Hasbro and the producing staff for the new animated series, Transformers: Prime, previewed the new CG animated series at the San Diego Comic Con. Among the panel were executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, the screenwriters for Transformers and Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. Here are the highlights:
- The staff showed character design images of the Autobots and Decepticons. The designers took inspiration from G-1, but the designs are also clearly influenced by the new live action Transformers movies. The Transformers designs can best best be described as a hybrid of G1 and the movies.
- Character designs were shown for Bumblebee, Arcee, Cliffjumper, Ratchet, and Optimus Prime. Bumblebee is now a Camaro sportscar like his movie counterpart. Arcee's vehicle form is a motorcycle, and her colors were changed to blue instead of pink. Designs were shown for a Decepticon Trooper, which are the drone Decepticon soldiers. Megatron's design was also shown. Megatron's vehicle mode is a Cybertronian jet, as the staff feel Megatron would not use any inferior Earth technology or designs. Megatron's design did feature his classic "bucket" head as well as a familiar arm cannon.
- A design was shown for Rafael 'Raf' Esquivel, the show's human character and protagonist. While fans were not so interested in the show's human characters, the staff proclaimed the human characters will be compelling and good in the show.
- Optimus Prime's voice came over the loud speaker and interrupted the panel, and Peter Cullen joined the panel to a standing ovation. Cullen talked about the importance and reverance for the Optimus Prime character and getting to work with Frank Welker again. Welker will once again be voicing Megatron.
- A clip was shown featuring Peter Cullen and Frank Welker recording their lines together as Optimus Prime and Megatron. In the scene Optimus advises the Autobots to retreat as he will face off against Megatron and his Decepticon army alone. Megatron laughs at the cowardice of the Autobots, and Optimus proclaims he will remove the head of the Decepticon army.
- A short clip featuring footage of the series was shown. In the clip Bumblebee transforms in midair, lands and punches out a Decepticon trooper.
- The show will premiere October 10, 2010 on the new Hub cartoon block.
Peter Cullen and the staff concluded the panel with a Q&A session. Peter Cullen was emotionally overwhelmed by the support and love from the fans for his portrayal of Optimus Prime.
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Return to Toonzone's Coverage of San Diego Comic Con 2010
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