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Derrick Wyatt Interview on TFW2005

Posted by:

Anonymous at 2008-12-18 11:45 am

Check out a new and very interesting interview with Transformers Animated, lead character designer Dererrick Wyatt on TFW2005. It's jam packed with insight and teasers about what we might expect to see in the future of Transformers Animated. Enjoy his animated character sketch of himself and other goodies like concept art for Kickback!

He talks about character design, what Transformers are on his "wish list," how he is involved in story development, and more!

Here is a brief excerpt:
Is there anything you would like to say to the fans who have a hard time adjusting to the designs of Transformers Animated (because of the difference in style) or to those who have seemingly been turned off to new characters coming out (a la Jetfire/Jetstorm)?

DW: I do get a little frustrated with people who equate a more cartoony style with being kiddie or pre-school. It’s a weird trend with American fanboys that I don’t understand at all. Like they only way to go for these guys is to do it uber real world, dark and gritty. It’s strange to me because you look at places like Japan or Europe, and they have no problem with a broad range of styles. Most animation fans around the world realize that having a more pushed or cartoony design in no way makes it just for kids. We have done our best to make TFA a show that both kids (a new generation of fans) and longtime fans alike can enjoy. I know by now from seeing fan reaction so far that at least 85% of Transformers fans will come around once they see everything in it’s final form. For the other guys that only like the first 14 episodes of G1, season two, with the exception of the ones featuring Seaspray, and everything else is heresy, I know I’m never going to win them over. And that’s fine. I am very picky about Transformers and Transformers lore too. There are some things I will never accept either. So I understand. But it’s a great time to be a Transformers fan. If you don’t like Animated you have Michael Bay, the IDW comics continuity, Classics, and some great Takara reissues. And for those of us who like it all, this is the best ever!

Hear, hear Derrick! Well put. Check out the link to read the interview in its entirety.

Comments

Sabrblade said, - 2008-12-18 13:48:52

This particular body of text from Derrick has certainly gotten me hyped:

"DW: Other than that you can expect to see the Chosen One face off against the great Decepticon General of Destruction in a desperate battle where the young leader is hopelessly out gunned. You will see Autobot scientists, under orders from the Elite Guard, conduct a high risk experiment to merge Decepticon technology into the bodies of Autobot twins. Witness the traitor on Cybertron stop at nothing to destroy anyone who tries to get word of his treachery to the Autobot High Council. Meanwhile the poor bot who is being hunted as a traitor will see his luck go from bad to worse, and then things really get ugly. Autobots we are close to will be forced to relive painful memories of their past. Both Friends and foes will return. You will see characters from nearly every previous Transformers series. There will be more new characters than I am physically able to draw in time to meet my deadlines!"

I think it's pretty obvious which characters he's referring to in this paragraph. Most of them, not all of them, I mean.

Like the "Chosen One" could be Rodimus Prime and the "Decepticon General of Destruction" could be Strika. The "Autobot scientists" are definitely Wheeljack and Perceptor (and maybe Red Alert), which would make the "Autobot twins" Jetfire and Jetstorm. The "traitor on Cybertron" is obviously Shockwave/Longarm (Prime), and the "poor bot who is being hunted as a traitor" has gotta be Wasp, and when "things really get ugly", that might mean he'll become Waspinator. The "Autobots we are close to" may be Optimus, Bumblebee, and Ratchet. The "friends" could be the Dinobots and the Elite Guard, and the "foes" could be all the Decepticons from seasons one and two, including Soundwave, and maybe some human villains.

Jumpercliff said, - 2008-12-18 16:37:12

That Kickback art looks like this cover of an issue of New Warriors featuring a trechcoat-wearing Nova and Night Thrasher, a blue-skinned Namorita, Speedball, and a guy named Microbe.

Sidewinder said, - 2008-12-18 18:45:31

I gotta admit, when I first heard of TF Animated, the first thing I thought was how they were going to screw this one up, but I was glad to have my low expectations overshadowed by very fluid animation styles and excellent script and story writing. I firmly say "Keep up the great work." not only to Mr Wyatt, but to the entire animation and writing staff of TF Animated.

starscreamer said, - 2008-12-18 22:38:37

i hope unicron,galvatron,scourge,nemisis prime,wheelie,rumble,frenzy,blaster,scorponok make it to tf animated this would be sooo cool.

Sabrblade said, - 2008-12-18 22:42:28

Don't get your hopes up. I think it's been said a long time ago that Unicron (and Primus) likely won't be in Animated.

starscreamer said, - 2008-12-18 23:05:28

well ok i guess. well maybe scorponok might make it to animated.or scourge.

starscreamer said, - 2008-12-19 00:08:17

does anyone know if hasbro is going to make a tf animated omegasupreme

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