Dark of the Moon Linkfest

The movie news keeps coming and expect to ramp up even more with the world premiere in Moscow, the various talk show appearances and who knows what else. This is probably the best time to squeeze in various Transformers: Dark of the Moon news related to toys, promotions, toy reviews, Kre-O reviews, Oakley 3D glasses and more.

Life Sized Transformers Scrap Metal Statues
At this link is a few pictures of Transformers created over the years from scrap metal. I think I have posted about most of them at some time or another but nice to see them collected together. If want to check out more Optimus Prime, click here. Thanks to Feris for the link.

Soundwave Toys Coming
Now that we know that Soundwave's earth mode is a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, it is just a matter of time before the toys would come out. Full Metal Hero is reporting that three of them are in the works - a Human Alliance with Laserbeak, Deluxe Soundwave, and Cyberverse Legion. Expected release date is October, sadly no images yet. Read More »

CGI Wreckers Images

The international Facebook page for Transformers: Dark of the Moon has posted three new poster-like images that focus on The Wreckers - Roadbuster (green), Leadfoot (red), and Topspin (blue). Outside of the toy packaging, this is a the first real look at the robot modes for each. Mullet jokes aside, they look pretty awesome. The only thing I can't decide is are they wearing sunglasses or are their eyes designed to look like sunglasses? Thanks to everyone for the heads-up.

Even More DOTM Toy Galleries

All remains basically dead on the Transformers: Dark of the Moon movie front. Sadly nothing either to verify if the trailer is coming next week either. In the meantime here is more toy stuff. Hit links below to view galleries of Optimus Prime with trailer, more Shockwave, Roadbuster and Jolt along with hints possible new additions to the DOTM toy line like Takara’s version of the combined Prime w/ trailer mode, human alliance Bumblebee and more.

Voyager Optimus Prime with Trailer (3x) A Japan Yahoo Auction provides a look at a version of Optimus Prime that currently has not been confirmed for American or European release. This version has voyager Optimus Prime with his trailer that currently is just a shell. Knowing Takara, it wouldn't surprise me if they have plans for that shell.

Voyager Sentinel Prime and Other Sets Speaking of the Japan market, while no pictures are provided Kapow Toys reports three new toys are joining the DOTM line there. Sentinel Prime is getting a voyager class release and two sets of around $100 each are planned - "#430254 T/F G1CONVOY & Movie OPTIMUS w/TRAILER" and "#430261 T/F G1MEGATRON & Movie MEGATRON". The details beyond that are unknown so no telling if looking at new molds, re-releases, DOTM molds are what that the sets will contain. Read More »

DOTM Bumblebee Review and More Toy Galleries

Still no new news on the movie front nor definitive confirmation of a new trailer with Sucker Punch. In the meantime, here is a bunch of new Transformers: Dark of the Moon toy galleries and a new Peaugh review with deluxe Bumblebee. Below are links to a look at Takara's voyager Prime, a Starscream exclusive, info on trading cards, and more images of Top Spin, Roadmaster, and Laserbeak.

Takara Voyager Optimus Prime (5x)
While the States and elsewhere are going to get the regular voyager Optimus Prime, it seems Japan will enjoy a modified version that will come with a trailer and a different MechTech weapon that can turn to a battle blade. I suspect this figure will get a release later as an exclusive for one of the major retail chains.

Target Exclusive Voyager Starscream
The toys are not even out and already Starscream has repaints for two of his classes. This time his voyager version is getting a modified paint job for Target that seems to include a darker gray paint job, gold highlights for the Cybertronian tattoos, black head and other touches.Read More »

DOTM Cyberverse Prime, Megatron and Roadbuster Review

Three new video reviews from the Transformers: Dark of the Moon toy line for your entertainment. The first two are from Peaugh as he reviews Cyberverse Optimus Prime with Armored Weapons Platform and Cyberverse Megatron with Blastwave Weapons Base. The last review is from Kapow Toys of the green Wrecker deluxe Roadbuster. I dig the small Cyberverse toys that make use of both faction leader's trailers. If the price is right (around deluxe price) then I figure it will be an easy buy when they are released. Roadbuster is pretty cool too. If a NASCAR and TF fan, pretty much an insta buy and for the rest of us, its just good enough to consider the pruchase.

