Transformers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the electrical device, see Transformer.
Transformer For other uses, see Transformers (disambiguation)
(disambiguation).
Transformers
Hasbro and Takara Tomy
Transformers toy line
Original work
based on Diaclone & Microman
Print publications
Transformers: Exodus
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Books
Complete list
Marvel series
Dreamwave series
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Complete list
Robo Machines
Comic strips
Films and television
Animated
The Transformers: The Movie
Battle of thee Rock Lords
Lio Convoy, Close Call!
Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons
Rising
Films
Live-action
Transformers
Revenge of the Fallen
Dark of the Moon
Age of Extinction
The Transformers
Challenge of the GoBots
The Headmasters
Super-God
God Masterforce
Victory
Zone
Generation 2
Animated series
Beast Wars
Beast Wars II
Beast Wars Neo
Beast Machines
Robots in Disguise (2001)
Armada
Energon
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Cybertron
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Cyber Missions
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GO!
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Robots in Disguise (2015)
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Kre-O (catroon)
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G.I. Joe
Battle Beasts
Transformers ( Toransufm?) is an entertainment franchise produced
by American Hasbro and Japanese Takara Tomy toy companies. Initially a line of
transforming toys rebranded from Takara's Diaclone and Microman toylines,[1] the franchise
began in 1984 with the Transformers toy line, and centers on factions of transforming alien
robots (often the Autobots and the Decepticons) in an endless struggle for dominance or
eventual peace. In its decades-long history, the franchise has expanded to encompass comic
books, animation, video games and films.
The term "Generation 1" covers both the animated television series The Transformers and the
comic book series of the same name, which are further divided into Japanese and British
spin-offs, respectively. Sequels followed, such as the Generation 2 comic book and Beast
Wars TV series, which became its own mini-universe. Generation 1 characters underwent
two reboots with Dreamwave in 2001 and IDW Publishing in 2005, also as a remastered
series. There have been other incarnations of the story based on different toy lines during and
after the 20th-Century. The first was the Robots in Disguise series, followed by three shows
(Armada, Energon, and Cybertron) that constitute a single universe called the "Unicron
Trilogy". A live-action film was also released in 2007, with a sequel in 2009, a second sequel
in 2011, and a third in 2014.[2] again distinct from previous incarnations, while the
Transformers: Animated series merged concepts from the G1 story-arc, the 2007 live-action
film and the "Unicron Trilogy". Transformers: Prime previously aired on The Hub.
Although initially a separate and competing franchise started in 1983, Tonka's Gobots
became the intellectual property of Hasbro after their buyout of Tonka in 1991. Subsequently,
the universe depicted in the animated series Challenge of the GoBots and follow-up film
GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords was retroactively established as an alternate universe within
the Transformers franchise.[3]
Contents
1 Transformers: Generation 1 (19841993)
o 1.1 Transformers: Generation 2 (19931995)
o 1.2 Beast Wars/Machines (19962000)
o 1.3 Dreamwave Productions (20012005)
o 1.4 G.I. Joe crossovers (2003 onwards)
o 1.5 IDW publishing (2005 onwards)
o 1.6 Alternative stories
2 Robots in Disguise (20002001 / 2002)
3 The Unicron Trilogy (2001 / 20022006)
4 Transformers: Universe (2003present)
5 Live-action film franchise (2007present)
6 Transformers: Animated (20072009 / 2010)
7 Hunt for the Decepticons (2010)
8 Cyber Missions Webisodes
9 Transformers: Prime/War for Cybertron (2010)/Fall of Cybertron (2012)
10 Official Convention and Collector's Club releases
11 References
12 External links
Transformers: Generation 1 (19841993)
Main articles: Transformers: Generation 1 and The Transformers (TV series)
Spider-Man battles Megatron on the cover of The Transformers #3
Generation One is a retroactive term for the Transformers characters that appeared between
1984 and 1993. The Transformers began with the 1980s Japanese toy lines Microman and
Diaclone. The former utilized varying humanoid-type figures while the latter presented robots
