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The Transformers movie toys were released in conjunction with the 2007 Transformers film, comics and video games, and expanded on the characters and story in them. They were manufactured and sold by Hasbro worldwide, except in Japan by Takara Tomy.
Transformers is a 2007 American science fiction action film based on the Transformers toy line. The film, which combines computer animation with live-action filming, was directed by Michael Bay, with Steven Spielberg serving as executive producer. It was produced by Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto, and is the first installment in the live-action Transformers film series. The film stars Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, a teenager who gets caught up in a war between the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, two factions of alien robots who can disguise themselves by transforming into everyday machinery, primarily vehicles. The Autobots intend to retrieve and use the AllSpark, the object that created their robotic race that is on Earth, to rebuild their home planet Cybertron and end the war, while the Decepticons have the intention of using it to build an army by giving life to the machines of Earth. Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Anderson, Megan Fox, Rachael Taylor, John Turturro, and Jon Voight also star, while voice actors Peter Cullen and Hugo Weaving voice Optimus Prime and Megatron respectively.
Hasbro, Inc. is an American worldwide toy and board game company. It is the largest toy maker in the world in terms of stock market value, and third largest with revenues of approximately $5.12 billion. Hasbro owns the trademarks and products of Kenner, Parker Brothers, and Milton Bradley, among others.
It was expected that the release of a new movie would involve the production and release of associated toys from Hasbro and Takara Tomy. Images surfaced, online, of some toy prototypes, notably Starscream and a new Decepticon who was to be named Blackout, along with packaged samples of movie preview "Protoform" Optimus Prime and Starscream toys. Similarly, fans found preliminary artwork of multiple characters, although it was not known at the time how close these were to the final designs. The designs were significantly different from those of the Generation 1 characters with the same names. Reactions varied widely: some fans objected strongly to the designs, occasionally going so far as to threaten a boycott if the designs were not changed to be more traditional, while others liked them. The issue became a divisive one, as detractors accused supporters of lacking respect for the franchise's history, while supporters accused detractors of being "stuck in the past", and not accepting change. Fans of the franchise have affectionately nicknamed the designs "Bayformers" due to director Michael Bay's influence.
Starscream is a fictional character in the many continuities in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most frequently occurring characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all continuities of the Transformers franchise. Generally depicted as a deadly Decepticon who transforms into a jet fighter and who serves as Megatron's second-in-command, Starscream's defining trait is his desire to supplant Megatron as Decepticon leader.
The Decepticons are the main antagonists in the fictional universes of the Transformers multimedia franchise. They are depicted as a faction of sentient robotic lifeforms from the planet Cybertron led by Megatron, identified by a purple face-like insignia. Capable of transforming into alternate forms, these are often high-tech or powerful vehicles; including aircraft, military vehicles, construction vehicles, expensive luxury or sports cars and even smaller-than-human-sized objects.
Transformers: Generation 1 is a children's toy line that ran from 1984 to 1992 and was produced by Hasbro. It was a line of toy robots that could change into an alternate form by moving parts into other places, and it was the first line of toys produced for the successful Transformers toy and entertainment franchise. The line was originally called The Transformers, with "Generation 1" originating as a term coined by fans of the toys when the Transformers: Generation 2 toy line was released in 1992. Hasbro eventually adopted the term "Generation 1" to refer to any toy produced in that era.
Even though the Transformers were heavily modified for the film for a more "alien feel", they still kept some key features from the G1 look to stay true to the character's origins.
The toyline was very popular during the time. Action figures were in constant demand and sold out at many retailers during the 2007 holiday season.
The American International Toy Fair is an annual toy industry trade show held in mid-February in New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and at toy showrooms around the city. The event is open to the toy trade only – toy industry professionals, retailers, and press representatives. It is owned and managed by the Toy Industry Association. Toy Fair's promoters describe it as the largest toy trade show in the Western hemisphere.