Read More »

DOTM Deluxe Topspin Video Review

Peaugh is back with yet another video review of a Transformers: Dark of the Moon toy. Below is his video review of the NASCAR blue Wrecker Topspin. I think this is around his 10th or so review of the line including the eight he posted nearly all at once. To no surprise the vehicle mode is awesome but the robot mode is just ok with a lot of shoulder kibble.

The Wreckers Lap at Daytona 500

TFW2005 found a video posted online that shows The Wreckers doing a lap at the Daytona International Speedway as part of the Daytona 500 on Saturday. It’s a blink or you will miss it moment as the cars decked out in their weapons lead the pack just behind the initial track cars and trucks but before the two waves of NASCAR vehicles. Also, Aeromental has pulled together a "best of" gallery from multiple website when Leadfoot (red), Topspin (blue) and Roadbuster (green) were filming in Chicago this summer. Thanks to Brian for the link.

The Wreckers at Daytona 500

Saturday the NASCAR's Daytona 500 was held with Michael Bay and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as Grand Marshalls. On hand for the race was The Wreckers. Thanks to Kaminarimon Nos and his Facebook page, we have a fantastic gallery of images of the vehicles on display at the Daytona International Speedway and more information about the vehicles that he learned while there. As his gallery (below) shows, the cars seem to be officially called "The Wreckers" (before that was unconfirmed fan designation), are Autobots (previous set pictures didn't show faction symbols) and verification of the names of all three cars. From Kaminarimon Nos:

I enjoy your site very much and would like to provide you with High Res pictures I took of The Wreckers today in Daytona Florida I made a album on my Facebook page. If you look close I made notes about their weapons systems that I gathered from Chevy staff. Here is more information I also gathered.

The names are 99% certain with Roadbuster (green), Top Spin (blue), and LeadFoot (red). The cars were built in a Hollywood Ca shop at a cost of 1.5 million dollars apiece. After building and before filming in Chicago the 3 wreckers were secretly shipped to the Daytona speedway track and members of the Daytona police department followed them on the track at high speeds to make sure no parts feel off the production cars. No one in the public caught on to this and it was done on a weekday before the track was replaced.

Read More »

New York Toy Fair 2011 Transformes Images

Saturday was the beginning of the New York Toy Fair 2011 convention where retailers get a look at the upcoming years’ worth of toys the various toy manufacturers plan to release for the next year. Hasbro was on hand with a huge display that showed off their Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Transformers: Prime, and more. They also had the real Optimus Prime truck with trailer on hand. The other Transformers sites were able to go and they have posted official Hasbro pics and images from the convention. The first wave of DOTM toys are schedule to be released on May 16th.

Over all there are not really any surprises since most of them leaked early like Ultimate Optimus Prime, Shockwave, and Megatron. A few did grab my attention such as a first look at leader class Ironhide, a look at the Space Station mode of The Ark, the San Diego Comic-Con exclusive, and Skyhammer is the voyager class helicopter. As for prices, it is in the expected range - Leader ($39.99), Voyager ($19.99), Deluxe ($11.99), and Ultimate ($79.99).

With the release of Hasbro's official images for the Mech Tech line we might just have the official names of a few Transformers, at least judging by the posted files names. Assuming the names are accurate then green Wrecker is Roadbuster, blue Wrecker is Top Spin, and Crankcase is name of the SUV (not Dread). So far no info on the third Wrecker.Read More »

Eight Dark of the Moon Toy Reviews

It seems that Transformers reviewer Peaugh has scored the mother lode of leaked toys from the Transformers: Dark of the Moon toy line as he has posted eight video reviews for the upcoming line. The reviews include a look at the Voyager Optimus Prime, Megatron and Shockwave along with reviews of the new Human Alliance "basic" class and three deluxe toys. It seems the H.A. basic class is a scout sized toy with tiny action figure that are sort of triple changers with a weapon mode that some voyager class figures can hold. For those wondering why Shockwave has a hose, it is likely a homage to the Generation One figure as he had a hose too but then it was for the practical purpose of getting power to the lights. Below are embeds or hit the links for all the reviews.

Deluxe Skids | Deluxe Crankcase/Dread | Deluxe Green Wrecker | H.A. Sandstorm | H.A. Whirl |
Voy. Optimus Prime | Voy. Shockwave | Voy. Megatron

Read More »

DOTM News: Three Toys, Video Game Dated, Next Book

Three new pieces of news in relations to Transformers: Dark of the Moon licensed products. The first is the official release date for the Transformers video game has been announced by Activision. The game will be released on June 14th, 2011 with the usual scheme of a next gen version for PS3, XBox 360, downgraded version for Wii and Autobot and Decepticon editions for the Nintendo 3DS.

