GM officially forms "Power Partnership" with Transformers
click above image to view high-resolution pics of the entire GM cast of characters
During its sixth-annual "ten" pre-Oscar gala last night, General Motors made official what everyone already knew: it's going to be in the live-action Transformers film this summer. They had on hand some of the four main GM vehicles that will be in the film, including "Bumblebee" (Chevy Camaro), "Autobot Jazz" (Pontiac Solstice), "Autobot Ratchet" (HUMMER H2), and "Ironhide" (GMC Topkick). We're certain that every car parked at a meter and waiting for a green light in the Transformers universe will also be of GM descent, but we do know of one vehicle that's not: a Saleen Mustang that plays the evil Decepticon "Barricade". Trust in GM that a full marketing blitz is being planned around the release of its newest commercial on July 4th. Hopefully it won't get pulled from theaters because someone starts complaining that robots are dying.
Check out the pics released by GM of each character from Transformers in our high-resolution gallery. You can also see some live shots of "Bumblebee" and "Jazz" at last night's event here. For more, get a load of the action-figures that will accompany the release of the film.
[Source: GM]
Gallery: Transformers Movie Pics
PRESS RELEASE:
'Transformers™' and GM Form Power Partnership
Live-Action Movie's 'Heroes' Attend 6th Annual GM Ten Event;
DreamWorks/Paramount Film Slated to Debut July 4
LOS ANGELES - Four new movie stars - "Bumblebee™," "Autobot Jazz®," "Autobot Ratchet®" and "Ironhide®" - from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures,' in association with Hasbro's, forthcoming July 4th action-adventure release, "Transformers™," were introduced this evening by General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) as it hosted its sixth annual "ten" pre-Oscar fashion event at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood.
"Bumblebee" changes from the classic Chevrolet Camaro, and is a central character in the saga of aliens who take mechanical forms when on Earth. "Autobot Jazz" converts from a Pontiac Solstice in a hardtop format. A Hummer H2, modified as a rescue vehicle, changes into "Autobot Ratchet," and "Ironhide" changes from a GMC TopKick medium-duty truck. They all star in this summer's live-action blockbuster, "Transformers," from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, in association with Hasbro, which will premiere July 4.
Buzz about the roles that these vehicles play in the movie has been spreading since a quick glimpse of the new Camaro was spotted in Paramount's newest "Transformers" trailer, which began appearing in theaters on Dec. 20, 2006. This clip, which is currently the most-viewed movie trailer on Yahoo!, also contains images of the Solstice, H2 and TopKick for fans who were quick enough to have freeze-framed it.
"'Transformers' is a compelling project and offers us a global platform for marketing GM products and building our brands," said Mike Jackson, GM North America vice president, marketing and advertising. "It represents the perfect intersection of entertainment, marketing and design."
"The first time I saw the new Camaro, while touring the GM Design Center, I knew immediately that it would be the perfect 'Bumblebee,'" said Michael Bay, the film's Director. He continued, "It's got beautiful lines and a classic, timeless look. There were no other cars that came even close. I have had a great working relationship with GM for many years and am psyched to be working with them on 'Transformers.'"
Gerry Rich, President of Worldwide Marketing at Paramount Pictures, added, "We are thrilled to be working with GM on this incredible and action-packed film. Having integrated the cars as characters in the film is truly an innovative concept that will help eventize this exciting 4th of July tentpole film."
GM will roll out a fully integrated marketing and promotional effort around the film in the near future, including a major Chevrolet promotion, according to Jackson.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jeremy 10:34AM (2/21/2007)
Nothing will stop me from seeing this movie on July 4th. Nothing!
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The Guardian 10:50AM (2/21/2007)
Is it me or GM getting kinda cool ? Iwould have been fun to see GM bash Megatron head ( played by a FORD ) straight into the ground ;)
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mkbruin 10:52AM (2/21/2007)
Is it bad that I REALLY, REALLY like the C/C H2? I think that this would be an awesome entry to the search/rescue, firefigher, police, HLS, BP, etc!!!! I'm loving it!
how about a C/C H3 for the masses/small business?
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Non-Bizarro Adam 10:57AM (2/21/2007)
mkbruin,
i agree with you, that Hummer could actually be a useful vehicle for a lot of people, and if you put it out there as a work vehicle, doing ambulance duty in the mountains or Border Patrol service, it might gain back some of the "street cred" (sorry for the term, it fits here) that has been lost since the H1 was retired. Strip out the interior, put a plastic floor and the work truck dash from the new Silverado in it, and de-chrome the exterior, and GM might even still be able to make a profit on them.
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kris 11:21AM (2/21/2007)
http://pbfcomics.com/?cid=PBF077AD-Disassemble.jpg#147
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Jro 11:24AM (2/21/2007)
What's with the lack of brake calipers on the Camaro?
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Carlos 11:26AM (2/21/2007)
They know that Transformers fans are now old enough to buy cars, so it's a pretty clever way of duping us into watching a 2-hour long commercial. GM or not, I won't be watching it. It'll probably just be a bunch of shots of cars driving around in the desert, then a Mustang vs. Camaro showdown that the Camaro will win, and viewers will then associate the Camaro with a small, friendly, and clever character (good marketing for those who wouldn't typically consider a Camaro).
It's just too blatant.
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Tony 12:04PM (2/21/2007)
The Transformers are sell-outs!
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Accordsforall 12:30PM (2/21/2007)
Hmmm
Its widely known that most TV and or movie cars.. are domestic. Either the H2 on CSI Miami, or the BLATENT GM ADD in the 2nd Matrix Movie.. or virtually every movie thats been made.. has been a blatent advertisement for GM.
Now mind you.. I had a major thing for the transformers when I was a kid (and despite Hasbro's their total lack of ability of building decent quality and sized robots like I had when I was a kid) I will still go see the movie.
