Xbox 360 making cameo in Transformers movie?
by Christopher Grant 
{ Jun 13th 2006 at 11:27AM }
Before we get to this, let's agree to hold off on all Xbox 360 power supply Energon cube jokes, just for a little while, kay? Alright, here goes. Gamespot points us to entertainment website The Movie Reporter, who claim to have gotten their popcorn-greased mitts on the script for Michael Bay's upcoming, slow-mo explosion fest remake of Transformers. So we know it's got explosions, we know it's got slow-mo, what else does it have? The Movie Reporter's Robert Sanchez writes, "I almost forgot to mention one of the most stupid scenes in the script ... For reasons that I won't get into, we see an iPod, Xbox 360, and plasma screens sprout legs and transform just a bit."
Hmmm, well, yeah. Just a bit? Like the 360 transforms into a 360-with-legs? If there's a PS3 in this movie, we can expect a whole new metric for measuring the console wars, and just going on the two console's colors, we're guessing the 360 is an Autobot. Just sayin'!
Commence Energon cube jokes ... now!
See also:
Transformers web site launched
Activision grabs Transformers movie license
[Via Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pedro @ Jun 13th 2006 11:34AM
"Just a bit" as in how much transformation the PS3 would require to turn into a giant stomping refrigerator with Blu Rays of death.
JodyAnthony @ Jun 13th 2006 11:43AM
maybe if the ps3 were in the movie it could transform into an affordable machine, amirite?
OR
maybe the xbox 360 will transform into something besides a PC clone, amirite?
apoc06 @ Jun 13th 2006 11:43AM
Product placement has fallen to a new low.
AirsoftSnake @ Jun 13th 2006 11:45AM
Will they have the Ps3 transforming into a 360 or vice versa??? Or (sorry but I have to) someone's Wee err Wii transforming?
I hope the movie is good, and doesn't suck like the latest versions of the comics do...
32_Footsteps @ Jun 13th 2006 11:47AM
I dunno... Starscream was mostly white, and he was as far from being an Autobot as they come. So let's not be putting red logos on the 360 just yet.
Still, nobody should be surprised by stupid moves like that. We are talking about a Michael Bay movie, after all. If you're asking for something with a modicum of intelligent thought from him, you're asking for too much.
Ryan @ Jun 13th 2006 11:49AM
well technically, none of the consoles could be an autobot... they aren't automobiles... Jeez.
Jcarpio @ Jun 13th 2006 11:50AM
For better or worse, product placement will be in movies. We're just going to have to accept that as well as in videogames. Game and movie dev is an expensive, got to get the money from somewhere.
Exick @ Jun 13th 2006 11:54AM
Michael Bay is going to ruin my childhood, isn't he?
Ian @ Jun 13th 2006 11:56AM
Maybe if the Transformers had 360 power supplies instead of Energon Cubes they could have got back to Cybertron faster.
rjj130 @ Jun 13th 2006 12:03PM
@5 - Forgive my childlike nerdiness, but Starscream was a Decepticon...
I'm anxious for this film... hopefully it doesn't bomb.
Derbeste @ Jun 13th 2006 12:03PM
It seems the only thing these guys CAN'T transform is this movie.....into something good.
Oh....and the Xbox 360 is like a really huge energon cube.............with legs.
Bloo @ Jun 13th 2006 12:05PM
"maybe if the ps3 were in the movie it could transform into an affordable machine, amirite? OR maybe the xbox 360 will transform into something besides a PC clone, amirite?"
It's funny. The haters insult the Xbox 360 by calling it what Sony wants there machine to be known as. No, you're not right. It's so nice to own ALL the consoles...
1up_clock @ Jun 13th 2006 12:08PM
YECH.
I'm surprised Unicron hasn't devoured this planet already.
But, then again, this is the internet, and lieing whilst sounding believable on the web is easier than taking a dump.
KR @ Jun 13th 2006 12:09PM
Sweet, Prime likes Table Tennis.
that guy @ Jun 13th 2006 12:09PM
Ryan - not all Autobots were vehicles. Look at the Dinobots or the Aerialbots. Oh, my geekdom even makes me cringe sometimes.
