If you created a new TF cartoon/comic/property...

TheMarkSewell · 05-12-2012, 05:43 PM

How would you cast the main Autobots and Decepticons (or Maximals and Predacons, or something else you made up, or whatever)? What characters would you use and how would you use them?

I was thinking about this in the shower the other day for some reason, and I was trying to come up with how to best streamline each faction into a set of core characters who all have distinctly separate roles. Here's mine:

Autobots:

Optimus Prime - I'd make Optimus much more of a political leader than a warrior. I think it could make him a more interesting character. He'd be the guy with the big ideas and the mediator, but neither the guy who you'd go to for your battle plan nor the first guy you'd want to back you up in a fight.

Ironhide - Ironhide, on the other hand, would be ostensibly the military commander of the Autobots. This would be a smarter Ironhide than how he has sometimes been depicted, but still far from some sort of "intellectual". Ironhide has been around the block a few times, so he knows his shit, but he doesn't want to sit around and talk about it when he could be out blowing things up. His strategies would be crude, but highly efficient for it.

Bumblebee - Bumblebee feels to me like he has to be there, but usually he doesn't have a very well-defined purpose. By leaving out characters like Blurr and Mirage, I'd make it reasonable that Bumblebee would actually serve the role of a scout or a small-time spy. He'd be the smallest and fastest of the team. I'd also conflate him with Hot Rod a little by making him "the rookie".

Arcee - Arcee would be the most skilled fighter on the team, which gives her a purpose beyond being the girl because there's supposed to be a girl. She's highly valuable on the battlefield, but she's hotheaded and a little out-of-control. This is kind of a combination of her characterization in Prime and stealing a little bit of what might usually be Bumblebee's thing.

Grimlock - Grimlock would be just the character you'd expect him to be, and he'd be the main muscle on the Autobot side of things.

Ratchet - Ratchet is the medic, of course, and he's damn good at it, but sometimes it's hard to tell that he actually takes his job seriously. Extrapolating from Ratchet's sort of irreverent personality in G1, I'd make him more of a dick until he was kind of Gregory House.

Wheeljack - Wheeljack would probably be less bumbling that his G1 self, but no less eccentric. He'd be sort of a mad scientist who will come up with a lot of ridiculous gadgets to help the team. I like the idea of the Decepticons having very sleek tech, and the Autobots instead having some slapdash stuff that Wheeljack threw together out of spare parts that is probably pretty unwieldy but can make really big explosions.

Prowl, Bluestreak, Smokescreen, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and Red Alert - Having the two sets of guys with the most reused altmodes made me think that they should be like the Seeker equivalent for the Autobots--the regular infantry guys to pad out the troops. They'd all have their own personalities but it'd be mostly just little glimpses here and there for fanservice purposes. They wouldn't be as fleshed out as the main cast.

The Protectobots- They'd be the only Autobot-ish combiner team, and rather than having individual personalities, they'd be a hivemind possessing Defensor's general personality. Rather than being an actual loyal Autobot, Defensor would be ostensibly neutral and simply be concerned with keeping peace and protecting defenseless lifeforms. He'd be a sort of zen acetic who would be hard to understand for most of the Autobots except maybe Optimus.

Decepticons:

Megatron - Megatron would be pretty much Prime/WFC Megatron. A revolutionary who rose up against injustice but has been corrupted by his newfound power (and was probably a little deranged and misguided in the first place). Unlike Optimus who is more of a political figure than anything, Megatron would also be the most powerful warrior of the Decepticons, who have more of a "might makes right" attitude than the Autobots. I think that Megatron would always kick Optimus' ass in a one-on-one fight is probably a good dynamic.

Starscream - Starscream would be pretty standard Starscream. He's the commander of all of the generic troops, and kind of Megatron's whipping boy, but his treachery and intelligence combined with the fact that much of the Decepticon forces answer directly to him rather than to Megatron might turn out to be a problem when he gets sick of putting up with all of Megatron's shit...

Shockwave - Shockwave is the main muscle for the Decepticons, and his cold rationality serves as a counterpoint for Grimlock, his Autobot equivalent. He is certainly more loyal to Megatron than Starscream is, but his true master is his own intellect, and when Megatron's plans don't make sense, he just can't bring himself to carry them out, and this sometimes creates trouble within the Decepticon ranks--trouble that Starscream hopes to capitalize on.

