BREAKING: Transformers Webcast Report -- Characters Confirmed

by Erik Davis Aug 18th 2006 // 2:36PM

Filed under: Action, Fandom, DIY/Filmmaking, Comic/Superhero/Geek

Before I begin, I must say that I am not the biggest Transformers fan in the entire universe. However, since Mark, our resident geek, is off enjoying a splendid honeymoon, it is my job to report back any and all geek-related goodies. So, onto the webcast (which featured the film's writers, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci) :

Webcast opens with Transformers teaser trailer.
Here is a list of all Transformers robots being featured in next summer's blockbuster film (keep in mind, some of these we already knew about): Autobots: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Jazz, Ratchet (Medical officer, will not be in the form of an ambulance) and Ironhide.
Decepticons (will not all be flying machines): Megatron, Starscream, Brawl, Bonecrusher, Barracade, Scorponok, Frenzy (started out as Soundwave, till they decided to change the character. Stealth spy) and Blackout (guy who comes in and takes out all of our abilities to fight back).
On why some characters will not come in their classic versions (ie: Bumblebee): "Clothes don't make the man." According to the writers, regardless of what these characters are wearing, you will still be able to connect with them. Basically, all vehicle transformations were made once they started testing. They wanted the live-action to look cool and believable. Unlike the cartoon, this needed to look real. Also, some of the vehicles in the 80's (ie: Camaro) aren't as cool in 2006 as they were back then.
Not just a guy movie, there will also be women kicking ass. Sweet!
Dynamic between Megatron and Starscream will be alive and present. They will be as you remember them.
On why the Decepticons outnumber the Autobots: They wanted the Autobots to be at a severe disadvantage so they really have to band together and use all their strength in order to defeat the Decepticons.
Always on the message boards. Always looking for fan input.
Voices are a work in progress. Everyone you want to be considered is being considered.
Setting up a lot of threads in the hopes there will be a sequel. Hopefully, some of the characters missing here will show up in future installments.
Contest Announcement (check the film's official website for details in the coming days): Write a line for Optimus Prime and the winning line gets put in the movie. (Hmm, borrowing from Snakes on a Plane are we?)

Okay, that's pretty much it. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

15 Comments

Tags: characters, cinematical, film, movies, transformers, webcast

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-18-2006 @ 2:57PM

existonfile said...

Prime's movie line should be:

"I'm tired of these mothereffing decepticons on mothereffing earth!"

Seriously though, the only line he needs to say at least once should be, "Autobots, transform and ROLL OUT!". To hear Cullen say that line again on the big screen would make my nerdy existence complete.

8-18-2006 @ 3:58PM

Lizzie said...

It's wrong how they're changing some of the cars the autobots transform into. It's not right! Just because the cars are from the 80's doesn't mean the writers have the right to change them! I'm really starting to worry about the movie.

8-18-2006 @ 4:15PM

m. posey said...

I don't care if it would make it a bit cheesy, I want
soundwave in the film and I'm sure all the other fans would agree. I also agree with the other writer about how they shouldn't change the cars to make them look more modern. As a matter of fact, they should have set the movie in the 80s. That would have made it sooo rad.

8-18-2006 @ 4:30PM

bgdc said...

Glad they've changed some of the cars. bumblebee was a freaking pussy. Being a VW beetle and being a feminine robot are too much to put up with for an entire movie.

8-18-2006 @ 4:33PM

andrew said...

Reply to:
"Seriously though, the only line he needs to say at least once should be, "Autobots, transform and ROLL OUT!""
I second this comment. He absolutly must say it at some point in the film.

8-18-2006 @ 5:09PM

Scott said...

What about good old cup?

9-05-2006 @ 4:27PM

Dan said...

ok, whoever posted #2.....You're stupid....OF COURSE THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE CARS. Yea its nice to hang on to the nostalgia, but then again the nostalgia will probably only 'hit it' for about half the people out there. I mean give me a break.... Thats kinda like saying that when they re-made Gone In 60 Seconds they should have kept the old cars..... and we all know how badass that movie was. Have a little faith. Its Spielberg and Bay, who are we to question guys that have made some of the best movies ever? Anyone that is iffy about the transformer movie should sit down, shut-up, and take a number, cuz some of ya'll are probably the same ones that said Superman Returns was gonna be crap. If you want to complain about a movie, move over to something talking about the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie. Lol. Take it easy Ya'll.
--Dan the Man

8-19-2006 @ 12:18AM

alfred said...

