Thread Mania

[Don Murphy]

Many things to answer here on the fly.

There's a shitload of rumors that you guys take as facts out there. There are NO voice actors yet. There may be soon. I will personally make sure that our director considers Frank and the gang. I think celebrity voices for a film like this is moronic.

Someone out there is telling you that there aill no be toys for this movie from Hasbro? Dream on. That's the very reason they WANT a film from Steven Spielberg.

NOTHING is decided. IN MY OPINION knowing how Hollywood works---

1- I do not see mass shifting happening.
2- I do not see a giant robot turning into a cassette player.
3- Hasbro will not have a toy that turns into a pistol.
4- I just saw the robots in SKY CAPTAIN at Comic-Con- we want ours to be the opposite of those. Personalities!


We are NOT doing anything to do with Beasts and Dinos and shit.

I think Soundwave is the burger with cheese and sauce. I think his "tapes" are badass.

Maybe you're right- maybe he never changes.

Dunno.

Keep talking- you can tell we are really listening.

The next few weeks will have us, ala X MEN, decide on 7 core members of each team. Desanto will be there to make sure we stay true.

Your input is NOW.

[Stormwolf]

Well, about Soundwave, have you ever considered giving him his War Within alt-mode?

[dswriter]

Glad to hear it Mr. Murphy. Seven core members, hmm don't know all the original cast. But I can only suggest that they are the ones that are most essential, most needed, and have the most personality. For example either Ratchet or Wheeljack need to be in it, the Autobots need a repairman.

Let me start a thread with Budiansky Marvel series inspired ideas.

[slang73]

Originally posted by Don Murphy
Many things to answer here on the fly.

There's a shitload of rumors that you guys take as facts out there. There are NO voice actors yet. There may be soon. I will personally make sure that our director considers Frank and the gang. I think celebrity voices for a film like this is moronic.

Right on! Glad you're behind this part. Here's to hoping Peter and Frank get called and accept.

Someone out there is telling you that there aill no be toys for this movie from Hasbro? Dream on. That's the very reason they WANT a film from Steven Spielberg.

Well, that's just prime! I'm not surprised, but that's what we get for trusting the big, green and purple brute. ( You know we still luv ya Devastator!)

NOTHING is decided. IN MY OPINION knowing how Hollywood works---

1- I do not see mass shifting happening.
2- I do not see a giant robot turning into a cassette player.
3- Hasbro will not have a toy that turns into a pistol.
4- I just saw the robots in SKY CAPTAIN at Comic-Con- we want ours to be the opposite of those. Personalities!

1 & 2 - Maybe you just need to take the shades off? j/k
3 - Figured that much. No chance of them just putting an orange cap on it?
4 - Sounds like the right plan there!

We are NOT doing anything to do with Beasts and Dinos and shit.

What, no shitformers??!?!?

I think Soundwave is the burger with cheese and sauce. I think his "tapes" are badass.

Maybe you're right- maybe he never changes.

Dunno.

Hmmm, care to share any further thoughts on what you envision Soundwave as? Do you like any of the suggestions posed here yet for him? Will it be McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's or Jack in the Box that will offer the Soundwave burger meal?

Keep talking- you can tell we are really listening.

The next few weeks will have us, ala X MEN, decide on 7 core members of each team. Desanto will be there to make sure we stay true.

Your input is NOW.

Well, it is very comforting to know that you and whoever else that is on your side are listening to all the chitter-chatter here. We understand you have a certain level of input with this and glad you're taking and sharing that with all the other powers that be.

So, do you mean that you will be picking 7 Autobots and 7 Decepticons? Will that be it for this movie, or will you have other lesser known characters as battle fodder? Here are my 7/7 suggestions:

Autobots:

Optimus Prime (Like, DUH!)
Ironhide
Sunstreaker
Wheeljack
Bumblebee
Hound
Sideswipe

Decepticons:

Megatron
Soundwave
-Laserbeak
-Ravage
Starscream
Thundercracker
Skywarp
*If Soundwaves cassettes don't really count, than I'd add Astrotrain and Blitzwing since Reflector would probably be totally out of the question.

