TFCon have announced that Frank Welker shall be attending the non-official Transformers convention on the Saturday only with tickets prices being announced at a future time. Much like with Botcon it is expected that it will cost extra to see Frank so stay tuned for more as it's announced.

We have found some new trademarks filed with the USPTO by Hasbro Inc. The trademarks are:

1. VECTOR PRIME
2. OMEGA SUPREME
3. TRANSFORMERS
4. MARK ONLY (Autobot Insignia)
5. MARK ONLY (Decepticon Insignia)

You can view all of the details of these and other trademarks within our exclusive Trademark Application area of the website which features trademark applications from 1984 through until the present day.

The last three marks are within the music CD and DVD category where as Vector Prime and Omega Supreme are toy related trademark applications.

Casting Call have put out an announcement that Transformers 5 is looking for actors and extras for Transformers 5 in London

Casting Call: ‘Transformers 5’ Producers Looking For Supporting Actors, Extras, Stand-Ins

DETROIT (WWJ) – If you have dreams of being on the silver screen, this could be your big break.

The producers of the blockbuster “Transformers” franchise are getting ready to shoot the latest installment in the series — they’re coming back to film in metro Detroit and they’re looking for actors and crew members.

The film, produced by Paramount Pictures and currently using the working title of “E75,” will begin shooing in June 2016 in London, England with additional scenes to be filmed in Detroit.

Casting directors are now setting up auditions for new lead and supporting roles. Extras, stand-ins and photo doubles will be cast closer to the start of production this summer.

Interested actors, film crew members and production staff can submit their resumes and headshots to the following:

Principal Actor Casting Director
Denise Chamian
“Transformers 5”
606 N. Larchmont Blvd. Suite 202
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Extras Casting
Maryellen Aviano
“Transformers 5”
1000 Flower Street
Glendale, CA 91201

Crew Members
Experienced film crew members, production staff and vendors can submit resumes online to: e75resumes@gmail.com. Enter the specific crew member position that you are submitting for in the subject line of your email.

**Note: All talent are required to be legally eligible to work in London, England and also in Detroit, Michigan. Staring and supporting roles are mainly being cast through talent agents in Los Angeles and London. Actors who are not signed with an agent are still encouraged to submit their resumes.

In the latest installment of “Transformers,” two-time Academy Award nominee Mark Wahlberg is returning to reprise his role as Cade Yeager, and Daytime Emmy Awards nominee Peter Cullen returns as the voice of Optimus Prime. Directors Guild of America DGA Award winner Michael Bay will direct “Transformers 5” from an original screenplay written by Academy Award winner Akiva Goldsman. Bay will also executive produce the film under the banner of his production company Bay Films, along with three-time Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg for Amblin Entertainment.

“Transformers 5” is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 23, 2017. Two additional sequels will be filmed, with release dates of June 8, 2018 and June 28, 2019 respectively.

Hasbro will be presenting their 2016 investor update from ToyFair today at 8am EST (13:00 GMT) where they will reveal their plans for the next year including new products, new brands and shall give details on the 2016-2017 Transformers entertainment offerings including details of what came out of the Writers Room.

Check back later today for further updates.

Fun Publications have revealed the first figures from the 5th Figure Subscription Service (FSS) as Double Pretender Optimus Prime with Hi-Q and Paradron Medic with Quickslinger.

The double pretender Optimus Prime is a re-paint of the 2015 Botcon figure Oilslick with a recoloured Swerved figure with a new Optimus Prime head and paint job based on the Generation 2 Lazer Rod figure. Hi-Q is a recolour of Flanker. You can view the images below.

Hasbro have announced increased net revenues for the full-year of 2015 of 4% to $4.45 billion. Part of the growth was due to the success of the Star Wars property along with the Marvel and Jurassic World products with both over-performing when compared to their expected revenues.

Transformers revenues dropped by 1/3 which is blamed on an unfair comparison with 2014 as that was a movie tie-in year but still performed far better than was expected in a post movie year. Typcially Hasbro Inc see a 50% drop in revenue in the year directly after a movie release.

At the end of the call it was confirmed that further information regarding the upcoming entertainment releases for the Transformers brand shall be given out this Friday including details of the writers room.

The Star Wars movie tie-in products swapped US to international sales figures from around 54%-46% split in favour of US and Canada (pre -The Force Awakens product) to 46%-54% afterwards.

During the call, which is currently ongoing, Hasbro announced that they will be releasing several new internal brand (i.e not licensed) over the next couple of years.

TakaraTomy were in attendance at Winter Wonderfest 2016 in Japan and had display cases showing off their upcoming 20th Anniversary Masterpiece Beast Wars Convoy along with the grey prototype for Unite Warriors Bruticus.