Soundwave - The whole "communications officer" thing seems stupid to me, so I'd toss it out altogether. Soundwave would be Megatron's chief adviser. Megatron would blow you to pieces if you were to say so, but he does know he's not actually the smartest guy around. Soundwave would be Megatron's go-to guy for advice and intel, and also Megatron's spy within his own ranks, because Megatron can smell that something's up. Soundwave is smart, not tough--scarcely a fighter himself, he'd prefer to sit back and let the cassette bots do the work.

Swindle - Swindle is where the Decepticons get all their spiffy new tech. He'd be pretty much entirely his Animated self. There's no other Combaticons in this universe.

Bludgeon - Bludgeon is the most skilled warrior of the Decepticons. He is motivated primarily by his thirst for battle and has a sense of honor that most other decepticons lack. He sees much of himself in Arcee, who he sees as his only potential equal among the Autobots and hopes one day to duel to the death.

Tarantulas - A Decepticon "medic" and scientist, he is a socipath who more often than not creates horrifying abominations out of those he is tasked with repairing. Much like almost everyone else, he serves himself moreso than the Decepticon cause and is most concerned with seeing the destruction that his creations can cause.

The Seekers - The Seekers, pretty much like in G1, are the generic Decepticon troops commanded by Starscream. Like the group of Autobot cars I mentioned, the ones that are actually characters might get a little bit of fanwanky characterization here or there, but they won't have much real depth or development, and are there mostly to be cannon fodder.

The Constructicons - Once a group of high-ranking, intelligent Decepticons, they are now reduced to a goup of babbling, traumatized, soulless hunks of their former selves after Tarantulas' greatest experiment yet gave them the power to combine into the horrifying, raging beast that is Devastator, whose destructive capabilities are unmatched, but can scarcely be controlled even by Megatron.

daitarn red · 05-12-2012, 05:51 PM

autobots
rodimus prime
ultra magus
blaster
goldbug
trainbots

decepticons
galavtron
cyclous
soundwave
rumble
dinoforce

Jetbolt · 05-12-2012, 06:40 PM

Basic idea, the Decepticons won the war and taken over Earth. Optimus Prime falls in battle to Megatron and most high ranking Autobots died in battle or after it. The humans are made into slaves and forced to work harvest Energon. Megatron makes Soundwave the leader of Decepticon control Earth and leaves to aid Shockwave on Cybertron. Grimlock becomes the leader of the Autobots and fights back to liberate Earth.

Bots:
Grimlock (Non idiot)
Hound
Warpath
Silverbolt
Arcee (TFP like)
Red Alert (Fembot)

Cons:
Soundwave
Jetstorm
Lugnut
Blitzwing (Animated like)
Slipstream
Strika

Stardust262 · 05-12-2012, 06:49 PM

Autobots:

Main Cast:
Optimus Prime - Gary Chalk
Hot Shot - Roger Craig Smith
Red Alert - Kevin Conroy
Wheeljack - James Horan
Hound - David Kaye

Later Introductions:
Crosswise - Nolan North
Scattorshot - Chris Cox
Jazz - Phil LaMarr
Override - Sumalee Montano
Silverstreak - Neil Patrick Harris

Decepticons:

Main Cast:
Megatron - David Kaye
Starscream - Steve Blum
Soundwave - Frank Welker
Demolishor - Alvin Sanders
Tidal Wave - Nolan North
Cyclonus - Mark Hamill

Later Introductions:
Ransack - Will Friedle
Scourge - Christopher R. Sabat
Brimstone - Terry Klassen
Thundercracker - Blu Mankuma

Other:
Sideways - John DiMaggio
Nemesis Prime - Peter Cullen

rxlthunder · 05-12-2012, 07:20 PM

Hot Shot, Hot Rod and Bumblebee are a new generation of Autobots in a Young Justice Knock Off series adapted for Transformers.

Sideways77 · 05-12-2012, 09:12 PM

TV Show: Transformers: Broken alliances.