The City of New York, usually called either New York City (NYC) or simply New York (NY), is the most populous city in the United States. With an estimated 2018 population of 8,398,748 distributed over a land area of about 302.6 square miles (784 km2), New York is also the most densely populated major city in the United States. Located at the southern tip of the state of New York, the city is the center of the New York metropolitan area, the largest metropolitan area in the world by urban landmass and one of the world's most populous megacities, with an estimated 19,979,477 people in its 2018 Metropolitan Statistical Area and 22,679,948 residents in its Combined Statistical Area. A global power city, New York City has been described as the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world, and exerts a significant impact upon commerce, entertainment, research, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, fashion, and sports. The city's fast pace has inspired the term New York minute. Home to the headquarters of the United Nations, New York is an important center for international diplomacy.
Automorph Technology
The special feature of movie figures is "automorph technology". Moving one piece of the robot in the transformation sequence makes another piece move automatically. Most of the figures in this toy line have this feature. This is a debatable feature because some fans of the new toys tend to dislike the automorph, as it can have unwanted effects while transforming the figure.
Scout Class
Scout Class figures in this line are Target store exclusives and redecos of toys from the Energon and Cybertron line.
Target Corporation is the eighth-largest retailer in the United States, and is a component of the S&P 500 Index. Founded by George Dayton and headquartered in Minneapolis, the company was originally named Goodfellow Dry Goods in June 1902 before being renamed the Dayton's Dry Goods Company in 1903 and later the Dayton Company in 1910. The first Target store opened in Roseville, Minnesota in 1962 while the parent company was renamed the Dayton Corporation in 1967. It became the Dayton-Hudson Corporation after merging with the J.L. Hudson Company in 1969 and held ownership of several department store chains including Dayton's, Hudson's, Marshall Field's, and Mervyn's. It is unrelated to Target Australia.
Wave 1
Arcee - Autobot motorcycle, a redeco of EnergonArcee.
Hardtop - Decepticon dune buggy, a redeco of CybertronHardtop.
Deluxe Class figures comprise the bulk of the movie toy line. Many figures feature Automorph Technology. The bi-lingual English/French cards featured an error, in that all the Deluxe figures were put on cards with Decepticon logos, no matter their faction. Release dates vary, as some waves were seen before others, or released alongside another wave. These are seen sorted into waves designated by Hasbro, and their official Transformers website.
Stealth Bumblebee - Inverted color repaint with armored head sculpt.
Salvage - Autobot redeco of Dropkick. According to Hasbro employees at Botcon 2008 his colors are inspired by the truck from the television series Sanford and Son.[2]
Wave 5 Target Exclusives - Packaged in clear, cylindrical plastic cases and in displayed in robot mode. These are regular Deluxe Class toys with light blue highlights to simulate the effects of the Allspark.
Barricade
Decepticon Brawl
Bumblebee
Autobot Jazz
Premium - repaints of the regular figures with more realistic paint jobs.
Barricade
Bumblebee - Comes with armored head sculpt.
Autobot Jazz
Screen Battles
Each Screen Battles package consists of one Deluxe Class figure and accessories to form a mini-diorama.
Desert Attack: Scorponok with figurines of U.S. soldiers Lennox, Epps and Figueroa.
First Encounter: Barricade with figurines of Sam and Mikaela, along with a Frenzy figurine that is more detailed than the one normally supplied with Barricade.
Capture of Bumblebee: Bumblebee (Camaro concept version with yellow/gray repaint) with figurines of Agent Simmons and two Sector 7 operatives.
Final Stand: Longarm (slight repaint with Mikaela figurine inside) with a legless version of Robot Replicas Bumblebee.
Voyager Class
Voyager Class figures are one of the largest figures compared to Deluxe and Leader Class figures. Many figures in this line feature Automorph Technology.
Wave 1
Blackout - Decepticon 1/89 scale MH-53 Pave Low IV helicopter. Comes with Scorponok mini-figure that stores in the tail area of his helicopter mode.
