I hear what you're saying, no-one is forced to buy anything. But a counter argument could be that we've already had MP-01, MP-10 and all is repaints so de we really need another Prime just now? Why not do some other characters (like Jazz) that have never had an MP release?

Me personally I'm going to skip v3 as I have Toys Alliance MAS-01 (the biggest & baddest OP ever released  ). Happy for those who want a v3 though...

 

Don’t be so quick to dismiss that possibility, @Norm West.

The windshield/chest, abdomen, grill, waist, and crotch would likely be considered the “core” as mentioned in the info @HolyCulture received.

Also, if it is a remold and is that extensive then it would likely include elbow joints, and probably some work on the legs.

 

Exactly.

They need a new legs overrall.

 

Or they are us in MP10 as a base and swapping out what they don't like, doesnt make much since to switch the core and arms and not his legs though. No way you get Megatron articulation just remodding some parts of MP-10. On the flipside, doubt it would come with a trailer.

 

Cartoon aesthetic Prime with extra articulation? At last!

 

HELL YES

That would be surprising. I can see it being a remould if they keep the trailer, roller and axe the same, maybe. But I don't see why they would keep any part of the legs, since those also aren't particularly toon accurate. Maybe by the 'core' they mean Optimus himself, and not his accessories?


In any case the pelvis is definitely different, at least.

 

I'd be ok without a trailer to save costs. Make him compatible with mp10's and then mp10 can stand with mp36 holding the mind control helmet as the fake that doesn't look quite right  

 

Yep, I would argue the legs are weakest part of the whole package. Maybe they will change his shins, but how much left of MP-10 would remain? His thighs, wheels and hands?

 

Hands? God no. Similar to mp36 please.

 

I'd like him to be able to pull off a thumbs-up pose, he does it a couple of times in the toon.

I guess maybe the thighs could remain the same, and that's about it? At the point it's not really changing the core, it's just using one small part of the previous mould. And even then, his thighs aren't really toon accurate.

 

Damn, it was right under our noses. Every + release precedes a companion new mold. Who else is going to be the companion mold for Prowl, the second-in-command?

 

I didn't expect a new Optimus so soon. If it turns out to be true and has improved engineering over MP10 (not a simple + repaint) I'll buy. The saddest thing is that if it's going to be the big release for 2019 I'll have to wait even more for Galvatron.

 

Awesome news to wake upto finally. Been real stale for a long time....
I thought something looked real off about MP17+ standing next to dead eye Prime in that promotional image.
The composition of the photo almost feels like the true intent of the image has been cropped/muted.
The image felt like Jazz is supposed to be to the right and a new prime in the center.

I'd like if Holy's sources were half right.. New Prime which recycles MP10's trailer and old accessories.. I'm not really keen on purchasing those parts again as they still seem perfectly adequate. It's the core figure of Prime that feels dated only.

I'd also love new figures like Shawn and others but I won't be too mad in this exception if they knock this out as the last definitive G1 Prime. If 2019 gives us this with Jazz and Galvatron etc etc then it will be a good year.
It's good we didn't get too far down the line before they found their aesthetic, the plus releases make alot of the old guys acceptable.

 

And here we were arguing which new MP was going to accompany MP-17+ and as @Metal Sonic stated, it possibly was right under our noses: Optimus Prime. And it would continue the trend: MP-14+ to go along with the larger and more expensive Inferno, MP-12+ to go along with the more expensive Sunstreaker, and now possibly MP-17+ to go with the more expensive and larger Optimus v3.

I honestly can't think who else Prowl should go with. The only cartoon pairing for Prowl that made a lasting impression was with Bluestreak. Mostly he was to be found with Optimus and as his official second in command (although in the cartoon Ironhide seemed to take that role more often than not).


Can't say that a new MP Optimus is something I wanted. I like the toon/toy mix of MP-10, while I dislike the more toon based current direction, so I'm pretty fine with what I've got. But great for those who want a more cartoon based Optimus. Wish TT would cater to both sides: every MP given toon and mix options.

 

Well, this Optimus is scheduled for 2019. That could mean the end of 2019, for all we know.

I still think Prowl will get another G1 release to be 'paired' with, but I don't think it needs to be an obvious choice, as any Ark carbot makes sense now.

 

He'll probably end up being like Dinobot then, i.e. plenty of teases but very much a work in progress behind the scenes for now. Fingers crossed that means one or two other MPs will come along first, Jazz being top of my wants list.

 

I see where you come from; they finally found a new strong direction (after some "meh" releases) just like they did with MP10 (after the MP8 wtf period). And people appreciate.
But it won't last. Designers, trends, economy, engineering evolution... something will change the direction again.
It will last maybe four, five years if we are lucky. Then something new will come and we'll call "mistakes" all the previous directions.

Main characters will get a release for every "new direction". The other ones... No.
As long as they keep the scale consistent, and the major features are the same (robot mode scale, real life alt mode where due, etc) I'm fine with that.
If something lasts more than few years, it's supposed to change and evolve. Like music, literature, industry...

 

8 years between MP-1 and MP-10, 8 years between MP-10 and V3 Prime (MP-45?)

Sure, there might be a V4 Prime in 2027  


Re. numbering, I wonder if they'll manage to fill in enough MPs between now and the end of 2019 (assuming that's when V3P is coming), to make him MP-50? It's easy enough for them to give new numbers to a diaclone repaint or somesuch.

If between now and Prime we get what's been teased, it should add up to 50. For example (and not particularly in this order):

MP-42 Blaster and Steeljaw
MP-43 Cassettbots
MP-44 Trailbreaker
MP-45 Hoist
MP-46 Hound/Jazz/Mirage
MP-47 Detritus/Ricochet/Red Mirage
MP-48 Police Sunstreaker
MP-49 Rattrap
MP-50 Optimus Prime

If they do care about numbering, I'd say it's possible.

 

Safe to say Hasbro would probably like him to be 50 since they have started to follow the Takara numbering. It will be interesting to see how they feel about Beastwars, since it's not much of thing for them stateside they may actually push for some other G1 MPs during the time span. It would not surprise me to see a slow march of his release with finishing off the rest of the inner circle guys ( Jazz and Trailbreaker) maybe a Huffer . Kind of like what we got with Megatron where we had most of his crew in place when he was released. Hopefully we'll get a toy inspired Megs especially since he will probably be reissued with Prime. I'd like to have one to pair with MP-10 when they move to the Diaclone shelf.