Auto Assembly 2013, Europe's largest Transformers Convention, starts tonight in Birmingham, UK.

The event spreads from Friday night to Sunday afternoon featuring various stalls and dealers from not just the UK, but throughout the global, Comic guests (past and present), Voice Actors and established Authors.

This years show features the first Exclusive figure for the convention, Manuel X.

We hope to see many of you there

Roberto Orci has been interviewed by IGN regarding the next Transformers animated series.  Roberto confirmed that both he and Alex Kurtzman will be returning to produce the new series and but also has started that it will be more kid-friendly and less intense than Transformers Prime but that they would welcome back Peter Cullen and Frank Welker to the show.

It’s not really a reboot, it’s sort of a continuation of it [Transformers Prime] in a tonally different form. We want to make sure we’re servicing the right audiences. We got to do a very adult version of Transformers that you just saw in this cartoon, a very sophisticated one, and we also want to make sure we don’t leave other kids behind, who love Transformers too and don’t want to be as scared as Transformers Prime could make you, that kind of thing. So we’re going to have a good parallel series that is connected, but it’s a little more friendly to the family.

When asked whether the show will be a "kids-only affair", Roberto replied:

I would say that clever wit always makes it something more adult. I think the look of it, you may find, is more kid-friendly. But we certainly don’t intend to be any less entertaining or any less Transformers. But there is a little bit of truth to that. I won’t deny that also, yes, we’re trying to make sure that younger kids who really love Transformers aren’t put off by its intensity.

You can read the interview in full at http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/08/07/roberto-orci-on-the-next-transformers-animated-series-and-whether-it-will-continue-transformer-primes-story

Rumours are coming in the that Transformers Platinum Edition range will gain two new Year of the Horse exclusives for 2014 in the form of a Transformers Galaxy Force / Cybertron Supreme Starscream and potentially a Transformers Masterpiece 10 Convoy (Optimus Prime figure).

Toys R Us Cannada listing for Starscream - http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=23556916

The Optimus Prime / Convoy listing has been removed but did include the following wording.

The leader of the Autobots is back and more unstoppable than ever! Everyone will know that this mighty Year of the Horse Optimus Prime figure is the ultimate Autobot, because the Matrix of Leadership fits in his chest. He'll shred his Decepticon enemies with his Energon axe in robot mode, and flatten them in truck mode! Convert his trailer to a battle station with a maintenance dock, where you can store his ion cannon and Energon axe. Your Transformers adventures will be off the hook with this Optimus Prime figure!

US Transformers store Big Bad Toy Store have a list for $150.00 for a reissue of Transformers Car Robots: Super Fire Convoy.

Big Bad Toy Store also claim the Mastersword, previously only availbale with the Toys R Us version, will also be incluided.

If true the reissue annoucement marks the return of Neil Kaplan, voice of Transformers Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime, to Auto Assembly

We want to thank everyone who has pre-booked their tickets for Auto Assembly 2013 and who have once again helped us set a NEW European record for a Transformers convention! We are aware that many of you will have now missed the deadline for getting your tickets for the convention, especially as we had bookings open until 48 hours before the convention last year, but don’t worry…

Despite a record turnout again, the Hilton is a MASSIVE hotel (the largest convention hotel in the UK) so we do have enough spaces left for all of you who may be interested so you WILL be able to come along to the convention and pay on the door and get into the full convention – all the panels, workshops, and experience everything that Auto Assembly 2013 has to offer. The only differences for on-the-door attendees is that you won’t get a personalised pass, and entry to the convention will take longer as you will have to complete a booking form on arrival so we will have your correct details on file for health and safety purposes. In addition to this, everyone who has pre-registered for the convention will be able to collect their passes from 12:30 pm on Friday afternoon or 8:30 am on Saturday and Sunday and will be able to enter the convention immediately when the doors open at 6:00 pm Friday and 9:30 am on Saturday or Sunday.

If you are paying on the door, you won’t be able to buy tickets until 6:00 pm Friday if you are purchasing a weekend pass or 9:30 am on Saturday or Sunday for those of you buying single day tickets after all our pre-registrants have entered the hall. Prices for tickets on the door are £50 for adults for the full weekend and £38 for Youth (under 18) and Elderly (60+). Single day tickets are £28 for Adults and £22 for Youth and Elderly. Under 6′s are FREE!

Anyway, to all of you who have booked, once again we want to thank you for helping to make the convention the success that it has become and for those of you who have missed the deadline, we hope that you’ll come along next weekend and join us for a great weekend celebrating everything that makes Transformers so special!

Simon Plumbe

Auto Assembly Committee Head

A new video from the set of Transformers 4 in Detroit has been posted on to You Tube

As with the previous three live action Transformers Movies, the position of the CGI Transformers, on set, is represented by someone holding a cardboard face on a stick.  The faces generally represent the character who will be added in in Post Production.  In this case the figure appears to be an older, bearded Transformers, smoking a pipe.   This will most likely turn out to be Hound (Autobot Hound).