Thanks again Don!

[Stormwolf]

We made a similar thread to this earlier at Seibertron.com

http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub...ic.php?t=47687

Here's my picks again with some slight alterations because there won't be any Dinobots:

Autobots
- Optimus Prime
- Prowl
- Jazz
- Ratchet
- Bumblebee
- Mirage
- Ironhide

Decepticons
- Megatron
- Soundwave
- Starscream
- Thundercracker
- Skywarp
- Shockwave
- Blitzwing

[Gozrok]

If I might make a ( late ) suggestion, let's keep the suggestions for the 7/7 in this thread. That way there will be less clutter here.

[SAJse]

Originally posted by Don Murphy
I think celebrity voices for a film like this is moronic.

Thankyou for settling that one.

I think Soundwave is the burger with cheese and sauce. I think his "tapes" are badass.

Thankyou again . I hope you consider Gozrok's truck idea.

EDIT: I've made assumptions in the past and ended up with egg on my face *nods to Gozrok*, but people should look at the title of this thread before starting their own one. There are such words as "irrelevance" and "repetitive". Just my opinion.

[Senor Hugo]

Originally posted by Don Murphy
Many things to answer here on the fly.

There's a shitload of rumors that you guys take as facts out there. There are NO voice actors yet. There may be soon. I will personally make sure that our director considers Frank and the gang. I think celebrity voices for a film like this is moronic.

Someone out there is telling you that there aill no be toys for this movie from Hasbro? Dream on. That's the very reason they WANT a film from Steven Spielberg.

NOTHING is decided. IN MY OPINION knowing how Hollywood works---

1- I do not see mass shifting happening.
2- I do not see a giant robot turning into a cassette player.
3- Hasbro will not have a toy that turns into a pistol.
4- I just saw the robots in SKY CAPTAIN at Comic-Con- we want ours to be the opposite of those. Personalities!


We are NOT doing anything to do with Beasts and Dinos and shit.

I think Soundwave is the burger with cheese and sauce. I think his "tapes" are badass.

Maybe you're right- maybe he never changes.

Dunno.

Keep talking- you can tell we are really listening.

The next few weeks will have us, ala X MEN, decide on 7 core members of each team. Desanto will be there to make sure we stay true.

Your input is NOW.

Thanks Mr. Murphy, in a movie like this, you don't need star voices. Optimus Prime and Megatron, are the stars.

As for Soundwave, since he won't be a cassette player since it's out of date, ever think of an Mp3 player, where his minibots become the memory cards? I think it'd be the best way to update Soundwave and yet keep him the same. Plus, I know I would buy a Soundwave styled MP3 player.

As for the core members, I think it should be.
1. Prime (of course)
2. Ironhide
3. Jazz
4. Bumblebee
5. Ratchet
6. Wheeljack
7. Hound

Since I have a feeling that we'll be seeing the entire Ark crew, these robots in the cartoon seemed to have had a more indepth feel to them.

For the Cons.
1. Megatron
2. Soundwave
3. Rumble
4. Starscream
5. Devastator(Man, that would rule.)
6. Skywarp
7. Shockwave

[Raymond T.]

OKay then.

Firstly the Dinobots! The reason they have worked for 20 years is not, as some suspect, that they turn into Dino's. They are the edge that give the Autobot side that little extra something. Grimlock has always (well, early on anyways) been known to question just about everything about Optimus Prime. While the other Autobots follow Optimus blindly, the Dinobots only follow Grimlock and Grimlock only follows Optimus when it pleases him. Grimlock would try and challenge every command given to him. A fact they may have given him that little extra respect from Optimus!

