This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.
Yup, not a joke, that headline is a direct quote from Lorenzo di Bonaventura, who took the time to give some interesting quotes at the first screening of Transformers One in France. He was interviewed along with Josh Cooley, the director of Transformers One, as well as the head of Paramount Animation and Hasbro's head of film. You can read the full interview below, which comes from Variety.
This is the first animated Transformers movie in 40 years. What challenges did you face in getting it made?
Cooley: There were a lot of different challenges on this film. The fact that it’s animated, I think, is a benefit, though. Being that it’s set on Cybertron, there are no humans, and it’s all about the robots; it just feels natural to animate that as opposed to doing any other version. We went as big and as epic as possible just to match that feeling that people remember from the ’86 film.
Di Bonaventura: What’s so surprising about the ’86 film is how dark it is. Honestly, I don’t understand why people love it so much. For some, maybe it was their first cinematic experience, but it’s really a downer movie. Interestingly, when we showed our trailer for the first time, the fans’ reaction was to compare our movie to that one. But they’re so not comparable because that’s so dark, and this has so much humanity. They’re completely different movies in many ways.
Naito: I think for us at Paramount Animation, what was so great about partnering with Lorenzo and Josh is that this particular story could really only be told through animation. I mean, the world that Josh envisioned for Cybertron is extraordinary. It has so much innovation and beauty alongside a story that has so much heart.
Foreman: An animated “Transformers” movie was not part of the other piece of our relationship with Paramount and the live-action movies, so it’s something independent that we both had to agree on. But, from the very beginning, we all decided this was something we wanted. We brought Josh onto the project and developed it with Paramount as equal partners, and it’s basically been that way throughout the entire process.
Can you lure audiences who are not fans or familiar with the Transformers?
Cooley: It’s an origin story, so we not only talk about these characters that people know, but of the origin of the species itself. We go back to the beginning. This is what happened. This is how we got to this place. You can go in knowing absolutely nothing and enjoy this film.
Naito: That’s really important because we don’t want people to feel like, “Wow, I need to see seven movies before I go see this.” With this film, you don’t have to understand anything to follow along and enjoy it.
Josh, you previously directed “Toy Story 4.” How is it to be back again with a movie about a toy franchise?
Cooley: I didn’t approach this one as toys. In “Toy Story,” they are physically toys, and so everything they do is down on the floor, and they can only go as fast as their body allows them. But in this film, the characters are robots. They are on another planet. They are huge. They can do a lot more than a toy. That’s how I approached it, making sure that we still have those restrictions in play of what these characters actually are, which makes it way more fun when you’re watching it. It doesn’t feel like two people in suits acting it out. It’s like, “No, these are robots that are actually going a bunch of these emotions that you’re feeling and you’re along with.”
And you’ve enlisted some big Hollywood talent to voice these characters and bring them to life.
Cooley: Yeah, we have an incredible cast. I can’t believe how great it was. Everybody was fantastic. I would walk them through the scene, and they’d suggest a lot of stuff. Keegan[-Michael Key], of course, rifted like crazy on things. But Chris Hemsworth is also extremely funny. I was not prepared for how funny he is. A lot of his lines in this film are riffs off of what we had written, but he just brought his charisma and his comedy to it. He totally got it.
Di Bonaventura: That was really important because, from a fan point of view, the original voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen, is revered. To have somebody else voice Optimus Prime was like, “Whoa, we better get this right.” We couldn’t use Peter because the audience needs to feel the character’s youth. That’s why we pursued Chris. I was surprised, too, but not how funny Chris was. I’ve seen him in things where he was funny. But he has a very strong sense of story. That’s not true with every movie star.
Comedy is also a great way to broaden the appeal, right?
Cooley: The comedy in the live-action Transformers is always the balance between the humans and the robots. It’s almost like a fish-out-of-water story. I knew that would be a challenge with this film because we don’t have humans to play off of. It really had to come out of these characters. They had to be strong characters that could do what I call the elevator test, which is you could take two characters and put them in an elevator together and just let the scene play out.