Plot: Optimus Prime and Megatron are dead, sacrficing themselves to stop Unicron from destroying a peaceful Cybertron. Unicron gone, a group of survivors decicde to desert thier dying planet, and most of it'd doomed population. They find themselves on Earth, where they discover Humans's oil can be turned into Energon, which they desperatly need. But the alliance is broken, as a group wants to suck the planet dry, as the others want to gather material peacefully. They name thier fractions Autobots, and Decepticons.

Characters/cast
Autobots
Rodimus Prime- Judd Nelson
Override- April Stewart
Hound- Fred Tatascoire
Trailbreaker- Corey Burton
Leadfoot- John DiMaggio
Steeljaw- generic dog noises by Frank Welker
Chromia- Mila Kunis

Decepticons
Straxus- Peter Cullen (Oh, yeah. I said it)
Shockwave- Corey Burton
Slipstream- Tara Strong
Sideways- John DiMaggio
Barricade- Keith David
Barrage- Fred Tatasciore
Grindor- Fred Tatascoire

I think I've done the best thus far...

Onslaught24 · 05-12-2012, 09:25 PM

Autobots:
Optimus
Ironhide
Dinobots
Ratchet
Wheeljack
Prowl
Drift
Warpath
EDIT:
Protectobots
Aerialbots

Decepticons:
Megatron
Starscream (mentioned but dead)
Skywarp
TC
Combaticons
Stunticons
Soundwave
Shockwave
Sixshot
Runamuck
Runabout
Barricade
Sideways
Straxus

UltraAlanMagnus · 05-12-2012, 09:35 PM

I call my Transformers Continuity "Beyond". I have yet to finish my Premise, but it takes place in Sherman, Illinois. It's Like the Movies, Prime, Aniamted & Among other series put together.

Main Characters/cast
Autobots:
Optimus Prime - Clancy Brown
Bumblebee - Steven Blum (Need someone who sounds like Dan Glizevan)
Ratchet - Kevin Michael Richardson
Jazz - John DiMaggio (His Rumored voice for Fall of Cybertron, also the 2nd time by the the always outrageous Aquaman & Futurama actor)
Bulkhead - Brad Garrett (Though Bulky is huge, Brad is also Huge. And the Second time by Hydro-Man)

Decepticons
Megatron - John DiMaggio
Starscream - John Kassir (Continuing Off Steven Blum's Legacy of Deadpool voicing Starscream)
Soundwave - Keith Szarabajka
*Laserbeak - John Kassir (Talks like his counterpart from DOTM)
Flatline - Matthew Frewer (The Leader)
*Kickback - Mark Hamill (Flatline's Obscure Lackey AKA Gargoyle)
Slipstream - Claudia Black (Speaking in a English accent like The Cheetah from Justice League: Doom)

Got Some more soon.

SPLIT LIP · 05-12-2012, 09:44 PM

I had an idea like this a while ago, which I actually did do something with, but to add here, these are the main characters I cooked up for just such an exercise:

For Autobots you have Optimus, a jaded, young smart-alec who spends more time lamenting his situation than attempting to better it. Nontheless incredibly strong-willed, hardy and skilled, sometimes.

Ironhide, Optimus' closest friend whom he pals around with. Far from complex, and not often held down by concerns. Built like a brick in more ways than one.

Road Rage, sweet as can be in robot mode, nasty, vindictive and foul-mouthed in vehicle mode. Care-free and inquisitive. Not above voicing her discomfort with, well, anything.

Jetfire, old and confused. Very confused. Former Decepticon before they sucked, to him. Mostly just along for the ride. His bouts of ranting and wandering mean he's as much a charge as an asset.

Botanica, who's a bit of a bookworm. Exotic and open-minded, she's her own person, but doesn't mind going with the flow until it goes the wrong way.

Decepticons include Megatron, who's misplaced upper-class sense belies a slight lack in the sanity stockpile. Laid-back, he knows his ultimate goal and would rather work around problems rather than solve them.

Obsidian, who's disatisfied nature has landed him in hot water. Probably the only true villain, his weak body nevertheless makes him just a follower, albeit an ambitious one.

Strika, the deffinaition of a perfect underling. Incredibly strong and loyal, she's not the sharpest knife, but is far from dimwitted. Self-appointed bodyguard, she'll happily go on any mission or smash anybody Megatron wants her to.

