I just heard this about the Transformers movie. (possible spoilers)

[KenM]

I was watching G4 and on "The Feed" they said that Bumblebee will be a Carmero instead of a VW bug and Optimus Prime a Fire engine. WTF? Why change them?

 

[Ranger REG]

I was watching G4 and on "The Feed" they said that Bumblebee will be a Carmero instead of a VW bug and Optimus Prime a Fire engine. WTF? Why change them?

Rumor has it that Volkswagen is clamping down any use of their brand and wares that have any association to war, military, and the likes, be it fictional books or films. It has something to do with trying to distance themselves from their past association with the Nazis (they or the company's founder supplied the vehicles).

Personally, I would have gone with the Mini Cooper. Not your gramp's Rabbit.

 

[Klaus]

The VW Beetle was a design originally requested by Hitler as an affordable car for the masses (Volkswagen = "People's Car").

That being said, it's weird that Disney can do Herbie and Dreamworks can't do Bumblebee... Maybe that's precisely the reason.

I'd have used the New Beetle for Bumblebee, anyway.

 

[Ranger REG]

That being said, it's weird that Disney can do Herbie

Are we talking about Herbie the Love Bug, or Hector the Warrior Bug?



Last I checked them Herbie films, it always centered around racing ... and sex. (Who wouldn't want to do Lindsey Lohan in the backseat?)

 

[trancejeremy]

But a Camaro - they've the most evil cars ever made. Boo!

 

[JEL]

A Camero? Will he have a metal mullet?

 

[Aaron L]

Still doesnt explain Prime being a firetruck. WTF? Is he going to have a big ladder hanging off his back, too?


Optimus Prime being a big rig is as iconic an image of Transformers as I can think of. Changing that is just... dumb. There is absolutely no reason for it other than to make changes.

 

[Roudi]

Not as dumb when you consider one of the recent anime-ish incarnations of the Transformers cartoon also featured Prime as a fire truck. I think. However, this being unconfirmed rumour, I wouldn't put too much stock in this. Every somewhat official report on this project that I've seen indicates that the movie aims to stick close to original-generation Transformers. Besides, you're talking about the same television network that gives those two idiots on Electronic Playground airtime. I wouldn't believe them if they told me the sky was blue.

 

[Klaus]

Still doesnt explain Prime being a firetruck. WTF? Is he going to have a big ladder hanging off his back, too?


Optimus Prime being a big rig is as iconic an image of Transformers as I can think of. Changing that is just... dumb. There is absolutely no reason for it other than to make changes.

I agree that Optimus should be a big rig, but he *has* been a firetruck before:

http://www.tfracetrack.com/packaging/rid_optimus2.jpg

Not that I like it or anything...

 

[Aaron L]

I consider all post G1 Transformers to be hideous aberrations best forgotten, though

Peter Cullen is the ONLY Prime.