This is the first in a two part episode. Originally this was supposed to be one episode but it was just too amibtious to cram it all into one. The second half is forthcoming.

Show Notes after the jump
For Part Two of this feature, go here.
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Hugo Weaving may have landed the role of Megatron in the 2007 Transformers movie, but the video game adaptation will feature Frank Welker. This will be the first time Frank Welker has voiced Megatron in over 20 years, last seen in Transformers The Movie in 1986. According to GameSpot, Welker will be joined by Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime. GameSpot also has an interview with Frank Welker, and one with Peter Cullen.

GameSpot also released 3 new screenshots from the game, shown here. All three feature Bumblebee fighting Decepticons.

Update! The rub with posting stuff like this in the morning is that by the evening all the press-releases are out and I gotta update the post. So, check out the new game site, http://www.transformersgame.com/. Make sure you’ve got your flash up to date and you’ll get more screen shots from the game , the developers’ blog, and, even a poll to name some of the new Transformers that appear in the game. Coolest of all is a new interview with Peter Cullen and Frank Welker. Just click through to the videos section for that. Bonus: watching Welker talk and hearing Fred from Scooby Doo.

Powet’s own TheOrange grabbed the newly released Masterpiece Megatron figure yesterday. This was the last Megatron in stock.

I have to say he’s big. The robot mode is appropriately big enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the similar Masterpiece Convoy (released in the US as 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime). That gun mode though… the original Megatron was a little too small to be a real gun and this one quite a bit too big. Whatever you do though, don’t transform him in a moving car because giant hand guns frighten other motorists and attract law enforcement.

The latest Lying In The Gutters article (the popular comics-related rumor column that’s right far more often than not) has a little segment, all the way near the end, titled “ROBOTS IN DIS GUISE” where Rich Johnston has this to report:

“Transformers 2” is being prepped for 2009, as is a new cartoon series to spin off the upcoming movie.

The reason given to licensors as to why the robots look so different in the film is so that hardcore fans will stay loyal and keep buying the old toys, which they’re relaunching, even if they hate the new movie.

Licensing has explicitly stated that companies doing merchandising have to avoid doing anything too similar to the original Transformers line, so as not to mix the two separate and profitable properties.

That last comment is interesting, in that the Transformers Movie and original Transformers are being viewed as separate lines.

Also, gotta love the second statement about “hardcore fans.” Partly because of the businesslike flippancy, partly because of the accuracy.

Two new television commercials for Transformers appeared online today.

The first, came from IGN. I’ve provided a Youtube mirror above. You can download it if you choose here. This spot contains new footage of Prime, Frenzy, Ironhide, Starscream, Jon Voight, and Megatron. Also of note is original Transformers narrator Victor Caroli voicing the ID at the end.

The second appeared on alternate reality site SectorSeven.org. Access it by using this link and double-clicking the red hard drive icon in the top left corner. You’ll get a different 30 second spot with Bumblebee, Bernie Mac, and Starscream. Keep an eye on the car lot for a yellow bug that isn’t Bumblebee.

EDIT- the second ad has been put on Youtube, click on for the embeded video. [Read the rest of this entry…]

Along with a story in USA Today, 2 new Transformers 2007 Movie posters have been released to the internet. These new one-sheet posters should be in theaters soon. One features the word “Protect” and the profile of Optimus Prime, the other “Destroy” and the profile of Megatron.

Also of note: The Transformers Myspace, where you can choose to befriend the Autobots or Decepticons.

Why anyone would want to befriend the robots with contempt for our race is beyond me. I mean, thats a pretty abusive relationship you’re jumping in to. People on Myspace are bad enough as it is.

SectorSeven.org, the viral marketing website based on the secret government organization in the 2007 Transformers movie has been updated with a startling confirmation of a cast member. Use password “NBETWO” to gain access to the site, and you’ll find the following email…

Operation Hungry Dragon 2 continues. As of today agent H. Weaving has officially convinced S.S., M.B., R.O. and A.K. to oversee the Megaman issue. The recording will commence immediately.

All the years of investment into Agent Weavings public persona have finally paid off. We will monitor the campaign from the inside and report on its progress free from suspicion.

By this summer, the population will think N.B.E.’s are nothing more then figments of an overactive imagination.

Our power lies in our secrecy.

Just to translate some of the jargon… “NBE” means Non-Biological Organism and “Megaman” has been the code word used for anything referring to Megatron. As for the Initials, you’re looking at producer Steven Spielberg, Director Michael Bay, and writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. H. Weaving is none other than Hugo Weaving, seen prominently as Agent Smith in the Matrix series and Elrond in Lord Of The Rings.

IESB reported in January that it was a neck-and-neck race between Weaving and original Transformers series Megatron Frank Welker. Now it appears that the choice has been made and voice recording will commence immediately.

Michael Bay has also updated his website with a letter. Some strong language follows after the cut… [Read the rest of this entry…]

We’re finally back to where we were 20 years ago when Transformers is turned into all sorts of wacky other stuff. Joe Moore from TFW2005 was just sent an image of Transformers Lite Brite Patterns With 50 Pegs.

The patterns included are of Sideswipe from Generation 1 and the Decepticon logo. There’s probably more in the box, but thats all we can see for now.

Man, if Boston was scared of the Mooninites, imagine they’ll poop their pants when they see Decepticons are coming…
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