I can not.. stand GM and or Ford company cars. I truely dont give a damn if the whole movie is a BLATENT commercial for GM.. they still are not cool.
Ya dont "get cool" by spending a billion dollars to bring the cool people to ya. And ya dont throw ya cars in every movie thats made.. to make ya cool. Cool is.. well. Ya dont make and or buy "cool".
As far as the movie goes.. Im sure it will be a big deal.. the likes that havent been seen in theaters in at least 10yrs.
And no.. the H3 shouldnt be driven by small businesses, fire types.. or w/e! If you had.. half a god damn brain you'd know that the H3 is the Canyon / Colorado with a top. The "H3" is truely the smallest and of the most disgusting vehicles on the planet. And yes.. the H2 is a Tahoe / Escalade / Yukon.. just in different guise.
Good movie.. doesnt mean I have to like the players.
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Aaron 12:40PM (2/21/2007)
I can understand Bumblebee being a comaro... VW Bugs suck! But not making Jazz a Porsche 911 is a crime. He is the Second in command for $@!% sake, make him a good car.
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Scott 12:50PM (2/21/2007)
Ugghh. There's nothing I hate more than obvious product placement in a movie. It ruined Matrix 2 and chances are it'll ruin this one as well. I know movie studios love free cars and the sponsorship dollars but you're much better off having a realistic mix of cars from several manufacturers instead of whoring out to someone like GM so that they can stick every vehicle they make in your movie. Just taints the film.
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Marty Vance 1:12PM (2/21/2007)
@ #7: We're also old enough to remember which cars were used in the cartoon. VW Bug to Camaro? How does that happen? Optimus Prime is supposed to be a cab-over semi, and he doesn't have flames painted on him.
I for one won't be seeing the movie until I can manage to suffer through it on cable. It may be a 2 hour GM commercial, but with Michael Bay directing, it's sure to be a 2 hour GM commercial with a weak plot, shallow characters, flat dialog, and LOTS OF EXPLOSIONS. Not only is it guaranteed to suck cinematically, they're taking too many liberties with the franchise.
The robot's faces look creepy, too.
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fd 2:04PM (2/21/2007)
I dig the SAR Hummer. "Very nice. How much? ;) "
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mkbruin 2:22PM (2/21/2007)
"If you had.. half a god damn brain you'd know that the H3 is the Canyon / Colorado with a top. The "H3" is truely the smallest and of the most disgusting vehicles on the planet. And yes.. the H2 is a Tahoe / Escalade / Yukon.. just in different guise."
Except the H3 has frame and suspension modifications as well, as does the H2. The H2 & H3 have their roots in existing platforms (as does the FJ Cruiser, Highlander, Element, Oddessy, Pilot, Ridgeline, ALL of Nissan's trucks, etc) but the H line offers some things not available elsewhere. Namely, a midsize p/u C&C with clearance for 33" tires factory (35" factory on the H2) and solid components is something missing from todays market.
Sorry if I offended you by stating my opinion that it is a promising product that does not have an competitor on the market at this point in time.
And yes, my head is firmly OUT of my ass, but thank you for asking.
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Non-Bizarro Adam 2:26PM (2/21/2007)
Accordsforall, you don't get cool by using "ya" in place of "you" 6 times in a three sentence paragraph, either.
As for the Hummers, like it or not, there are very few vehicles out there with the off-road capability of a Hummer, and as such, a version converted to utility use, whether it be an H3 or an H2, makes sense, and would help build positive brand image.
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chmnerdtido 2:27PM (2/21/2007)
I am disappointed with the choice of cars. Why did the producers sell out to GM or ford? The original characters are all kinds of cars. Bumble Bee is not a Camaro. It's a VW Bug!
i love the movie, but cars are stupid ridiculous choice. The only thing that ruined this movie is the choice of cars. Get a better selection please.
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tcc3 2:55PM (2/21/2007)
I love how everyones railing about it being "one big product placement"
The cartoon was one big commercial for the toys. It overcame its heritage as a commercial by being a quality cartoon. We remember it fondly because it was well done, but if you believe it was intended as anything more than a shill for robot toys, think again.
The movie might be a GM commercial, but if done well it can be more than that.
Jazz and Bumblebee cannot be their original models due to objections from VW. They dont want their products used to promote violence.
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mk 3:15PM (2/21/2007)
I think they got Jazz and Bumblebee backwards.
I can see not having a VW beetle, as VW refused to be associated with warfare, robot, or otherwise... fine, get another car.
But between Solstice and Camaro... which one is Jazz and which one is Bumblebee...
A yellow solstice should be Bumblebee, and a black camaro should be Jazz, if they can't get a Porsche 997...
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Jeremy 3:33PM (2/21/2007)
Can anyone just enjoy the movie for what it is. Why does EVERYONE have to look at this as some statement. They needed cars, GM provided them. End of story. You can't tell me that it would be any different if multiple brands entered into it. It would just a more universal advertisement. Just remember that the transformers are awesome and just watch the movie as a movie and stop trying to make it mean something else. If you had a brand that needed to show the public that it finally had cool products again, you can't tell me you wouldn't jump at the chance to immortalize your vehicles in such a popular movie. I'm going to see this movie not because I'm a fan of GM, but because I'm a fan of the series. I wouldn't care if it was Toyotas and Hondas in the movie, it's the transformers. Who Cares!!!
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Justin 4:22PM (2/21/2007)
I've barely ever heard of the Transformers, but because of the camaro, mustang, and solstice (and whatever other cool cars are in it) I'm going to have to see it.
Accordsforall, I really hope you don't think that an accord or camry is cooler than a saleen mustang, solstice, or the upcoming camaro.
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