Some confusion results in Optimus Prime and Megatron's wave placements. In one source, Megatron is part of Wave 3 and Optimus is part of Wave 3.5. Other sources declare Megatron a revision of Wave 2, and Optimus part of Wave 3.
Battle Over Mission City: Megatron (flame redeco) vs. Final BattleJazz
Leader Class
The largest size class with more than one figure. They feature Advanced Automorph Technology and electronic gimmicks, and are the only mainline figures with a "Try Me" feature on the packaging.
Nightwatch Optimus Prime - Redeco in stealthy, dark blue colors.
Deep Desert Brawl - Redeco in desert camouflage.
Premium - Redecos of the regular figures with more realistic paint jobs and original sound effects replaced with the transformation sound.
Optimus Prime - Comes with redesigned head sculpt and forearm blade in place of cannon.
Megatron
Ultimate
Overall, the largest size class - and effectively, the most expensive - in the toy line. The only figure offered in this line is Bumblebee (Camaro Concept), which features working lights and sound effects. In addition, Ultimate Bumblebee is animatronic, with his head and arms moving mechanically. Ultimate Bumblebee speaks numerous pre-recorded phrases and plays samples of songs such as the Transformers theme and Devo's "Whip It".
Trans-Scanning
The Trans-Scanning line consists of Deluxe-sized figures sold only in Japan and Asian markets by Takara Tomy. Each package consists of a highly-poseable skeletal frame called a Core Body, along with parts to assemble the Core Body to either a Protoform mode or robot mode. In Protoform, the figure can transform into an atmospheric Entry Mode. The figure with robot parts is able to fully transform into vehicle mode.[3]
A line of Micro class transformable toys was released for the 2007 Transformers movie. It included individually packaged toys as well as a Target exclusive package with Megatrons and Optimus Primes from the movie and Cybertron lines.
Barricade - 1/63 scale Saleen Mustang S281 Police Car
Bumblebee (Scanning Version) - Hyper Hobby magazine exclusive, molded in transparent yellow to simulate pre-formatting.
Allspark Power
Released as Allspark Battle two-packs, these were released in 2008.
Cliffjumper (red repaint of Legends Bumblebee) vs. Recon Barricade (gray/blue repaint)
Autobot Jazz (G1-style repaint) vs. Bonecrusher (G1-style repaint)
Rescue Ratchet (G1-style repaint) vs. Decepticon Brawl (modified M1 Abrams)
Ironhide (GMC Topkick) vs. Desert Blackout (tan repaint)
Nightwatch Optimus Prime (blue repaint) vs. Stealth Starscream (black repaint)
Final Battle Bumblebee (battle damage redeco) vs. Scorponok (robotic scorpion)
Final Battle Jazz (battle damage redeco) vs. Ice Megatron (blue repaint)
Robot Replicas
A line of 4", non-transforming, poseable figures were released recently and included the following figures:
Wave 1
Megatron - 1/79 scale
Barricade
Bumblebee
Wave 2
Optimus Prime
Jazz
Frenzy
Wal-Mart Exclusive Megatron vs. Optimus Prime battle damage 2 pack
Fun4All KeyChains
A wave of Movie Transformers keychains release as smaller version of the Robot Replicas:
Wave 1
Optimus Prime
Bumblebee
Wave 2
Megatron
Barricade
Real Gear
A line of movie toys made up entirely of original characters who transform from Scout Class robots into non-functional, actual-size (or near actual size in a few cases), gadgets, possibly inspired by the ability of the Allspark in the movie to bring electronic items to life.
Oddly, the Real Gear toy line lacks any mention of Paramount and the official Transformers film logo on the boxes, making them a bit separate from the rest of the line. It has been revealed that at least some of the molds were originally designed to be in the Cybertron line, as Autobots hiding on Earth.
Reception
GamesAxis Unwired Magazine said Read Gear Robots would make Soundwave turn over in his plastic grave.[4]
Wave 1
Longview - An Autobot that transforms into a pair of binoculars. He holds a picture of Cybertron Crumplezone in binoculars mode.
