Cartoon Network and Hasbro are betting that next month’s Transformers movie will generate a new found interest in the popular 80s franchise. The two companies are co-producing a series called “Transformers Animated“, which will premiere next January on the CN. This marks the first time that Hasbro will partner with someone other than Takara to produce a version the show. Hasbro will also create a toy line based on the new show that will hit stores in March.
For the show’s first season, they will produce twenty-six thirty minute shows. The setting is Earth in the near future in Detroit, where the Transformers are thrust into a world populated by not only humans, but other robots as well. Insiders at the two companies have stated that the new animated series will differ from all other instances by throwing humor and new characters into the mix. Even weirder, the Autobots will fight evil humans more than the Decepticons. Yeah, I know, this is sounding a little sketchy already.
Who knows what type of direction this new series will take, but lets hope it’s more like Generation 1 Transformers and less like the BeastMasters version that followed. Sorry, let me calm down a bit and note that I actually am excited to see if they can produce a good remake of my beloved 80’s series. Let’s face it, Hollywood recycles so many ideas these days, it’s actually good to see them rehash something that’s worth rehashing. I mean, better this than “Weekend at Bernies 3 : The Party Never Stops.”
Anyway, here’s some promotional posters of the new show - courtesy of Comics2Film.com. Click to view a full size version.
who knows, maybe the story will be good.. that would make up for the animation
The movie rocked
Yeah, I agree with Tyrone. Beastmasters was ok, it was Armada that was terrible. I also don’t know about the artwork in those promotional pictures - looks like the G1 Transformers in a funhouse mirror. Also, have they named any voice actors for this show? I guess nothing will be as good as G1 Transformers………
Noice!
I am already skeptical about the movie so this animated series may be doomed. Looking at Michael Bay’s track record on IMDB, you can see that his movies are mostly just fluff and aesthetics. His movies had potential but always seemed to fall short. The few movies people can really pick out as his work are pretty much rehashed ideas, formulaic regurgitations, better yet. Look at Armageddon and Pearl Harbor.. I’m sure everyone can name a few movies before them that were a lot like them. d’oh
That being said, I am still somewhat optimistic. Chances are that the movie may very well bring Transformers to the masses and create a new market but, for the hardcore fans, I’d keep my expectations low. Transformers fighting humans more than other robots… Hmmm… I dunno about that. Sure, it’s been done in the comics but this is a different medium. It may not carry over as well.
Now, regarding Beastmasters, I too was not a big fan at first but it grew onto me. Surely, we all would like to see less CG and more hand-drawn goodness but the storyline of Beastmasters was cool but it was neat how they explained the animal bodies, if you think about it. I think Cybertron and Armada left a lot more to desire than Beastmasters did, though I think I like Cybertron better than Armada and Beastmasters since it feels a little more like G1. Thing is, nostalgic spin is a hard thing to compete with so we’ll never find a replacement for G1 or anything close to it…
Anywho, time to Stumble this one. w00t!!! =oD
well, let’s hope that this and the movie bring back tf bck to the forefront
Well they do it in comic books. GI Joe vs the Transformers
this sounds cheesy. autobots fighting humans? wtf?
This sounds like crap. and btw beastmasters was actually all right. i thought it was crap at first because of the initial surprise of it not being G1, but on second glance it was actually decent.