You can view the images after the jump

TFNation have announced another guest for their first Transformers convention as Simon Furman!

Transmission Initiated
Transmission ID: 000021
TFNation_2016
Operation: Target 2016

We are honoured to announce that Simon Furman, one of the most significant contributors to Transformers and its rich mythos, will be joining us for our inaugural convention! 

It really does feel right for somebody who has worked so hard from the Cybertronian's earliest days be here with us to celebrate the bold new era of TFNation. 

We would keep you here all day if we were to list Simon's complete Transformers credits. Much of his work comprises the bedrock of the comics, animation and films we all enjoy today. Simon's writing has stood the test of time and his work is still held in high regard today. He has worked for the successive publishers Marvel, Dreamwave and IDW.

Simon has also lent his comic talents to many other titles including Scream, Thundercats, Alpha Flight, Doctor Who, as well as co-creating Dragon's Claws and of course a certain Freelance Peacekeeping Agent who Marvel keep teasing may return...

In addition to his writing, Simon also served as an editor for Marvel UK and Titan Books.

Away from comics, Simon has been involved in the world of animation from Beast Wars, X-Men: Evolution, Dan Dare to most recently serving as both Head Writer and Script Editor for CITV's The Matt Hatter Chronicles.

Over the course of the weekend, you will have the opportunity to hear more about this storied career from the man himself and in much greater detail.

To keep up with Simon's current work, he maintains a blog over at:
https://simonfurman.wordpress.com

Simon will be signing autographs and selling comics and script packs from Friday 19th until Sunday 21st August 2016 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at TFNation 2016. We look forward to seeing you there!

Further transmissions to follow.

TFNation

Where All Are One
End_transmission

Botcon posted a new preview video yesterday featuring David Kaye which ends with a suprise reveal image of Megatron in what clearly is a recolour of the 2001 Transformers Robots In Disguise Megatron (Car Robots Gigatron) figure. You can watch the video below.

The Transmetal 2 coloured Megatron based on the RiD Megatron figure is a concept that was designed by 3H and never used. You can view a drawing of those designs below.

Ticket information for Roll Out Roll Call 2016 has now been announced with bookings opening shortly.

Join Transformers, G.I. Joe and Action Force fans from around the world 8th to the 10th of July at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, London Heathrow.

There are a total of five ticket options available. Pick from one of three Limited Edition Ticket options that will rewards you with special access to special items, Standard Weekend Ticket or Sunday Ticket (please note Sunday is the only single day entry option).

What's more, children under the age of 12 enter FREE when accompanied by a paying Adult, Senior or Teen Ticket holder.

Ticket options:

Limited Edition Energon Ticket £75
1 X General Weekend Entry, 1 X Transformers Item + option to purchase 1 of each other Transformers Items*

Limited Edition International Hero Ticket £75
1 X General Weekend Entry, 1 X G.I. Joe Item + option to purchase 1 of each other G.I. Joe Items*

Limited Edition Crossover Ticket £105
1 X General Weekend Entry, 1 X Transformers Item, 1 X G.I. Joe Item + option to purchase 1 of each other Transformers & G.I. Joe Items*

*Option to purchase Items Friday 8th/ Saturday 9th only. Any unsold Items by Sunday 10th will be available for purchase to general public.

General Weekend Entry
Adult (18-59) £45
Senior (60+) £25
Teen (13-17) £30
Child (0-12) FREE
Upgrade Adult General Weekend Ticket to either Energon or International Hero Ticket £30

Sunday Entry
Adult (18-59) £25
Senior (60+) £20
Teen (13-17) £20
Child (0-12) FREE

In addition enjoy the show even more by benefiting from Roll Out Roll Call discounted room rates and stay at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel over the duration of the show.

Early ticket booking and room reservation booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. Booking will be available shortly.

UK Toy Industry Magazine ToyNews recently held a poll where by they asked manufacturers, retailers and inventors within the toys and games industry to name those toys and games which they fle had most shaped the industry, and the results are now in with Transformers appearing at number 14 on the list!

The full list reads as:

1. Lego
2. Barbie
3. Kenner Star Wars
4. Rubik's Cube
5. Trivial Pursuit
6. Monopoly
7. Furby
8. Skylanders
9. Tamagotchi
10. Golden Bear's Teletubbies Toys
11. Settlers of Catan
12. Action Man
13. Pokemon: The Trading Card Game
14. Transformers
15. Card Against Humanity
16. Gameboy
17. Moshi Monsters
18. Meccano
19. Playmobil
20. Simon

The TFNation team have issued a new release regarding booking a hotel for their inaugral show which has been in hide demand since registration opened on the 15th Jan

Transmission Initiated
Transmission ID: 000019
TFNation_2016
Operation: Hotel Update #2

As announced last week, our allocation of rooms at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel have almost sold out. With many more Transformers fans still looking to purchase tickets, here are some hints and tips to help you to find accommodation:

1. RESERVING A TFNATION ROOM AT THE HILTON

At the time of writing, we still have the following room types available on the core convention days;

Friday – Single, Queen Executive and Family.
Saturday – Single
Sunday – Twin Deluxe, Twin Executive, Queen Executive and Family.