Oh yeah - this would be ultra-lame but not completely surprising. Have you seen what the Autobots are apparently going to be? Bumblebee, for instance, isn't going to be a Beetle apparently - he's going to be a new Chevrolet Camaro. I shit you not. I'll try to dig up links to the pics if people here are interested. There's a Ford Mustang police car apparently, a Subaru WRX ... yeah. I hope fans really aren't getting their hopes up that this movie is going to stay true to the story's origins. I'm just hoping for lots of explosions and things exploding. With Michael Bay directing, I'm certain I won't be disappointed.
Mitsuo Yuikihiro @ Jun 13th 2006 12:14PM
The 360 could have been a Minicon since they are small enough and don't have to be cars.
martin @ Jun 13th 2006 12:15PM
Maybe it isn't really an XBOX360 appearing in the movie, but that Michael Bay has decided to fuel his explosions for the movie with the power brick of a 360?
Rootbeer @ Jun 13th 2006 12:17PM
Well, obviously Soundwave isn't going to transform into a 1983-vintage cassette walkman anymore... perhaps his new incarnation will feature a scroll wheel and an Apple logo?
rebbornn @ Jun 13th 2006 12:19PM
iPod vs Xbox 360. That got to be sweet. iPod Nano, iPod, Mini, all generations vs 360. Can't wait!!
jaemz @ Jun 13th 2006 12:19PM
I can handle the product placements, changing bumblebee into the new concept camero... everything but Megatron turning into the proposed 'alien fighter / ufo / jet' thingie.
Megatron was a gun... end of story.
BTW, the 'mulletron' graphic rocked.
1up_clock @ Jun 13th 2006 12:24PM
"That was in a old draft of the script. Soundbyte can make his alt form into anything and he spies on people by becoming a 360 yes. But this changed and now he's closer to the G1 Soundwave.
Straight from Don Murphy, the producer's board."
*sigh of relief, but not too much relief, as this is coming from a GameSpot commentator, so then hopes like Heck this statement is true
JodyAnthony @ Jun 13th 2006 12:25PM
"It's funny. The haters insult the Xbox 360 by calling it what Sony wants there machine to be known as. No, you're not right. It's so nice to own ALL the consoles..."
Well, I'll tell you one thing I am right about, you need to learn to lighten up and relize when someone is obviously joking.
wanderer @ Jun 13th 2006 12:33PM
"Product placement has fallen to a new low."
- apoc06
Would we expect anything less from a Transformers movie?
1up_clock @ Jun 13th 2006 12:37PM
Y'know, I've been digging through the comments at GameSpot, and I've noticed a trend.
Apparantly, people think the fact that Bumblebee is a Camaro is directly Hollywood's fault.
FIRST OFF, This is the first I've ever heard of people caring about Bumblebee. Seriously, this is news to me. I mean, was he really worth anything?
SECOND, Volkswagen would be to blame for this, as they have the right to accept or decline allowing their automobile to be represented by the lamest Transformer. Apparantly, they've declined.
32_Footsteps @ Jun 13th 2006 12:40PM
@#9 - You should ask that I forgive your poor reading of the comment.
Joystiq said that the 360 would be an Autobot, because it's white. I said that Starscream was the complete opposite of an Autobot but was also white, so we shouldn't immediately say what side would get the 360.
As for Megatron's form... in looking at it seriously, isn't transforming into a handgun and hoping one of your lieutenants picks you up to use (instead of just using his built-in guns) pretty freaking stupid? Especially when you consider that Megatron's arm cannon was just as powerful as his gun form. You could argue that most transformers got something out of their non-robot forms (extra speed, better protection of vulnerable areas, some abilities more effective, etc.), but Megatron got absolutely nothing out of turning into a gun.
Maybe a tank or a spaceship isn't the Megatron I grew up with... but a tank or a spaceship makes a hell of a lot more sense.
Ectarth @ Jun 13th 2006 12:41PM
Ups, I smell hour and a half of publicity. Every company with enough budget will be able to see his products converted into transformers.
"Oh, look, that Ipod fighting the Decepticons"
"Oh, look that Camaro flying to rescue some lives"
"Oh, look those Pringles converting..."
Sounds scary to me...
