Transformers People News on Seibertron.com

Don Murphy to Attend TransformersCon 2006

Date: Sunday, March 5th 2006 1:51pm CST
Categories: Movie Related News, Event News, People News
Posted by: Calenatarion | Credit(s): Don Murphy, TranformersCon.com

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Views: 26,916

Don Murphy himself has stated that he will attend the TransformersCon in Toronto this year.
He will be part of a Question and Answer panel the during this convention on April 29th.

Click here to see Don's original thread and post over at his own messageboard. Plus, click here to view the official website of the TransformersCon!

Don Murphy: Cullen / Welker are far from a done deal

Date: Monday, February 6th 2006 1:40am CST
Categories: Cartoon News, Movie Related News, People News
Posted by: Alex Kingdom | Credit(s): Don Murphy Message Board

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Views: 39,016

Don Murphy's has posted this message in reference to Peter Cullen and Frank Welker returning to thier roles as Optimus Prime and Megatron in the forthcoming Transformers Movie:

I should tell you all that the Cullen/Welker thing is far from a done deal. I spoke to some Dreamworks execs last week long distance and they really think the old voices link our new movie to old things. I disagree. I know you do too. It will be Michael Bay's decision. When I prepare my report to him about this very subject I will let you know. I believe this is the ONLY thing the fanbase is in agreement with. And before reporting this as news, like a lame site like Cinescape might do, be advised- NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE YET about the voice actors, EITHER WAY.

Read the full message here on the Don Murphy Message Board.

Neil Kaplan contacts Don Murphy!

Date: Monday, December 12th 2005 7:20pm CST
Categories: Movie Related News, People News
Posted by: Raymond T. | Credit(s): www.donmurphy.net

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Views: 77,487

Neil Kaplan, the voice actor of Ro-Tor and of course Optimus Prime from Robots In Disguise, has contacted Don Murphy by E-mail. This hot on the heels after Gary Chalk (Armada, Energon and Cybertron Optimus Prime) made a similar contact with the producer of the new Transformers Live action movie.

The E-mail, which we can report was actually send several weeks ago, was made public by Don Murphy on the board of his site. The following is Neil Kaplan's E-mail as it was posted by Murphy.

Hello Mr. Murphy...

My name is Neil Kaplan. I am one of only three actors in the world to officially play Optimus Prime; leader of the Autobots.

I realize that in the grand Transformer universe Peter Cullen is Sean Connery (THE man!)... and Gary Chalk is Timothy Dalton... and I am thought of as "the George Lazenby of the Transformer world!"

--You know, I always did like "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."--

Since posting Gary Chalk's e-mail on your website, I have received several pieces of wonderful e-mail from fans in urging me to get involved with the long awaited live action adventures.

I just want you to know that I am very interested in playing ANY of the many transformers in the
upcoming films.

And yes, if given the chance I would be thrilled to read for the role of Optimus Prime.

Thank you sincerely for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,
Neil Kaplan

P.S. you will find attached a one minute demo of some of my animation work, including Optimus Prime from the FOX-TV series "Transformers: Robots in Disguise."

New Interview with IDW's Chris Ryall and Simon Furman

Date: Wednesday, October 26th 2005 8:50am CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, People News
Posted by: Alex Kingdom | Credit(s): comicnewsi.com

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Views: 34,597

Comic News International has interviewed both IDW Publishing's Editor in Chief Chris Ryall and Transformers writer Simon Furman concerning IDWs Transformers comic book properties, and focusing their forthcoming Beast Wars series!
Read the full interview here.

Alan Hassenfeld to retire into Non-Employee Status

Date: Wednesday, August 31st 2005 5:16pm CDT
Categories: People News, Company News
Posted by: Raymond T. | Credit(s): www.hasbro.com

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Views: 37,368

Hasbro has made a statement about its long-time Chairman of the Board of directors, Alan Hassenfeld. Taking effect from Januari 1st 2006, Alan Hassenfeld will step down as Active Employee.

Hassenfeld (56) will still remain active within the Board of Directors, but shall take up the function as a non-employee for the company. After 35 years of service to Hasbro, he shall now concentrate his efforts as leading guide for the company in its future endeavours.

Hassenfeld is a third generation CEO for Hasbro, a family owned company that started in 1923 as Hassenfeld Brothers, which mainly dealt in production of School accessories. In the 60's the company started to concentrate its efforts in toys, rather then school equipment. Stephen Hassenfeld directed the company into creating toy lines like GI Joe, from which eventually with aid from Takara the Transformers developed. When Stephen Hassenfeld died in the late 80's, Alan took over from his brother to give the final say in what happened with Hasbro toy-lines, including the Transformers.