After the success of “Mutant Mayhem” last year, Paramount is on a real high. How important is it that you follow that up with a film of the same quality and one that resonates with audiences the way that film did?
Naito: Extremely important. I think this film will appeal to the super fans and usher in a new generation of fans that will just ignite their interest in the entire franchise in a really exciting way. The film is beautiful. It’s innovative. The vision that Josh and Lorenzo have brought to the film is just incredible. The movie has so much soul.
And what does this film signify for Hasbro?
Foreman: For Hasbro Entertainment and the new iteration of our company, we are more likely to be more closely involved in the creative than we have been in the past with our brands. We’re in it for the long-term health of these things, the beautiful, emotional, nostalgic attachment that people have to these evergreen properties like Transformers. We want to make sure we protect them in every way possible. In the past, the company has been okay with dropping these pieces of IP off with other people, and I think the approach is different now. I’m hoping with movies like ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ and this one, people see the quality has a little bit to do with our involvement.
There is currently a rumour within the community based on insider information, detailing that a new animated Transformers show is currently in development. Very little info has been given but the rumour would entail that Earthspark would end after season 2. We do not know if this was always intentional or not, since it could be that the new show is more in line with the TF One film, with Earthspark existing as a show to providing content for the brand before a new era. The initial rumour also gave ratings as a possible reason, which of course can always be the case. As of now, the show ending after season two, or being replaced/cancelled is still a rumour. Our knowledge that a new show is being worked on is coming from someone who is currently working on said show.
We will keep you up to date on further developments. For now, Earthspark still has a whole season coming up for everyone to enjoy, starting June 7th.
Paramount released a trailer for Season 2 of Transformers Earthspark. In it, we can see some of the toys that were previously revealed, like Hashtag's new alt mode being a pickup truck.
We also have a synopsis of each episode, which also explains why Hashtag changed alt mode.
Episode 1:
One year after Mandroid's defeat and the Emberstone's shattering, the Maltos go on a search for the shards. When a Decepticon creates a new foe from a broken shard, the Maltos realize life in Witwicky is about to be chaotic.
Episode 2:
While searching for Emberstone shards, Mo and Thrash stumble upon ancient ruins where a Quintesson Executioner lay in stasis. The duo try to care for the creature, after it follows them home but they fail to realize it has a plan of its own.
Episode 3:
Hashtag helps the Autobots get rid of all the old GHOST stuff around base, which has her feeling like her GHOST van alt-mode is obsolete too. Meanwhile, Shockwave needs to acquire a GHOST hard drive that holds a key to Starscream's master plan.
Episode 4:
Robby, Mo, Twitch, and Thrash attend a carnival where Robby develops a crush on a new student, while Twitch, Thrash, and Mo encounter trouble with the carnival's Fairmaster. As the heroes battle Fairmaestro, they unlock a new power: cyber-syncing.
Episode 5:
Jawbreaker wants to cyber-sync, but he's left out. Walking home, he saves Aftermath from a woodland monster. The two spend the day together and accidentally sync into one awkward bot.
Episode 7:
Twitch and Spitfire accidentally swap bodies; it's hard for both to avoid getting caught behind enemy lines; the Decepticons plan to attack Twitch's friends and allies.
Episode 8:
Optimus lands a prestigious photoshoot, so Robby and Hashtag take his battle worn trailer to get detailed. Unfortunately, the Decepticons steal it from them, leading the kids to race the clock to get it back in one piece.
Episode 9/10:
Mo and Hashtag find a giant secret beneath Witwicky, and Starscream plans to use it for evil. To do so, Starscream needs to rebuild the shattered Emberstone. Robby rallies his family and the Autobots to stop him, and end the chaos once and for all.