Grindstone @ Jun 13th 2006 12:44PM
Well, Xmen 3 had an Xbox 360 in it so I am not too concerned with the 360 being in the film.
And besides, these are Transformers, so obviously the auto industry will have a strong pressence in the film. Nevertheless, I am not holding my breath for this new installation of the Transformers. Will Optimus Prime die all over again? A boy can only cry so much in a lifetime...
jaemz @ Jun 13th 2006 12:45PM
Back in the day, I would have agreed with you footsteps, but this is almost 20 years after the fact... Megatron is Megatron.
Why not just introduce another character and call him Gigatron, or Terratron? Then you have artistic freedom to make him turn into anything.
Imagine a Peanuts move where Snoopy was a parrot... sometimes childhood memories are hard to get around.
jaemz @ Jun 13th 2006 12:49PM
Back in the day, I would have agreed with you footsteps, but this isalmost 20 years after the fact... Megatron is Megatron.
Whynot just introduce another character and call him Gigatron, orTerratron? Then you have artistic freedom to make him turn intoanything.
Imagine a Peanuts movie where Snoopy was a parrot... sometimes childhood memories are hard to get around.
32_Footsteps @ Jun 13th 2006 12:57PM
You see, jaemz, when I think about that kind of thing, I'm inevitably struck by how stupid I was as a kid. I mean, I liked He-Man. Have you ever tried looking back at that, which was literally created to be a commercial for a toy line? So badly written. So bad... and I was addicted when I was younger.
Part of me cringed at first when I saw some of the other incarnations of Transformers that had Megatron as a tank (to give an example). That wasn't the Megatron I grew up with! But then I thought about it, and I realized that I shouldn't be attached to obviously stupid things just because they were there when I was a kid. What's the point in being nostalgic for stupidity? There's plenty of fresh stupidity (*cough*six hundred dollar consoles*cough*) if that's what I'm looking for.
TMoney @ Jun 13th 2006 1:01PM
For anyone who cares, this is the reason Starscream looks like an autobot
Starscream was formerly a scientist and explorer, working with the Autobot Skyfire, during the Golden Age of Cybertron, shortly before the Autobot/Decepticon war erupted again. Following the disappearance of Skyfire when the two were exploring a prehistoric Earth, Starscream returned to Cybertron and soon abandoned his scientific pursuits, becoming a warrior in Megatron's Decepticon army as the civil war exploded.
via wikipedia
jaemz @ Jun 13th 2006 1:06PM
I agree with what you are saying, but what level of intelligence are we really adding to the Transformers movie by having Megatron not be a gun. Maybe the makers of the movie can prove me wrong.
I guess Megatron's transformation isn't really such a big deal so long as they do a great job on Optimus Prime. Megatron could turn into a Gizmondo as long as Optimus looks sweet and kicks ass.
Hudson922 @ Jun 13th 2006 1:19PM
X-Men 3 actually had both an Xbox 360 and a PS2 in it.
Laxcat @ Jun 13th 2006 1:21PM
Overheard at a script marketing meeting during production:
SUIT #1
Alright we've got to load this movie full of product placement. My 4 year old wants another yacht.
SUIT #2
Yeah we only got about 40 products into "The Island." Lets see if we can up the ante a little.
SUIT #3
So who's our audience for these "Transperformers" anyway?
SUIT #4
I think its "Transamaphoners."
SUIT #3
Whatever.
SUIT #5
Well, its giant robots. 14-25 year old males like giant robots don't they?
SUIT #6
Yeah! What else do 14-25 year old males like?
SUIT #7
All my son ever does is play Xbox. He was whining to me just last night about how he doesn't have one in the fourth floor bathroom. I guess Microsoft only sent eight when I got then all that free "news" coverage on MTV.
SUIT #8
Xbox it is then. We'll put one into every scene. Even if it’s just in the background.
SUIT #9
Now, onto music... what hippity hop and grungy rock and roll performers should we contact for the soundtrack?
SUIT #10
Shouldn't we talk about the script? We haven't even hired writers yet and shooting starts next week.
ALL
Haaha hah hah hahhahah!