TRU.co.uk has added listings for Generations Titan Metroplex, Masterpiece Soundwave and Masterpiece Acidstorm,all due supposedly over the next two months

Transformers Titan Metroplex - GBP 125

Transformers Masterpiece Soundwave -GBP 120

Transformers Masterpiece Acid Storm -GBP 75

The on-set images from Transformers 4 which have been posted by JustJared.com which feature Mark Wahlberg and Nicola Peltz reveal a new weapon which is being held by Mark. When you look closer, the weapon appears to contain Cybertronian symbols much like the Allspark cube.  You can view the images here.

The Transformers Live Action Blog have more images which appear to reveal the weapon as the Star Saber, as well as posting images and videos from recent days shoots including what appears to be a wreckage of one of the ships from Transformers Dark of the Moon

To start the day here is a round-up of some recent interviews which were held with Mark Wahlberg where he makes reference to the fourth Transformers movie.

Metro News Canada interviewed him regarding "2 Guns" and "Transformers 4".

Of course he was tight-lipped but said that he is playing "a single dad who’s trying to raise a very attractive teenage girl in the real world."

Also he mentioned his daily routine while filming:
"I don’t go out at night anymore, so that makes it a lot easier. I go home, I’ll eat dinner, I’ll read the script and prepare for the next day’s work, and go to bed right away. I’ll wake up with a little bit of time to say my prayers, read my prayer book, maybe do a little workout, and then get back at it. And then steal a cat nap whenever I can during the work day — but (‘Transformers’ director) Michael (Bay), once he starts working, he doesn’t like to stop."

Following on from that interview MTV also interviewed the actor and asked specifically regarding any Dinobots would be involved within the movie.

When asked whether there would be any Dinobots on Transformers 4 the actor replied "None of your business. You don't want me to get replaced halfway through production for divulging secrets".

Mr. Wahlberg mentioned that the new installment feels unlike anything that has come before it, thanks in part to the character he has taken on. "It feels like a completely different movie, very fresh," he said. "Obviously, it's a really interesting dynamic, being a young, single dad having a teenage daughter, trying to succeed as an inventor, having very little means and also trying to provide for my family. Then all hell breaks loose."

Finally ComicBook.com are reporting that after Mark Wahlberg's children visited the set in Detroit, the actor asked Michael Bay if his kids could be in the movie. After a quick and impromptu audition, Michael Bay agreed.

With Auto Assembly 2013 rapidly approaching you'd think that the "AA Team" would have their hands full with this years event, but no they haven't, as they have announced that tickets for Auto Assembly 2014 are open right now!!  Check out the press release below:

Auto Assembly 2014 Ticket Bookings Are Open!
 
Despite us still working on this year's event, we’ve been inundated with emails and messages over the last few weeks here at Auto Assembly HQ about Auto Assembly 2014. Many of you are – for one reason or another – unable to join us at the convention this year and have been asking us not only what the date is for Auto Assembly 2014 but when tickets will be going on sale. At the same time, we’ve seen a lot of talk online about next year’s event and it’s clear to us that there are a lot of people planning on making their return to the event to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Transformers with us…
 
So bearing that in mind we’ve listened to all of you demanding that we make tickets available for next year’s convention sooner rather than later so we are proud to announce that bookings for Auto Assembly 2014 are open NOW! Auto Assembly 2014 will be taking place over the weekend of Friday 8th – Sunday 10th August 2014 and once again it will be held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel in Birmingham, England. While we can’t reveal too much about the convention yet, we can confirm that we have already signed a number of guests to appear already, many of whom will be revealed at Auto Assembly 2013.
 
However, we can tell you that we will be bringing no fewer than FOUR overseas guests to the UK next year. Who will they be? Well, you’ll have to wait until 10th August 2013 to find out more…
 
Once again we have arranged special room rates for our attendees at the Hilton which are £53 a night for single rooms and £64 a night for twin/double rooms inclusive of breakfast and details of these will be available very shortly. As with Auto Assembly 2013, we expect the convention block to sell out very quickly so we strongly recommend booking sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment if you want to stay on site!
 
To book your tickets, go to the Auto Assembly website now! We look forward to seeing all of our old friends again next year and plenty of new ones and hopefully many of you next weekend at Auto Assembly 2013!
 
If you haven't booked for this year, tickets are still available for this year from the website as well and this is set to be one of the best Transformers fan events of the year! So remember, pre-registrations close on Thursday 1st August 2013!
 
Auto Assembly 2013 is Europe's largest Transformers convention and is taking place over the weekend of 9th - 11th August 2013 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel. To book your tickets or find out more including details of all the dealers attending, all of our guests and a full schedule for the weekend, visit the website at www.autoassembly.org.uk
 
Hope to see you all in August!
 