SS86 Core Steeljaw - Confirms the speaker does attach to Blaster.
SS Gamer Edition Deluxe Decepticon Trooper - Very heavily retooled from Barricade. Evan claims the green is game accurate despite how dark he looked in the game.
SS Bumblebee Movie Voyager Skywarp - Exactly what you would expect for a a repaint of Starscream, does feature a new head similar to Blitzwing's.
SS86 Leader Springer - New chest, head, shoulders and opening hands plus new accessories including the catapult missile from the beginning of the movie, his sword from his fight with Wreck-Gar and a Wrecker's hammer just because they had more room in the molds. Hidden blaster in his wrist.
SS86 Deluxe Bumblebee - A Level confirmed, showing up in July along with Transformers One Optimus Prime. Not a parts former. Gray windows because the hinges are unpaintable PA plastic, don't expect a blue window repaint later. Autobot symbol on the hood accurately "disappears" in bot mode thanks to the transformation.
Also Leader class Straxus for Comic Edition shown, heavily retooled from Kingdom Galvatron. Canon barrel can be pegged to his back or held. Teasing new character as fourth figure (we can see perhaps a pointed shoulder and yellow hand on the spine of the box).
Bayblades crossover shown, just tops with Transformers stickers on them. Two 2 packs: Optimus Prime and Megatron, Starscream and Optimus Primal.
Talked about upcoming album, pre-order on Pulse today, digital version September 17. Followed by a quick greeting from Stan Bush.
Another promotion for Robosen Megatron. Now comes with a collector coin, also announced that 40 random figures around the world will be signed by Frank Welker for orders placed before May 26.
Today's Hasbro Pulse livestream on YouTube was Studio Series heavy when it came to in hand reveals, but at the end of the stream during their Spacebridge portal reveals they gave us our first look at some long leaked figures making up Wave 4 of Legacy. Surprisingly instead of using random art they used the actual package art that will appear with the toys at the end of the year! We also got a few tidbits about what to expect from some of the figures:
Core Class Energon Galvatron (obvious Energon Megatron repaint)
Core Class unnamed purple and gray repaint of Bouldercrash
Deluxe Class Quake (appears to have two transforming Targetmaster partners ala Needlenose)
Deluxe Class Slipstream (Windblade retool)
Deluxe Class G1 Optimus Prime (based o the original toy!)
Voyager Class Metalhawk (toy colors, not a package refresh)
Voyager Class Animated Motormaster (Animated Optimus Prime retool)
Leader Class Soundwave (Netflix repaint) with three unnamed tapes they'll reveal later
Leader Class Armada Galvatron (Armada Megatron repaint as seen on Tidal Wave's box)
The Sunbow Marvel Archive now hosts the storyboards for G1 episode Blaster Blues, as well as 150 model sheets. Covering both the main 1984 cast and specific episode models for Season 1. Including designs that never made broadcast, such as Dr. Lynn Hyashi, whose place in War of the Dinobots was taken by Chip Chase.
Following initial word of an assortment of Hot Wheels cars in decidedly non-Transformers based vehicle options we have our first look at two somewhat more accurate takes on two recognizable characters.
First up we've got a listing for Hot Wheels Track Fleet Optimus Prime straight from Big Bad Toy Store. This isn't just a random semi truck painted up like OP but a new model complete with the instantly recognizable removable trailer design. This is a 1/64 diecast vehicle and at least BBTS has it priced at $10 and shipping in July. This is a new line launching in 2024 so it's hard to tell just how well it'll be distrubted.
Then we've got Bumblebee who may or may not be the same one from the initial listing above. It's a classic yellow BW Beetle, not the scrunched up one we know and love from G1. The photos are posted by rj_nighthawk on Reddit who says he received it from a local Facebook pre-order listing not expecting it to not only be a leaked copy but also unriveted. As the photos show the car shell may very well be a generic body that is used regularly by Hot Wheels, but the underside features Bumblebee's face and Hasbro copyrights.