The Dinobots, if used correctly, can only serve to flesh out the Autobot side! Not to mention that I always believed that Megatron's bravado towards the Dinobot leader was only hot air and is actually afraid of Grimlock as (especially in the comics) he was never afraid to use his ruthlessness into his battles. Maybe even the fact that they don't have vehicle-modes, can add to their 'bad-ass' ways. Optimus tries his best to lay low and blend in, but Grimlock completely disagrees and alters himself on purpose to get himself a dinosaur mode, just to piss Prime off or something!

Not using the Dinobots could be a missed opportunity to search into what it is to be good and evil, as Grimlock always seemed to walk the thin line! Should he use his awsome power to save lives like Optimus Prime does, or just take what he wants and be similar to Megatron or will he realize that he is not like the Decepticons?

As (again) for Megatron and Soundwave. As I suggested in the other threads, if they are to become different things than their original forms, at least give them something not too much dissimilar to the old forms, like a Transformer-sized Cybertronian turret-gun for Megs and a Cybertronian Computer Station for Soundwave. (Maybe just having escaped Teletraan One's alterations)

As for matter displacement, if people can swallow a 1930's TimeMachine in the movie of the same name, or a large space within a police phone box in Dr. Who or the shrinking of kids in Honey I Shrunk The Kids, a size changing robot is not too far off.
In fact, within the Universe of the Transformers it is even logical that Megatron could possess similar technology within himself, as he is also able to draw power from a distant black hole for his Fusion cannon! If he can generate that kind of power, the power to displace matter would be nothing for him.

But I'd rather drop that notion for the moment, I've seen far to much rants about the subject for one day on this board.

Personally, I am more worried about the type of relation Transformers will have with the human race! One of the things that set Transformers apart from other 'alien'-shows is that it looks from the outside into the human condition, much like 3rd Rock from the Sun does. I would hate it if that aspect would be lost somehow.

Seven on each team.... Such a cruel joke on live to decide this one!
Well for the Autobots of course Optimus Prime. I think it's a tough choise, but if you must let go of some characters. Most obvious would be BlueStreak and most certainly Prowl. Prowl is a Japanese police car (Datsun Fairlady Z 280ZX). There is no way he would blend in! And I very much think giving him a US Police car alt-mode will not work. The old b&w's are great for car chase scenes, but as Robot mode, I think Prowl would end up looking like a dinkytoy. Not pretty.

Next to Prime you can't go without Jazz as his righthand man. Transformers wouldn''t be the same without Bumblebee, the smallest and weakest of the lot, but still bigger than the Big Show! Of course against the weakest you need to balance this against the strongest in Brawn. IronHide, the old warhero, should be there as the anker to hold the crew together with his old war stories. Ratchet is Prime's best friend, so you can't leave him out. It may give Megs something to dangle in danger!
Of course you also need your showboat, who may screw things up, so you will need either Sideswipe or Sunstreaker is not both. Resulting in...

Bumblebee
Brawn
IronHide
Jazz
Optimus Prime
Ratchet (or Wheeljack)
SideSwipe / SunStreaker

As you rebel factor (if you do decide to use Dinobots *prays*) 5 dino's may be a bit too much of a good thing, so then just the original ones

Grimlock
Slag
Sludge

For the Decepticons to aid Megatron, Transformers is nothing without the three seekers. As is obvious you can go without Soundwave and his cassette tech force (maybe just the animals). Of course it depends on which personality you go with, but if Soundwave is to be a real friend to Megatron, you must set this of with the cool, collected and analytical mind of Shockwave (he made it this time!)

Cassette Force
Megatron
Shockwave
Skywarp
Soundwave
Starscream
ThunderCracker

Well those are my picks, at the moment anyways! Based on the original Transformers, not counting those with licence-histories, or I would have inserted JetFire in there!

Have I missed anything?

As awesome as a live action Devastator would be I think its sequel material. Same for Dinobots, Superion, Menasor...

It would probably be too much for the first film to introduce but could keep things interesting for a second.

OK...no size/mass shifting. Didn't people like Mystique and Hyde mass/size shift in X-men and LXG? It was fine for a small doctor to mass shift into a gigantic monster, but a space robot can't size shift from a small item into a big robo form? That thinking is the main reason I know this movie is going to suck.