The Auto Assembly Team
 
Web: www.autoassembly.org.uk / www.ct-alpha.com
Auto Assembly Europe: www.autoassemblyeurope.eu
Youtube: www.youtube.com/autoassembly
Twitter: www.twitter.com/auto_assembly
Forum: http://www.autoassembly.org.uk/forum
Email: contact@autoassembly.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0)7860 948296
 
Auto Assembly is sponsored by
 
TF Source - www.tfsource.com
Robot Kingdom - www.robotkingdom.com
Transformers @ The Moon - www.transformertoys.co.uk
Big Bad Toy Store - www.bbts.com
Benscollectables - www.youtube.com/Transformermegazord
Geek-station - www.geek-station.co.uk
Comic Toys - www.comictoys.nl

TakaraTomy have confirmed recent rumour of who leads their Fans Choice Masterpiece poll by posting the current top three standings onto their website.  Recently it was rumoured that Star Saber was beating God Ginrai (Powermaster Optimus Prime) only that is not exactly true as the current standings are:

1　スターセイバー (Star Saber)
2　コンボイ（超ロボット生命体 トランスフォーマー マイクロン伝説） (Convoy - Micron Legends (Armada))
3　ダイアトラス (Dai Atlas)

The popularity of the 2nd choice is probably going to be the most suprising around with Western fans, however the start of the "Unicron Trilogy" is the series that a lot of people grew up with.

The poll continues ...

The amiami facebook page have posted an image from the Summer Wonder Festival (WonderFest) which is taking place at the moment in Tokyo, which show what appears to be a licensed non-transforming super-sized Scorponok garage kit which, when made up, is in scale with Generation One Fortress Maximus.

It is our believe that this kit is part of the "Wonderfest" license granted by manufacturers to garage kit owner to produce and sell their products at the show as an official license. It is unlikely thay this figure will be released outside of the show and, as such, is likely to fetch an extremely high price on the secondary market.

TFW2005.com have posted a nice summary of the figures which were shown off during the 3rd Party Panel at this years TFCon.  Some of the stand out figures were the Voyager sized G1 Skyfire but a yet unnamed 3rd party company, Make Toys showing off their Computron figure, Make Toys Swerve with drinks tray and additional damaged faced head and Fans Project revealing their Quickswitch figure.

EchoTF
- will be making Fall of Cybertron Bruticus Kits

Unnamed Company
- making Voyager size Skyfire

Mayhem Mechanix
- "Robo Dominion Saga Unrustable Bastards" Non-TF based with a rider.
- Bike turns into robot and rider in chest piece.
- Fiction has robot cycle gangs roving wastelands.
- Mayhem Mechanics, one of the of the mastermind Creations designers. Same who designed Hexatron and most of Feral Rex.
- Will be a kickstarter project.

Ori Toy
- Acid Rain toys. Stronghold out now. More soon. Converting mechs that fit 3-3/4" figures

Fanstoys
- Nothing new shown.

Keith's Fantasy Club.
- VOLTRON redeco of Ironpaw
- doing Raindance, Grandslam, Overkill and Slugfest.
- Overkill and Slugfest will have Dinobots color redecoes
- Showing Perceptor and Magnificus
- Doing a Skybyte called "Haiku"! and doing a Captain Shark deco as well!

X-Transbots
- Huffer and Pipes being shown
- Huffer comes up to MP-10 Optimus' waist

Renderform
- Nothing new to show

BTS
- Doing a Blaster that turns into a walkie talkie
- Senator Ratbat head design also shown for that same mold
- Triple changing Energon cubes - cube, bug, weapon
- Some will be on display here
- will be "Low Cost"
- Nova Lord box art shown, has a base mode
- Prototypes of Nova Lord's head sculpts will be on display. Possibly also his powermaster partners
- BTS was working on a Fortress Maximus, project cancelled when Encore was announced

Mastermind Creations
- Peaugh has full color test shots of Fortis and Bovis here (Jarodimus has handled them, they're outstanding)
- Will be on display
- Peaugh did a live 5-foot drop test of Bovis. Zero Damage.
- Talon pushed back to November for design changes and new features. He is a sniper -- has 2 helmets, rifle, wings act as cloak
- 6th Feral Rex bot is saber tooth tiger remold of Tigris, deco like Catilla, name is Felisaber (G1 Colors) Mostly yellow, some red
- Showing femme bots
- MMC doing a very G1-ish Perceptor. Will have toy and cartoon face. 3 modes, super articulated
- Prototype looks very good

Headrobots
- Iguana is next - finally!
- Doing an Apeface head

Perfect Effect
- IDW Fort Max - seen at Botcon

Maketoys
- Doing Scourge version of Battle Tanker -- no suprise. New head
- IDW Swerve WITH A TRAY OF DRINKS
- COMPUTRON all five shown in bot mode
- concept shown for combined mode

FANSPROJECT
- No news on release date for Steelcore trailer -- still happening
- Showing combined Intimidator (Menasor)
- Roadbuster! Very nice, a half track
- 4th and 5th Glacial bots being shown
- Wooly Rhino and deer
- Announced a Quickswitch/Sixknight

We have mirrored the slides which were shown as well as some images of the 3rd party figures within the dealer room attached to this news story.

Our thanks go out to Mr Neurie for letting us know that you can pick up a limited edition Nanoblock Optimus Prime at Hyper Japan which is taking place in London today, and this weekend.  We'll be in attendance ourselves tomorrow, so if you see it, say hello.