Power Up VT6 - An Autobot that transforms into a hand-held video game system. Has a jet that looks like Cybertron Jetfire on the game display.
Speed Dial 800 - An Autobot that transforms into a cell phone. Has the time 7:47 on his display, a reference to the original planned premiere date of the Transformers 2007 film, July 4, 2007. 1/1 scale.
Spy Shot 6 - An Autobot that transforms into a digital camera.
Wave 2
Booster X10 - A Decepticon that transforms from an MP3 player and earpiece into a robotic condor inspired by Generation 1 Laserbeak. He is portrayed as a mean-spirited trickster who enjoys causing accidents. 1/1 scale.
Zoom Out 25X - An Autobot that transforms into a digital camcorder. He has an image of CybertronOverride on his display.
Wave 3
Wire Tap V20 - A black/red Decepticon repaint of Speed Dial 800.
Night Beat 7 - A silver/blue Autobot repaint of Booster X10.
Meantime - A Decepticon that transforms into a sports watch.
High Score 100 - An Autobot that transforms into a 1/2 scale video game controller. He is portrayed as a martial artist who learned by studying others fight.
Wave 4
Highline 1070 - A red Autobot repaint of Speed Dial 800. A cell phone resembling this one can be seen in the Alliance comic book being used by Epps.
Other toys
Optimus Prime Voice Changer Helmet - A helmet shaped like Optimus Prime's head and can fit head sizes from kids to adults. Features sound effects, battle phrases and a microphone that can give the user's voice a robotic effect. First releases featured Garry Chalk's voice as Optimus Prime, but later releases following the film's premiere had Chalk's recordings replaced with those of Peter Cullen.[5]
Drought
Many fans were disappointed at the drought of many of the mainline figures when the first waves flew off the shelves in July 2007. Retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Toys 'R' Us, etc., underestimated the popularity of the movie and supporting toyline, and did not place enough orders to meet the demand. With several action-themed toylines in the same summer (Spider-Man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and Transformers), they were conservative with their estimates for Transformers, the only relatively new franchise in the mix. Especially with Spider-Man 3 toys underperforming, retailers did not consider ordering more Transformers toys until it was too late to meet demand on time. By August 2007, most Deluxe and larger toys had sold out of nearly all retail outlets - with only the Cyber Slammers and Real Gear toys remaining.
A shipping backlog in China further exacerbated this problem and has led to an unusually long drought. The demand has led to many "scalpers" buying many duplicates of figures to sell on eBay - particularly Deluxe Class Bumblebee (Camaro Concept edition), which fetched high two-digit numbers online during the film's run.
Hasbro has been the target of many fans' anger over this situation, despite the fact that the company does not determine order sizes or distribution. They promoted the movie toyline as best they could, but inventories are not produced unless orders are received for them. Ultimately, retailers simply did not order enough from Hasbro.
See also
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toy line) - The toy line for the 2009 sequel.
Autobots are a team of sentient mechanical self-configuring modular robotic lifeforms from the planet Cybertron led by Optimus Prime, and the main protagonists in the universe of the Transformers, a collection of various toys, cartoons, movies, graphic novels, and paperback books first introduced in 1984. The "Heroic Autobots" are opposed by the "Evil Decepticons". Both Autobots and Decepticons are humanoid robots that can transform into machines, vehicles and other familiar mechanical objects, as well as mimic organic lifeforms (Dinobots). Autobots typically transform into regular cars, trucks, or other road vehicles (automobiles) but some are aircraft, military vehicles, communication devices, weapons, and even robotic animals. These Autobots are often grouped into special "teams" that have the suffix "-bot" at the end, such as in Dinobot.
