If TF The Movie bombs...

Discussion in 'Transformers Movie Discussion' started by Ruination04, Sep 26, 2006.

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  1. Prime crotch

    Prime crotch Well-Known Member

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    I think the movie will do good I mean it's going to be relased during summer a great date for action movies and if they get the trailers right the movie will do good.
     
  2. The Phazer

    The Phazer Well-Known Member

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    It doesn't matter what Hasbro thinks. It matters what Wal-Mart thinks. If they spend a massive amount on stocking merchandise and give it a ton of shelf space and the movie tanks (which WILL mean the merchandise tanks), then Wal-Mart simply won't order many Transformers any more. That doesn't hurt Hasbro financially straight away, but it severely damages the line and future products.

    It might not kill Transformers, but it'd unquestionably be the biggest blow to the franchise since G2 ended. It'll take ten years to build back up to anything like where we are now.

    Phazer
     
  3. Tfgraveyard

    Tfgraveyard Not a Fan of the Fans

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    Not by ourselves, we haven't. As it's been stated many times, "fans" only make up a small portion of sales.

    Sure, we've helped things along, but Hasbro hasn't kept the TFs flowing just for us fans alone.
     
  4. Steevy Maximus

    Steevy Maximus Old School Snarkster

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    I really don't see that. Transformers have been strong sellers going on FIVE years now. That last 2 without any meaningful cartoon support to speak of.

    I don't disagree that side projects and the staff size will no doubt take hits, but it would take a disaster on par with Duel Masters to set the brand back that far.
    Plus you have a BIG variable in the rumored "Transformers Heroes" thing (which we'll probably find out about at Botcon)

    And besides, wasn't Beast Wars (the line that took up things after G2) the line that rejuvenated the brand?
     
  5. useless

    useless Completely Unreasonable TFW2005 Supporter

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    I think the worse that will happen is theres no real boost to sales, TF's have been doing fairly well without much in the way of media hype for quite a while now.

    Hell the line even survives in the UK despite Hasbro UK's determined attempts to strangle it so the stores can spend more on Action Man.
     
  6. Blunticon

    Blunticon The Oddjob

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    The bottom line is, I was a kid when it came out. Loved it, I know all the kids I knew loved it and I know it had to blow up the Transformers.. For the 80's it was awesome..
     
  7. OmegaVPrimus

    OmegaVPrimus Well-Known Member

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    If this movie bomb's, "which it probably wont" It will neither effect the brand or fanbase. But it could effect others dignity saying that it was going to be good, either way, it will be a really good summer flick
     
  8. Brodimus Prime

    Brodimus Prime Matrix Templar

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    If it bombs we won't get a sequel and Hollywood will try to forget that it happened (IE Hulk, Godzilla, Masters of the Universe) by never attempting to resurrect it. I don't think it's bad to ask such a question. After seeing how poorly the aforementioned movies did, as well as the poor reaction to Fantastic Four last summer, it's a logical question.

    Transformers has survived for 20+ years thanks mostly to Takara. That's right, Takara! The Transformers that most people are familiar with (G1) have never really died in Japan. When TF 'died' in America after the comic ended in 1991, Japan continued on with Battlestars, then Operation Combination. By the time the line ended (early 1993), G2 was starting up in the US. Soon, G2 came to Japan (all but the redux cartoon), then BW, BW II, BWN, etc. In 1999, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of TF, Takara did its first reissues: Hot Rodimus, Convoy, Megatron, Starscream, and Ultra Magnus. Sales were so great that Sixshot, Ironhide/Ratchet, Dirge, and a host of others followed within a year. Within two years Hasbro followed Takara's footsteps with the Commemorative Series. I've always suspected that the move by Hasbro to work alongside Takara for the Micron Trilogy was a move born out of a need to cash in on Takara's money-making power with the fanbase, IMO.

    True, the first movie helped lead to the end of TF in a number of ways. Poor reviews prevented a sequel; the deaths of Prime, Megs, Ironhide, and a host of others were met with confusion and hostility from young viewers; and poor characterization and writing doomed the third season. By the end of 1987 there was no cartoon in the US (though Japan kept it going until 1990).

    The point is that TF has had its dormant stages before, but it has survived. When the US series ended, Takara was there to pick up the pieces and continue with new series until 1992. Likewise, when Takara ran out of staying power with OC, Hasbro was there with new ideas like G2 and Beast Wars. The point is that if the movie does fail at the box office, Transformers will still live on because someone will recognize the staying power of these toys and mythologies. And there will always be fans waiting to throw their wallets to the wind and buy into them. No toyline in recent memory has had that kind of staying power, or that kind of fanbase. TF will be ok.
     
  9. Eric

    Eric VOTE.

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    If the movie bombs, then IMO, the franchise will be destroyed.
     
  10. MegaMoonMan

    MegaMoonMan OFFICIAL MMM REP

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    If the movie bombs, the Earth will explode. I know this because he tell me.
     