Please use the same sound effects they had on the cartoon when the transformers transform. I love the sound effects thats going to help bring out the movie. take care and good luck with the file :-)

8-19-2006 @ 12:41AM

Lawrence said...

To be honest, I HOPE they will make some serious changes REAL SOON! From what the characters set-up is gonna be, I really don't like it much. For the Autobots, they should also add Bluestreak and maybe Longhaul. And for the Decepticons, come on now - SHOCKWAVE and Ravage(the other cassette/panther) should of BEEN there and take out 'Scorponok'(he's shouldn't be in there so early since he's part of a other story). Yeah, REALLY NOT liking how this is developing.... :-

8-19-2006 @ 3:15AM

Johnnae said...

First, I agree with Lizze, the second reader. They shouldn't change some of the cars in the name of "modernization". The movie is supposed to be about the actual transformers, not transformation in the form of "modernization". I hate when they do that with movies these days, like they did with X-Men. I am certain I'll have my doubts about the movie. I'm so sick of all the movie industry doing is "remaking" movies or things that were popular in their original debut only to kill them so to speak, especially in the name of "modernization"! Second, to reply to reader #6 question: "What about good old cup?" , since I was a die-hard transformers fan in the 80s I doubt good old cup will be in the movie since if you recall he came around during Rodimus Prime succession of Optimus Prime and Galvatron's succession of Megatron -- or more specifically, Megatron's conversion into the more powerful, evil Decepticon leader, Galvatron.

8-19-2006 @ 4:59AM

Walter Proctor said...

why couldn't they just make the movie set back in 1984? There could have been a lot more cool things they could to with the characters and still kept their original looks.

8-20-2006 @ 3:30PM

james bennett said...

i agree with walter... keep the movie based in the 80's and you could keep all transfomers the same....
Optimus Prime:
Bumblebee: WV not a camero
Jazz:
Ratchet: new form, medical officer, science officer. Emergency vehicle.
Ironhide: tough, tough stare, first in battle, classic cowboy, gritty. Optimus' oldest friend.

Decepticons are:

Megatron: survival of the fittest, social darwinism, less idealistic view of humanity. Sees himself as advanced, sees humans as lower.
Starscream: seems faithful but plotting, "we will see a lot of that dynamic," explains why he does not push it, waits for his opportunity.
Brawl: eager for battle, jumps in. From non-G1 character, experimental, but will be in sequels. First disguised non-flyer.
Bonecrusher: closest to constructicon but not giving away mode. Hates other cons except Megatron. Doesn't want friends.
Barricade: scout, hunter, lures into trap.
Scorponok: which should not be in the movie.......closest to Beast Wars, fitted to environment.
Frenzy: "had some evolution for us," started off as Soundwave but had contradictions and changed to stay truer to G1. Smaller, able to infiltrate. Stealth spy, can hide anywhere.
Blackout: comes in, takes out fighting ability, sends EMP, first-tier attack, transporter, biggest vehicle.

8-20-2006 @ 9:25PM

Geoff said...

No, modernisation for the win, I reckon. I don't want to be back in the '80s world of mullets and bad music. I want big mutherf**king robots kicking the s**t out of each other. With missiles flying around, if possible.

I just want to know what Megatron's going to tranform into. If it's a gun, I want to know if he's going to shrink down. Because that'd be seriously weird in live-action.

8-21-2006 @ 8:59PM

Bill said...

How can you not have Soundwave? He's a classic transformer character, one who everyone would expect to be in the movie.

8-21-2006 @ 9:50PM

Jason said...

I am really going to miss Soundwave! Who is going to dole out the energon cubes?! His robotic voice and fierce logic were always creepy and appreciated.

I really hope the CGI doesn't suck.