able to transform into everyday vehicles, electronic items or weapons. Hasbro, fresh from the
success of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, which used the Microman technology
to great success, bought the Diaclone toys, and partnered with Takara.[4] Jim Shooter and
Dennis O'Neil were hired by Hasbro to create the backstory; O'Neil also created the name
"Optimus Prime."[5] Afterwards, Bob Budiansky created most of the Transformers characters,
giving names and personalities to many unnamed Diaclone figures.[6]
The primary concept of Generation One is that the heroic Optimus Prime, the villainous
Megatron, and their finest soldiers crash land on pre-historic Earth in the Ark and the Nemesis
before awakening in 1985, Cybertron hurtling through the Neutral zone as an effect of the
war. The Marvel comic was originally part of the main Marvel Universe, with appearances
from Spider-Man and Nick Fury, plus some cameos,[7] as well as a visit to the Savage Land.[8]
The Transformers TV series began around the same time. Produced by Sunbow Productions
and Marvel Productions, later Hasbro Productions, from the start it contradicted Budiansky's
backstories. The TV series shows the Autobots looking for new energy sources, and crash
landing as the Decepticons attack.[9] Marvel interpreted the Autobots as destroying a rogue
asteroid approaching Cybertron.[10] Shockwave is loyal to Megatron in the TV series, keeping
Cybertron in a stalemate during his absence,[11] but in the comic book he attempts to take
command of the Decepticons.[12] The TV series would also differ wildly from the origins
Budiansky had created for the Dinobots,[13][14] the Decepticon turned Autobot Jetfire[15]
(known as Skyfire on TV[16]), the Constructicons (who combine to form Devastator),[17][18]
and Omega Supreme.[17][19] The Marvel comic establishes early on that Prime wields the
Creation Matrix, which gives life to machines. In the second season, the two-part episode The
Key to Vector Sigma introduced the ancient Vector Sigma computer, which served the same
original purpose as the Creation Matrix (giving life to Transformers), and its guardian Alpha
Trion.
In 1986, the cartoon became the film The Transformers: The Movie, which is set in the year
2005. It introduced the Matrix as the "Autobot Matrix of Leadership", as a fatally wounded
Prime gives it to Ultra Magnus; however, as Prime dies he drops the matrix, which is then
caught by Hot Rod who subsequently becomes Rodimus Prime later on in the film. Unicron,
a transformer who devours planets, fears its power and recreates a heavily damaged Megatron
as Galvatron, as well as Bombshell or Skywarp becoming Cyclonus, Thundercracker
becoming Scourge and two other Insecticons becoming Scourge's huntsmen, the Sweeps.
Eventually, Rodimus Prime takes out the Matrix and destroys Unicron.[20] In the United
Kingdom, the weekly comic book interspliced original material to keep up with U.S.
reprints,[21] and The Movie provided much new material. Writer Simon Furman proceeded to
expand the continuity with movie spin-offs involving the time travelling Galvatron.[22][23] The
Movie also featured guest voices from Leonard Nimoy as Galvatron, Scatman Crothers as
Jazz, Casey Kasem as Cliffjumper, Orson Welles as Unicron and Eric Idle as the leader of the
Junkions (Wreck-Gar, though unnamed in the movie). The Transformers theme tune for the
film was performed by Lion with "Weird Al" Yankovic adding a song to the soundtrack.
The third season followed up The Movie, with the revelation of the Quintessons having used
Cybertron as a factory. Their robots rebel, and in time the workers become the Autobots and
the soldiers become the Decepticons. (Note: This appears to contradict background presented
in the first two seasons of the series.) It is the Autobots who develop transformation.[24] Due
to popular demand,[25] Optimus Prime is resurrected at the conclusion of the third season,[26]
and the series ended with a three-episode story arc. However, the Japanese broadcast of the
series was supplemented with a newly produced OVA, Scramble City, before creating
entirely new series to continue the storyline, ignoring the 1987 end of the American series.
The extended Japanese run consisted of The Headmasters, Super-God Masterforce, Victory
and Zone, then in illustrated magazine form as Battlestars: Return of Convoy and Operation:
Combination. Just as the TV series was wrapping up, Marvel continued to expand its
continuity. It followed The Movie's example by killing Prime[27] and Megatron,[28] albeit in
the present day. Dinobot leader Grimlock takes over as Autobot leader.[29] There was a G.I.