One of Alan Hassenfeld's most recent involvements with the Transformers was giving the green light to Dreamworks and Angry Films to start production on the live action version of the Transformers movie.

Kurtzman and Orci Interviewed again.

Date: Wednesday, August 17th 2005 9:54am CDT
Categories: Movie Related News, People News, Digital Media News
Posted by: Raymond T. | Credit(s): www.the-trades.com

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Views: 40,828

The writing duo of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci have been spotlighted once again on the net. The Trades sat down with the script writers of the the upcoming Dreamworks produced Transformers movie

The article talks mostly about them breaking through in Hollywood with their writing skills. But mention of the Transformers movie is not left behind.

"It’s a live action and super special effects heavy, but the robots have to be characters, and they have to interact believably with humans. It takes out of the box thinking"

"A lot of the requirements of film storytelling are very different from the requirements of comic book storytelling. If you look at movies like X-Men, they find an amazing way to balance and vary the two worlds. That’s totally what we’re going for"

The duo is planning on adapting the story for Transformers into a workable script. But as was reported previously, they are currently working on the script for Mission: Impossible III.

Marv Wolfman Interviewed

Date: Saturday, May 14th 2005 3:36pm CDT
Category: People News
Posted by: Raymond T. | Credit(s): www.tfarchive.com

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Views: 25,102

Tfarchive.com has gotten an exclusive short interview with Transformers cartoon writer Marv Wolfman. Wolfman has written episodes for the original series, as wel as for Beast Wars and Beast Machines.

In the interview we we are allowed a quick look at writing for Beast Machines as well as some personal view on his work on Transformers.

It should be noted that Wolfman also reveils that he believes that Devil's Due currently does not hold the rights to continue the Transformers comics, which was previously owned by Dreamwave!

Hasbro lays off employees

Date: Thursday, December 9th 2004 10:45pm CST
Categories: People News, Company News
Posted by: Alex Kingdom | Credit(s): TFW2005.com, Yahoo news

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Views: 44,988

Hasbro has laid off about 125 workers, 90 of which are from Rhode Island where the company is based. Hasbro spokesman Wayne Charness has said:

The cuts in the toys, games, international and corporate divisions will give the company more flexibility in developing new products,

See the news story here.

Don Figueroa sheds some light on G1 Scaling.

Date: Wednesday, December 8th 2004 8:50am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, People News
Posted by: Alex Kingdom | Credit(s): TFW2005.com

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Views: 85,202

Don Figueroa, main artist on Dreamwaves Transformers G1 and forthcoming Beast Wars comic, has stopped by the 2005 borads to post HIS take on G1 scaling.


ok, MY scaling system goes like this:
-Minibots are two heads taller than Cassette bots which in turn is a head taller than a normal human
-Deluxe cars and Insecticons are a head or so taller than Minibots (obviously) but some are taller than most, like Inferno.. so they vary from a head above the minis to a few
-Prime and Megs are about three heads taller than Jazz, about a head taller than Inferno, Grapple, Soundwave..etc Gestalt leaders are also about a head smaller than Prime
-Seekers are also a head smaller than Prime/Megs, Smaller gestalt members are about deluxe car height
-Magnus is about a head taller than Prime when in Armor, Jetfire maybe a couple of heads taller
-Dinobots vary from a head taller than Prime (Swoop) to maybe 3 heads taller for the biggest (Sludge)
-combined Gestalts are 2x bigger than Sludge
-Sixshot is slightly taller than Sludge, but not as bulky
-Omega Supreme and Sky lynx are 50% bigger than a gestalt. to me, Devastator should be slightly bigger than most combiners since there are Six of them, then height wise, it goes Predaking then Superion, Bruticus, Menasor and Defensor
-Metroplex is about 5x the size of Omega Supreme, Trypticon will be slightly bigger
-Fortress Max and Scorponok WILL be bigger than Metro, though I'm not sure just how big yet

Read the original TFW2005 thread here.

War Within Competition opened

Date: Monday, November 15th 2004 9:27am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, People News, Digital Media News, Transtopia
Posted by: Raymond T. | Credit(s): Transtopia, Wrecka

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Views: 70,343

Dutch based Transformers Kitbash site Transtopia has opened a rather interesting competition for the War Within fans.

As part of a special feature about Don Figueroa on their site, they have opened a competition where you can win a hand drawn version of a WW redesign made by Don Figueroa as well as a Galaxy Force/Cybertron Starscream figure when it comes out.

All you have to do is create a War Within type design for any existing non-G1 Transformer character. Entrees are accepted as Kitbash, 2D art or 3D art. The winner will be picked by the Don himself. For all the details go here.