Blitzwing Rumor Explained

Remember that rumor from last month that was supposedly a picture of Blitzwing as if he was in Transformers: Dark of the Moon? The consensus that formed very quickly was it was a fake but a pretty good one. Thanks to Adam and Oni we now know the video (mirror) was from cinema4dtutorial.net, which breaks down how the video (below( was created at the link. Just because it is fake and not related to the movie doesn't it make it any less cool. Kind of wild that creating sophisticated Transformers has jumped so quickly into something you can learn to do at home in such a short amount of time.

BotCon 2011 Registration Now Open

The registration for Botcon 2011 in Pasadena, California is now open. I believe it is the only Hasbro sanctioned Transformers convention in the US. It will run from June 2nd to June 5th, close to Transformers: Dark of the Moon release in hopes they might be able to enjoy Paramount and Hasbro's efforts to market the movie and toy line. Exactly what that means for attendees remains unknown but I would be really surprised if Paramount didn't plan something for Transfans. One year I need to go but money remains an obstacle (you will see what I mean when check out the registration forms).

9.0 Earthquake with Tsunami Hits Japan (Updated)

At 2:46PM Japan time (5:46AM UTC/GMC time or 12:46am EST), a 9.0 magnitude (upgraded from 8.9) earthquake struck 231 miles off the coast of north Japan. The resulting tsunami was reported to be as high as 33 feet high when they struck the coast of Japan causing extensive damage and unknown casualties. Aftershocks continue to be felt in the country as rescue efforts begin. The earthquake is the fifth largest recorded magnitude since 1900 and the largest recorded for Japan. (EDIS details on quake)Read More »

Transformers 3, ILM Specials (Update 2)

Two Transformers related programs will be hitting the airwaves soon. The first is a rumored report about Transformers: The Dark of the Moon for Canada's Entertainment Tonight for Thursday October 28th at 7PM EST. I assume that means the US may have the same report around the same time but not really sure. No details on what the report could be about so could be anything from a set report to maybe a preview of a teaser trailer. Assuming rumor is true, will find out then.

The second related program comes from Encore Movie Channel which will air a documentary about Industrial Light & Magic on November 14th, 2010. ILM is responsible for most of the special effects used in the Transformers trilogy. Based on the press release, I think the behind the scenes stuff will be from Transformers 1 so mostly good for seeing how the robots were first created considering how that initial work has been used for the rest of the trilogy. It might be worth checking out, if you have the channel, if only to see how ILM continually pioneers much of the visual effects we enjoy in movies and television. Thanks to Winton for the link.

Update: ET Online has made it official with their own teaser trailer here. The footage is from the filming in Chicago so while I doubt it will provide any new information, it will probably show off some cool footage since they were invited onto the sets and close to the action. Thanks to Katie for the link.

Update 2: Found the YouTube version of the teaser clip.

Road Home, DC Video and TF Trailer Call-back

Even though current, but limited knowledge, indicates that Transformers: The Dark of the Moon is no longer filming in the states, the image taken by Denise T. shows Ironhide and Ratchet as they were transported on Monday around noon through Phoenix, Arizona in Eastbound lane. More than likely the destination is wherever the TFs are stored when no longer being used for filming or promotional use but maybe more is being done in LA.

Speaking of production, below is another video from Washington, DC filming. This one is shows more of the filming at Lincoln Memorial and what else Shia and Josh were up to after they ran across the lawn and what the flashing lights might have been for. The last video is the teaser trailer for the upcoming movie Skyline. Mostly posting it because found it amusing the use of the Transformers 1 trailer music queues and font designs complete with glowing light in the background. Thanks to Mauricio and and Jakenbocker for the links.

Hardcore Eddie, $50k Bounty, Concept Art and Hostages (Updated)

I guess I could have broken this up into four or five posts but figured better to hit all the bullet points at once for this interesting day in the world of Transformers. The news covers an interview with Lester Speight, new concept art, a reward from Michael Bay and Discovery Communications held hostage.

Michael Bay once again is prepared to take out his checkbook for a cause, in this case in bringing someone to justice for animal cruelty. From his website.

There is a disturbing video going around the news outlets. It's a video of blonde young woman in a red sweatshirt casually tossing squealing puppies into the fast-moving river one by one.