We also have rooms left on the days surrounding the convention (Wednesday, Thursday, Monday and Tuesday) which might be particularly helpful for international attendees.

2. FIND A ROOMMATE

We have opened a thread on our Facebook page for people looking for roommates. If there is a spare bed in your room, please consider assisting a fellow fan.

3. RESERVING A PUBLIC ROOM AT THE HILTON

Like most hotels, the Hilton keeps a certain amount of rooms for public sale. This means you can still get a room at the Hilton, but the price and terms of sale will be different to the special deal negotiated by TFNation.

PLEASE NOTE - The Hilton cannot assign convention rates to public reservations.

There are two main ways to reserve a publically available room:

3.A. HILTON WINTER SALE

Presently the Hilton is holding a WINTER SALE on its website. 

These rooms represent a good saving over standard hotel prices, though you may have to pay upfront. Unlike TFNation rooms, breakfast is typically not included. Additional options are available for Hilton Honors members – it is members – full details can be found here http://hhonors3.hilton.com/en/index.html for more information

3.B. RESERVING HILTON ROOMS THROUGH THIRD PARTY WEBSITES
Hilton rooms are available through many public websites. Please read the terms and conditions for booking as some may require upfront payment, and/or may not include breakfast. Examples of booking sites include;

www.Hotels.com
www.Trivago.com
www.Laterooms.com

If you have booked different nights through different sources, then please let the hotel know either before the event, or at check in, as they may be able to combine your bookings into a single stay to save you having to change rooms. This only applies where all your rooms are of the same type (eg: single)

4. OTHER HOTELS NEAR TO THE HILTON

There are many alternative hotels near to the Hilton. We have listed some below, and have separated them into ‘walking distance’ and ‘driving distance’;

Firstly, within walking distance you have -

Budget Price Hotels:
Etap Hotel Birmingham Airport
IBIS Styles Birmingham Airport
The Holiday Inn Express, NEC
The Premier Inn Birmingham NEC
Novotel Birmingham airport

Luxury Price Hotels:
Genting Hotel (Resorts World)
Crown Plaza Birmingham NEC
Arden Birmingham NEC

Secondly, if you have a car, these options may work out well for you -

Travelodge Birmingham International
Holiday Inn: International Airport

5. OTHER HOTELS – FURTHER AFIELD

Closer to the event, we will post a list of hotels which are nearer to Birmingham City Centre.

We hope this update has been useful. Remember, the best part of the convention will be the parts where you are awake with friends – so please don’t get stressed if you cannot stay at the Hilton itself, as we are sure you will still have a fabulous time.

Further transmissions to follow.

TFNation
Where All Are One
End_transmission

Hasbro's press office have sent out some new official stock images of figures to go with a release from the Nurembery Toy Fair. You can view the images after the jump.

Transformers: Robots In Disguise Gigawatt Optimus Prime

• Transforms in 7 Steps
• Mini-Con interacts with Optimus Prime
• Lights and Sound
• Flight sounds when moving
• Attachable wings and laser guns

Transformers: Robots In Disguise Minicon Battle Pack

• Converts to numerous equipment.

The UK toy fair is over and with Hasbro Inc deciding that an appearance was not worth it and that Germany would be the best option for their European offices focus from fans around the world now point at the Spielwarenmesse Nürnberg Toy Fair 2016 which takes place today.  The German fair is well known for leaked product reveals and shall be followed by the US Toy fair.

For years Hasbro Inc produced most of its toys and games out in China then a few years ago they shifted to factories in Vietnam, partly due to increase labour costs in China, and now it looks like they are moving again but this time to India.  According to an article published on The Wall Street Journal on January 6th Hasbro are looking at India as a solution to Vietnam becoming saturated with factories.

“John Leung, chairman of GFT Group Ltd., a manufacturer of Transformers, “Star Wars” and other toys for Hasbro that is based in China’s Guangdong province, said he plans to start producing soon from a rented factory in Chennai.

Eight years ago, GFT shifted much of its production from China to Vietnam, where today the company’s workers earn around $215 a month, less than Chinese counterparts’ salaries. But Vietnam is quickly becoming saturated with factories, Mr. Leung said.

“In the next eight to 10 years, Vietnam will be finished,” he said. He said Hasbro, based in Pawtucket, R.I., had urged him to set up shop in India.”

Credit to TFW2005.com for the news