Joe crossover[30] and the limited series The Transformers: Headmasters, which further
expanded the scope to the planet Nebulon.[31] It led on to the main title resurrecting Prime as
a Powermaster.[32]
In the United Kingdom, the mythology continued to grow. Primus was introduced as the
creator of the Transformers, to serve his material body that is planet Cybertron and fight his
nemesis Unicron.[33] Female Autobot Arcee also appeared, despite the comic book stating the
Transformers had no concept of gender, with her backstory of being built by the Autobots to
quell human accusations of sexism.[34] Soundwave, Megatron's second-in-command, also
broke the fourth wall in the letters page, criticising the cartoon continuity as an inaccurate
representation of history.[35] The UK also had a crossover in Action Force, the UK
counterpart to G.I. Joe.[36] The comic book featured a resurrected Megatron,[37] whom Furman
retconned to be a clone[38] when he took over the U.S. comic book, which depicted Megatron
as still dead.[39] The U.S. comic would last for 80 issues until 1991,[40] and the UK comic
lasted 332 issues and several annuals, until it was replaced as Dreamwave Productions, later
in the 20th-Century.
In 2009, Shout! Factory released the entire G1 series in a 16-DVD box set called the Matrix
of Leadership Edition. They also released the same content as individual seasons.
Transformers: Generation 2 (19931995)
Main article: Transformers: Generation 2
It was five issues[41] of the G.I. Joe comic in 1993 that would springboard a return for
Marvel's Transformers, with the new twelve-issue series Transformers: Generation 2, to
market a new toy line.
This story revealed that the Transformers originally breed asexually, though it is stopped by
Primus as it produced the evil Swarm.[42] A new empire, neither Autobot nor Decepticon, is
bringing it back, however. Though the year-long arc wrapped itself up with an alliance
between Optimus Prime and Megatron, the final panel introduced the Liege Maximo,
ancestor of the Decepticons.[43] This minor cliffhanger was not resolved until 2001 and 2002's
Transforce convention when writer Simon Furman concluded his story in the exclusive
novella Alignment.[44]
Beast Wars/Machines (19962000)
Main articles: Beast Wars: Transformers and Beast Machines
The story focused on a small group of Maximals (the new Autobots), led by Optimus Primal,
and Predacons, led by Megatron, 300 years after the "Great War". After a dangerous pursuit
through transwarp space, both the Maximal and Predacon factions end up crash landing on a
primitive, uncivilized planet similar to Earth, but with two moons and a dangerous level of
Energon (which is later revealed to be prehistoric Earth with an artificial second moon, taking
place sometime during the 4 million year period in which the Autobots and Decepticons were
in suspended animation from the first episode of the original Transformers cartoon), which
forces them to take organic beast forms in order to function without going into stasis lock.[45]
After writing this first episode, Bob Forward and Larry DiTillio learned of the G1
Transformers, and began to use elements of it as a historical backstory to their scripts,[46]
establishing Beast Wars as a part of the Generation 1 universe through numerous callbacks to
both the cartoon and Marvel comic. By the end of the first season, the second moon and the
Energon are revealed to have been constructed by a mysterious alien race known as the Vok.
Beast Wars Megatron attacks Optimus Prime in a clash of generations.
The destruction of the second moon releases mysterious energies that make some of the
characters "transmetal" and the planet is revealed to be prehistoric Earth, leading to the
discovery of the Ark. Megatron attempts to kill the original Optimus Prime,[47] but at the
beginning of the third season, Primal manages to preserve his spark. In the two-season
follow-up series, Beast Machines, Cybertron is revealed to have organic origins, which
Megatron attempts to stamp out.
After the first season of Beast Wars (comprising 26 episodes) aired in Japan, the Japanese
were faced with a problem. The second Canadian season was only 13 episodes long, not
enough to warrant airing on Japanese TV. While they waited for the third Canadian season to
be completed (thereby making 26 episodes in total when added to season 2), they produced
two exclusive cel-animated series of their own, Beast Wars II (also called Beast Wars
Second) and Beast Wars Neo, to fill in the gap. Dreamwave retroactively revealed Beast Wars
to be the future of their G1 universe,[48] and the 2006 IDW comic book Beast Wars: The
Gathering eventually confirmed the Japanese series to be canon[49] within a story set during
Season 3.[50]
Beast Wars contained elements from both the G1 cartoon series and comics. Attributes taken
from the cartoon include Transformers that were female, the appearance of Starscream (who
mentions being killed off by Galvatron in, The Transformers: The Movie), and appearances
of the Plasma Energy Chamber and Key to Vector Sigma. The naming of the Transformer
ship, the "Ark" (and reference to 1984, the year the Transformers on board were revived) and
the character, Ravage being shown as intelligent, and Cybertron having an organic core were
elements taken from the comics.
