io9: transformers: rise of the fallen

Is There An Autobot Traitor In The New Transformers Clip?

Meredith Woerner — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:47:28 PDT

A new clip from Michael Bay's Transformers sequel is making us worried for traitors in our robot midst. Check out a new scene packed with robot crushing, smashing and of course a little Bay-style detonation.

This MTV Movie Award premiered clip has us asking a lot of questions.

Is that our favorite crying Camaro turning on Shia LaBeouf and the lovely Megan Fox, after they vacate the crumbling hut? Have the Decepticons learned the art of robot mind control? Or is it one of the more colorful baddies (a Constructicon?) which it very well could be, if that's a crane attached to his arm.... What do you think?

The Audition That Gave Us Megan Fox's Under-The-Hood Shot

Meredith Woerner — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:00:00 PDT

Believe it or not, Megan Fox didn't just show up in a ripped up tank top to the set of Michael Bay's Transformers, she actually had to audition. Wal-Mart released Fox's original audition tapes to the public as part of a big Transformers promotion. We took a peek and were blown away at how adorable she was. It's pretty hilarious to hear Shia LaBoeuf's oh-god-stammering lines read by someone else as well.

Some Notable Absences at Comic-Con

Graeme McMillan — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:23:53 PDT

With this year's San Diego Comic-Con just around the corner, now is normally the time that publishers, movie studios, comic creators and various other celebrities start making the kind of noises that get fans excited about what's to come. This year, however, things are starting out slightly differently with the news that Paramount Pictures and publisher Tokyopop won't be exhibiting at the show.

Tokyopop's absence is just one in a long line of worries for the publisher, which has just been forced to pull back significantly on its publishing program, either releasing titles online only or cancelling them outright (One of the casualties of this decision is Brandon Graham's awesome King City), as well as having to make large-scale layoffs to its staff.

(One of the unexpected effects of Tokyopop pulling out? No Wil Wheaton at the con.)

Paramount's involvement, however, is slightly more in question. Initially, the studio had explained its absence by pointing out that their next big geek movies (including Transformers: Rise of The Fallen, the Star Trek remake and M. Night Shyamalan's live action version of Avatar: The Last Airbender) weren't coming out until next year, and that "the timing was off this year." But when Variety's Anne Thompson broke this story, she was contacted by a studio spokesman:

Paramount spokesman Mike Vollman just called me to say: "We have a vibrant and exciting schedule of activities planned for Comic-Con." The studio will be unveiling a number of marketing materials on these pics.

So, while they may not have a booth as such, apparently you'll still get fliers for all their products. It may not be as fun as a lifesize Iron Man armor, but I guess that it's something...?

(Flickr image by Karl Monaghan)

Comic-Con Update: Paramount Goes Viral [Variety]