Transformers Live Action Movie Blog (TFLAMB)

Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Apology Tour

2026-02-16T03:12:00.006-05:00

After 40 years, Hasbro has decided to apologize for the trauma of killing Optimus Prime in Transformers: The Movie via various celebrations of the movie. The plans are not much different than done for 35th and 30th anniversary but like the angle of approach.

In addition, Skybound has announced a deluxe hardcover edition graphic novel/trade that collects Marvel's The Transformers: The Movie three-issue comic series from 1986 and IDW's 20th anniversary four issue version in 2006. It will release on August 12, 2026 for MSRP of $34.99 but various online and physical comic stores usually provide discounts if pre-order.

Trailer and press release below.

Masters of the Universe Official Teaser Trailer

2026-01-22T10:51:00.001-05:00

It is not Transformers as no news on that front but another 80's animation icon is finally getting another shot at the big screen with Masters of the Universe. Below is the official teaser trailer for the movie that will hit theaters on June 6, 2026. The cast includes Nicolas Galitzine (Cinderella) as He-Man, Camila Mendes (Riverdale) as Teela, Alison Brie (Community) as Evil-Lyn, Jared Leto (Tron Ares) as Skeletor, Idris Elba (Hijack) as Man-At-Arms and Morena Maccarin (Deadpool) as the Sorceress.

Merry Christmas from Beast Wars' David Kaye and Garry Chalk

2025-12-25T00:01:00.001-05:00

The annual Beast Wars traditional continues as the voice of Optimal Primal and Megatron give us their messages for the year. Garry Chalk runs through just some of the many voices he has done in his long career for the "Twelve Voices For the Holiday" that was a one take run through his song. Shows a master of the voice craft.

Meanwhile the creator of the tradition, the voice of Megatron David Kaye gives his Beast Wars version of the 6 Days of Christmas.

Energon Universe Animated Series Planned

2025-10-23T01:14:00.000-04:00

Skybound Entertainment is shopping a new adult animated series based on their Energon Universe of comics. If able to get a buyer, the series would be adult targeted in the same vein as the Invincible series on Prime Video. Joe Henderson (Lucifer) would be the showrunner and write the adptation.

The series would involve Transformers and G.I. Joe. Currently in the comics, the G.I. Joe team is still forming, Cobra is consolidating power, the Decepticons were recently defeated while Autobots are trying to figure out how to help the humans rebuild after a series of battles.

Not mentioned is Void Rivals comic book which is in universe and takes place in space, involving a story line with a maybe evil titan Transformer trapped in an artificial blackhole by the Quintessons (its a weird series). If it gets a buyer, this would be the first adult Transformers animated series ever. Hasbro Entertainment is trying to rebuild their use of properties in Hollywood by getting studios to pay for production instead of splitting the costs as did previously. Other plans include Clue board game series, Monopoly film, Magic: The Gathering movie, more Power Rangers and more.

R.I.P. Ron Friedman 1932 - 2025

2025-09-25T06:05:00.000-04:00

Transformers: The Movie writer Ronald Irwin Friedman passed away at the age of 93 on September 15th. Yep, he killed Optimus Prime (and wrote a book about it) and most of the G1 cast (as the orders of Hasbro). He also wrote scripts for G.I. Joe the series and write G.I. Joe: The Movie.

From THR: “To remove Optimus Prime, to physically remove ‘Daddy’ from the family, that wasn’t going to work,” Friedman said in 2013. “Hasbro didn’t know how to evaluate it. They didn’t recognize that Optimus Prime was the heartbeat of the Autobots. You cannot pass that over and have any hope of duplicating the success you had. Once you establish an icon, you’re a fool if you don’t try to preserve it.”

That was just the tip of the iceberg as he wrote over 700 hours of television in his career including for classics like The Andy Griffith Show, Happy Days, Get Smart, The Fall Guy, Fantasy Island, and so many more. He was a frequent guest at the TFCon conventions as their montage below shows. Here is a Q&A from his one of his last convention appearances. Condolences to his family and friends.

Transformers: Cyberworld First Episode Now Available

2025-07-13T20:48:00.001-04:00

Hasbro has released the first (technically two) episodes of Transformers: Cyberworld. The animated series is part of their new line aimed at the 6 and up age range. Each episode will be only five minutes long but will notice this one is 10 minutes as it is two episodes put together. No idea what the planned release schedule is for the series. The Youtube channel also has complete series and seasons of past Transformers animated series.

