Toy Fair 2019: Transformers on TV

SPOILERS FOR TRANSFORMERS CYBERVERSE!

In conjunction with Toy Fair 2019, Hasbro made two announcements regarding Transformers on your TV (or phone or tablet or computer or whatever will be used next year).

First, “Transformers Cyberverse” has been given a second season, debuting Fall 2019. A trailer was posted on YouTube, and in addition to the cast we saw in Season 1, we saw some very interesting new characters….

Lugnut! Lockdown!

…CHEETOR???

Whoa. Looks like I need to get caught up on this show so I know what’s going on come Fall!

Here’s the details on the new season:

  • Season 2, titled CYBERVERSE: POWER OF THE SPARK, is set to release fall 2019 with Cartoon Network USA.
  • In CYBERVERSE: POWER OF THE SPARK, the AUTOBOTS are closer than ever to finding the ALLSPARK, but completing their quest will be tougher than they could have imagined. They’ll face new enemies and be challenged by Earth’s roughest terrain, and along the way they’ll discover that, when near the ALLSPARK, they are imbued with incredible new powers.
  • Using one of these mysterious new abilities, the AUTOBOTS will convert Earth vehicles into Spark Armor: the battle-ready gear they need to defeat the DECEPTICONS and continue their mission. They’ll convert boats into mech suits to battle Sharkticons in the water. They’ll change planes into jetpacks to take on the Seeker Squadron in the sky. Any Earth vehicle is a chance to instantly level the playing field, turn the tables, and win the day. With the power of the spark in their circuits, the AUTOBOTS will complete their mission on Earth and begin the perilous journey back home, where that same power holds the key to returning life to their planet.

Secondly, Hasbro announced that w new animated show will be coming to Netflix in 2020.

“Transformers War for Cybertron” will feature tales of Cybertron before the departure, an original story, brought to life by Rooster Teeth and Polygon Studios.

To me this sounds like it’s the replacement for the various Machinama shows that have since been taken down. Hopefully Netflix means a bigger budget. The writing team looks good, though. George Krstic from Megas XLR!

I was going to drop Netflix after they cancel Punisher and Jessica Jones (you know it’s gonna happen), but looks like I’ll have reason not to. Looking forward to it!

The full Netflix press release is below.

*****

ALL-NEW TRANSFORMERS UNIVERSE ORIGIN STORY ISCOMING TO NETFLIX IN 2020

 

— RAISES THE STAKES OF THE AUTOBOT & DECEPTICON WAR —

 

  • Netflix and Hasbro have partnered with Rooster Teeth to bring War For Cybertron to Netflix members around the world in an all-new original series to launch in 2020 – complete with a new animation look and style that presents the Transformers like you’ve never seen them before.
  • Rooster Teeth (RWBY, gen:LOCK) will produce the original series for Netflix and Polygon Pictures (Godzilla, Knights of Sidonia) will serve as the animation studio. Transformers veteranFJ DeSanto (Transformers: Titans Return, Transformers: Power of the Primes) will serve as showrunner on the series with several contributing writers, including George Krstic(Megas XLR), Gavin Hignight (Transformers: Cyberverse), and Brandon Easton (Agent Carter, Transformers: Rescue Bots).
  • “In this Transformers origin story, we will explore the expansive universe of Cybertron in a way that audiences have never seen before – to the delight of both existing fans and those coming to the franchise for the first time,” said John Derderian, Director of Anime for Netflix. “The Transformers brand is a global phenomenon and we are thrilled to partner with Hasbro, Rooster Teeth and Polygon to bring this exciting new series to our members around the world on Netflix.”
  • “We’re thrilled to work with Rooster Teeth’s new premium studio division to bring an all-new Transformers fan-oriented series to Netflix,” said Tom Warner, Senior Vice President for the Transformers franchise for Hasbro. “Transformers has a rich history of great storytelling and War for Cybertron is an exciting new chapter in the Transformers Universe.”