Thanks to TFormers, we’ve got a very detailed look at a design sheet drawing for Ratchet in the Transformers 2007 movie.

Ratchet from the original Transformers series was the Autobot’s chief medical officer, and transformed into an ambulance. While he might’ve been the obvious choice to peg as the pacifist, he frequently found himself in the heat of some of the most memorable battles in Transformers fiction, including being trapped on the Ark with Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and Galvatron from the future.

In the 2007 Transformer movie from director Michael Bay, Ratchet is loaded up as a modified Humvee built for search and resuce. This makes him one of the larger Autobots on the team. His robot mode has been surprisingly unseen in the rash of leaked design sheets, but now we have a sneak peek…

[Read the rest of this entry…]

Just the other day we had a look at some toy prototypes, but now Aint It Cool News has dropped the first in movie still of an actual Transformer.

This is from early in the film and from what we hear will be included in the trailer due next month.

This image is big and may constitute a spoiler, so view it after the jump.
[Read the rest of this entry…]

The all knowing Nevermore at TFW2005 has found some images of toy prototypes for the 2007 Transformers movie. None of these display robot modes, just vehicles. The paint applications are also obviously not there yet, but any news is news while the film goes into editing and the real wait for a new trailer (and the movie itself) begins.

Keep tuned to for more Transformers 2007 news as it develops…

Well, someone over at AC Toys seemto have picked up the upcoming TF movie preview toys, which are Optimus Prime and Starscream. Included are some inpackage shots (front and back) and some out of package.

This past weekend at Botcon, while the last year of Transformers Cybertron weighed heavily on our minds, and the new Transformers Classics line captured our attention with every peek, there was little doubt that an unstoppable force was looming ready to make or break Transformers.
Thats force was without question, the 2007 Transformers movie from director Michael Bay.

First thing anyone saw after entering the gates to the convention was a giant fist with a countdown time to the 7-4-7 release date. A quick sweep around it, there was no doubt it was the hand of Optimus Prime.

Once inside, the Hasbro booth was supplying Autobot and Decepticon car magnets with 7-4-7 printed on them. All their reps seemed trained to dodge any movie questions.

Activision had a small booth promoting the new Transformers Game, which was officially announced for Xbox 360. I pressed the reps for info, but aside from mentioning it would be multiplatform and based on the movie, they had nothing.

On Saturday’s Hasbro panel is where news finally broke. Hasbro has historically allowed no cameras, audio or video during their panel, and this was no exception. Except that they reminded us AGAIN. Michael Bay had sent over an approx. 2 minute video from the set. Prime’s truck roared through the frame, Bumblebee out ran Barricade, and smashed through a window… and then explosions. Cars flying, a bus igniting and splitting in half, mixed shots of cast and extras running from a CG menace to be added later. When the lights went up, all anyone could do was demand it be played again. As we let out of the panel, it looked like half the fans in the room were on cellphones trying to reach anyone who wasn’t attending to let them know what they’d just seen.

This was easily the highlight, but not the end. Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime mentioned during his panel that he’s signed a 3 picture deal. That doesn’t mean we get 3 movies, but it does mean Paramount/Dreamworks want him available to do a Transformers 2 and 3. Cullen also announced the Make Prime Speak contest, where fans can submit a single line of dialog for the heroic Autobot leader. Submissions end on Oct 12, and voting begins on Oct 16, so if you want in, do it now!

Finally, Botcon 2007 has been announced at the Rhode Island Convention Center for June 28, 2007 thru July 1, 2007. This is significant for 2 reasons: Its in the backyard of Hasbro World Headquarters, and its mere days before the movie’s release. Nothing else has been announced, but I’d be surprised if the red carpet movie premiere isn’t right there.

