Derrick Wyatt has answered two of the questions raised to him in comments on his blog.  DieMaus asked "a) We've now seen Animated Hot Shot and Red Alert, two characters who were reportedly in the original outline for the show, but were subsequently replaced by Bumblebee and Ratchet, respectively. Do the current Hot Shot and Red Alert bear much similarity to those original concepts? Are they a taste of "what might have been"? Or did those original character ideas never get past the planning phase?

b) Who actually decides which characters DO make it onto the show? You suggested, for example, that Hot Shot wasn't your call, Marty Isenberg mentioned that Hasbro nixed the idea of Sixshot, and as noted, we know that Bumblebee's inclusion was their initiative as well; on the other hand, I can't imagine that the likes of Highbrow were anything other than your idea. How does this all get decided, and whose call is it at the end of the day?"

To which Derrick replied

"Hey,those are some good questions.

a) Hotshot is more of a tribute to his UT self (or selves). Red Alert is actually a bit of what might have been. Her design is based in part on TFA development art that my friend Eric Canete had done. That's why she's female.

b) There are some upcoming interviews that go deeper in to this process than I will here. The current TFCC magazine has an interview with Eric and me where we discuss it. Anyway, we on the animation side try to work together with the 'Bros to come up with a roster of characters that both teams are happy with. Bumblebee's inclusion in the show was actually a result of Matt Youngberg and me pleading for him in the first meeting we had with the higher-ups."

 An anonomous poster then asked the question "Well, I kinda like Red Alert being female, it mixes things up a little. I personally would have liked to have been at one of those meetings, just to hear some of the characters Hasbro wanted in that you guys didn't, or vice-versa. Is it generally harder to get characters who weren't popular in terms of toy sales(or were only in that franchise's toyline) in the show? Or is Hasbro pretty cool about letting some relatively unknown/unpopular characters get their chance in the spot light?"

Which prompted Derrick to reply "On the whole they've been great. I don't think there were any characters we really wanted to do that they vetoed. The only things that ever got nixed were characters that it would be too impractical to do from either an animation or a toy point of view, or characters that just didn't fit the stories we were telling."

Jim Sorenson has updated his blog with another design sheet that did not make it into the The Ark Addendum.  This time it is for a background model of the Quantum Compound.

"In honor of Iván's nifty Day of the Machines movie poster, I bring you The Ark Addendum: Day of the Machines. It features some of the background models from that episode. The Quantum Compound, home to Quantum Laboratories, is where TORQ III resides. It's defenses proved woefully inadequate against Megatron. Once Megatron overwrote TORQ III 's personality with his own, he was able to use it to take command of machines remotely. Given the Decepticon's omnipresent need for energon, he took control of many oil tankers and directed them to a Cybertronian oil base."

Derrick Wyatt has posted several new comments on his blog regarding Transformers Animated Season 3 including details on who designed which characters and the news some the third season will contain even more guest voice actors.  Here are Derricks comments

"Yep, there he is. Hotshot was designed by Irineo Maramba, loosely based on some head sketches I did, with some help from Eric Siebenaler.
I can't say Hotshot was a character from my personal wish list, but I think he's made certain people pretty happy."

"Let's see, of the Rodimus and Strika teams Irineo did Hotshot, Brawn, Cyclonus and Oil Slick, and I did the rest."

"Yep, we have more guest actors, and one former guest is practically a regular this season."

With many thanks to the great people over at Paramount Pictures UK we're pleased bring you this exclusive Transformers Revenge of the Fallen news.

Following on from the confirmation of the German and Australian release dates for the second live action Transformers Movie, Paramount Pictures UK have confirmed that tha UK will have it's debut on June 26th 2009 at The Odeon Leicester Square, quickly followed with a saturation release nationwide.

We've got another piece of Transformers Revenge of the Fallen news, but we're just waiting to see if we're allowed to make it public yet.

Seibertron.com are reporting on an interview win which Hasbro's Transformers Universe designer, Bill Rawley, revealed a few details about the future of the Universe Line in Toyfare #138 (the February 2009 issue).

Mr Rawley reveals that Hasbro are already thinking of bringing back Universe after the film, probably to help fill the gap to the next movie, and are looking at Soundwave and Rhinox to possibly feature in the series.