R.I.P. Jim Shooter 1951-2025, Transformers Co-Creator

2025-07-01T07:29:00.003-04:00

Jim Shooter, a giant of the comics industry, died Monday after a fight with esophageal cancer at the age of 73. Probably most comic and Transformers fans do not know who he is but he was a highly influential part of 1980s comics and foundational to the creation of Transformers. Influence that continues to this day. Reactions from the industry to his death can be found here.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he rekindled an interest in comics as a young teenager. At the age of 13, he started submitted his writing and artwork for the Legion of Super-Heroes to DC, where at the ripe old age of 14 he received work from DC Comics to write stories for Supergirl, Superman and eventually Legion. This was the beginning of a very long career in comics. While still working as a teenager at DC he multiple characters including the Parasite and the first race between Flash and Superman.

In 1969 he started working for Marvel as an editor and occasional co-plotter. He left to work for work elsewhere before returning to DC and then moving to Marvel as an editor again in 1975. Other comics legends tried to replace Roy Thomas including Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Gerry Conway, and Archie Goodwin but all found it was a job they didn't like (if a comic fan, you know this is a murder's row of comics legends). This led to him becoming Marvel Editor-In-Chief in January 1978.

During his tenure that lasted until 1987 he oversaw the renaissance of the X-Men under Chris Claremont, believed to be a failed corner of Marvel but quickly becoming the Marvel standard. His other influence including Frank Miller's Daredevil run, a refocus on Thor, Roger Stern's Avengers and The Amazing Spider-Man run. He started company wide crossover events with Contest of Champions and Secret Wars (that will influence the next two Avengers movies) and helped shepherd such significant story lines as Dark Phoenix, Days of Future Past and more.

It was during this time in the early 1980s, after the success of G.I. Joe toy line, comic and cartoon launch, Hasbro came to Marvel looking to launch their new line based on a bunch of different toy properties that they had licensed from Japanese company Takara. The result was a six page treatment that laid out all the huge beats we know about Transformers with Cybertron, Autobots vs Deceptions, the Ark, Optimus Prime and more. Its worth a read for any Transformers fan. Once the treatment was accepted as the start of the Transformers saga, Shooter eventually turned the assignment over to Bob Budiansky who created most of the characters, mythology, and names that are still part of the franchise today.

Shooter continued in the comics industry, founding Valiant Comics (Ninjak, X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, and more). He then founded now defunct Defiant Comics and Broadway Comics. Some of his last work was writing characters for Dark Horse Comics in the early 2010s. If you are interested, you can read his version of the "Secret Origin of Transformers" Part 1 and Part 2. Suffice it to say Transformers as we know them would not exist without Jim Shooter. Nor would the X-Men movies, TV series and so much more. A true comic legend.

Condolences to his family and friends on their loss.

Michael Bay Returning to Transformers?

2025-06-27T23:57:00.000-04:00

New rumors are circulating regarding the future of Transformers movies.

1) Michael Bay is in discussions with Paramount to direct a new Transformers film from a script written by Jordan VanDina (Animaniacs, Dodgeball 2).

2) Josh Cooley (Transformers One) is signed to direct a live action movie

3) The G.I. Joe/Transformers movie is still a possibility.

4) There are two other movie ideas being explored.

None of this has been confirmed by anyone that isn't in the Hollywood gossip business.

From Puck News as transcribed from Seibertron:

Bay misses the ’bots (and the megabucks): Did you know that Michael Bay is developing a new Transformers movie at Paramount that he wants to direct? Bay, the auteur of explosions and up-skirt shots that defined the first five mega-grossers, had sworn off directing the franchise since his Shia LaBeouf–free Transformers: The Last Knight earned just $600 million in 2017—big, but about half the gross of the previous installment.(Paramount also tired of his astronomical fees.)

Yet the franchise has atrophied without Bay, and he himself has not reached those box office heights since—even complaining recently about not being able to get movies greenlit.

Bay approached the studio last year to come back as a hands-on producer and possibly director, and he’s got writer Jordan VanDina working on a script. It’s one of five or so Transformers projects in development that David Ellison and Skydance will inherit if/when the Paramount sale closes.

Josh Cooley, who made last year’s animated Transformers One, just closed a deal to pursue a live-action take. There’s also a possible G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover in development, and the studio has two separate ideas in early stages.