Same goes for Megatron in not being a gun. If Hasbro can sell a non-transforming laser pistol, which they are doing with the Energon roleplay toys, then why the sweet jesus can't megatron turn into a similar transforming gun?

I don't see the fans being heard or listened to on this, no matter what Mr. Murphy says, so I give up. Let the movie come out and be total crap, I don't care anymore. If Megatron is not a gun and Soundwave isn't a tape player then it's just a big robo movie, NOT a Transformers movie. I won't be supporting it by buying any merchandise OR paying to go see it. And a lot of people who are fans of gen01 megatron and soundwave will also probably not be supporting it either.

It's nice to see people who have supported a line for 20 years get tossed to the side. Very nice indeed.

[Maximus Prime]

Dude, relax. Why don't you wait until some more info is given out before you start biycotting the movie?

So far, no script, no characters, no voice-actors, no budget, no live actors, and a heck of alot more to make a movie, yet you talk (and have been talking since this board started) like this is going to be the worst movie ever made.

And yet, for some reason, I see you being first in line for your ticket. Internet anoniminity is a wonderful thing, isn't it?

I do agree that the size shifting should be taken into consideration, especially when there were more than one character to use it.
It's as much a part of Transformers as the fact that they transform at all.

But otherwise, why can't everyone try to be more helpful toward this instead of slamming it.
Ever think that someone big might read all od this and think "They hate it already. they won't watch it, so why bother even doing it?" and abandon it.

Megatron can't be a pistol.

Don't see any reason why he can't be some kind of Shockwave style laser gun or bazooka.

Lemme start off by saying that you, Mr. Murphy, are the man.

TO being-

only 7 bots and cons eh?

Well then, being an avid transfan all my life, must suggest the following-

-Optimus Prime
-Ironhide
-Hot Rod
-Sunstreaker and or SideSwipe
-Snarl
-Swoop
-Grimlock

In my opinion, you just need the Dinobots. have you ever visited a Transformers board? They're some of hte biggest hit characters among fans. It is your movie, I understand, but I feel for it to really, REALLY take off, you need the Dinos.

Decepticon wise...
-Megatron
-Soundwave
-Shockwave
-Starscream
-Thundercracker
-Skywarp
-Blitzwing

Yeah....Blitzwing is a bit of a fill in...

As for Soundwave- Please do not kae him like a IPod or something. I mean, Its you creativity, but that might take away from the mostalgia factor.

Thanks for hearing out Mr. Murph, I hope you guys enjoy mkaing this film asm uch as we will enjoy watching it.

[ELAwesomeo]

Mr. Murphy, there's no way that you can leave Soundwave out of the movie. He's such a memorable character, and even people who barely know Transformers know who Soundwave is. He's an iconic figure, and you have to include him even if you cannot explain how a giant robot turns into a small music device. You yourself admitted that the character was an awesome idea, so why not bend the rules and include him? Leaving him out will strike out with Transfans, and rub them the wrong way. I can understand not including the Dinobots (although I think you should, and perhaps keep them in mind for a 2nd movie) but even considering leaving out Soundwave is a MAJOR mistake.

[Erazmus]

Originally posted by Don Murphy
I think celebrity voices for a film like this is moronic.

Nice! The quote of the day!

[Senor Hugo]

Originally posted by Kevimus H

In my opinion, you just need the Dinobots. have you ever visited a Transformers board? They're some of hte biggest hit characters among fans. It is your movie, I understand, but I feel for it to really, REALLY take off, you need the Dinos.

I think thats the problem with the Dinobots, yes, they are big and some of the best liked characters. If they were put into the movie, I think it would take away from all the other Transformers. The dinobots are just too popular to be slapped into a movie like this, like with the DW comics, Grimlock has been apart of every single issue except for the ongoing, until issue 8. I would kill to have Grimlock in the movie, but I love the other Transformers too much to put in such a popular character and have the show stolen when it could focus on the other characters.