Shockwave, cold and robotic. His calculating nature is a result of an assasination attempt. He follows Megatron, but only because their goals are the same. He doesn't have the capacity to be treacherous... or loyal.

Starscream is just stupid. Or is he? Yes. Or not so much? But probably. Maybe? Sure. Question mark? Period.

Soundwave, the runt of the bunch. Loyal of course, but finds himself the only voice of reason among everyone everywhere. Or rather the stuttering, confused meeps of reason. Insecure, but hardly without reason. What he lacks in physical abilities he makes up for in competance alone.

Sinnertwin · 05-12-2012, 09:56 PM

Wow OP, can you make that a show? I love all of those ideas, like, a lot.

05-12-2012, 05:43 PM	#1
TheMarkSewell Honorary Wrecker Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 388 Location: Pittsburgh Collection Count: x→∞	If you created a new TF cartoon/comic/property... How would you cast the main Autobots and Decepticons (or Maximals and Predacons, or something else you made up, or whatever)? What characters would you use and how would you use them? I was thinking about this in the shower the other day for some reason, and I was trying to come up with how to best streamline each faction into a set of core characters who all have distinctly separate roles. Here's mine: Autobots: Optimus Prime - I'd make Optimus much more of a political leader than a warrior. I think it could make him a more interesting character. He'd be the guy with the big ideas and the mediator, but neither the guy who you'd go to for your battle plan nor the first guy you'd want to back you up in a fight. Ironhide - Ironhide, on the other hand, would be ostensibly the military commander of the Autobots. This would be a smarter Ironhide than how he has sometimes been depicted, but still far from some sort of "intellectual". Ironhide has been around the block a few times, so he knows his shit, but he doesn't want to sit around and talk about it when he could be out blowing things up. His strategies would be crude, but highly efficient for it. Bumblebee - Bumblebee feels to me like he has to be there, but usually he doesn't have a very well-defined purpose. By leaving out characters like Blurr and Mirage, I'd make it reasonable that Bumblebee would actually serve the role of a scout or a small-time spy. He'd be the smallest and fastest of the team. I'd also conflate him with Hot Rod a little by making him "the rookie". Arcee - Arcee would be the most skilled fighter on the team, which gives her a purpose beyond being the girl because there's supposed to be a girl. She's highly valuable on the battlefield, but she's hotheaded and a little out-of-control. This is kind of a combination of her characterization in Prime and stealing a little bit of what might usually be Bumblebee's thing. Grimlock - Grimlock would be just the character you'd expect him to be, and he'd be the main muscle on the Autobot side of things. Ratchet - Ratchet is the medic, of course, and he's damn good at it, but sometimes it's hard to tell that he actually takes his job seriously. Extrapolating from Ratchet's sort of irreverent personality in G1, I'd make him more of a dick until he was kind of Gregory House. Wheeljack - Wheeljack would probably be less bumbling that his G1 self, but no less eccentric. He'd be sort of a mad scientist who will come up with a lot of ridiculous gadgets to help the team. I like the idea of the Decepticons having very sleek tech, and the Autobots instead having some slapdash stuff that Wheeljack threw together out of spare parts that is probably pretty unwieldy but can make really big explosions. Prowl, Bluestreak, Smokescreen, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and Red Alert - Having the two sets of guys with the most reused altmodes made me think that they should be like the Seeker equivalent for the Autobots--the regular infantry guys to pad out the troops. They'd all have their own personalities but it'd be mostly just