Another piece of news is writer Alex Irvine has announced he is working on the sequel to Transformers: Exodus but would not reveal details. Considering Exodus, War for Cybertron and the movies are considered part of Hasbro's attempt for unified canon (think Star Wars); it may provide insight into the movie. The full interview with Irvine can be found at Unicron.com.

Last bit of news is images of three Dark of the Moon toys - blue Wrecker, green Wrecker, and helicopter. Of note is the helicopter is an Autobot but still not known if an actual character in the movie. As for the Wreckers, it interesting that I could not see a faction symbol on either character. Makes me wonder if the theory they are human inventions in the movie's plot doesn't have legs.

DOTM Wrecker Video Review, Barricade Images

Another Transformers: Dark of the Moon toy has made its way into someone hands for a video review. This time it is a legends class Lowe's Wrecker. It is a pretty standard legends figure with ease of transformation and little articulation. Also, another look at deluxe Barricade in both vehicle and robot mode. Still no confirmation if the character turns up in Dark of the Moon.

Even More DOTM Toy Images

More Transformers: Dark of the Moon toy images has hit the web. Unlike most of the previous ones, we finally get a look at the robot mode of a Nascar Wrecker, Starscream, the Human Alliance Buggy and the Suburban Dread. Also another Human Alliance vehicle, a helicopter, so highly likely the line is back and going in a slightly new direction then its previous incarnation. Pics and links below.

Robot Modes | Deluxe Dread | Deluxe Starscream | Helicopter | Legends Bumblebee

More DOTM Toy Images

Two new auctions from Yahoo Japan brings up more preview pictures of toys for Transformers: Dark of the Moon toy line. We have already seem a few pictures of Bumblebee, "The Dreads" (black Suburban), and the blue Wrecker but this is the first look at the latter two's robot mode. Select pics below, the rest can be found here.

DOTM Toy List Proves Sentinel Prime?

In a new post about the first wave of Transformers: Dark of the Moon toys from DOTMToys.com (before the domain disappeared) potentially proves that the red Rosenbauer Panther airline fire truck seen in Chicago this summer is Sentinel Prime as the rumors at the time indicated. The listing shows that Prime will get a Voyager release with trailer and the name of Raodbuster (yep with typo), Air Ride, Barricade, Crankcase, and "New Villian" (yep with that spelling) which I assume is Shockwave. The screenshots are from an unknown source so this all remains rumor especially since the typos do not exactly lead confidence to their legitimacy. The recent spate of toy leaks may eventually prove this information one way or the other. (via Seibertron)

Speaking of leaks, Yahoo Auction, Japan has revealed the toy of the final Wrecker, the Green Impala. Not much in detail but once again shows that all three Wreckers at least have Transformer modes for the toy line so not a reach to assume the same for the movie. (via TFW2005)

DOTM Prototype Deluxe Toys

Two new Transformers: Dark of the Moon toys have popped up online. Yahoo Auctions, Japan has prototype images for Deluxe class Dread (according to TFW2005) that appears to be the Chevy SUV Suburban. The vehicles sport a large Mechtech gone and pincers. I think the name Dread or Dreadbot is a fan created placeholder name until we learn who the official Decepticon "cast" is for the movie.

DOTMToys.com also posted images of Dread, along with pics of the prototype for the Deluxe class green NASCAR Impala. Previously we got a look at the Legends class version of the blue Impala and SUV. Story wise it doesn't tell us much but it is further mounting evidence that despite their non-standard look, the three NASCAR vehicles are Transformers and not just well armed human vehicles.

Bill Fagerbakke Cast in Dark of the Moon?

The Times-News Magic Valley (in Idaho) is reporting that actor Bill Faggerbakke has been cast in Transformers: Dark of the Moon "an animated Chevy Impala stock car equipped with machine guns." One of the NASCAR Wreckers seems like a possible choice but keep in mind there is no official confirmation of the casting.

For those unfamiliar with the long career of Bill Faggerbakke, he might be most famous to a younger generation as the voice Patrick Star in Spongebob Squarepants and as Bulkhead in Transformers: Animated. Previous work included the voice of Broadway in the Gargoyles cartoon series, Dauber for 8 years in Coach, and most recently as Marshall's dad in How I Met Your Mother (but just killed in the show from a heart attack). Thanks to Christopher R. for the info.