Transformers Team Interview; December 9, 2008

We are thrilled to have received answers to questions we posed to the Hasbro: Transformers Team. Here is what we asked and what they had to say! WOW!

Sabrblade asks question 1: Since the Japanese-exclusive G1 cartoon series (The Headmasters, Chojin Masterforce, Victory, and Zone) were released on DVD in Europe and Australia, is there any hope of seeing them, and perhaps Beast Wars II and Beast Wars Neo, released on DVD in North America? Particularly the United States. From what we can tell, there is quite a demand!

Hasbro has the rights to the majority of the past Transformers entertainment now, and we are currently formalizing a distribution plan globally. This doesn't mean that you will see everything at the same time - we are deciding when and where for the portfolio of entertainment.


Perceptor asks Q2: About a year before the 2007 Transformers Movie, Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci hosted a "live chat" on Yahoo where they unveiled the names of Transformers characters that would appear in the film. Is any such event, (where all characters are unveiled) in the works to announce the characters that will be in Revenge of the Fallen? If so, where and when? If not, we would like to make a suggestion. How about letting the various Transformers Fan Sites unveil one character (each) *before* the toys show up on ebay or some Chinese auction site? You can't let them have *all* the fun right?!

There are currently no plans to make an announcement that we know of, but that doesn't mean it's not going to happen. But that decision (and your spin on it) are studio-led decisions. We'll bring it up with our friends at the studio (doesn't hurt to ask)!


Humanerror asks Q3: In the Transformers: Animated shows, Optimus Prime has various trailers. It seems that the Animated Voyager Prime has a spot on his "Axe" and at the bottom of his heels for add ons. Is there any chance of getting different trailers made for him?

Yes, you will see different trailer/accessory combinations of Animated Optimus Prime. They will not all be built off of the existing Voyager cab, however.


Jason asks Q4: Other than characters we already know of (Blurr, Swindle, Shockwave, Jetfire/Jetstorm...), do you have any *new character molds* slated for the Animated line in 2009 during and after the release of Revenge of the Fallen? If so, would you be willing to release a name or two for this Q&A?

-- Incidentally, we'd really love to see Cybertron mode toys for Bumblebee/Wasp/Cliffjumper, Ratchet/Ironhide. Also, we really liked the matte finish on the earlier TFA toys and how it added to the 'Animated' aesthetic. We hope you bring it back!

Well, by the time you read this you'll already know about characters like Arcee, Waspinator, Samurai Prowl, and Atomic Lugnut… as for some new things to expect - you'll get to see a newer, smaller version of Bumblebee with a cool new accessory upgrade. Soundwave will also be returning complete with a new minion. Everyone's favorite flamed Prime 'wannabe' will also be getting the Animated toy treatment. We're also doing some exploration for some of the Cybertronian mode characters...


Knightwing asks question 5: Talking Universe/Classics, I love the Seekers and want more! Any chance we will get the other two Rainmakers, Sunstorm or those with remolded wings? What's up with the non-G1 colors for obvious G1 homage molded toys like Powerglide and Leo Prime? (I would've preferred a gold and white in tribute to Lio Convoy from the Japanese series Beast Wars II.) Any chance we'll ever get to see Universe/Classics characters featured in IDW comics stories? Please?

As of right now, there are no plans for additional Seekers. Colors are a tricky thing; our design team has been concentrating on realistic alternate modes for our robots as well as coloring. The team thought it was better to make Powerglide primarily silver with characteristic red highlights as a bright red plane would not be very realistic. Leo Prime's coloring was under much debate early on and though the white and gold version did not make it out this time, you never know if and where it might show up in the future although nothing is currently planned.

Transformers Team Interview; October 10, 2008

Lukis Bros and Site Administrators were thrilled with the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with the Hasbro: Transformers Team recently. Wo-hoo! There's good news and bad news contained below! Read on to learn what we asked and how they responded.

Perceptor (and his 6-year old daughter!) asked Q1: Can you tell us about your plans to produce female character toys for Transformers, especially including SARI but we’re also interested to hear about your plans for Arcee and Genaral Strika (as well as human figures such as professor Isaac Sundac, Capt. Fanzone and super-human villans like the Angry Archer.

Arcee is a fan favorite character and will become more fleshed out in the upcoming season of TF Animated. We have a toy planned for her as well. No Plans for Strika right now. As for the humans, as much as we would all want an Angry Archer figure, there are no plans to produce the humans


Sabrblade asked Q2: I’d like to know more about what else is planned to commemorate Transformers 25th Anniversary. Will there be more "completely show-accurate" versions of characters from past lines like cartoon accurate Universe Deluxe Starscream figure or other “Masterpiece” figures?

We are looking at releasing another Masterpiece figure in the US in Fall 2009, but are not ready to make an announcement yet. Also we are glad you liked the new version of Starscream. I think that we are looking at each character individually and deciding how we want to handle it. But there might be a few more suprises for you in 2009.


obsidian@unicron.com (Jason) asks Q3: Can you tell us about the Transformers Animated Constructicons making their way to toy form: size, price point, potential release date, will they interact/unite in anyway?

Contrary to popular belief, we have no concrete plans for Animated Constructicon Product. Any drawings that support evidence otherwise are merely situational design explorations in the event that we one day decide to do them.


Knightwing asks Q4: I would like to ask how many more figures are planned for Transformers Animated as a way to see if Animated is officially an “ongoing” series? In other words, does Hasbro have plans to evolve it into something else; in the way that Armada became Energon which became Cybertron which was phased out in favor of Classics…? We hope not, we love Aniimated and would like to see it stick around for awhile!

We look at Transformers Animated as its own thing, so if the story evolves it will likely still be called Transformers Animated, and maybe have a sub-name. Hasbro plans to continue with the Animated toys throughout 2009 as we anticipate the series continuing on Cartoon Network throughout the year.


Byrerprime asks Q5: Is Transformers going to offer "Comic Book Packs" similar to Star Wars and G.I. Joe, where a classic figure is packaged with a reprint of a pertinent comic?

We have begun to do this with some exclusives. There are one or two coming out this fall, but will likely be at a higher price point than the SW and Joe packs since our figures are so much bigger. I know one is a Voyager and Deluxe packed with a comic.