little glimpses here and there for fanservice purposes. They wouldn't be as fleshed out as the main cast. The Protectobots- They'd be the only Autobot-ish combiner team, and rather than having individual personalities, they'd be a hivemind possessing Defensor's general personality. Rather than being an actual loyal Autobot, Defensor would be ostensibly neutral and simply be concerned with keeping peace and protecting defenseless lifeforms. He'd be a sort of zen acetic who would be hard to understand for most of the Autobots except maybe Optimus. Decepticons: Megatron - Megatron would be pretty much Prime/WFC Megatron. A revolutionary who rose up against injustice but has been corrupted by his newfound power (and was probably a little deranged and misguided in the first place). Unlike Optimus who is more of a political figure than anything, Megatron would also be the most powerful warrior of the Decepticons, who have more of a "might makes right" attitude than the Autobots. I think that Megatron would always kick Optimus' ass in a one-on-one fight is probably a good dynamic. Starscream - Starscream would be pretty standard Starscream. He's the commander of all of the generic troops, and kind of Megatron's whipping boy, but his treachery and intelligence combined with the fact that much of the Decepticon forces answer directly to him rather than to Megatron might turn out to be a problem when he gets sick of putting up with all of Megatron's shit... Shockwave - Shockwave is the main muscle for the Decepticons, and his cold rationality serves as a counterpoint for Grimlock, his Autobot equivalent. He is certainly more loyal to Megatron than Starscream is, but his true master is his own intellect, and when Megatron's plans don't make sense, he just can't bring himself to carry them out, and this sometimes creates trouble within the Decepticon ranks--trouble that Starscream hopes to capitalize on. Soundwave - The whole "communications officer" thing seems stupid to me, so I'd toss it out altogether. Soundwave would be Megatron's chief adviser. Megatron would blow you to pieces if you were to say so, but he does know he's not actually the smartest guy around. Soundwave would be Megatron's go-to guy for advice and intel, and also Megatron's spy within his own ranks, because Megatron can smell that something's up. Soundwave is smart, not tough--scarcely a fighter himself, he'd prefer to sit back and let the cassette bots do the work. Swindle - Swindle is where the Decepticons get all their spiffy new tech. He'd be pretty much entirely his Animated self. There's no other Combaticons in this universe. Bludgeon - Bludgeon is the most skilled warrior of the Decepticons. He is motivated primarily by his thirst for battle and has a sense of honor that most other decepticons lack. He sees much of himself in Arcee, who he sees as his only potential equal among the Autobots and hopes one day to duel to the death. Tarantulas - A Decepticon "medic" and scientist, he is a socipath who more often than not creates horrifying abominations out of those he is tasked with repairing. Much like almost everyone else, he serves himself moreso than the Decepticon cause and is most concerned with seeing the destruction that his creations can cause. The Seekers - The Seekers, pretty much like in G1, are the generic Decepticon troops commanded by Starscream. Like the group of Autobot cars I mentioned, the ones that are actually characters might get a little bit of fanwanky characterization here or there, but they won't have much real depth or development, and are there mostly to be cannon fodder. The Constructicons - Once a group of high-ranking, intelligent Decepticons, they are now reduced to a goup of babbling, traumatized, soulless hunks of their former selves after Tarantulas' greatest experiment yet gave them the power to combine into the horrifying, raging beast that is Devastator, whose destructive capabilities are unmatched, but can scarcely be controlled even by Megatron.