Hopefully the Bay project will come together; it really is the perfect match of filmmaker and material. And Paramount can take its time. The studio keeps the rights as long as a movie is in production by 2029.

I have a problem believing these rumors. The Hasbro Transformers license apparently does have a clause that Paramount has to have a movie in production (vs released) every five years or lose the license. Transformers One finished production in 2024 so that means they have until 2029 to get something going. Something as complicated as Transformers need lead time but not four years of it. There is a clock but there is also no rush.

Now if the last three movies killed it at the box office that would be one thing but they didn't. It was a series of diminishing returns where the movies might have made a small profit or broke even. Not making enough money wouldn't necessarily prevent another movie. In this case part of the reason the movies kept coming is the risk was being split between Paramount and Hasbro.

That will no longer be the case as Hasbro is under financial strain due to over all toy sales, including Transformers, dropping quarter after quarter. They announced late last year that they are no longer co-producing any films so the risk is now 100% on Paramount.

This by itself is pretty normal for movies except Paramount is not exactly on financially strong grounds either. Add to that it is stuck in merger limbo waiting on approval from the US government to merge with Skydance. It seems like a franchise as expensive and previously important to the company as Transformers would be waiting on new owners to dictate its future.

Result is timing wise this news makes no sense to me but Hollywood does beat to its own drum so who knows for sure. Guess will fine out for sure eventually.

Weird Transformers Movies Fan Theories

2025-06-23T00:43:00.004-04:00

For your entertainment, mostly because probably no movie news for awhile, here is a compilation of fan theories about the Transformers movies by ScreenRant. They are pretty out there, giving Michael Bay and the movie script writers entirely too much credit, really just the usual overly complicated ways fans often try to smooth over plot holes. Thanks to Feris O for the link.

Congratulations To Garry Chalk

2025-06-18T05:02:00.001-04:00

Garry Chalk, the voice of Optimus Prime in Transformers: Beast Wars and just a long acting career in too many things to list, announced good news. In video below he is reporting that after 12 rounds of treatment for Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma, he is doing much better that than was doing around Christmas time last year. "His next PET scan is scheduled for July, which will, hopefully, officially put him into remission."

Paramount Passing on Transformers One Sequel

2025-06-15T04:27:00.002-04:00

Transformers One director Josh Cooley confirmed during his Botcon 2025 panel on Saturday that Paramount Pictures has "no interest" in a sequel to Transformers One. This has not been officially confirmed by Paramount.

Between the last three Transformers films significantly underperforming, combined with the Paramount and Skydance merger being placed in political limbo for revenge purposes, the result is a studio under significant financial strain. Add to that, Hasbro has stopped all co-production agreements which means they will not pay half the cost of producing any future movies related to their properties which was driven by revenue drop in Transformers movies and toys with company wide year over year declining toy sales hampering their bottom line even further. That co-production agreement was key to the filming being made as it shared the risk.

Again none of this is official but all signs indicate that the Transformers movie franchise is parked for the foreseeable future. The Transformers/G.I. Joe movie is probably permanently shelved. As of right now the only thing movie or television related coming for this franchise is Transformers: Cyberverse YouTube shorts that will start July 12.

Transformers: Cyberworld Trailer, Release Date

2025-06-01T04:29:00.004-04:00

Transformers: Cyberworld has been given a release date of July 12. The new CGI series will be around five minute each for a total of 36 episodes. Unlike previous series, this one will not be on network television but released on the Transformers YouTube channel. The series is aimed at young kids but likely as with most Transformers animated series, it can be all ages.

It isn't clear what the exact release schedule will be of the series. The channel is worth checking out for long time fans. It has full seasons of Transformers: Energon, Robots in Disguise, Cyberverse, Prime, Beast Wars, Animated and more. Yep, there are toys to be purchases to go with this series.

Everything Wrong With Transformers One

2025-04-16T04:36:00.005-04:00

CinemaSins has posted their latest video with the focus on Transformers One. If not aware of the channel, its an intentionally over the top nit pick of films that is meant to be humorous but also on point about the clichés and the like in film.

R.I.P. Roberto Orci 1973 - 2025

2025-02-26T03:25:00.004-05:00

Writer and producer Roberto Orci died February 25 at the age of 51 after a battle with kidney disease. Orci along with his writing partner Alex Kurtzman co-wrote and produced Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Star Trek (2007), Star Trek Into Darkness jump starting those major franchises in the 21st century.

