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Hasbro Q&A with Unicron.com!

Posted by:

Perceptor at 2008-12-09 1:29 pm

We are thrilled to have received answers to questions we posed to the Hasbro: Transformers Team. Here is what we asked and what they had to say! WOW!

Sabrblade asks question 1: Since the Japanese-exclusive G1 cartoon series (The Headmasters, Chojin Masterforce, Victory, and Zone) were released on DVD in Europe and Australia, is there any hope of seeing them, and perhaps Beast Wars II and Beast Wars Neo, released on DVD in North America? Particularly the United States. From what we can tell, there is quite a demand!

Hasbro has the rights to the majority of the past Transformers entertainment now, and we are currently formalizing a distribution plan globally. This doesn't mean that you will see everything at the same time - we are deciding when and where for the portfolio of entertainment.

Perceptor asks Q2: About a year before the 2007 Transformers Movie, Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci hosted a "live chat" on Yahoo where they unveiled the names of Transformers characters that would appear in the film. Is any such event, (where all characters are unveiled) in the works to announce the characters that will be in Revenge of the Fallen? If so, where and when? If not, we would like to make a suggestion. How about letting the various Transformers Fan Sites unveil one character (each) *before* the toys show up on ebay or some Chinese auction site? You can't let them have *all* the fun right?!

There are currently no plans to make an announcement that we know of, but that doesn't mean it's not going to happen. But that decision (and your spin on it) are studio-led decisions. We'll bring it up with our friends at the studio (doesn't hurt to ask)!

Humanerror asks Q3: In the Transformers: Animated shows, Optimus Prime has various trailers. It seems that the Animated Voyager Prime has a spot on his "Axe" and at the bottom of his heels for add ons. Is there any chance of getting different trailers made for him?

Yes, you will see different trailer/accessory combinations of Animated Optimus Prime. They will not all be built off of the existing Voyager cab, however.

Jason asks Q4: Other than characters we already know of (Blurr, Swindle, Shockwave, Jetfire/Jetstorm...), do you have any *new character molds* slated for the Animated line in 2009 during and after the release of Revenge of the Fallen? If so, would you be willing to release a name or two for this Q&A?

-- Incidentally, we'd really love to see Cybertron mode toys for Bumblebee/Wasp/Cliffjumper, Ratchet/Ironhide. Also, we really liked the matte finish on the earlier TFA toys and how it added to the 'Animated' aesthetic. We hope you bring it back!

Well, by the time you read this you'll already know about characters like Arcee, Waspinator, Samurai Prowl, and Atomic Lugnut… as for some new things to expect - you'll get to see a newer, smaller version of Bumblebee with a cool new accessory upgrade. Soundwave will also be returning complete with a new minion. Everyone's favorite flamed Prime 'wannabe' will also be getting the Animated toy treatment. We're also doing some exploration for some of the Cybertronian mode characters...

Knightwing asks question 5: Talking Universe/Classics, I love the Seekers and want more! Any chance we will get the other two Rainmakers, Sunstorm or those with remolded wings? What's up with the non-G1 colors for obvious G1 homage molded toys like Powerglide and Leo Prime? (I would've preferred a gold and white in tribute to Lio Convoy from the Japanese series Beast Wars II.) Any chance we'll ever get to see Universe/Classics characters featured in IDW comics stories? Please?

As of right now, there are no plans for additional Seekers. Colors are a tricky thing; our design team has been concentrating on realistic alternate modes for our robots as well as coloring. The team thought it was better to make Powerglide primarily silver with characteristic red highlights as a bright red plane would not be very realistic. Leo Prime's coloring was under much debate early on and though the white and gold version did not make it out this time, you never know if and where it might show up in the future although nothing is currently planned.

Comments

Perceptor said, - 2008-12-09 14:17:58

Holy cow, AWESOME! The TF team really answered questions thoroughly, this go around! Even moreso than last time! Wo-HO! Soundwave with a new minion?!?! Rodimus Prime... YE-HA!

DocWho said, - 2008-12-09 14:30:00

Ani Soundwave with a new minion?

Awesome.

I wish the Soundwave be a new mold or a repaint, cause I already bought the first one.

Jason said, - 2008-12-09 14:35:49

Wow, what a good answer session! I'm pretty much thrilled on all counts. Thanks for shedding some light Hasbro.
Rodimus Prime - Sweet! I am especially interested in their answer regarding Animated Optimus Prime and his future trailers. Sounds like they might still might pull a Samurai Prowl with Voyager Optimus, and release other trailer accessories with other scale Op's. hmmm.

Sabrblade said, - 2008-12-09 17:00:07

Okay, so we know they are making a global distribution plan. But if they don't hurry it up with HM/MF/V/Z DVDs, I'm gonna go for the Euro versions and play them on the computer. I can't wait much longer for them.

Black Starscream said, - 2008-12-09 17:41:13

Its almost hurts to see people criticize Hasbro for everything they do in an unconstructive way. I think Hasbroo always has fair reasons for what they do and they do maje plenty of efforts. Questioins I would have asked are why universe Prime had lighter colors, if there were any plans to elongate the smokestacks, and if there arte any plans to make more G1 reissues/recolors.
That aside I'm sure the new minion for soundwave is Ravage. I'm sure that since Animated is based on literally any and all series, that at some point soundwave will become soundblaster, and we'll finally get a fig for him in US. Rodimus was announced somewhere I think also.
For the dvd sets if they end up boxed sets I hope they do anime-accurate boxart like they did for Cybertron.