~~
This is satirical, of course, but doesn't anyone else ever feel insulted that serveral conversations not unlike this one took place concerning this movie (and others like it)? Am I the only one that doesn't like to be repeatedly pigeon-holed and marketed to at every turn?
jaemz @ Jun 13th 2006 1:32PM
Laxcat, check out IMDB to back up my claim... Transformers (aka Super God Robot Force)was (like 32 footsteps said about HeMan) basically a 30 minute commercial for a toy company to sell toys.
Product placement was basically the staring point for this back in the early 1980s... you have a funny script tho.
http://www.imdb.com/find?s=all&q=transformers
Laxcat @ Jun 13th 2006 2:36PM
@34. Oh, I don't need IMDb to tell me the original Transformers was just a commercial to sell toys. I can tell you first hand, I was there. And man did it work! The Constructicons were some of my first purchases with my own hard earned money back at the tender age of eight or nine. Even then I think I had some notion of being advertised to.
And thus began my journey on the long road paved with jade.
I would have hoped, however, that this movie wouldn't be so transparent. Homages are great and all, but an homage to commercialism and underhanded marketing? The source material has alot more potential than that.
Bloo @ Jun 13th 2006 2:37PM
"Well, I'll tell you one thing I am right about, you need to learn to lighten up and relize when someone is obviously joking."
I realized you were joking. Now reread my post knowing that and see that it doesn't matter. Reading comprehension is your friend.
TC @ Jun 13th 2006 2:46PM
Actually, Decepticons tended to have a lot of purple in them. So I would have the GameCube as the bad guy. You could have all the different gameboys (color,SP, advance etc.) combining to form 'Gameboy Maximus', and the Xbox360 could be a 'PowerMaster' with the PSU being a robot in its own right (And the xbox360 bears an uncanny resemblence to 'Shockwave' with its one 'eye'). I would have the budget PS3 as 'Hot Rod' (Very average until you add all the extra bits to make 'Rodimus Prime' aka the 'full' PS3)
The Genesis could be combined with MegaCD and 32x robots to make 'WonderMegatron' - A big robot city.
Ahh the memories............
Charlie_Six @ Jun 13th 2006 3:17PM
I thought this was pretty lame at first, but if you think about it, Transformers were all about selling transforming toys anyway. And the Xbox360 is one of the top toys of the times. One of my fav Transformers toys was the radio that transformed into a robot. It was a fully functional radio that could also double as a robot. Pretty sweet.
I think Microsoft should team up with Hasbro and make an actual transforming Xbox360 toy. Don't see why not. Course I wouldn't mind a Transforming cup either... transformer beer mug... ymm transformers and beer..
Markster @ Jun 13th 2006 3:23PM
The original Transformers was designed to sell $20 toys to 12 year olds.
20 years later, the new Transformers movie is designed to sell $600-$60,000 toys to 32 year olds.
Rootbeer @ Jun 13th 2006 3:31PM
"This is the first I've ever heard of people caring about Bumblebee. Seriously, this is news to me. I mean, was he really worth anything?"
His toy was the only Series 1 Autobot that was still in the product line by the post-movie Series 3. Even Optimus Prime had been phased out by then. So yeah, Bumblebee was a best-seller. Plus, just about every episode of the cartoon involved Spike and Bumblebee stumbling upon some Decepticon scheme and running off to tell the rest of the 'Bots. Children were supposed to sympathize with his character. And be snitches.
"You could argue that most transformers got something out of their non-robot forms (extra speed, better protection of vulnerable areas, some abilities more effective, etc.), but Megatron got absolutely nothing out of turning into a gun."
Is it unreasonable to suggest that in firearm mode, Megatron's firepower might be more concentrated than when he just uses his arm cannon in robot mode? Like in the movie -- one shot from Gun Megatron is enough to release Prowl's magic smoke...
JaSoN! @ Jun 13th 2006 5:59PM
yeah mr bays "the island" is riddled with dirty product placement. dont ewan and the natural beauty scarlett have some mad futuristic fight in a machine emblasoned with the original xbox logo? not very realistic if you ask me. but you probably wont.
