Transformers Transformers 2 Info + Why The Movie Designs Are Different From G1

[Cth]

http://comicbookresources.com/columns/?column=13

"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.

 

[CFlash]

Ahhh.... it's like 1998 all over again.
It's funny. Work on the Godzilla sequal and cartoon was also started before the movie even came out.

I wonder if they'll have to shovel these toys out of Toys-R-Us by the truckload (literally) like they did back 98.

 

[Cth]

Nah, it's X-Men and Spider-Man all over again.

no-organic-webshooters = no-flames-on-optimus

Besides, it seems to say that the changes are a direct result of the licensee's requirements (read: Hasbro) than Bay deciding on his own.

So, if you want someone to blame, blame the guys who made the G1 line originally

 

[blind_fury]

Yeah this is the reason they made the Batman movies lighter. To sell toys.

Those short-sighted idiots killed the franchise for an entire decade.

If you want to introduce new characters and designs all they had to was take the 1986 movie approach and have G1 characters in the first half who get wiped out or exiled and the new characters come to the rescue or rebuild(redesign) the fallen Transformers. But that would make everybody happy so I can see why they just wrecklessly threw away most nostalgic references and made TINO.

 

[DorkyFresh]

seems to me like they're trying to have 2 separate versions of Transformers. TF the uber fantasy cartoon and TF the somewhat realistic live action movie.

 

[blind_fury]

Nah, it's X-Men and Spider-Man all over again.

no-organic-webshooters = no-flames-on-optimus

Besides, it seems to say that the changes are a direct result of the licensee's requirements (read: Hasbro) than Bay deciding on his own.

So, if you want someone to blame, blame the guys who made the G1 line originally

get it right dude, it's

nipples on Batman = flames on Optimus

 

[DOG LIPS]

I do look forward to the new toon, and I'm glad they are planning on rushing the sequels out over the next few years as well. I understand the need to differentiate between toy/design lines, but the core problem isn't just the little things like flames on Prime. Starscream being such an ugly creature, or Megs being a samurai slug thing are HUGE problems, IMO. These changes are so damn extreme they have buried the characters and made most of them completely unrecognizable. Batman looks like Batman, no matter the incarnation. Yes, some are worse than others, (nipples) but you see the ****er, you know who he is. Show a random TF fan who hasn't kept up with the movie a pic of movie Ratchet's face and ask him to tell you who it is.

 

[Avangarde]

The new cartoon would be interesting but what was happening with that other socalled cartoon, TF Heros or something? Is this the same one or are we going to have two transformer cartoons on air at the same time of two different continuities? If this is the case this BAD BAD MOVE, it will have people all confused that have not seen the other stuff, esspecially for all the kiddies out there.

 

[gkokujin]

this makes me sad and yet glad.

i feel so torn.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

Nah, it's X-Men and Spider-Man all over again.

no-organic-webshooters = no-flames-on-optimus

Besides, it seems to say that the changes are a direct result of the licensee's requirements (read: Hasbro) than Bay deciding on his own.

So, if you want someone to blame, blame the guys who made the G1 line originally

Hardly

The organic webshooters, who we can accredit James Cameron (NOT Raimi) for, were done for logicistic reasons and to tie into their most recent Spider-Man comic, Ultimate Spider-Man (which utilizes organics -- furthermore it's not the first time 616 Spidey has had organics). It was thought, and rightfully so, that Spider-Man at age 16-18 would not be able to produce a substance equal to that of what NASA has been trying to develop for years.

The flames on Optimus was done for God-Knows-What reason, most likely however it was Bay who loves to add flames, explosions and "uber cool 90s-a-rific" things to his movies.

This is more along the lines of nipples on the Bat-costume, or making Catwoman dress like a stripper/hooker. A blatant attempt by Producers to make a character "cool".

There are plenty of ways to distinguish one Optimus (Optimi?) from another, it's been done. The flames were just an unnecessary addition.

 

[Hunter Rider]

seems to me like they're trying to have 2 separate versions of Transformers. TF the uber fantasy cartoon and TF the somewhat realistic live action movie.

That's pretty much how i see it and that's cool with me,as for the sequel by 2009 ? awesome

 

[Cth]

Hardly

Well, now that we've established the level of discourse here, let's begin..

The organic webshooters, who we can accredit James Cameron (NOT Raimi) for, were done for logicistic reasons and to tie into their most recent Spider-Man comic, Ultimate Spider-Man (which utilizes organics -- furthermore it's not the first time 616 Spidey has had organics). It was thought, and rightfully so, that Spider-Man at age 16-18 would not be able to produce a substance equal to that of what NASA has been trying to develop for years.

