Because they hadn't yet solidified the TFP aesthetic at the point this was designed, and this early design doesn't match the aesthetic they ended up going with.

Early in a design process, whether it's for a show, a movie, a video game, or whatever else, things get tossed around while hammering out what direction to go in. You can see early concept sketches for movies -- say Batman Begins or something -- that would not fit at all with the finished movie as released. Or early Street Fighter designs for characters that didn't make the cut for the first two games. And by the time that game's look got locked down, those unused designs no longer fit the look or the tone of the game as they decided to make it. Yes, those characters could be brought in for later installments, IF they got redesigned to fit alongside the new game they were making.

In the case of this Ironhide, the fact they didn't bother to tweak his design to match the established aesthetic suggests to me they don't plan to use the character on the show.

1. If they want to use him, he'll need to be tweaked to match the show aesthetic.

2. if they were going to tweak his design, why not do it before going to the great expense of producing an actual toy?


Sure, it could still happen anyway. Anything can happen. I'm just explaining why I think it is extremely unlikely.

 

I like it. I hope he turns up in the show.

 

As much as I love Bulk I sorta wish we got this instead.

 

All I'll say is that if the rumors of Bulk's demise prove to be true, we could be looking at an opportunity for Ironhide to appear on screen.

 

I have NO idea what you are talking about.

 

Neat looking design.

I don't want him in the show.

 

I have to say I really dig this.

 

BONER: ACHIEVED.

Really wish we could have him in the show.

These. I dig the combination of elements - little bit of movie, little bit of G1, little bit of its own thing. And if being red and having the simple "Roman helmet"-head look is what we get of G1, I'm completely okay with that.

+1

 

I would be a happy guy if HAS made this figure (NOT in the PRIME aesthetic) so that I can replace my Generations Ironhide.

 

For the love of...I'M NOT SAYING HE'S GONNA BE IN THE SHOW! I'm saying that this concept art IS TFP art even if the final design asthetic changed because it was done for what became TFP!

The original design for Arcee for the first TF movie is still a movie design. The asthetic did change from when those concepts were being done but it was STILL MOVIE ART.

*throws hands up in the air* I'm done. I'm clearly having a different discussion here.

 

Sometimes the toy works out better that way. Example: the first movie Arcee toy compared to the "Arcees" Bay & Co. came up with later. I purchased the first one. I wouldn't buy the others for a dollar each.

Edit: Just got to Rogzilla's reply. Great minds must think alike.  

 

great design, I"m sure he'd be a great addition to show! How bout we try to keep some of the characters in the show? I like vast amounts of character!

 

It's a great look for Ironhide (and hey, I really liked Ironhide's Movieverse design, so seeing elements of it with a more classic look is a real nice treat). Really makes me hope that he will appear on TF Prime at some point, even if the current word is that he won't.

So... he looks exactly who he should look like then?
WFC Ironhide and Prime Ironhide are technically speaking, the same character.

 

he looks like he could fit in a tf prime or chug display which is a good thing.

 

Paying homepage to the G1 Ironhide,cool

 

Seconded!

 

The head, certainly the face looks a little plain compared to what you're suggesting. I like how the head sits in relation to the shoulder and chest design however; to me it gives a sense of heft perhaps, but not Bulkhead's, well, bulk. Maybe the head might have had a more progressive design if Ironhide were designed from robot mode first, instead of altmode, but this style is in line with the composite approach, though the face is more faceted than the smooth TF: Prime animation models in the show.

 

If you guys really want Ironhide in the show, bug the hell out of Hasbro and the studio that is making Prime. We won't see him this season of course, but if enough fans are vocal about wanting him the show, they could work him into the third season.

 

Best Prime design by far. Excellent imagining of Ironhide. Perfect combination of G1 and movie.

 

I need a Voyager of that now.