In 2011, Shout! Factory released the complete series of Beast Wars on DVD.
Dreamwave Productions (20012005)
In 2001, Dreamwave Productions began a new universe of annual comics adapted from
Marvel, but also included elements of the animated. The Dreamwave stories followed the
concept of the Autobots defeating the Decepticons on Earth, but their 1997 return journey to
Cybertron on the Ark II[51] is destroyed by Shockwave, now ruler of the planet.[52] The story
follows on from there, and was told in two six-issue limited series, then a ten-issue ongoing
series. The series also added extra complexities such as not all Transformers believing in the
existence of Primus,[53] corruption in the Cybertronian government that first lead Megatron to
begin his war[54] and Earth having an unknown relevance to Cybertron.[52][55]
Three Transformers: The War Within limited series were also published. These are set at the
beginning of the Great War, and identify Prime as once being a clerk named Optronix.[56]
Beast Wars was also retroactively stated as the future of this continuity, with the profile series
More than Meets the Eye showing the Predacon Megatron looking at historical files detailing
Dreamwave's characters and taking his name from the original Megatron.[48] In 2004, this real
life universe also inspired three novels[57] and a Dorling Kindersley guide, which focused on
Dreamwave as the "true" continuity when discussing in-universe elements of the characters.
In a new twist, Primus and Unicron are siblings, formerly a being known as The One.
Transformers: Micromasters, set after the Ark's disappearance, was also published. The real
life universe was disrupted when Dreamwave went bankrupt in 2005.[58] This left the
Generation One story hanging and the third volume of The War Within half finished. Plans
for a comic book set between Beast Wars and Beast Machines were also left unrealized.[59]
G.I. Joe crossovers (2003 onwards)
Throughout the years, the G1 characters have also starred in crossovers with fellow Hasbro
property G.I. Joe, but whereas those crossovers published by Marvel were in continuity with
their larger storyline, those released by Dreamwave and G.I. Joe publisher Devil's Due
Publishing occupy their own separate real life universes. In Devil's Due, the terrorist
organization Cobra is responsible for finding and reactivating the Transformers.
Dreamwave's version reimagines the familiar G1 and G.I. Joe characters in a World War II
setting, and a second limited series was released set in the present day, though Dreamwave's
bankruptcy meant it was cancelled after a single issue. Devil's Due had Cobra re-engineer the
Transformers to turn into familiar Cobra vehicles, and released further mini-series that sent
the characters travelling through time, battling Serpentor and being faced with the combined
menace of Cobra-La and Unicron. During this time, Cobra teams up with the Decepticons.
IDW Publishing has expressed interest in their own crossover.[60]
IDW publishing (2005 onwards)
Main article: The Transformers (IDW Publishing)
The following year, IDW Publishing rebooted the G1 series from scratch within various
limited series and one shots. This allowed long-time writer of Marvel and Dreamwave
comics, Simon Furman to create his own universe without continuity hindrance, similar to
Ultimate Marvel.[61] Furman's story depicts a Cybertron that the rogue Pretender
Thunderwing destroys,[62] so the Autobots and Decepticons have to infiltrate various planets
for their resources. Earth comes under particular scrutiny due to a particularly potent form of
energon, which Shockwave had seeded thousands of years ago,[63] with the Decepticons
escalating political tensions by replacing people with clones.[64] The Ark origin is absent in
this series.[65] The continuity was also the first to acknowledge the existence of mass
displacement in transformations, such as when Megatron downsizes himself into a gun.[66]
Alternative stories
In January 2006, the Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club comic wrote a story based on the
Transformers Classics toy line, set in the Marvel Comics universe, but excluding the
Generation 2 comic. Fifteen years after Megatron crash lands in the Ark with Ratchet, the
war continues with the characters in their Classics bodies.[67]
IDW Publishing introduced The Transformers: Evolutions in 2006, a collection of mini-series
that re-imagine and reinterpret the G1 characters in various ways. To date, only one
miniseries has been published, Hearts of Steel, placing the characters in an Industrial
Revolution-era setting. The series was delayed as Hasbro did not want to confuse newcomers
with too many fictional universes before the release of the live-action film.[68]
However, IDW and the original publisher Marvel Comics announced a crossover storyline
with the Avengers to coincide with the film New Avengers/Transformers.[69] The story is set
on the borders of Symkaria and Latveria, and its fictional universe is set between the first two
New Avengers storylines, as well in between the Infiltration and Escalation phase of IDW's
The Transformers.[70] IDW editor-in-chief, Chris Ryall hinted at elements of it being carried
over into the main continuities,[71] and that a sequel is possible.[72]
Robots in Disguise (20002001 / 2002)
Main article: Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 TV series)
First broadcast in Japan in 2000, Robots in Disguise was a single animated series consisting
of thirty-nine episodes. It was exported to other countries in subsequent years. In this
continuity, Megatron recreates the Decepticons as a subfaction of the Predacons on Earth, a
potential reference to the return to the vehicle-based characters following the previous
dominance of the animal-based characters of the Beast eras. It is a stand-alone universe with
no ties to any other Transformers fiction, though some of the characters from Robots in
Disguise did eventually make appearances in Transformers: Universe, including Optimus
Prime, Ultra Magnus, Side Burn and Prowl.
