I think the darker series of Gargoyle may just hit the mark for me. It would need choreography close to avatar though. the cast also needs to look damaged when they are and cut back on stock footage. I'ld target 8-14 but realize there are collectors and fans much older than this so the slower 8yr olds may get lost...
The 'premise' would borrow from the 80's movie, and the current one, to create a different feel from any previous series including G1.
The opening would be a three parter so epic that it's conclusion would need to be told 1st.
A RiD Scourge type apologizes to a newly formatted Rodimus as a 'portal' closes leaving the lone Autobot to fight a Galvanized Megatron in its temporal wake. An open matrix lies empty on the battle field. Then we see what lead to this darkest hour...
The series will focus primarily on the TFs on earth though there will be flashbacks featuring those on cybertron and perhaps even a dedicated episode or two for them.
a few things that will be learned from the three part beginning...
1. This universe's Optimus Prime is lost in another universe were Unicron reigns supreme. He's seemingly excepted being corrupted by this TF deity to prevent the same events from happening in our universe.
2. Megatron (via a piece of the allspark and a quantum pulse) was destined to become Galvatron. whether he will or not, his frame now lies at the bottom of the ocean in ruins.
3. The all spark is fragmented across the planet earth. It's biggest piece is under guard by vector 7 a branch of GI Joe. (minimal feature in first season)
4. While there is a main group of Autobots and Decepticons on earth there are also several splinter cells across the globe in search for the shikon jewe... lerrr allspark.
Autobots earth (main)
Optimus Prime- premier only, perhaps the focus of season 3 or 4 though.
Rodimus- Think a young Spiderman narorating type/ or maybe TT Robin with less confidence. Wonders why he made the cut for the earth mission. Can now since the allspark (sorta)
Prowl- I like Stormwolf's ideas...
Grimlock- I really like Stormwolf's ideas...
Wheeljack- I really really like Stormwolf's ideas...
Bumblebee- insert a little rattrap and a crush on...
Arcee- who may be related to optimus and Elita-1 but still likes Rodimus
Autobots (cyb)
Ultra Magnus- warrior brother of Optimus, has Grimlock's respect, may arrive on earth season 2 or 3
Springer- Hotrod's best friend and rival, surprised he didn't make the cut for the earth mission.
Jazz- likes earth lingo, a little outdated, listens for earth comlinks.
Kup- Worked with the finest generation since the war started, and trained the most recent.
AlphaTrion- Oldest living Autobot.
Autobots (others)
Cruelock- BW Dinobot as a cobra sms hiss tank (ala prime) son of...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimus_Pr ... PublishingSideswipe- looking for his brother. Has Cobra Stinger alt.
New Dinobots- will splice personality into the old gang.
Technobots- better than ever.
Decepticons earth (main)
Megatron/Galvatron- premier only, perhaps the focus of season 3 or 4 though
Darkrod- a coruption of Hotrod, and Rodimus' secrete, can also since the allspark.
Jetfire (light armered scientist friend of screamer, brother of Thunderwing)
seeker trio (with interchanging duocon gimmick, Starscream is never the rear.)
Blitzwing- commando sent for extra support and to report on Megatron.
Decepticon (cyb)
Thunderwing- armored like Magnus, may arrive on earth season 2 or 3
cone trio (with non-duocon mold ie not like other seekers)
Cyclonus- with aspects of G1 scourge is seemingly old as AlphaTrion (could be counterparts)
Thunderblast- effectively a fem replacement for G1 Scourge, loyal to Cyclonus.
Shockwave- mix with a little Overlord, (for Duocon gimmick)
Sixshot- Shockwaves greatest creation.
Decepticon (others)
Insecticons (G1 type but form the 1st combiner with... BW bugs)
Insecticons (Black Arachnia, Waspinator, Inferno..as Scavenger)
Stunticons (only three, looking for other two so no combiner yet)
Combaticons (Starscream brings them out to take over)
Magmatron (Triocon, will kill Grimlock season 2 or 3)
Dominus (BW Megatron as Destros' dominator, Cobra had TFs)
Meanstreak (was once named Sunstreak..)
Gimmicks
exo armor- Ultramagnus, and Thunderwing
Duocons- lead seekers, shockwave, Magmatron
multichangers- a few triples, 2 quads and Sixshot
combiners- Insecticons will be the first.
Headmasters- likely micromasters who control a larger drone transector. Humans may get this technology.
Targetmasters- likely micromasters reformated into weapons. Humans could work better in this.
powermasters- likely micromasters forcibly reformated into powersources. Humans could work better in this.
GIJoe- a hand full of there toys as alts promoted by a movie between season 2 and 3. Some even with master tech.
Serpent.O.R.- Every one will want this toy. Both TF and GI Joe models.
Unholy repaints- an Evil prime, and Hotrod. All toys sell better in basic black too.
Last season is to get back Optimus Prime, and take the fight.. to Unicron. Expect repaints.
featured enemy; Cyberton Alliance- Prime and Megatron
other members
Dinocons- yes a what if Grimlock went with Megs fan idea but... a slight twist.
Predacons
Terrorcons
Horrorcons
Seacons
Sharticons
Gatorcons
Quintessons (as slaves. Hear reg myth of Quints from cast who try to free them)
The last line: while in animal forms no flesh will be used.
Skylinx-
Torca Supreme- part omegasupreme, part bw Torca, all hero.
Ultramammoth- white painted bigconvoy, only thing that sells better than basic black.
Trypticon- Still unsure of Megatron, but is willing to do something about it.
Thundercracker- Has his fallen brother's pretender shell. looks to kill Sunstorm.
Ultimately to remove Unicron's body from that universe they must remove Primus's body... ie Cybertron.
Return to earth in reg universe with remaining TFs defeat remaining Decepticon forces on earth. Learn cyberton is taken over by Decepticons.
I'll likely pop in to clean this up a bit over the next week or two.