Actually, USM never used organic webbing.

I agree, it made perfect sense, but there was still the outraged fanboy reacting to something they felt was INTEGRAL to the character. Furthermore, getting online and posting pure hate over something they barely had any information about.

The flames on Optimus was done for God-Knows-What reason, most likely however it was Bay who loves to add flames, explosions and "uber cool 90s-a-rific" things to his movies.

Yes, everyone knows Bay does that. Ultimately, it doesn't impact the CHARACTER. Look at the Spider-Man movie costume.. raised webbing was another complaint fans had. Look how that film turned out.

This is more along the lines of nipples on the Bat-costume, or making Catwoman dress like a stripper/hooker. A blatant attempt by Producers to make a character "cool".

There are plenty of ways to distinguish one Optimus (Optimi?) from another, it's been done. The flames were just an unnecessary addition.

Such a changing him into a fire truck or a robot monkey? I'm sure if they did that we'd never hear the end of it. It's a good thing they never attempted something like that, it'd cause the fanbase to leave in droves, right?

As pointed out in the original article, since you didn't bother to read, the design changes were REQUIRED by Hasbro. So, while you're tossing blame about, you might want to blame them too.

 

[KenK]

Hardly

The organic webshooters, who we can accredit James Cameron (NOT Raimi) for, were done for logicistic reasons and to tie into their most recent Spider-Man comic, Ultimate Spider-Man (which utilizes organics -- furthermore it's not the first time 616 Spidey has had organics). It was thought, and rightfully so, that Spider-Man at age 16-18 would not be able to produce a substance equal to that of what NASA has been trying to develop for years.

The flames on Optimus was done for God-Knows-What reason, most likely however it was Bay who loves to add flames, explosions and "uber cool 90s-a-rific" things to his movies.

This is more along the lines of nipples on the Bat-costume, or making Catwoman dress like a stripper/hooker. A blatant attempt by Producers to make a character "cool".

There are plenty of ways to distinguish one Optimus (Optimi?) from another, it's been done. The flames were just an unnecessary addition.

My whole thing is, people swear they've NEVER seen a freight truck with some kind of decorative design on it. It's not the same as comparing it to nipples on Batman's costumes.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

My whole thing is, people swear they've NEVER seen a freight truck with some kind of decorative design on it. It's not the same as comparing it to nipples on Batman's costumes.

Well that's kind of the point. If this were done for logistics reasons (like webshooter's being organic), Prime would easily pick a nice, typical, solid color design for his truck mode. He is trying to BLEND IN, after all. So perhaps not like Bat-nipples, but maybe more like brightly colored Schumacher batsuits. For a guy whose supposed to be a ninja, blending with the shadows, flourescent latex gaddy batsuits probably isn't the way to go.

 

[CFlash]

My whole thing is, people swear they've NEVER seen a freight truck with some kind of decorative design on it. It's not the same as comparing it to nipples on Batman's costumes.

I've never seen a "freight truck" like THAT (Prime in the movie) and I've lived uber-industrial northeast my whole life. If I was a manufacturer, I wouldn't hire a company with trucks like that to ship my goods.

 

[Cth]

Well that's kind of the point. If this were done for logistics reasons (like webshooter's being organic), Prime would easily pick a nice, typical, solid color design for his truck mode. He is trying to BLEND IN, after all. So perhaps not like Bat-nipples, but maybe more like brightly colored Schumacher batsuits. For a guy whose supposed to be a ninja, blending with the shadows, flourescent latex gaddy batsuits probably isn't the way to go.

Well, again, it depends on your perspective.

He just arrived on Earth and scanned the first thing, are you saying that Prime would be so worried about how he looks than taking care of business (finding the cube before the Decepticons can find it and Megatron?)

That'd be more in character than worrying about hiding. Wasn't there a big fuss from you guys that Prime was hiding in the bushes which was totally against the characterization?

 

[CFlash]

Well, again, it depends on your perspective.

He just arrived on Earth and scanned the first thing, are you saying that Prime would be so worried about how he looks than taking care of business (finding the cube before the Decepticons can find it and Megatron?)

That'd be more in character than worrying about hiding. Wasn't there a big fuss from you guys that Prime was hiding in the bushes which was totally against the characterization?

And the first thing he sees is Randy Macho Man Savage's big rig? Unlikely.

 

[KenK]

I've never seen a "freight truck" like THAT (Prime in the movie) and I've lived uber-industrial northeast my whole life. If I was a manufacturer, I wouldn't hire a company with trucks like that to ship my goods.

