Hasbro have issued the following press release via Transformers.com

Take your first look at these awesome exclusives infused with AllSpark Power that will be at Wal-Mart this spring.

THE FINAL BATTLE: ROBOT HEROES 5-pack
Following on the popular g1-themed Robot Heroes 5-pack from 2007, this pack brings together 5 exclusive figures to recreate the movie’s final dramatic battle scene in the unique styling of ROBOT HEROES. Find it at Wal-Mart now, SRP $9.96

Together with their new human comrades, the AUTOBOTS battle the DECEPTICONS to the finish in the final fight for possession of the AllSpark. The crowded streets of a human city are the battleground. The pavement cracks and melts from the power of the giant robots’ weapons. The destruction is legendary as the mighty metal warriors hurl each other against the sides of buildings, and fill the air with laser fire. Neither side will stop fighting until their enemies are totally destroyed.

Includes OPTIMUS PRIME with ALLSPARK POWER, MEGARON with metallic finish, Battle Damaged BLACKOUT, Battle Damaged AUTOBOT JAZZ and AUTOBOT RATCHET with ALLSPARK POWER.

Exclusive Movie Deluxe Figures

By selecting some of the coolest molds from the past, the TRANSFORMERS design team has created four new movie (and G1) inspired characters with AllSpark Powered deco treatments. Read notes from designer Joe Kyde and see images below. Look for these characters at Wal-Mart now, SRP $9.96.

DIVEBOMB
This DECEPTICON jet uses deco inspired by the Russian Air Force SU-37 Flanker- F prototype. The design team went with this deco to provide something that had realistic cues but still stood out. The “Decepticon Air Force” marking is the same as that used on the Decepticon Movie Starscream G1 redeco, and is roughly based on the real-world Philippines Air Force roundel.

DIVEBOMB tries his hardest to make friends with the other DECEPTICONS, but they go out of their way to avoid him. Everyone recognizes his skill an aerial fighter, his intelligence as a tactician, and his positive attitude towards the goal of total DECEPTICON domination. Unfortunately, his reactor containment is so bad that other robots can't stand to be near him. Wherever he goes, he leaves a trail of toxic fumes, and he emits so much radiation that it short-circuits the sensor systems of those nearby.

JOLT
The design team originally intended this character to have a darker purple deco--similar to that of the old Micromaster Roadhugger. When a name change was required this mold from Cybertron worked even better as a reimagining of the Generation 2 DECEPTICON Laser Rod Jolt.

Shortly after the final battle for the AllSpark, JOLT sought out BARRICADE for advice. Brought to life by the energy bursts thrown off the Allspark during the fight, he wanted to learn the finer points of lying and trashing stuff. After BARRICADE was done beating on him, DECEPTICON FRENZY made fun of him for a while, and slashed his tires. That was his first and only lesson, and he took it to heart.

BIG DADDY
This deluxe version of BIG DADDY is based on the Micromaster Hot Rod of the same name –a perennial favorite among the collector community. This DOWNSHIFT mold from Cybertron really lends itself well to this fan favorite.
BIG DADDY is more concerned with his paint job than with any war that might be going on. You'll most often find him cruising the main drag of whatever town he ends up in, or hanging out at the local beach. When he does roll out, he does it slow, so that all the pedestrians can get a nice, long look at his sleek lines and killer chrome. He's got his own crew of robots to roll with. They stay out of the way of the rest of the AUTOBOTS, and the AUTOBOTS stay out of theirs.

GRINDCORE
The design team decided that an AUTOBOT construction vehicle would nicely round out this exclusive assortment. GRINDCORE is loosely based on Micromaster Crush-Bull. To complete the AUTOBOT aesthetic, the traditional secondary purple cues were replaced with a rust red color. His name comes from a style of music that aptly fits his personality.
Whatever GRINDCORE is doing, he loves to do it loud. CYBERTRONwas always a pretty noisy place, what with everyone revving their engines, and then the war. Earth people really know how to make noise fun though. Human heavy metal is way cooler than the shock-pop he listened to in his home city of Vos. It's easy to find him on any construction project – just follow the incredibly loud music.

The toy images areas for Transformers Animated Blackarchnia and Ratchet, at TransformersAnimated.com, have been updated with some new images showing the back of the packaging of both of these toys as well as a close up of the bubble.

In additional to this, the cartoon image area of the following characters have been updated with images from Episode 11: Lost and Found.

1. Blitzwing
2. Bumblebee
3. Captain Fanzone
4. Lugnut
5. Optimus Prime
6. Police SWAT Officer
7. Ratchet
8. Sari Sumdac
9. Starscream

You will now find three exclusive Transformers Animated Episode 11 video clips on Transformers Animated.com, mirrored on Transformers At The Moon.

The three clips feature the two main Decepticon's in the episode, Lugnut and Blitzwing.

1. Video 1 - Decepticons on the Moon - shows the opening of Episode 11, Lost and Found
2. Video 2 - Autobots vs Decepticons - features the fight between the Autobots and Blitzwing and Lugnut.
3. Video 2 - Decepticons Trans-Scanning - shows Blitzwing and Lugnut taking their Earth vehicle modes.
   

