Hasbro will no longer finance movies based on its brands and plans to focus on gaming, and the crew weighs what that means for Transformers. Mark Maher’s photos of Age of the Primes Megatronus the Fallen win the panel over, while Rob sums up Prima as a toy of a trivia question. A Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime package variant, a clear Yolopark AMK Pro Optimus Prime and a Masterpiece Movie Brawl all point to Cybertron Con exclusives. In What We Got This Week, Chris finally adds Eject by way of Twincast, and Brian imports a Japanese fan book with a clear Bumblebee.
Elf on the Shelf Warmer
With about two weeks left before drop-off locations pack up, Brian urged listeners to buy a toy and drop it in a Toys for Tots box. He thanked Rob for a donation and pointed listeners to the Amazon wish list at tfradio.net/elf.
News
Hasbro Will No Longer Finance Movies Based on Its Brands
Hasbro will stop financing films based on its brands and focus more on its gaming business. One host suspects Hasbro co-invested in films to keep some control, recalling the original 2007 movie pitch Hasbro rejected. Chris expects Hasbro to keep licensing its brands but stop starting movie projects itself, which makes a Transformers One sequel unlikely without another studio. One host noted this has been building for years, from Brian Goldner’s movie push to Chris Cox’s focus on games. Don added that Hasbro has also talked about investing in AI. [Source: Bloomberg]
Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime Package Variant Surfaces
A Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime package variant popped up minutes before the show, possibly as a Cybertron Con exclusive. It appears to be the same figure in special packaging with a sticker sheet. The stickers add toy details like bicep stripes and yellow eyes, plus cel-shaded chest windows. One host wishes it had amber chest windows to match the original toy. [Source: TFW2005 Boards]
Mark Maher Shows Off Age of the Primes Megatronus the Fallen
Hasbro’s Mark Maher posted a photoshoot of Age of the Primes Megatronus the Fallen. One host called it the thing he is most excited for in next year’s line, since it captures the Dreamwave version of the Fallen. Some saw upscaled Siege Megatron engineering and wondered about a Studio Series 86 Megatron. Don said Sixo told him emphatically that this mold is not Studio Series 86 Megatron. [Source: Instagram]
Age of the Primes Prima Shown With and Without Its Head
New photos show Age of the Primes Prima in its intended colors without a head, plus a test shot with the head attached. The head resembles Prima’s brief appearance in Five Faces of Darkness. One host struggles to see the appeal of a demigod Prime who turns into a six-wheeled minivan. Rob summed it up: the Fallen is a figure of an extremely metal concept, while Prima is a toy of a trivia question. Another noted Prima has almost no fiction beyond a one-line blurb. [Source: TFW2005] [Source: TFW2005]
Age of the Primes Armada Red Alert Robot Mode Revealed
A headless test shot shows the robot mode of Age of the Primes Armada Red Alert for the first time. The crew agreed it still looks like Armada Red Alert, so mission accomplished. [Source: TFW2005]
Unix Square Combot Optimus Prime Shown in Color
Unix Square’s Combot Optimus Prime gets around licensing limits by not transforming. Instead, you take it apart and reassemble it into a truck. Brian compared it to Takara’s old transforming Optimus Prime pen, and another host noted this one costs $170 and doesn’t even write. [Source: TFW2005]
Yolopark AMK Pro Clear Optimus Prime Set as a Cybertron Con Exclusive
Yolopark’s AMK Pro clear Optimus Prime will be a Cybertron Con 2024 exclusive in December. With Diecast away, the crew joked about taunting Don with it instead. One host who distrusts clear plastic said a model kit like this worries him less, since it doesn’t have to transform. [Source: TFW2005]
Auldey Transformers Alpha Action Elite Wave 1 Revealed
Auldey’s Transformers Alpha Action Elite Wave 1 figures are non-transforming blind-box figures scaled to each other. That means the same box price could get you a large Optimus Prime or a tiny Kickback. The crew liked Starscream but not Arcee’s head or Kickback. Chase figures include a toy-inspired Optimus Prime and a clear Sunstorm. [Source: TFW2005] [Source: TFW2005]
Masterpiece Movie Brawl Rumored as a Cybertron Con Exclusive
A Discord tip pointed to a Cybertron Con exclusive Masterpiece Movie Brawl. Like the Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime variant, it looks like the existing toy in special packaging, with Cybertron Con 2024 printed on the side panel. [Source: TFW2005]
What We Got This Week
Chris
Chris found Twincast at Ross, so he finally has Eject, even if it is in clear plastic. He fully expects an opaque Eject to leak in a multi-pack within days.
Matt
Matt had nothing in Transformers this week.
Rob
Rob had nothing in Transformers this week.
Don
Don found the 2025 Transformers clip-art calendar at Dollar Tree, mostly featuring Transformers One art. At Ross, he grabbed Rise of the Beasts Cheetor for $20, since there was only one.
Brian
Brian imported the 2024 Japanese Transformers fan book, a deluxe activity book with toy photos and puzzles. It came with an exclusive Shining Thunder Bumblebee in clear plastic, which he may never open. He ended up liking the book more than the toy.