The Classics line, when it premiered in 2006, was a big hit. Then it went on hiatus for the first movie. Then it came back (as Universe) in 2008. Then another hiatus. Then another rebirth in 2010 (as Generations and Reveal the Shield). Basically, the fans are ecstatic every time the Classics style comes back, and once we figured out that we're getting them every other year...
John Barber has been announced as the new editor for IDW's ongoing Transformers comics. Barber is known for his insane use of plotting and Arc Welding in the Transformers film comics.
In 1986, the Transformers animated movie came out, with the planet-eating Unicron as the main villain. However, given that he was the size of a planet, a respectably-sized toy could never be made. Until finally they released quite a few that did the character justice, about 15+ years later!
Peter Cullen was the voice actor for Optimus Prime in The Transformers. When it was announced that he would play Optimus Prime in the 2007 film, the Transformers Wiki put it best: "And there was much rejoicing. (One person started complaining. He was torn limb from limb, skewered and eaten.)" It didn't silence all of them — we're talking about fanboys here — but it did get the fandom to rally behind the movie and arguably make it the success that it was. Another big rally cry here was the very impressive trailers that showcased brief images of the actual robots, including Optimus Prime transforming with the classic sound effect. Considering Cullen's Optimus was described as "a surrogate father to a generation of latchkey kids", it's hardly surprising. The final trailer before its premiere ended with Bonecrusher tackling Optimus and revealing just what kind of special effects this movie would have.
The studio tried to pull this off again with Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen, when they cast Frank Welker to reprise his role as Soundwave, whose super-processed, artificial-sounding voice was one of the most distinctive in the old cartoon. Although the voice is unmistakably Dr. Claw because they left out all the processing in the finished film, it could double as a Mythology Gag since it was always the Dr. Claw voice, heavily modulated.
Welker was originally casted as Megatron too, but the producers decided his voice wasn't right for the part and replaced him.
However, he got to heft Megs's Fusion Cannon again for the video game adaptations of the first two movies.
This official announcement about Transformers III hits the trope with a HSQ to anyone tired of the GM brands in the films.
Then, with Transformers 3, the fanbase was split, as usual, on whether the third film would be like ROTF. First, came the announcement (probably faked) that The Twins wouldn't return. Then, Bay said that they would get rid of the "humor" that overruled the second film. The big announcement was the reveal of the villain... Shockwave. Cue massive rejoicing.
More importantly, for years, Nimoy didn't want to talk about playing Galvatron (it was part of his I Am Not Spock) phase. He's definitely done a 180 about that.
"Oh hey, more Mechtech figures, god how reta- HUMAN ALLIANCE SOUNDWAVE!? Niiiice."
So, Corey Burton isn't reprising his role as Shockwave. Bummer. I wonder who they're considering as a replacement... wait, David Warner?!
Unfortunately, this was only what they considered. Frank Welker returned to voice instead, and while fans were still moderately impressed it did sour the mood of a few fans.
The revelation of a new group of Autobots calling themselves The Wreckers was quite exciting, since they have never had a real presence in any TF media except for the comics. In addition, Michael Bay stated that they "Don't really hide who they are." and we see NASCAR vehicles outfitted with lots of guns. They're also Nascar fans, mechanics, and, to a certain extent, engineers.
High Moon Studios announced as the developers of the Dark of the Moon console game (appropriately enough), as well as the fact it would be a "midquel" to the events of the films, not a straight-up adaptation.
Well, it looks kind of dumb. Huh? Steve Blum is Starscream? That's cool but no one can replace Chri- Jeffrey Combs is Ratchet?! Still neat but... Dwayne Johnson is Cliffjumper! Cool! Maybe I'll give it a shot if it comes on, but... OH MY LORD!!! FRANK WELKER AND PETER CULLEN ARE BACK AS MEGATRON AND OPTIMUS PRIME!!! I AM SO WATCHING THIS!!!
And for those who didn't like Megatron's G1 voice, Frank has a new, menacing voice for the character that some consider to be one of the best Megatron voices of all time.
Dwayne Johnson voicing Cliffjumper caused a great number of fans to jump in excitement... too bad he died only five minutes in, but damn if it wasn't a Badass five minutes
His only scheduled appearance so far is in the Transformers Universe MMO game and there's already fanart of him. Also, his appearance and character are apparently based on a mixture of his G1 and Transformers Animated incarnations.
And to go along with Prowl's possible appearance, based off the character's appearance in the live action films, as well as fitting the Evil Counterpart theme the series has going in regards to the character match-ups: Barricade◊. Psycho Cops FTW
And then, of course, you have the toys. Even non-fans of the series like Rob Bricken think they look great.
This was inverted later on when they held back the release and shortly thereafter canceled the line, in order to replace the figures with new Prime toys marketed towards a younger demographic.
Two Words: Unicron. Figure. That isn't sixty dollars.
Oh, and perennial Transformers cast member David Kaye has also been announced to voice a character. Autobot or Decepticon, he's sure to be AWESOME.
His role has been revealed in "Toxicity": the Insecticon Hardshell.
When asked at Comic-Con whether or not the Dinobots would show... they commented they are part of the long term plan. Don't believe it? Click here and read.
And then the cherry on top: that same post confirmed Combiners *squee*
The Insecticons make their return in season 2.
The return of Nemesis Prime.
Wheeljack is back!
They exploded again after seeing the preview for "Triage" - Wheeljack and Soundwave locked in battle. So we basically have two of the biggest TF badasses of all time in an epic battle.
At the end of Shockwave's induction into the Transformers Hall of Fame, there was a brief clip of him in Transformers Prime, alongside Arcee, Cliffjumper, and Starscream. The fandom exploded with delight.
Then he finally appeared in "Out of the Past". It might've only been a Whole Episode Flashback appearance (for now), but he was still pretty damn Badass!
Inverted, and then played straight, when Jeffrey Combs talked about the future. His statement that Season 3 would be only 16 episodes was lukewarm but not explosive (in other words, meh), but then he seemed to imply the series would be ending soon. BOO-OO-OO-OO!! The "played straight" part came hardly a day later, when he confirmed that there would indeed be a Season 4. In other words - this will be the longest series in the main franchise since G1! HALLELUYAH!!
Hasbro will never ever make a combiner aga- wait is that Deluxe Brawl? Well that's cool but-DELUXE SWINDLE? OK that's cool too- THE REST OF THE COMBATICONS ARE GETTING DELUXE TOYS? AND THEY'LL COMBINE INTO BRUTICUS? SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!
On that note: Hasbro's making new Transformers Fall Of Cybertron figure?! Including SHOCKWAVE?! AND BRUTICUS?! SLAG YEAH!
Also, New Kickback, and possibly other Insecticons, but in truth there is a voyager Soundwave coming out (FOC), and it has an updated version of the tapes he ejects. Rumble, Ratbat, Ravage, Frenzy, and Laserbeak are now disks that can fit inside him, just like in G1.
Voyager Grimlock. Voyager Blaster (a Soundwave retool, but with his own minions!). Retools of the Combaticons into THE WRECKERS. WHICH COMBINE INTO RUINATION. AND RUINATION HAS EMIRATE XAARON'S HEAD.