05-12-2012, 05:51 PM	#2
daitarn red bionic hero Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,466 Location: somonauk ill Collection Count: 2 optimus prime toys and primus	autobots rodimus prime ultra magus blaster goldbug trainbots decepticons galavtron cyclous soundwave rumble dinoforce daitarn red

05-12-2012, 06:40 PM	#3
Jetbolt Maximal Air Commander Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 9,670 Location: Salisbury, NC Collection Count: 476, Largest faction: Maximals News Credits: 3	Basic idea, the Decepticons won the war and taken over Earth. Optimus Prime falls in battle to Megatron and most high ranking Autobots died in battle or after it. The humans are made into slaves and forced to work harvest Energon. Megatron makes Soundwave the leader of Decepticon control Earth and leaves to aid Shockwave on Cybertron. Grimlock becomes the leader of the Autobots and fights back to liberate Earth. Bots: Grimlock (Non idiot) Hound Warpath Silverbolt Arcee (TFP like) Red Alert (Fembot) Cons: Soundwave Jetstorm Lugnut Blitzwing (Animated like) Slipstream Strika Megatron: "What is this? A new Megatron with shark teeth doing seek and finds? How annoying, yesss." Optimus Primal: "Slag, I never even made speeches that boring on our show."

05-12-2012, 06:49 PM	#4
Stardust262 Insane Decepticlown Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 11,399 Location: Arkham Asylum News Credits: 4	Autobots: Main Cast: Optimus Prime - Gary Chalk Hot Shot - Roger Craig Smith Red Alert - Kevin Conroy Wheeljack - James Horan Hound - David Kaye Later Introductions: Crosswise - Nolan North Scattorshot - Chris Cox Jazz - Phil LaMarr Override - Sumalee Montano Silverstreak - Neil Patrick Harris Decepticons: Main Cast: Megatron - David Kaye Starscream - Steve Blum Soundwave - Frank Welker Demolishor - Alvin Sanders Tidal Wave - Nolan North Cyclonus - Mark Hamill Later Introductions: Ransack - Will Friedle Scourge - Christopher R. Sabat Brimstone - Terry Klassen Thundercracker - Blu Mankuma Other: Sideways - John DiMaggio Nemesis Prime - Peter Cullen Hot Shot For TF: Hall of Fame 2013

05-12-2012, 09:25 PM	#7
Onslaught24 BRUTICUS FOR HOF 2013 Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 7,626 Location: Body in Florida, heart and mind in Boston Collection Count: over 100. another five added now that Bruticus is here! News Credits: 22	Autobots: Optimus Ironhide Dinobots Ratchet Wheeljack Prowl Drift Warpath EDIT: Protectobots Aerialbots Decepticons: Megatron Starscream (mentioned but dead) Skywarp TC Combaticons Stunticons Soundwave Shockwave Sixshot Runamuck Runabout Barricade Sideways Straxus BRUTICUS FOR HOF! Vote for Bruticus!

05-12-2012, 07:20 PM	#5
rxlthunder Banned Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 7,614 News Credits: 5	Hot Shot, Hot Rod and Bumblebee are a new generation of Autobots in a Young Justice Knock Off series adapted for Transformers.

05-12-2012, 09:44 PM	#9
SPLIT LIP I'm an agile cat. Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 44,626 Location: The Lost Light Collection Count: Enough to cover a body. News Credits: 1	I had an idea like this a while ago, which I actually did do something with, but to add here, these are the main characters I cooked up for just such an exercise: For Autobots you have Optimus, a jaded, young smart-alec who spends more time lamenting his situation than attempting to better it. Nontheless incredibly strong-willed, hardy and skilled, sometimes. Ironhide, Optimus' closest friend whom he pals around with. Far from complex, and not often held down by concerns. Built like a brick in more ways than one. Road Rage, sweet as can be in robot mode, nasty, vindictive and foul-mouthed in vehicle mode. Care-free and inquisitive. Not above voicing her discomfort with, well, anything. Jetfire, old and confused. Very confused. Former Decepticon before they sucked, to him. Mostly just along for the ride. His bouts of ranting and wandering mean he's as much a charge as an asset. Botanica, who's a bit of a bookworm. Exotic and open-minded, she's her own person, but doesn't mind going with the flow until it goes the wrong way. Decepticons include Megatron, who's misplaced upper-class sense belies a slight lack in the sanity stockpile. Laid-back, he knows his ultimate goal and would rather work around problems rather than solve them. Obsidian, who's disatisfied nature has landed him in hot water. Probably the only true villain, his weak body nevertheless makes him just a follower, albeit an ambitious one. Strika, the deffinaition of a perfect underling. Incredibly strong and loyal, she's not the sharpest knife, but is far from dimwitted. Self-appointed bodyguard, she'll happily go on any mission or smash anybody Megatron wants her to. Shockwave, cold and robotic. His calculating nature is a result of an assasination attempt. He follows Megatron, but only because their goals are the same. He doesn't have the capacity to be treacherous... or loyal. Starscream is just stupid. Or is he? Yes. Or not so much? But probably. Maybe? Sure. Question mark? Period. Soundwave, the runt of the bunch. Loyal of course, but finds himself the only voice of reason among everyone everywhere. Or rather the stuttering, confused meeps of reason. Insecure, but hardly without reason. What he lacks in physical abilities he makes up for in competance alone. ''Brevity is the soul of wit.'' - Bill Shakesguy

05-12-2012, 09:56 PM	#10
Sinnertwin Banned Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 3,119 Location: I only live in obscure places for obscure people like myself Collection Count: Just a few. News Credits: 3	Wow OP, can you make that a show? I love all of those ideas, like, a lot.