Arcee is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers franchise. They are female Autobots, usually pink or blue in color. Being the most famous of the Female Autobots, she has made more appearances and has had several more incarnations than any other female Transformer. Originally she turned into a car, however, later incarnations have turned into motorcycles. The character has gained much notability upon appearing in Transformers: Prime, even though that incarnation is significantly altered than the others. Arcee's design, alternate mode, and personality vary depending on continuity. Usually colored pink and white, she has also been depicted as a blue-colored character, and Botcon storyline saw her reformatted into a Maximal spider.
Soundwave is a fictional character appearing in the various Transformers continuities in the Transformers robot superhero franchise. His most well-known transformation is that of a microcassette recorder. Throughout most of his incarnations, he is an undying loyal lieutenant of the Decepticon leader Megatron. He is Megatron's eyes and ears and, in some interpretations, only speaks when mocking the Autobots.
Jazz is a fictional robot superhero character from the Transformers robot superhero franchise. He is usually portrayed as a music-loving robot and speaks in slang. He is also Optimus Prime's good friend and right-hand man.
Ironhide is a fictional robot superhero character in the Transformers robot superhero franchise. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ironhide was named after the television series Ironside.
Jetfire is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers franchise. He is almost always depicted as an Autobot with jet or space shuttle alternate mode.
BotCon, briefly known as "The Official Transformers Collectors' Convention", was an annual convention for Transformers fans and collectors. BotCon has been held annually since 1994. BotCon is a syllabic abbreviation for "Robot Convention" but also refers to "Autobot" and "Decepticon", the protagonist and antagonist robot factions in the many continuities in the Transformers franchise.
Mudflap is the name of three fictional characters in the Transformers series.
Cliffjumper is the name of several fictional robot superhero characters from the Transformers robot superhero franchise. His name is usually associated with an Autobot whose toys are often red repaints or remold of Bumblebee toys.
Longarm is the name to four different fictional characters in the Transformers robot superhero franchise.
Transformers Classics is a line of Transformers toys based on and resembling the first generation (G1) characters introduced in the 1980s. The toy line was created to fill the gap in Transformers product releases between the end of the Transformers: Cybertron series and the start of 2007 live-action movie; as well as tie-in to the release of the Transformers: The Movie 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD edition, and later Transformers Animated, then in Transformers Universe Classics / Henkei.
Legends is a Transformers toy line introduced in 2005.
Blackout is the name of six fictional robot supervillan characters from the Transformers robot superhero franchise. He is a Decepticon and is the predecessor of Grindor.
Barricade is the name of four fictional characters in the various Transformers series in the Transformers franchise.
Onslaught is the name of a fictional character in the various Transformers continuities in the Transformers robot superhero franchise. He is usually portrayed as the leader of the Combaticons who turn into missile launching vehicles and combine with his comrades into Bruticus.
Transformers: Generations is a 2010 toy line by Hasbro. Much like the preceding Universe toy line, Generations covers different eras of Transformers; here, the toys are based upon characters from Generation 1 and the video game Transformers: War for Cybertron, as well as the Transformers comics by IDW Publishing. The figures consist of new molds as well as redecos of ones originally used in the Classics and Universe lines. These Deluxe Class figures stand at about 5.5 to 6 inches tall and feature intermediate to moderate transformation levels.
Smokescreen is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers robot superhero franchise.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon is a film which has an associated toy line released in 2011 by Hasbro. The film, and thus the toy line, is based on the original Transformers media franchise. The first toy in this line is Cyberverse Commander Optimus Prime, which was released on March 2011. The official launch date of the toy line was May 16, 2011.
Knock Out is a fictional character from the computer-animated series, Transformers: Prime. The character was initially introduced as a medic of the Decepticons and responsible for taking care of Megatron while he was in a coma. After Megatron regained consciousness, he continued serving him. Despite his status as a medic, Knock Out would often participate in field missions with his partner Breakdown. Following Breakdown's death during the second season, Knock Out would often be partnered for the rest of the series with Starscream and Shockwave, to help them with their scientific experiments against the Autobots. In the series finale, after the Decepticons are defeated, Knock Out attempts to join the Autobots; a goal that he achieves in the TV film, Predacons Rising.
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