Michael Bay has informed me that he is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the woman in the red sweatshirt and the person who shot this act of cruelty.

If you have any information, please e-mail me at webmaster@michaelbay.com

Read More »

Transformers Linkfest

All is quiet on the Transformers 3 production front so seems like a good time for another linkfest. This week's edition covers more Masterpiece toy news, possible military application of TF concept, galleries and reviews.

Masterpiece Rodimus Prime Details
The first real Masterpiece toy in years is supposed to be released sometime by the end of the year and new details have shown this could be one of the coolest yet. It seems the toy has been designed to transform not only into Rodimus Prime with trailer/battle station but also into Hot Rod. Click the link above to view a few more pics of what just might be one of the best Transformers yet. Of note is the toy is rumored to possibly be released stateside sometime next year but oddly Hasbro will replace the trailer with a Targetmaster figure. I guess this is to keep the toy in the $50 or so price range.

Power Core Combiner Video Reviews
Peaugh is back with five new reviews of various Power Core combiners. I remain indifferent to this sub-line but for those that enjoy them be sure to hit the links below as may help in deciding which sets to buy and what to avoid.
Double Clutch w/ Rallybots 5-pk | Mudslinger w/ Destructicons 5-pk
Icepick w/ Chainclaw 2-pk | Leadfoot w/ Pinpoint 2-pk | Sledge w/ Throttle 2-pkRead More »

2010 San Diego Comic-Con 80 Plus Panel Videos

It is a few weeks late but finally able to post a bunch of panels from the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) that were recorded and posted on line. The three Transformers related panels are from AllSpark.com who posted them their YouTube channel. In addition, below is video from 77 other panels covering the Con gambit of Movies, TV, comics, and more. A big thanks to all the uploaders.

The lengths vary from as short as 10 minutes to a full hour, usually the difference related to how much copyright footage was show during the panel. Because of that material you will often find a reference to a clip but that get shown as had to be edited out per SDCC recording rules or avoid DCMA takedowns. I have watched most but not all. Probably my favorite of the bunch was Castle with Nathan Fillion kept things going with his usual wit and charm. The other ones worth watching include The Visionaries Panel with Joss Whedon and JJ Abrams, Mythbusters, Psych and pretty much all the SyFy panels.

TRANSFORMERS
IDW Comics - Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
Hasbro's Transformers Toys - Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
Transformers: Prime - Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

MOVIESRead More »

San Diego Comic-Con 2010 Transformers Panels

The San Diego Comic-Con is just a few weeks away. The Con is the biggest of the year with comic, TV and movie converging in one huge mass with a ton of panels as everyone shows off their plans for the next season. Transformers will also have its share of panels to cover the toys, Transformers: Prime cartoon, and its history. Sadly nothing Transformers 3 is on the schedule but maybe one of the other panels might provide some info. Read More »

Happy New Year!

It has been a great year for Transfans (maybe not so much in other areas). We had a successful new movie with Revenge of the Fallen, its toy line, and confirmation that a third is coming in 2011. 2010 will bring us a new video game with War on Cybertron, a new toy line and cartoon series, Botcon in Florida and who knows what great new toys Takara Tomy has in store for their Masterpiece, Alternity and other lines. Over all the future is bright for Transformers. I hope it becomes bright in all areas of your lives.

Have a Happy (and safe) New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Hope all is well for the holidays and feel free to post in the comments what stuff (especially Transformers related) you received and gave for Christmas. If you are interested in tracking Santa as he crosses the world, NORAD continues its over 50 year old tradition started by Colonel Harry Shoup in 1955. The story behind that is here and the tracking site is here. The videos on the tracking site are an amusing distraction with their so-so pre-viz like graphics.

Botcon 2010 Location Announced

In time for Christmas, the location and date of Botcon 2010 has been announced. The yearly Official Transformers Convention will be held at Walt Disney World's Dolphin Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from June 24th-27th, 2010.

I have never been to Botcon so can't vouch if the convention is worth the $134 per night hotel cost plus $5 for parking. So far details on guests and panels have not been announced but as the name implies it is all about Transformers so typically guests are voice actors, Hasbro representatives, and lots of dealers with TF loot. Panels are usually about future TF plans with likely a look at Hasbro's next toy lines, cartoon plans and IDW's comic book plans.