  11. Galaxy Convoy

    Galaxy Convoy Well-Known Member

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    Agreed. May or may not be another Spider-Man, but I expect it'll at the very least do well enough to warrant a sequel or two.
     
  12. MC Rap Throne

    MC Rap Throne unknown member

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    The brand "Transformers" is ALREADY a classic. It'll never die, no matter what.
    Tell me if it ain't funny that TFs are much more popular than say, X-men. TFs are promoting from Nike shoes to Citroen cars for a while now, and much more will come with the live-action movie.
     
  13. Draven2575

    Draven2575 The name is BLUESTREAK!!

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    they will do what time couldn't...kill off transformers (or kill off some fans)
    big slap to the fans for keeping tf alive for 20 years (then again as many have posted it's just an alternate tf, and probably go back to animation/etc...)

    then again we did survive that shit bm




    i really hope it bombs (i'm guessing that's what bay likes)
     
  14. Vangelus

    Vangelus Long Live the New Flesh Moderator Content Contributor

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    Slight correction with a bit of info from a Botcon 1 or 2 years ago (not very well known, far as I can tell):

    It was revealed that Hasbro EUROPE (I kid you not) had just as big a hand in pushing to keep Transformers alive in non-US markets. Motorvators, Predators, the Euro-Action Masters and AM Elites, G1 goldboxed "Classic" rereleases, etc.

    But yeah, thanks to Europe and Japan there was actually no one year without TF product on shelves -somewhere-. :D 
     
  15. Steevy Maximus

    Steevy Maximus Old School Snarkster

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    Actually, in 2000, Car Robots was a flop in Japan, so much so that Takara had no part in developing a domestic line until they partnered with Hasbro for Armada

    And in 1992, Transformers were pretty much dead so Takara developed the Brave series, and didn't release Beast Wars until over a year after the US to determine if they were marketable.
    Hasbro created Transformers (the idea and characters)
    Hasbro (Kenner actually) created Beast Wars, which rejuventated a stagnant line.
    Hasbro started the partnership with Takara to reduce development costs on the TF brand
    Hasbro pushed for the creation of Alternators
    Hasbro created Classics

    What has Takara done for the brand?
    Put diecast in Alternators (doubling the cost)
    Reissued old toys (which are pretty much on hiatus, if not cancelled, I heard they sold more overseas than domestically)
    Put anime girl figures in with Alternators to increase sales

    That isn't to say both sides haven't done bad or good things in addition to what I've said, but to say Takara is the reason Transformers is still around is rather shortsighted and inaccurate
     
  16. Brodimus Prime

    Brodimus Prime Matrix Templar

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    Thanks for the info, Maximus and Vangelus. I had totally forgotten about the European Power Masters, Motorvators, etc. You're right, they were going strong during that shaky period that isn't quite G1, but isn't quite G2 either.

    As for what Maximus said, I agree with your points, and in no way was I trying to bash Hasbro and praise Takara alone (Hasbro DID give us the best TF series to date--Beast Wars). I was just pointing out how, while the US wasn't getting anything related to the TFs of old, Japan was keeping the series alive (ie. Operation Combination and the first waves of reissues). Personally, if it weren't for the reissues in the late 90s I may have never become a serious collector of the old figures. But your quite right, both sides have messed up. Hasbro=BM toys, Takara=Binaltech Kiss Players. Uggh.
     
  17. HyperGeek_1984

    HyperGeek_1984 Herr Doktor

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    The Fantastic Four movie was poorly received but that didn't kill off the FF comics.

    The last two Batman movies prior to Batman Begins sucked but it didn't kill off Batman.

    The Daredevil movie sucked but people still buy Daredevil comics (why I don't understand).

    Star Wars had two shitty prequels but still remains a hugely popular franchise.

    There are any number of sport teams who haven't won a championship in decades but still have a solid fan base.


    So no, if the movie bombs it will not kill off Transformers. And I doubt the movie will bomb anyway.
     
  18. Kaijumaster

    Kaijumaster 335

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    EXACTLY what he said.
     
  19. Fairy Princess

    Fairy Princess Banned

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    For the Record, FF has sequel coming out and Hulk is getting another movie as well....
     
  20. EagleEyeJoe

    EagleEyeJoe Well-Known Member

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    Like many others have said, even if the movie fails, the franchise lives. I really can't get my head around the paranoia many people have about this.... even to say the movie will kill the franchise. It demonstrates a total failure to look at things pragmatically and realistically.. which may be the biggest problem here period.

    If the worst case happens, I think it'll all come down to toy sales. If the movie bombs but the toys hit... heck, what has Hasbro lost? Hasbro's made their license fees and royalties. Now if the toys fail also, which I think is the more valid question - since movie toyline do not have a good history these days, I see a drawdown to the mainline and one subline.

    The next TF series is already in development, both for toys and the cartoon. It would take a total turnaround similar to the change in thought process on Transtech to make a change. I'd look for Alternators to be the other line that continued onward if licenses can be obtained. Classics would be another good possibility depending on how well they are received at retail.
     
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