The show was heavily censored in the U.S. due to its content of buildings being destroyed
and terrorism references after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centers. The show was
eventually banned from cable TV networks in the U.S.[citation needed]
The Unicron Trilogy (2001 / 20022006)
Main articles: Transformers: Armada, Transformers: Energon and Transformers: Cybertron
These three lines, with 1990s style, launched in 2002, preceded from 2001, and dubbed the
"Unicron Trilogy" by Transformers designer Aaron Archer,[73] are co-productions between
Takara and (lesser extent) Hasbro, simultaneously released in both countries, each lasting 52
episodes. Armada followed the Autobots and Decepticons discovering the powerful MiniCons on Earth, which are revealed by the end to be weapons of Unicron. Energon, set ten
years later, followed the Autobots and the Omnicons in their
their fight to stop the Decepticons
and the Terrorcons from resurrecting Unicron with energon.
In Japan, the series Transformers: Cybertron showed no ties to the previous two series,
telling its own story. This caused continuity problems when Hasbro sold Cybertron
bertron as a
follow-up to Armada/Energon.. The writers attempted to change certain plot elements from
the Japanese version to remedy this, although this largely added up to nothing more than
references to Unicron, Primus, Primes and Minicons.
Just as Marvel produced a companion comic to Generation One, Dreamwave Productions
published the comic Transformers Armada set in a different continuity to the cart
cartoon. At #19,
it became Transformers Energon.
Energon. Dreamwave went bankrupt and ceased all publications
before the storyline could be completed at #30. However, the Transformers Fan Club
published a few stories set in the Cybertron era.[74]
Transformers: Universe (2003present)
Main article: Transformers: Universe
The storyline of Transformers: Universe,
Universe mainly set following Beast Machines,, sees
characters from many assorted alternate continuities, including existing and new ones,
encountering each other. The story was told in an unfinished comic book exclusive to the
Official Transformers Collectors' Convention.
Live-action
action film franchise (2007present)
(2007
This section is outdated.. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly
available information. (June 2014)
Main articles: Transformers (film series),
series) Transformers (film), Transformers:
rmers: Revenge of the
Fallen, Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Transformers: Age of Extinction
In 2007, a live action film of Transformers was directed by Michael Bay and produced by
Steven Spielberg.. The main focus of the film revolved around the creator of the
Transformers, which in the film is described as the Allspark,, as well as their home planet
Cybertron.. The film portrayed the Allspark as a large cube of energy
energy that can create life from
mechanical objects. During the Cybertronian Civil War, the Allspark was sent off the planet
and eventually landed on Earth, where it was discovered by the U.S. government and the
Hoover Dam was built over it as a top-secret
top secret research facility and government base.