It'll be interesting to see exactly how this Bumblebee will be released and if we'll see more figures alongside him. And who knows, maybe there's a Track Fleet Motormaster on the horizon as well? Let us know what other characters you'd like to see or if this line is a total pass for you in the Energon Pub forums!
It isn't just G1 celebrating an anniversary in 2024, it's the 15th anniversary of Transformers: Dark of the Moon as well! With the lack of Bayverse figures in Studio Series this year you wouldn't be wrong to think Hasbro would forget, but thanks to Jtprime17 it seems they remembered after all. A new listing was found calling for a new DotM four pack featuring Studio Series Optimus Prime and Jetfire along with two yet to be named Deluxe Autobots.
Tra Gen SS Multipack ROTF 15th Autobot Multipack. (LDR Jetfire, Voy Optimus & 2 unknown Deluxes)
Product code: G0294
In addition a listing for a three pack of Decepticon commanders was also found featuring Starscream, Shockwave and Soundwave. How the decos for these figures will be different from previous releases, especially the recent Takara Tomy Nemesis Bridge set, is unknown. In fact at this point we don't even know which molds we're getting, Cybertronian or Earth based. It's probably no coincidence that these same three Decepticons are shown together in the Transformers One movie trailer.
Tra Decepticon Commander 3 Pck Voy Starscream, Shockwave & Soundwave (This is a Hasbro item that’s separate from Takara’s Nemesis Bridge)
Product Number: F9913
Big thanks to EvasionModeBumblebee and Sowndwave76 for posting these in the Seibertron Energon Pub forums!
If you're one of the many people that were intrigued by MP-60 Ginrai and MPM-09 Super Ginrai but really needed more views, then here you go! Scans from Japan's Figure King magazine #315 posted to Facebook by user Three Star Toys (三粒星星玩具屋) feature four page spread of photos of the actual (not final) figures including shots from the sides and behind. There are also a few comparison shots showing the truck cab to be only a little bigger than that of the G1 figure while Super Ginrai towers over the original figure. We also get get to see comparisons between the two Super Ginrai heads. There's a few good looks at their articulation including the good news that it appears Ginrai can stand up straight if you aren't a fan of the constant crotch trusting of the stock images, and can nearly bend over enough to touch his toes. Unfortunately they still remain aloof about the size of both modes.
Orders are still open at most retailers. Do the new images change your mind about this figure one way or the other or do they simply reenforce your current opinion? Let us know in the Seibertron Energon Pub forums!
TF:One Deluxe Optimus Prime was confirmed to be the first figure in the A Level category. They mentioned he should be easy to find and be on shelves for around 9 months. The figure is also specifically colored to perfectly match the movie color pallet.
They then went on to talk about the Wondercon reveals hitting stores now.
Nothing new to say about Swoop that we haven't already seen.
Apparently the size chart for the Bumblebee Movie lists Sunstreaker as a giant in bot mode and they chose to make him normal sized to match the other figures.
Nothing new to say about Sideswipe.
Our own Jon Bailey (AKA Epic Voice Guy) from the Twincast Podcast got a shoutout on the stream (you can hear him on the recent episode as of this time #347) for voicing Bumblebee Movie Shockwave in the movie!
Spacebridge "reveals" (just announced, not shown on the stream):
SS86 Core class Steeljaw
WFC Gamer Edition Deluxe Decepticon Trooper
Bumblebee Movie Voyager Skywarp,
SS86 Leader Springer (confirmed bulked up retool of the Siege Voyager)
SS86 Bumblebee (new mold)
Pulse Exclusive Comic Edition Leader Straxus
Goto Page: 1, 2, 3 ... 341, 342, 343>> 3,425 total news articles in this section, 10 per page.
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
![[Valid RSS]](/images/rss/valid-rss.png "Validate Seibertron.com's RSS feed"){kind=small}