Jumpercliff said, - 2008-12-09 19:00:28

Finally, Hasbro gets it!

On a lighter note, I should have told you guys this...my late grandfather has the same full name as the man who convinced Hasbro to market TF's in the 80's and the one who invented and patented the rubsign! Besides a toymaker, he also invented and patented the cameras that look at a player's hole cards in poker tournaments. AND my grandmother met him!

Perceptor said, - 2008-12-09 19:10:32

Interesting take Black Starscream. I like to compare the situation to our local (pro) football team. I have a buddy who works in sports talk radio, and what he told me is that when the local team (in this case the Vikings) lose, the station's phone lines are JAM PACKED the Monday after. When they win, there are only a small fraction of the number of calls. Why? Because Transformers fans are passionate!

Hasbro asks questions because they want feedback. (Thank goodness!) They know that when a fan comes to them all 'up-in-arms' because a Leobreaker recolor isn't the colors they want... Well, that's just a result of the fact that this is a very enthusiastic fan base!

The alternative is that fans don't care. And Hasbro doesn't want that! So if you're ticked because you wanted Leo Prime to be white and gold, instead of red and blue, you want foreign DVD's sooner than later... Well, air your comments! They can take it. --If they couldn't, they wouldn't ask us for our opinions, or take the time to answer. They want to know what we like and what we don't.

Generally speaking, I hope that you find this site to be pretty darn pro-Hasbro.

Sabrblade said, - 2008-12-09 19:11:04

>>Questioins I would have asked are why universe Prime had lighter colors, if there were any plans to elongate the smokestacks, and if there are any plans to make more G1 reissues/recolors.

I can answer those. He's colored lighter because they wanted to match his G1 cartoon colors. There's no way the smokestacks would be enlongated. Today's toy safety laws required them to be shortened to that size. They're not really giving out any hints about more G1 reissues.

TriPredRavage said, - 2008-12-09 21:33:24

Aw man. I always miss asking questions. And it figures, I now have questions that I should have asked, but I couldn't think of them at the time. Oh well, guess I'll just have to wait until next time...

mightwork said, - 2008-12-10 00:38:51

Did anyone else know that in some other countries Powerglide was released with the same colours as his G1 self, If you want to see him in his G1 colours just look in the Transformers classic gallery on Seibertron.com.

cyberwuss said, - 2008-12-10 01:32:41

I hope the soundwave pal is ravage or rumble!

NoRemorse79 said, - 2008-12-10 06:33:53

What I would like know is why is was chosen to give the 2007 movie Optimus Prime in vehiclemode a "torpedo" nose instead of making him an hommage to the G1 version with a "flat" nose and maybe a trailer.

By the way great answering by Hasbro.

Thanks for putting it up.

BB cant sign on using a wii said, - 2008-12-10 09:22:58

TPR i'm the same way. and it ticks me off every time. well i actually had two but one was my bro's and thats the one i submited. but gosh it just ticks me off.

Sabrblade said, - 2008-12-10 12:46:51

KilledbyDeath said, - 2008-12-10 18:32:40

"The team thought it was better to make Powerglide primarily silver with characteristic red highlights as a bright red plane would not be very realistic."

Could someone please tell this team of brilliant people that we are fans of a fictional race of form changing, sentient, alien robots with two or more factions at war with each other throughout the galaxy, so realism may not be all that important as a concern for us. In simpler terms the red is ok.

Black Starscream said, - 2008-12-10 21:09:37

I guess as long as we see enough red to go "hey that's powerglide" then we know Hasbro is trying. The reason I pointed out the smokestacks on universe prime is because I looked closely at the plastic part of the insert to which prime is bound and the indent for the smokestacks is exactly long enough to fit in the uncut smokestacks. And Perceptor, I'm sure that when it came to picking a pro and kick@$$ site to answer q's and give some interesting info to, Unicron.com was the first that came to mind. And your take is interesting also. Its true, fans are passionate. That's buy we actually buy first and then complain.

NoRemorse79 said, - 2008-12-11 16:19:18

>>What I would like know is why is was chosen to give the 2007 movie Optimus Prime in vehiclemode a "torpedo" nose instead of making him an hommage to the G1 version with a "flat" nose and maybe a trailer.

It was so he could be taller in robot mode. As for the trailer, it probalby would've been too costly to make in toy form.

Re: Doesn't the nose completely transform into the chest?

In that case it wouldn't make a difference because the G1 Prime would be about 6 metres tall. The trailer from him was what we call in Holland a "depthloader".
It means that the trailer is shorter and lower, but it also means that the lorry is longer.

Thanks for answering though.

Sabrblade said, - 2008-12-13 13:38:08

I meant so his animation model could be taller. It had nothing to do with his toy.

Kenucme said, - 2008-12-14 09:43:08

Production of different trailers for Animated Prime in the works? Anybody have a suspicion that they may be working a combination trailer Ala Powermaster Prime. Since they are bringing in Wheeljack and Perceptor into the Animated line-up, I can picture them designing it for Prime much like it was done in Masterforce (although that was an upgrade with Godbomber). I think it would be a great opportunity for Animated Prime to match up with Megatron.

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