Although, what Raymond T said about having Grimlock in and the whole good/evil thing is a good idea, and lucky for us, no Dino modes means no dumb cartoon dinobots, so thats a plus. Keep the Dinobots out of the movie, but if you put them in, take Raymonds idea.

[slang73]

Originally posted by ELAwesomeo
Mr. Murphy, there's no way that you can leave Soundwave out of the movie. He's such a memorable character, and even people who barely know Transformers know who Soundwave is. He's an iconic figure, and you have to include him even if you cannot explain how a giant robot turns into a small music device. You yourself admitted that the character was an awesome idea, so why not bend the rules and include him? Leaving him out will strike out with Transfans, and rub them the wrong way. I can understand not including the Dinobots (although I think you should, and perhaps keep them in mind for a 2nd movie) but even considering leaving out Soundwave is a MAJOR mistake.

Well, if they're gonna start bending the rules for Soundwave, than they can start bending the rules for Megatron as well. Make him a gun, shrinking transformations and all, and put a darn orange cap or whatever on the toy, or make a posable robot that doesn't transform for Megs. If they bend rules for one, they can bend them for others.

Maybe it's time to let this all go and just positively focus on the challenges that Don has mentioned, and any future ones he shares with us. It's great he is listening to us and sharing what he can, so maybe the best thing is to be a little more constructive with what we have to say, respect each other a little more and focus on what's being made. I for one will let go of the mass-shifting ideas for now for the sake of looking forward to whatever kind of movie we can get. As some others have stated, you can only stay "mad" or "angry" for so long and then you just gotta learn to move on. Me included.

*stepping down off the soap box*

But Don, if Hollywood and Hasbro change their minds, please let us know ASAP!!!

I can understand why, for a number of reasons, megatron will most likely not be a handgun. Hell, he's been a tank more often anyway. Im kinda disappointed about it, but Ill move on.

Soundwave, however, is another story. He is the embodiment of everything that is badass about the decepticons, and a perfect balancing agent (both in personality and motivation) to starscream. I think it would be a great idea to try and put him in the movie. He could turn into a portable video player and have transforming memory sticks, after all. But if you don't want to use the mass shunting concept, I can again understand how fitting him in would be a problem. Still, Im sure you could give him a cameo back on cybertron. I, like many others, just want to see him on the big screen.

Keeping in mind your criteria, Id like to see the two factions like this (yeah, Im not the first, and Im sure I wont be the last to list like this)

Autobots:
Optimus Prime
Ironhide
Sideswipe or Sunstreaker
Wheeljack
Bumblebee
Jazz
Prowl

Decepticons:
Megatron
Starscream
Thundercracker
Skywarp
Devastator (if you feel like counting him as one person, rather than a team)
Blitzwing
Astrotrain

Man, its hard to pick a good decepticon team without using size changing.

And thats how I see it.

[Erazmus]

My picks:

Autobots:

Optimus Prime (Duh)
Bumblebee (Obviously as you can tell from my avatar)
Brawn
IronHide
Jazz
Ratchet
Wheeljack


Decepticons:

Megatron (Duh)
Soundwave
SHOCKWAVE (My fav decepticon)
Starscream
Thundercracker
Blitzwing
Skywarp

Originally posted by Senor Hugo
I think thats the problem with the Dinobots, yes, they are big and some of the best liked characters. If they were put into the movie, I think it would take away from all the other Transformers. The dinobots are just too popular to be slapped into a movie like this, like with the DW comics, Grimlock has been apart of every single issue except for the ongoing, until issue 8. I would kill to have Grimlock in the movie, but I love the other Transformers too much to put in such a popular character and have the show stolen when it could focus on the other characters.

Although, what Raymond T said about having Grimlock in and the whole good/evil thing is a good idea, and lucky for us, no Dino modes means no dumb cartoon dinobots, so thats a plus. Keep the Dinobots out of the movie, but if you put them in, take Raymonds idea.

