[BW,BM] What's the story behind Optimus and Megatron's beast modes?

Terranigma Freak · Post by **Terranigma Freak** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:02 pm

I'm talking about the Bat Optimus and Croc Megatron. I remember seeing the commercial so many years ago, before the show. I'm pretty sure it was called Beast Wars as well. Were those prototypes for the show, or something totally unrelated. I for one am completely confused over the choice of Beast Mode for Optimus. A bat definitely doesn't seem like something for a heroic leader.

Igos Du Inka · Post by **Igos Du Inka** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:21 pm

what and u think a flippen monkey is :P

The bat and the croc, were a part of the BW line yes, but had nothing to do with the show. I think they were given out in McDonalds happy meals at one time.

Cassettacon 27 · Post by **Cassettacon 27** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 6:48 pm

Originally, Optimus and Megatron were to have four modes,
Primal - Ape, Ape Robot, Bat, Bat Robot
Megatron - T-Rex, T-Rex Robot, Croc, Croc Robot.

Terranigma Freak · Post by **Terranigma Freak** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 4:19 pm

I'm glad the stuck with just Gorilla and T-rex. BTW... it just occured to me... Could the choice of Gorilla and T-rex be a King Kong referrence?

If you squint reall hard, this almost looks like a scene from Beast Wars.

Cassettacon 27 · Post by **Cassettacon 27** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 6:15 pm

^ Funny you mention that.
The first time I saw that sceen, my immediate thought was Beast Wars!

ravimus prime · Post by **ravimus prime** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:17 pm

yeah me too:smokin: that wink is new isn't it....

Post by **inflatable dalek** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 8:34 pm

Originally posted by Terranigma Freak
I'm glad the stuck with just Gorilla and T-rex. BTW... it just occured to me... Could the choice of Gorilla and T-rex be a King Kong referrence?

Was the T-Rex in the original Kong though? I thought it was just mythical beasts on Skull Island...

Rampage01 · Post by **Rampage01** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:06 pm

Yeah, there was a t-rex in the original Kong, too.

I had never really thought about it before, but making Optimus and Megatron a gorilla and rex could have been a reference to that movie.

Personally, I'm glad they changed them, since the gorilla and rex figures are better than the original bat and gator are, though I have wondered sometimes what they might have looked like as transmetals if they had stuck with the bat and gator forms.

Terranigma Freak · Post by **Terranigma Freak** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 4:59 pm

Originally posted by inflatable dalek
Was the T-Rex in the original Kong though? I thought it was just mythical beasts on Skull Island...

And as I recall, in the recolor version of the 1933 movie, the T-rex was purple... Or maybe I'm confused with another stop motion dino movie.

^ Funny you mention that.
The first time I saw that sceen, my immediate thought was Beast Wars!

Maybe someone should come up with one of those "You know you're watching too much Transformers when..." list.

Cassettacon 27 · Post by **Cassettacon 27** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:34 pm

Originally posted by Terranigma Freak
Maybe someone should come up with one of those "You know you're watching too much Transformers when..." list.

I agree. Pretty much every second post would be me.
Call me crazy, but whenever I see a gun next to a truck, the first thought in my mind is Prime and Megs.

ravimus prime · Post by **ravimus prime** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:59 pm

gun next to a truck...i would think of the IRA

Cassettacon 27 · Post by **Cassettacon 27** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:59 pm

No IRA references intended.

ravimus prime · Post by **ravimus prime** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:27 pm

oh, sorry

Wildrider · Post by **Wildrider** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 4:48 pm

Originally posted by Terranigma Freak
And as I recall, in the recolor version of the 1933 movie, the T-rex was purple....

No that was 'Valley of the Gwangi!"

Decepticon Spike · Post by **Decepticon Spike** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 6:01 pm

Originally posted by Terranigma Freak
I'm glad the stuck with just Gorilla and T-rex. BTW... it just occured to me... Could the choice of Gorilla and T-rex be a King Kong referrence?

If you squint reall hard, this almost looks like a scene from Beast Wars.

I know the first time I saw the trailer for King Kong, and I saw thise scene, my first thought was "hey, it's Primal VS Megatron!"

Nevermore · Post by **Nevermore** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:07 pm

Looks like someone had the same idea.

Cassettacon 27 · Post by **Cassettacon 27** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:49 pm

Now that's funny.

Scout · Post by **Scout** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 8:06 am

Originally posted by Terranigma Freak
A bat definitely doesn't seem like something for a heroic leader.

Oh, I dunno - in the G1 comic, Ratbat did a pretty fair shot at it.

I am glad the creators of BW went with the gorilla and TRex versions though. And it might not be all that far-fetched to think that the movie producers of King Kong may have used some of the old BW confrontation ideas for their graphics. KK even had spiders and scorpions in the ravine.

As for the alligator and bat toys, they probably decided that they weren't as impressive as they would have liked them to be (and rightly so). I do think the marketers made a stronger decision with more desirable animals for the main line. That probably was responsible for a fair portion of the cartoon's success.

Dreadwing · Post by **Dreadwing** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 6:28 am

Originally posted by Igos Du Inka
The bat and the croc, were a part of the BW line yes, but had nothing to do with the show. I think they were given out in McDonalds happy meals at one time. [/B]

Actually, they were released togeather in a two pack wit a mini comic book when the Beast Wars line was first released.

Scout · Post by **Scout** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 7:55 am

They were a 2-pack with a mini comic indeed, and they also came with a video as well in many packs at TRU.

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[BW,BM] What's the story behind Optimus and Megatron's beast modes?

What's the story behind Optimus and Megatron's beast modes?

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