Those were not the only movies as co-wrote The Island, The Legend of Zorro, Mission: Impossible III, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and more. On the television front, he got his start working on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess, later writing for and producing Alias, Fringe, Transformers: Prime, Sleepy Hallow, Hawaii Five-O and more.

His other producing projects including the Now You See Me movies, Scorpion tv show and more. If you are a bit of a geek, he probably was far more influential on your interests than even aware.

“He was a visionary storyteller with a boundless heart and a beautiful soul,” Orci’s brother, J.R. Orci said to Deadline. “But beyond his creative talents, he was a compassionate friend who would put his life on hold to help a stranger and find room in his home for the most overlooked pup at the shelter.”

Condolences to his friends and family on their loss.

Merry Christmas from Beast Wars' Garry Chalk and David Kaye

2024-12-25T00:46:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas to all. The tradition continues as Beast Wars voice actors Garry Chalk (Optimus Primal) and David Kaye (Megatron) release their Christmas messages. The first is from Chalk with parody lyrics by Candice N. Santora and Chalk. He is currently undergoing treatment for Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma so sending him best wishes on his fight. The jingles continue as Kaye does his own parody as he proposes a Christmas truce.

Transformers One Script Available

2024-12-19T03:23:00.001-05:00

IndieWire has made the final script of Transformers One available to read. Written by Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer, and Gabriel Ferrari, its an interesting way to find out how a movie script works and might see some differences between the script and what made it to screen. How much will be far less since how animated films are developed is different than live action films.

Barrer and Ferrari said "From the moment we pitched the idea, our goal was to tell a story about the death of a best friendship that would have worked just as well if it were about humans. It was always ‘Stand by Me’ with Transformers. That touchstone helped us discover a whole new tone for the franchise. Every aspect of the storytelling and world-building boiled down to an effort to explore the humanity of these sentient robots in the first movie since 1986 to truly star them in the lead roles.”

Hasbro Tapping Out of Movie Business

2024-11-22T08:05:00.000-05:00

Hasbro's CEO Chris Cocks has revealed that Hasbro is completely tapping out of making movies. With the commercial failure of Transformers One and under performance of Rise of the Beasts and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, the company is no longer going to co-finance films. “We want to reach fans where they want to play, and increasingly that is through digital expressions of their favorite brands,” Cocks said to Bloomberg. Studios can still make movies and TV shows on Hasbro properties, but it will now be licensed instead of having the cost partially taken on by Hasbro.

The money instead will be shifted to invest in video games with upcoming projects that include Exodus from Baldur's Gate veterans, D&D, and G.I. Joe video games in the works. Plan is also to expand Magic: The Gathering Arena video game with the Commander format. “What makes Magic so successful is what will drive Hasbro’s future success. It’s grounded in play, " Cocks said.

Under the previous CEO Brian Goldner, Hasbro bet big on Hollywood co-financing films based on their properties. By co-financing, lets say a movie costs $200 million. That would more or less get split between the studio and Hasbro. The co-financing deal made it so Paramount was more willing to gamble on then unproven properties and continue to gamble on future films even as the rate of return declined.

Transformers One Now Available on Paramount+

2024-11-15T05:24:00.001-05:00

Transformers One is now available to stream on Paramount+. The movie is also still available in theaters and for purchase on video on demand. The home video release is set for December 17. Good movie with a ridiculous high score on Rotten Tomatoes (98% viewers, 89% critics) so recommend watching in whatever way works for you.

Transformers Inducted Into Toy Hall of Fame

2024-11-13T09:37:00.003-05:00

The National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York revealed yesterday that Transformers has officially been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. Also inducted for 2024 was Phase 10 and My Little Pony. The trio join 84 other toys inducted since the museum started its Hall of Fame in 1998.

“These are three very deserving toys that showcase the wide range of how people play,” says Christopher Bensch, vice president for collections and chief curator. “But for My Little Pony, in particular, this year is extra validating. The beloved toy was a finalist seven times before finally crossing the finish line!”

R.I.P Tony Todd 1954 - 2024

2024-11-09T06:59:00.002-05:00

Actor Tony Todd died on November 6, 2024 at the age of 69. The news was revealed by his wife, Fatima, who said he died at home after a long illness. If you are an entertainment fan of any kind, chances are will recognize the name, the face or his voice.