In a surprising turn of events darkhorizons.com insider Zephyr has leaked the German release date for the third live action Transformers Movie, yes you read that correctly Transformers 3.  The film, which is yet to be named, is listed as being released on the 29th June 2011 (which though no real surprise is great to see)

"Transformers 3
On the upcoming release schedule for Germany, it appears that a second 'Transformers' sequel has already been scheduled for June 29th 2011." writes Garth Franklin in his blog entry on their site.

Credit to Mat for sending through the report

TFW2005 have received stock images of some Transformers Revenge of the FAllen Legends figures which confirm that Jetfire is indeed a Decepticon for the movie, due out in 2009.

Thee first set of four Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Legends class toys. Optimus Prime and Bumblebee represent the returning cast with all new molds. Representing the new additions to the cast are Decepticon Jetfire and Autobot Springer.

TF08.net have confirmed our rumour that the recolour of Transformers Universe Silverbolt is indeed meant to be a Transformers Universe Darkwing figure.

A robot mode image of the toy is now available on their site.

TFW2005 have received stock images of some Transformers Robot Heroes figures, including several based on Japanese Generation One characters.

The toys include Transformers Robot Heroes Dessarus, Victory Saber, Optimus Primal and Jetstorm.

Following on from the Universe Countdown story, TF08.net have also uploaded some images of the future releases of Transformers Animated Waspinator and Samurai Armour Prowl.

To keep with TF08's requests we've not mirrored the images, so please visit their site to see them.

TF08.net have come through again with yet another sneak peek into the future of the Transformers toy line with images of the Transformers Universe Countdown figure.

Countdown is a recolour of Transformers Galaxy Force: Cybertron Defense Team Red Alert, in a colour scheme loosley based on the Generation One Micromaster Countdown - a theme which seems to be fairly popular with Hasbro in the new Universe line.

Simon Furman has updated his blog with information on Maximum Binobots, a five part story on everyone's favoritie transforming dinosaurs.

Out this week, Wednesday December 10th in the US, 11th in the UK, is the first issue (of five) of Maximum Dinobots, the no-holds barred return of Grimlock, Sludge, Slag, Snarl and Swoop. Plus Scorponok, Sunstreaker, Hot Rod, Headmasters and more! And though issue #1 picks up on story strands laid in various Spotlights and Escalation/Devastation, this one kicks off from the ground level, bringing the five Dinobots—last seen together way back in Spotlight Shockwave—back together again in a raging battle-filled storyline that pulls no punches. Featuring Nick Roche’s amazing art and Josh Burcham’s scintillating colours, Maximum Dinobots is just a must-have. We confidently predict a roaring success! Click on the thumbnail below for a look at #1’s cover and check out the IDW website here for more news on upcoming Transformers comics releases.

Ozformers is reporting that the latest issue of Toy Retailer Magazine states that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will premiere in cinema's in Australia on the 25th of June 2009, the same day which has been reported as the release date in Germany (and a day before the current schduled US release).

The magaines also states that the toy line of Revenge of the Fallen should start to appear in stores around the 31st of May.

We are yet to receive confimation frmo Paramount Pictures UK as to the planned UK release date.

Ray, from our Site Sponsor Robotkingdom, has sent out their latest list of updates, pre-orders and latest items in stock   So here it is.

1) Animated Exclusive Pack - Jetfire & Jetstorm Will available around 18 Dec, US$26.9 - Order here.

2)Animated Leader Shadow Blade Megatron. Available around 18 Dec, US$47.99 - Order here.

3)Hasbro Transformers Universe 2008 Voyager - 09 Wave 1
Inferno, US$27.9 - Order here.
Vector Prime, US$25.9 -Order here.

4) Exclusive TF watches (manufactured by MIRACLE PLUS LTD.)   Pre-order, available in 2 weeks.
Type A, US$189 - here
Type B, US$199 - here
Type D & E, US$129 - here and here.
Type F, G & H, US$139 - Here, here and here.
Type I, US$165 - Here.

5) The new MP silver roller / Magnus gun kit will arrive this week. US$19.9. - Pre-order here

The credit crunch has hit another toy retailer this time in the United States as K.B Toys (one o the biggest toy chains in the US) have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the

Federal Bankruptcy Court in Delaware listing assets in the range of $100 million to $500 million dollars.