What difference would it make? I think there's a big difference between a decorative paint job on a truck, and nipples on clothing. Nipples on the bat costume made it look stupid because it gave the appearance that Batman is naked. You can't really make the same argument with a flame design on a vehicle.

 

[CFlash]

What difference would it make? I think there's a big difference between a decorative paint job on a truck, and nipples on clothing. Nipples on the bat costume made it look stupid because it gave the appearance that Batman is naked. You can't really make the same argument with a flame design on a vehicle.

Same difference. Bats looked naked. Prime looks conspicuous. A decorative paint job on a PROFESSIONAL truck used for hauling freight (not participating in monster truck rallies or on an episode of trick my truck) would be a stripe? Maybe a logo. Definately not what Prime is in the movie.

It does look "cool" though. I stopped caring about this long ago. But, him saying "My Bad" put this thing in a whole new light.

 

[KenK]

Same difference. Bats looked naked. Prime looks conspicuous.

No it's not! Prime in truck form IS A TRUCK!!! Flames or no flames, he's a truck. That's all he needs to be. No one's going to look and Prime and think he looks out of place, as you stated, he could be a truck used for professional auto shows. No one's going to say, "that truck has flames on it. He probably transforms into a robot!". It's not the same thing as someone looking at the Schumacher Batman costume and saying, "did he just spray body paint all over himself? If so, that's kinda fruity." It'd be hard to strike fear into the hearts of criminals if they're ragging on the fact that you look like a Cirque De Soleil performer. No one's going to make Optimus feel self conscious about his flames because. . . .HE'S A FIFTY FOOT ROBOT who fights OTHER fifty foot robots!!! Optimus and Batman's visuals serve two entirely different purposes.

 

[Cth]

And the first thing he sees is Randy Macho Man Savage's big rig? Unlikely.

Apparently so, since that's what everyone saw in the recent TV spots..

Within the logic of the movie, it makes sense.

No one said it was permanent. The early script even leaves an opening for future change (which I'm sure Hasbro is thrilled to hear)

(Although, it's rumored that change may be out with the new script, which detractors are convinced hasn't changed)

 

[The Kid]

Ok, everyone take a step back. I'm reading too many confounding arguments here.

Organics were done for this simple reason: To make Spider-man more realistic. Raimi couldn't grasp how someone like peter would have the resources and knowledge to make such a webshooter gadget (but that's what makes it cool. It's impossible...). (Whether james cameron thought of it first isn't relevant since Raimi had final say on this supposedly.)

Now as is obvious to all, Raimi's thrown the realism argument down the toilet by adding sandman and venom to the mix. Sandman having completely impossible sand-powers, and venom being a sticky gummy alien from outer space kinda makes web shooters look like something more realistic now to me anyway.

Therefore I think anyone who complained about organics was always justified in complaining and even more justified now that Raimi's realism claims are found out now to be a heap of BS.

As for why the movie designs are different? That's a hell of a lame reason. Who would look at the movie tranformer design and say "I'm not buying that. It's too much like the G1 version I already own!!!"

I hate hollywood.

 

[CFlash]

No it's not! Prime in truck form IS A TRUCK!!! Flames or no flames, he's a truck. That's all he needs to be. No one's going to look and Prime and think he looks out of place, as you stated, he could be a truck used for professional auto shows. No one's going to say, "that truck has flames on it. He probably transforms into a robot!". It's not the same thing as someone looking at the Schumacher Batman costume and saying, "did he just spray body paint all over himself? If so, that's kinda fruity." It'd be hard to strike fear into the hearts of criminals if they're ragging on the fact that you look like a Cirque De Soleil performer. No one's going to make Optimus feel self conscious about his flames because. . . .HE'S A FIFTY FOOT ROBOT who fights OTHER fifty foot robots!!! Optimus and Batman's visuals serve two entirely different purposes.

And Batman with nipples is still batman. But, with nipples. Big deal. They're exactly the same. And, exactly just as needless.

You just happen to think flames on Prime is "cool." Which is exactly what the filmmakers are counting on. I have nothing against flames... they looked great on Rodimus Prime.

 

[millennium movies]

Wow you guys can make someone really start hating a movie...almost

 

[Psionic Force]

Ahhh.... it's like 1998 all over again.
It's funny. Work on the Godzilla sequal and cartoon was also started before the movie even came out.

I wonder if they'll have to shovel these toys out of Toys-R-Us by the truckload (literally) like they did back 98.

dude... get over it already!