Well maybe we'll see em in the sequel

[ELAwesomeo]

"Well, if they're gonna start bending the rules for Soundwave, than they can start bending the rules for Megatron as well. Make him a gun, shrinking transformations and all, and put a darn orange cap or whatever on the toy, or make a posable robot that doesn't transform for Megs. If they bend rules for one, they can bend them for others."

This isn't really the same deal. Megatron actually became a Tank in the comics, and the idea of him being a gun is just silly. The leader of an evil army cannot be someone elses hand held toy. With Megatron you can think of different destructive forms that will work with him, with Soundwave he's either a cd/tape player or he's not really Soundwave anymore. Bottom line is that writing this character out is a big mistake and will take away from the movies potential.

I am also greatful that Mr. Murphy has given the fans a chance to voice their opinions, but one thing that must be remembered is that this movie can either be REALLY great, or very bad. This movie has so much potential to be the next Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, its amazing, but if made wrong it can hurt Tranformers much like how Batman and Robin hurt the Batman series. This movie needs to be made right, and must contain certain characters, which includes Soundwave. Taking away such an iconic character is a bad move any way you look at it.

I agree that soundwave needs to be in the movie but his alt mode should have something to do with communications/ spying. Making him some sort of audio device would be missing the point completly, Blaster he aint.
Communications truck, sattelite or surveillance aircraft are some of the better ideas I've heard.

[Jochimus]

Seven core TFs in each faction, eh? Very well:

Autobots -

Optimus Prime
Bumblebee
Ratchet
Prowl
Jazz
Ironhide
Wheeljack

Decepticons -

Megatron
Starscream
Soundwave

...I'm at a loss for four other Decepticons because there's too many 'teams' in that faction, even in early G1. But I would like to see at least one Triple-Changer.

And a G1 Transformers movie without Soundwave would be a crime...howzabout making Soundwave a broadcasting van, like say, a TV news or radio station van? I live in a wee corner of Iowa - IOWA, mind you - and every radio station in a fifteen-mile radius of my town has one. All the transmitters, amplifiers, whatever can turn into his troops, and he would still maintain a rough 25 to 30 foot height in robot mode.

[slang73]

Originally posted by Senor Hugo
I think thats the problem with the Dinobots, yes, they are big and some of the best liked characters. If they were put into the movie, I think it would take away from all the other Transformers. The dinobots are just too popular to be slapped into a movie like this, like with the DW comics, Grimlock has been apart of every single issue except for the ongoing, until issue 8. I would kill to have Grimlock in the movie, but I love the other Transformers too much to put in such a popular character and have the show stolen when it could focus on the other characters.

Although, what Raymond T said about having Grimlock in and the whole good/evil thing is a good idea, and lucky for us, no Dino modes means no dumb cartoon dinobots, so thats a plus. Keep the Dinobots out of the movie, but if you put them in, take Raymonds idea.

If they save the Dinos for the second film, which seems likely if at all, maybe it could be set up that they were sent out before the other Autobots and Decepticons left to search out potential planets rich in resources, or maybe they dispatched from Cybertron due to a disagreement with Prime or something and ironically end up on Earth as well. They could stranded on an island (Dinobot Island anyone?) and be forced to stay there due to the limited resources available to them. Swoop would only be able to fly so far before running out of energon completely. He would probably learn that the hard way! Anyway, in other threads, buried deep on this forum, you'll find several ideas about the Dinos. I had one about how the Dinobots could have modified their exteriors in order to tap into the abundant geothermal energy on their stranded island. Also, the explanatioin for why they have Dino facades could be similar to how the Autobots and Deceps got their new alt-modes; the ships computer scanned the area and only had dinosaurs or dinosaur fossils (depending on the time period they crash on Earth) to use as models for their new bodies. Anyway, go searching the forums and read what others have shared about the Dinos. Some decent stuff is already here for pondering and discussing. And Raymond T. made some very good points on the Dinos! Like his perspective on them a lot!