You can now find 221 images from the 11th episode of Transformers Animated, called Lost and Found, at both Transformers At The Moon and Transformers Animated.com.

The episode featured the Decepticon's Blitzwing and Lugnut arriving on Earth in search of Megatron. Once they arrive, Megatron contacts Lugnut and orders the pair to find the Allspark, in order to resurrect the Decepticon leader.

A full episode guide has now been added to the image gallery later this evening, so if you want to read about what happened in the episode then you can.

The final BotCon 2008 figure was revealed last night as Ricochet, a red recoloured version of Jazz (Cybertron Crosswise). The inspiration behind the choice of colour scheme appears to be the red "Zoom Zoom" Meister Binaltech toy.

You can see images of the figure in robot and vehicle mode at BotCon.com

Fat Guy has updated his blog with an image gallery of the 2008 Winter Wonderfest exclusive Transformers Movie Generation One coloured Arcee figure. The mini-gallery is great for those fans wanting to see more images of this sold out figure out of the packaging.

The Transformers Collectors Club has sent the following information out to it's members regarding the BotCon 2008 sets (sold out), alternative toy arrangements and information on showing the exclusive "attendee toy".

This is going out to all members.If you have received a confirmation email concerning your registration, this notice does not apply to you.

The demand for this year's BotCon figure sets (both boxed and loose) has been unprecedented… and they are now officially SOLD OUT.Since manufacturing of the sets has already been completed, we are not able to obtain additional quantities.

In order to accommodate those who are still planning to attend, we are providing you with two new options:

1) You can still come as a Primus Package holder and we will substitute a 2005 BotCon Boxed Set Descent into Evil - at the reduced cost of $250 for Club members, $300 for non-members - and in addition, you will receive this year's free attending figure. Loose sets are also available for $130 for Club members and $165 for non-members.

So that you can see what you will be getting this year, we have decided to do something we have never done before...we are going to unveil the free attending figure this Friday! This is the first time we have shown the free attending figure before the start of BotCon!

2) We are creating a new attending package designed for this year only!

The Energon Package includes admission to all events (just like the Primus Package, including the Casino Night Awards Dinner) a convention badge, pin and comic/program (no toys). The Energon Package is $180 for Club members, $230 for non-members.

If you have sent in a registration since February 14, we will be emailing or calling you to find out which package you want to switch to.

Attached you will find the current registration form with the new options.

Thank you, once again, for your support! We look forward to seeing you in Cincinnati!

Brian

PS. For those of you who have already registered, confirmation letters will be going in the mail this week.

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Toys R Us UK have updated their website with 3 new Transformers product listings, the details of which you can find below.

1. Landmine (Transformers Movie Deluxe Figure) - Ref: 37901815- �9.99 (Out of stock)
2. Cornshaft (Transformers Movie Deluxe Figure) - Ref: 37901816- �9.99 (Out of stock) (Camshaft)
3. Cliff Jumper (Transformers Movie Deluxe Figure) - Ref: 37901817- �9.99 (Out of stock)

Do not forget that you can find your nearest Toys R Us store using our exclusive UK Transformers store locator. You can also view all of the current listings from Toys R Us UK from within our Store Listings area of Transformers At The Moon.

Note: Toys R Us website is listing Camshaft as Cornshaft for some reason.

In an article over on Variety regarding possible strike action being taken in Hollywood by actors, Transformers Movie director Michael Bay is one of the people quoted in the article talking specifically about the second Transformers Movie.

"Transformers 2" director Michael Bay said the labor cloud has made the process harder, but not impossible as he tries to keep the film on track for its June 26, 2009 release.

"If there is a strike, we shut down, but shutting down isn't that big a deal," Bay said. "You make accommodations, you make a deal with vending houses on equipment and on the stages where you are shooting. You hope for the best, but you can't be incapacitated by the possibility that there will be a strike. We've got to get this town back to work. I can't imagine anyone wants another strike, we're all tired. Hopefully clearer heads will prevail."

Bay said that the sequel is still recovering from the writer's strike, and that he's playing catch-up after getting back his trio of writers, Ehren Kruger, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.

"They did a detailed outline before the writer's strike, and now they are in Michael Bay jail, holed up in a hotel and working feverishly," Bay said. "We're paying for a beautiful suite and they are getting a lot of work done. Hiring three writers was unusual, but it has been a godsend in getting us to where we need to be. Somehow you find a way to get it done."

For those wanting a better look at the Trans-Scanning Transformers Movie Optimus Prime figure we bring you a poster showing all three forms of the toy.

TFWorld2005 have received some press images from Hasbro covering the Transformers Animated line. Iincluded in the images are Leader Class Bulkhead and Megatron arm blaster.

Bulkhead1 - Bulkhead2 - Arm Blaster - Arm Blaster2

The official Botcon 2008 site has updated with images of Starscream and Razorclaw, from this year's Shattered Glass boxed set.

As previously revealed, Starscream is repainted from his Voyager Class Transformers Cybertron / Galaxy Force toy. Razorclaw is a repaint of Overbite from the Classics Minicon Predator Attack Team.