announced

Next week will bring the final Transformers issue of the current ongoing before the relaunch coming next month. Transformers #31 tells the aftermath of the end of the Chaos storyline leading to events that will mark the true end of the Cybertronian War. A cover and first seven pages of the issue, which will hit stores this Wednesday, can be found here.

In addition, IDW has announced they are releasing a prequel issue for the Marvel era Transformers comics relaunch with Transformers #80.5 that will be released for free on Free Comic Book Day that will be on May 5th, 2012. FCBD is a now annual event where various comic book publishers release free comics to give new and current comic readers a chance to sample their efforts and often tease plans for the summer. Series writer Simon Furman said, "the issue will be pretty balanced between stuff to bring readers up to speed and stuff that propels the new storyline onwards, so whether or not you read the original run, you can still easily jump onboard."

Transformers Trilogy Release Date, Cover

Thanks to Blu-ray.com The Transformers Trilogy box set now has a known release date and box cover to go with it. The three-disc set will be out next week on December 13, 2011 (at least in the US, not sure for other regions). Amazon has it priced at $47.99. As the cover shows, it’s a nice collage of scenes from the movies. Sadly, as become the norm, no information on what the extras are.

I am guessing the extras will be what are on the first Blu-ray disc of the first two movies and who knows for the third since the September release of Dark of the Moon had none and still no information on if the "Ultimate" edition will have any or not. The cover and release date just coming out a week before release and still not really officially confirmed by Paramount? For whatever reason, Paramount Home Video department has done a pathetic job of getting any information out on intended release of Transformers related product over the last few months. Makes me wonder why.

Transformers: The Ride World Premiere with Michael Bay (Updated)

Friday was the grand opening of Transformers: The Ride at Universal Studios Singapore. On hand for the celebration was director Michael Bay as he literal rode in the Bumblebee Camaro and activated the ride. He also sat down for a Q&A with the media and talked about his part in creating the attraction. MichaelBay.com posted the pic to the left and an article talking about it. Below are two videos of the world premiere festivities. The first from R3Load.net is a 13 minute video that is a walkthrough of the ride from outside, during and after along with Bay's grand entrance while the second video from MSN has some of the Q&A with Bay and more opening footage. I am curious if the sweet Bumblebee and Prime costumes are going to be an ongoing thing at the studio with some poor soul having to walk around the park wearing them or if specific for this opening.

Update: I.Z. Reloaded informs me that the costumed Bumblebee and Optimus Prime "permanent attraction in park, greeting the theme park guests and welcoming them to the Ride." Bumblebee is 7.5 feet tall (2.3 m) while Optimus is 9.5 feet tall (2.9 m). Wearing those costumes are hard work so be kind to those inside.

Michael Bay on the Sounds of Dark of the Moon

In a brief article from The Hollywood Reporter, Transformers: Dark of the Moon director Michael Bay discusses the sound effects of the movie citing how complex they are including how an orangutan played a part in the sound effects.

The Hollywood Reporter: You have quite a large below-the-line team.
Michael Bay: Roughly 3,000 people worked on this Transformers. Some have been with me since 1995's Bad Boys. The people I work with are animals. They're passionate. It irks me that VFX and VFX movies aren't considered art. It's a different type of art, but it's definitely art.

Transformers: The Ride Opens Early, Galleries, Full Ride Video

While tomorrow is the official grand opening of Transformers: The Ride at Universal Studios Singapore, that has stopped the ride from opening early. Below are links to two galleries that show off the attraction both outside and inside. After is a video from an enterprising person that managed to sneak a camera onto the attraction and hang on to it through the bumpy 4 and half minute ride. The video is blurry due to the 3D effect.
Theme Park Guy | Relax.com

Spielberg Hopes Bay Back for Transformers 4 (Updated)

In the current issue of Entertainment Weekly, their feature article is "The Secrets of Spielberg" where Steven Spielberg talks about a range of topics including Transformers. The interview, help promote The Adventures of TinTin (exec producer) and War Horses (director), is a retrospective of Spielberg's long career as he answers questions and provides stories about his many movies, especially those he directed. The Transformers part is brief but he mentions that playing with the toys inspired him to do a movie, that he wants Bay back and he did not ask for Megan Fox to get fire.

EW: I remember asking you once what interested you about Transformers
Spielberg: I used to buy my kids Transformers toys, and I'd wind up on the floor playing with them. I called up the head of Hasbro and I said, "Will you sell me the rights to Transformers? I think I have a way of turning this into a motion picture."

Will there be another Michael Bay Transformers?
I hope so, because I think he made the best of the three with the last one. I certainly can't imagine anybody other than Michael being equipped to make another Transformers. He's invented a genre, and he's got the secret formula.

He told GQ that when Megan Fox compared him to Hitler in an interview, you said that he should fire her.
[Shakes head] That's not true. That didn't happen.

Update: Speaking of Michael Bay, the director briefly commented on his potential return to franchise saying while in Singapore for the launch of Transformers: The Ride.

"How did I know someone's going to ask me this question today? We're talking about it, but there's nothing right now. I'm going to do a tiny movie first, then we'll talk about it, if I potentially do it."

Frank Welker, Peter Cullen Talk Transformers: Prime

The Transformers dynamic duo of Frank Welker and Peter Cullen spoke with MTV's Geek News to discuss Transformers Prime: Darkness Rising DVD (first five eps of the first season) that is coming out next week. The legendary pair have been working together for decades voicing tons of iconic characters besides Megatron and Optimus Prime. Below are a few highlights but its worth taking the time to read the entire interview here.

Transformers: The Ride Scene by Scene Preview

While various videos over the few weeks (including a fan description) has shown us snippets of Transformers: The Ride, the Los Angeles Times has now waded in with their own scene by scene breakdown of the attraction that will debut on December 3rd at Universal Studios Singapore.

Scene 1: A mechanical Decepticon tiger named Ravage grabs the AllSpark, leaps onto Evac's hood and claws at the passengers. Evac escapes by driving erratically.