Click here for more details. Thanks to Chris for the heads-up.

Taiwan Army Transformers Commercial

The Transformers' movie influence continues as the Taiwanese armed forces attempts to replicate Bay's approach in look and design as various military aircraft transform. For a recruitment commercial, its actually pretty darn good.

Gigantor Completed

It turns out that video from last week with Gigantor (Tetsujin) being under construction might have been out of date as the construction has been completed and a celebration was held. The $1.5 million statue is 60 feet tall and wights 50 tons. Video below, pictures can be found here.

Gigantor Under Construction

Japan continues its love of anime robots. This summer the country unveiled a giant Gundam robot and now they have made a great deal of progress on Tetsujin (Gigantor) according to Gizmodo. As before, I just want to know when Optimus Prime gets his turn.

"CubeDude" Transformers

Pixar animator and director Angus MacLane has decided to let his geek flag fly in something more creative then computer generated animated by creating Lego "CubeDudes" based on various characters from comics, Transformers, G.I. Joe, Star Wars and more. All are pretty sweet but obvious the Transformer ones are those I like best.
Click here for his entire collection and here for just the Transformer CubeDudes.

Hasbro, Bumblebee Join Fundraising Walk

Hasbro has issued a press release for a fundraising effort the company will be participating in Providence, Rhode Island for "The Walk: Hasbro Children's Hospital." The walk will occur on October 4, 2009 and include the first official 2010 Transformers Special Edition Chevy Camaro that is based on Bumblebee.

Click here to read the full details and how to participate.

Transminator T-Shirt

TeeFury.com is selling a new T-shirt called Transminator for $9. As the image shows it is the Autobot logo (why not a Decepticon one instead?) with portions ripped away to reveal the Terminator skull. I liked the image so figured other might be interested. Apparently this shirt is on sale for today only and the site says the artist will get a $1 for every tee sold. Click here to check it out.

Top 100 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Shows

For those that love ranking and debating them, IO9.com has created a whopper of a list with the top 100 science fiction / fantasy shows of all time. Our favorite show, Transformers, was ranked number 89 by the website. I would have ranked it much lower, at least in the top 30 or so. The full list can be found starting here.

The Top 10 are: 10) Lost, 9) Battlestar Galactica (remake), 8) Babylon 5, 7) The X-Files, 6) Buffy The Vampire Slayer, 5) Max Headroom, 4) Star Trek: The Next Generation, 3) Firefly, 2) Doctor Who, 1) Star Trek

Transformers

The original Transformers animated series is where we learned where we stood. Did you side with the Decepticons of the Autobots? Transformers was the ultimate imagination generator — anything is possible when you have a robotic alien species that can transform into a truck or plane, or even a boombox. Plus Optimus Prime could very well be one of the best leaders on television. He was noble, caring, big-hearted, driven and had a velvety voice, all without being as treacly as Adam Prince of Eternia.

Transformers and FCC Content Filtering Inquiry

The Transformers movies have been caught up in a content filtering inquiry by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that is being done for Congress. Apparently the goal is to come up with a compendium of all the various blocking, filtering and rating devices used by the various entertainment industries. As a result the many lobbyists are coming out of the woodwork to add their two cents. From Ars Technica:

Earlier this month the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood filed a response to a key question in the FCC's NOI—"the extent to which inappropriate commercials [are] aired in programming viewed by children and on possible solutions to this problem." CCFC was happy to oblige, updating the agency on one of its key campaigns. The group, a coalition of 30 media reform organizations, wants the Federal Trade Commission to "ensure that PG-13 movies are not marketed to young children." Bottom line: CCFC has asked the Motion Picture Association of America to limit television advertising of PG-13 movies to shows where over half of the viewers are thirteen or over, or just set 9:00pm as the "watershed" for the promotion of these films. That would put the ceiling an hour earlier than when TV stations can broadcast fare that the FCC defines as indecent.

CCFC complains of a phenomenon that it calls "ratings creep." Your typical PG-13 movie these days is more violent and sexual than it used to be, the group says. "In other words, many of the PG-13 films that are routinely marketed today to children as young as seven—and often marketed to preschoolers—are films that would have been rated R fifteen years ago." On top of that, parents have no tools that filter commercials for these movies, and "are left without any options by the current regime."

Read More »