V1L3 @ Jun 13th 2006 10:02PM
#24: "As for Megatron's form... in looking at it seriously, isn't transforming into a handgun and hoping one of your lieutenants picks you up to use (instead of just using his built-in guns) pretty freaking stupid? Especially when you consider that Megatron's arm cannon was just as powerful as his gun form. You could argue that most transformers got something out of their non-robot forms (extra speed, better protection of vulnerable areas, some abilities more effective, etc.), but Megatron got absolutely nothing out of turning into a gun."
Firstly, you're assuming that there's something "stupid" about the physical size of a robot altering during transformation. Given that you lack a Degree in Cybertronian physics, I don't think you could be considered an expert in this particular area, nor could any of us. Autobot/Decepticon technology is far removed for our own. For all we know, Transformers that increase/decrease in size (Megatron, Soundwave, etc) contain a physical compression field, which removes redundant molecules (oxygen, etc) to compress their physical forms into a denser material (which would have a portion of the size, but similar weight).
"Especially when you consider that Megatron's arm cannon was just as powerful as his gun form."
I don't recall seeing any scenes in the cartoon which demonstrated this. And it seemed that, whenever Megatron wanted to cause critical damage, he would purposely transform into his gun form (as you stated, when one of his lieutenants was nearby). It makes perfect sense to conclude that his gun form has superior assault capabilities (better aim, more powerful shots) as all his energy would be channeled for that express purpose, as opposed to having to power redundant systems - motion, balance, and even higher computing functions.
The best example I could give of this theory is the Transformers movie, after Megatron was recreated as Galvatron, and his alternate form became a laser cannon/turret. Rather than merely firing upon Starscream, he transformed into his cannon form and was able to unleash a charged-up blast which obliterated (and all but disintegrated) the upstart in one shot - a feat which has never occured in the Transformers mythos before or since.
One could argue that the power of this blast was due to the fact that Galvatron was newly created, and perhaps lost some of this power in later years, and that perhaps he only changed to his cannon form to "show off," but I'm of the belief that a Transformer's alternate form is always better suited to the task at hand. The same could be said for the jets (Starscream, Skywarp, etc) - that their alternate forms are useless, as they can fly in robot form. But even elementary science shows us that a jet would be far more aerodynamic and maneouverable.
But of course the crux of all this is that - IT'S A FREAKING CARTOON. Alien transforming robots you're fine with, but ones that change size are just "too much?"
This kind of logic is what caused Steven Spielberg to produce War of the Worlds, conveniently dispensing with the notion that the invaders were Martians, because no one would believe that they were from Mars, since we know it to be uninhabited. Yeah, because otherwise, we're TOTALLY fine with three-legged aliens coming down in lightning storms and taking over the planet with giant walking machines and death rays. That's so totally believable, I thought it was a documentary.
Artistic license - willing suspension of disbelief. Game designers, movie directors... these are worlds they've created, they can make up their own rules for it. As long as they make sure they stick to them after they do.
Star Trek VI - The Undiscovered Country
Scotty: "But a Bird of Prey cannot fire when she's cloaked!"
Spock: "This one can."
V1L3 @ Jun 13th 2006 10:12PM
Addendum: I think the main reason Megatron won't be made out to be a gun anymore is because they don't want to be seen as encouraging kids to play with guns.
He could, in future iterations, be some kind of cannon or laser gun, but not a "realistic" looking gun like he was back in the 80's.
On a side note, has any seen the comic/cartoon (I forget which) that's going to be set in the industrial revolution, and the Autobots are, like, steam engines, whilst Megatron is a period-style cannon and Starscream looks like an evil spiky version of the Wright Brother's plane?
The design sketches were brilliant.
Brian @ Jun 14th 2006 1:38AM
Why is Michael Bay still allowed to make movies? Did God not see The Island? ... wait, no one saw The Island, never mind.
Conn @ Jun 14th 2006 4:01AM
Brain, you suck. The Island was awesome.
V.I. @ Jun 14th 2006 5:45AM
This is what happend to the GoBots:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YvUh2gMt0g
Matt @ Jun 14th 2006 8:40AM
I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with this (hoping that a trailer release is soon, as the movie website seems to indicate).
I think they could pull off a pretty good movie. They've got a decent base for one. All they need now is a little energon... and a lot of luck.