For Transformers fans, he was the voice of The Fallen in Transformers: Revenge of the The Fallen and voiced Dreadwing in Transformers Prime. For horror fans, may recognize him as the star of Candyman franchise or appearances in Final Destination movies among many horror movies he was in. For TV fans, he was the voice of Zoom in The Flash, was on Law & Order, three Star Trek shows, Homicide: Life on the Streets and many more.

For movies, he was in Platoon, Lean on Me, Colors, Night of the Living Dead remake, and again many more. For video games, he voice Venom in Spider-Man 2, and voiced characters in Half-Live, Call of Duty and yep more. Animation he was the go-to voice for Darkseid in various DC animated movies among his many voice roles. Seeing the theme? He was basically everywhere in TV, movies, video games and animation with over 200 acting credits.

“You gotta have audience sympathy for the character in some way or another,” Todd told Deadline in a 2022 interview. “There’s gotta be something attractive about the character that makes people want to root for them but at the same time feel repulsed by the idea. And for me personally, for every film that I do, I create a backstory for all my tortured people and my heroes alike.”

New Line Cinema summarized it best saying "The industry has lost a legend. We have lost a cherished friend. Rest in peace, Tony."

Transformers One Voices Behind the Scenes Video

2024-10-28T07:10:00.002-04:00

To promote the the video on demand release of Transformers One, Paramount has released a behind the scenes video called "Voices Behind the Bots" that talks about the voice roles with the main actors with some footage of them recording the voices. This vid isn't mentioned as a special release on the December 17 home video release of the movie.

Transformers Digital and Home Video Release Dates

2024-10-21T09:51:00.003-04:00

Paramount Home Video has announced the video on demand (VOD) release date for Transformers One as tomorrow, October 22. Just four weeks after the film hit theaters which will likely remain in theaters for a few more weeks. This means whatever source you use to buy or rent streaming movies will have the film be it Amazon, Fandango/Vudu, AppleTV, etc.

If, like me, prefer a physical copy, the home video release date is set for December 17, 2024 just in time for Christmas. Actually surprised its date isn't mid-November but guess they could do. Currently Amazon has the Steelbook 4K edition of the film available for pre-order. There will also be the usual regular Blu-ray and DVD release of the film on that date. The Special features for the film include:

In The Beginning — Witness the origin story of Optimus Prime (Orion Pax) and Megatron (D-16) and the evolution of their relationship from brothers-in-arms to sworn enemies. Filmmakers discuss the vision for the film and how it was brought to life.

World Building On Cybertron— Hear from director Josh Cooley, the production design team, and the visual effects team about rendering the colorful world of Cybertron in a way that fans have never seen before.

Together As One — Meet the A-list voice cast for each of the Transformers: Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime), Brian Tyree Henry (D-16/Megatron), Scarlett Johansson (Elita-1), and more!

The Iacon 5000 — Behold the most epic Transformers race ever as competitors vie for the ultimate prize! Go behind the scenes with the filmmakers as they break down this breathtaking action sequence.

The Battle For Cybertron — Cast and filmmakers take you through the film’s epic climax as Optimus Prime and Megatron battle for Cybertron’s future.

Transformers One Fourth Weekend Box Office

2024-10-15T06:50:00.001-04:00

Transformers One has hit its fourth weekend of release in the US and the numbers remain meh despite outstanding critic and viewer reviews. Over the weekend the movie took in $3.8M in the US for domestic total of $53M. International box office added $6.2M for an international total of $58.5M. So far the movie's worldwide total is $111.5 against a $75M production budget.

Its competitor, The Wild Robot, is currently sitting on $84.2M US and $65M international for total of $149.3. Better than Transformers but apparently not what Dreamworks was looking for as they have surprisingly made the movie available Monday via video on demand services like Apple TV, MoviesAnywhere, Fandango, etc.

Transformers One Concept Art

2024-10-10T20:53:00.003-04:00

Here are two links to concept art created for Transformers One that shows some of the work that went into to designing the characters and Cybertonian environments.

Artwork 1 | Artwork 2

Transformers One Third Weekend Box Office Results

2024-10-08T05:31:00.004-04:00

Transformers One continues to just do ok at the box office. For its third weekend, it made $5.3M for US total of $47.2M and international total of $97.0M. Its main family friendly competition is The Wild Robot which is doing a little bit better having crossed $100M in two weeks so its getting the kind of numbers that Transformers wanted. The next few weeks has virtually no new family friendly competition so might reach $150M or higher but definitely not the success level Paramount was aiming for.