How Will Transformers Change on Screen?
Fans might not be happy with all of the "reimagining" that's reportedly on tap.
AskMen.com says the Transformers movie will make several changes to the original characters as they appeared in the classic cartoons.
So far, the changes include:
- Soundwave [G1 - Cassette Desk] who played the role of spy with his cassette Transformers will now inexplicably become a helicopter?!?!?
- Ratchet [G1 - Ambulance] the repairman and essentially "doctor" to injured Transformers will now become a firetruck?!?!?
- Jazz [G1 - Martini Porche 935] will become some other generic sportscar - presumably because Porsche won't allow licencing of Jazz's original form.
- Arcee [G1 - Cybertronian Car] will become a motorcycle (which she does in, surprise, the crappy 2004 "Transformers: Energon" remake!)
"Thankfully it's not all bad," fan site Cinema Blend says. "Producers are at least fighting to secure some agreements with certain car brands to allow some characters to retain their original form, for example Bumblebee is to remain a Volkswagen.
"But it's sounding like the movie is starting to bend to pressure from somewhere to conform to a modern Transformers audience instead of the nostalgia audience which would make up their core repeat-viewing audience. They need to realize that this is a potential FAMILY movie, not just a kids movie. Make a movie for all those guys who grew up with Transformers, many of whom now have their own kids that they can take to see the movie together, not a movie to substitute as a creche for soccer moms who need to dump their kids while they go to the salon," the site says.