Megatron searched for the Allspark and eventually found Earth, but he crash-landed
landed in the
Arctic and was frozen. Many years later he was found and also brought to the same facility as
the Allspark. With their homeworld ravaged by war, the Autobots were dispersed throughout
space. But a group of Autobots led
ed by Optimus Prime traveled to Earth in search of the
Allspark, in an attempt to revitalize their planet. However, the Decepticons also race towards
Earth to find the Allspark, as well as their leader, Megatron. The film depicts the battle over
the Allspark
rk on Earth. The Transformers are depicted as mechanical beings that can
reconstruct their outside appearance through scanning or touching a mechanical object of
relative size to each Transformer's body.[75] Steven Spielberg, who is credited as executive
producer, said that Transformers is a dream come true because, he explains, since it started
marketing the Toys conceived the idea of giving them life in a summer movie.
"And here's the movie", he says. "I must confess that I am a fan of Transformers since they
left, rather than to buy them for my children, then bought the comics and toys." Spielberg,
other producers had the same idea of bringing the Transformers movie, as the former studio
executive Lorenzo DiBonaventura, as well as Hasbro's chief operating officer, Brian
Goldner, among others. Spielberg and his team decided to find a director with sufficient skill
and experience to take on the challenge of combining a fantastic story, special effects and
lots of action. "I thought Michael (Bay) because I consider it perfect for Transformers. You
need to touch and a clear vision of how it could be this film, "says Spielberg. [citation needed]
To market the film, IDW Publishing published Transformers: Movie Prequel. The comic
expanded upon Optimus Prime's referral to Megatron as "brother", revealing they co-ruled
Cybertron before Megatron's corruption. Furthermore, Optimus sent the Allspark into space
in a last-ditch attempt to defeat Megatron. Megatron is responsible for Bumblebee's muteness
in the film, as a direct result of distracting him from the Allspark's launch.[76] Alan Dean
Foster also wrote the prequel novel Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday. The novel shows that
Starscream hated Megatron and wanted him to never be found, so he could remain as leader,
explaining Megatron's line in the film: "You failed me, yet again, Starscream." Blackout is
also depicted as deeply loyal to Megatron, explaining his line "All hail Megatron!" However,
the novel contradicts the film with Megatron's body moved into the Hoover Dam in 1969,
instead of the 1930s.[77] IDW plans to continue the film's fictional universe with additional
prequels and sequels.[78]
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the sequel to the 2007 film, made its debut in theaters
on June 24, 2009.
As a preemptive measure, Paramount and DreamWorks announced a July 1, 2011 release
date for a third Transformers film before completion of Revenge of the Fallen. Bay
responded, "I said I was taking off a year from Transformers. Paramount made a mistake in
dating Transformers 3they asked me on the phoneI said yes to July 1but for 2012
whoops! Not 2011! That would mean I would have to start prep in September. No way. My
brain needs a break from fighting robots." As in Revenge of the Fallen, Orci refused to
guarantee whether he and Kurtzman would return to a sequel, because "we risk getting stale".
Orci has mentioned he would like to introduce Unicron "for scale's sake". The co-writer also
said focusing on more Triple Changers would be interesting.
On October 1, 2009, Michael Bay revealed that Transformers 3 had already gone into preproduction, and its planned release was back to its original date of July 1, 2011 instead of
2012. Also Ehren Kruger was said to be again involved in the writing, and Shia LaBeouf to
reprise his roles as Sam. Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, having written the first two films,
did not return for the third installment in the series.
In a hidden extra for the Blu-ray version of Revenge of the Fallen, Bay expressed his
intention to make Transformers 3 not necessarily larger than Revenge of the Fallen, but
instead go deeper into the mythos, give it more character development, and make it darker
and more emotional. The video also shows images of Unicron.
Transformers: Animated (20072009 / 2010)
Main article: Transformers: Animated
The Cartoon Networkproduced Transformers Animated is a cartoon that aired in early
2008.[79] Originally scheduled for late after 2007 under the title of Transformers: Heroes,[80]
Transformers Animated is set in 2050 Detroit (after crash landing 50 years earlier),[79] when
robots and humans live side-by-side.[80] The Autobots come to Earth and assume superhero
roles, battling evil humans with the Decepticons having a smaller role until Megatron
resurfaces.[81] Main characters include Autobots Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Bulkhead,
Prowl, and Ratchet; Decepticons Megatron, Starscream, Blitzwing, Lugnut, and
Blackarachnia; and humans Professor Sumdac and Sari Sumdac. Several characters that were
in the original Transformers cartoon and 1986 animated movie, as well as characters only
seen in comics and such, make special appearances and cameos throughout the show.