Each Transformers sequel has had a new spectacle to draw more people into theatres. For RotF it was Devastator (and in some regards Demolisher, seeing as how he was a big money shot in the trailers). For DotM we had the Driller and the fact that it was the supposed conclusion of the first trilogy. In AoE we had the Dinobots and a new cast to sell the movie as a “semi-reboot”. When considering what audiences have already seen before and what they have grown tired of the production crew must consider what concepts that fans and moviegoers would like to experience in the next installment. In the years we don’t have a live action movie we have gotten a television show to hold us over. After TF07 we had Transformers:Animated, after RotF we had Transformers Prime, after Dotm we had Transformers Prime:Beast Hunters, and after AoE we had (and still have) RID2015. With each new series Hasbro has tested how certain elements would sell with each of the following films: TFA’s toyline involved a greater cast of Autobots and Decepticons (like the RotF toyline), Transformers Prime’s 2012 RID toyline involved Powerizers (similar to Mechtech from DotM, which came out in 2011), and Beast Hunters had the inclusion of Beasts and redesigns of show characters (similar to how AoE’s toyline had redesigned robots from the previous trilogy and featured the Dinobots). The Combiner Wars line even features smaller figures, like Blackjack and Groove, that can be connected to the Combiner to complete the look of the figure. RID2015 has focused heavily on the concept of Mini-Con partners that assist the larger bots, leading me to believe that the focus of The Last Knight’s toyline will be to incorporate smaller companions onto the larger bots. The return of Lennox and as of today Epps could mean that we could be seeing the return of the Human Alliance line, which is loved by several fans. Drift, who has two Mini-Cons in RID2015 in the form of Jetstorm and Slipstream, was featured in AoE and had the some of the most toys in the line alongside Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Grimlock (Drift had 8 non-exclusive figures while OP had 8 non-exclusive figures, Bee had 10 figures and Grimlock had 7 figures). The Joblo plot details seemed to confirm the return of Drift, which may mean that Hasbro is pushing for his character to become more mainstream. If that is so I can expect them to partner him up with his two students from RID for the next toyline since many of the kids who watch the show would identify them and want their new toys to go along with their RID collection. We never got a figure of Brains and the RotF Wheelie figure could be improved upon (although I find it to be a unique design). This next toyline could give us two new figures of the two of them. With the official announcement of Sqweeks, a somewhat confirmation of Wheelie, the leaked plot details that include “mini Dinobots”, and the possibility of Brains returning, it looks as though The Last Knight’s selling point may be the addition of Mini-Cons to accompany the larger cast and crew. Having smaller robots on-screen requires less CGI than the larger robots and could lead to more screentime from the Autobots that fans have been desiring from the beginning of the series. The return of Barricade may also mean the return of Frenzy (despite former agent Simmons still having his head) or a similar character like Rumble. The Decepticon motorcycle seen on set with the other Cons could mean that we will have a smaller enemy that could possibly confront Cade and the other protagonists. A Snapchat poll was taken the other day asking who your favorite Mini-Con character was. Wheelie came out on top and Laserbeak came in second. With these results it could mean that smaller characters are popular enough for both factions and could be featured heavily in the future if popular enough. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, producer of the previous movies, has stated that he loves Mini-Cons and wanted them to appear in Dark of the Moon. This could be his chance to make sure that they appear on the big screen and are featured throughout the rest of the mainline series (depends on the Spin-Off). What do you think? Are Mini-Cons the next big thing for the franchise or are we sticking with the big bots? Comment below and give ideas as to what we can expect from the future of the little guys.
We know so little about the film right now that I don't want to jump to conclusions about anything. I'm just curious if people think that there is a possibility about greater involvement of Mini-Cons or smaller robot characters.
Uh, we had minicons(sorta) already. I doubt it. With the whole "knight" theme going on it will probably be a gimmick much bigger.
You act as though the film won't simply have both. It will. The giant Dinobots are said to be back, and I have my doubts they'll be the only big spectacle. These films rely on epic trailer shots to draw in viewers, and there's no way Minicons can replace that. However, I'm sure that Hasbro is putting a lot of Minicons into the film, in an attempt to get kids to want to buy their toys.
I don't know. It kind of seems like mini-cons are intended to be the kid appeal characters. But we already have Bumblebee taking that kids appeal spot.
TBH I kind of see them introducing Mini-Cons with this Knight Gimmick theme as part of them creating weapons or powerups for these so called knights. In fact, I can see them introducing Star Saber this way as part of a knight power up in which with the help of the Mini-Cons they build the saber for the kight to use.
Well Hasbro has been really wanting to push the Minicons in their RiD2015 line but I still can't say for sure if they want to do the same for their movie line.