Jazz, the soulful Transformer made famous in the 1984-86 cartoon series by the voice of Scatman Crothers, has made it to the Transformers 2007 movie. Now after the jump you can see the car he turns into, and a detailed design sketch of his robot mode. (skip to the good part)

Producer Don Murphy has announced the last day of shooting the movie was today. Or at least major filming…

Today is the last day of main unit shooting. In two hours we’ll break for lunch. Then blow up more shit in downtown LA.
Next week a reduced unit with very few actors will head to different cities and pick up some establishing shots. Then some of the team will head to the Frozen North.
The film is basically done today boys and girls. And by done I mean filming. If ever there was a film that was really going to be made in post production, this is it. Much editing and many effects to go.
How do I feel? There is a promo reel that has been put together for exhibitors and retailers that is mind boggling. There is a trailer being put together for later this year that should blow your mind.
I’m feeling pretty good that we’ve made a film that you will like. Only time will tell.

Ok… now on to Jazz…
[Read the rest of this entry…]

Its now being hailed at the most anticipated movie of 2007, and its production has been a long time in the making and the subject of much fan speculation, cheer, and frustration.

I have read John Roger’s script, “Pime Directive.” I am going to let you know right now I am a Transformers fan. I’ve read virtually every issue of every comic series, spent thousands on toys, and can recite the 1986 movie word for word. But I’m also a movie fan, and would rather have no new Transformer movie than another terrible summer action movie, and I recognize how even the best adaptations end up shattered promises, failing to deliver on the origins of a great source.

New elements do not puzzle or needlessly change the history of the franchise, but enhance the narrative, allowing the introduction and origin to be told in a more accesible way. The military presence in the movie is felt throughout, and not only does it work, it makes me wonder why the army never took up arms against Transformers before. This does not take away, this does not change, this adds to the story.

Not to say its perfect. In fact, theres 2 characters I don’t really care for at all and could be taken out completely and even losing their expository dialog we’d still have a functional plot and movie. But I do like what I have read. It will not win any academy awards, but it will satisfy a summer movie audience.

Weighing in at 112 pages, this would make the movie, if shot directly from the page, a little less than 2 hours. Fans might not like that it takes a while to really get any Autobots, but the first half of Spiderman and Batman Begins are decidedly without the title hero, so its not that big a deal. It is felt right away this is a movie for Michael Bay when action sequences come with little down time within minutes of the films start. This will be a spectacle film, and I have high hopes the fights suggested on the page translate into elaborate brawls and firefights.

I’m also happy to report the new characters Blackout and Barricade are really cool. Blackout (called “Vortex” in script) is a military attack helicopter, and one of the largest Decepticons. He’s involved very early on in the film, and is interesting enough to make you wonder why any helicopter Transformers of the past had been this well utilized. Barricade (script name “Brawl”) is a high powered police car, and while theres no corny “bad cop” stuff in his dialog or actions, it all really works when put together.

Thats really a ringing endorsement if there ever was one. This movie is not corny. It is not Scooby Doo. Its not Spy Kids. It takes itself seriously whenever possible. The Bumblebee & Spike stuff is bordering on stupid, but Shia LaBeouf is a good comedic actor and he may be able to pull this off. Everyone involved openly says they want to start a new movie franchise, and Michael Bay is anxious to direct a movie kids and parents can both enjoy. I’ve got to have faith they’re not interested in ruining it for the existing fans, and really trying to make new ones.

Continue on for a spoiler-enhanced review.
[Read the rest of this entry…]

The Transformers Club was kind enough to update their site again without sending a complimentary heads up email to members of the club. I’m not bitter though. I enjoy reading about club updates on other news sites even though I’m a paying club member.

Anywho, the club has posted some teaser art for the summer comic. Art is by Alex Milne and story by Forest Lee. Below the art is the following text:

I have mirrored the art below. Its interesting, in that, it shows some new characters/molds. In the forefront appears to be a repainted Cybertron Armorhide in blue and yellow (Punch/Counterpunch??), Cybertron Thunderblast as Elita-1. Behind them is Classics Ultra Magnus. I believe a repaint of Cybertron Defense Hot Shot (in green? Springer?) is to Magnus’ left. Grimlock is on his right. Two others are in the further background that I cannot make out. Let the speculation begin!