Transformers: Beast Machines
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) You say you want to give us what we want? Well I want MORE G1 influence! That means characters from G1 HAVE to appear in the show. Give them new forms if you must, BUT USE THEM! Or do you just not GIVE a Rattrap's skidplate WHAT us older TF fans feel? Starscream left "Possession" swearing revenge. Follow up on that. And for the sake of temporal stability, you MUST have the gang return to prehistoric Earth to clean up, retrieving Waspinator, the stasis pods, Dinobots body. Ravage's head (You can STILL bring him back!) and EVERY scrap of metal that came from their era. The previous writers left enough scrap lying around to COMPLETELY change the course of human history, not to mention forgetting to return Megatron's spark. ANY out-of-time object has the potential to damage history. So far, BM doesn't sound like it has ANYTHING I liked about Transformers has remained. You may as well take the name Transformers out of the title and change the names. Oh I bet it WILL be a very well-written, entertaining show, but it won't be what I grew up with and loved. PLEASE! For the sake of us older fans, put a few G1 characters as regulars or semi-regulars in the second season.

Some of the issues you are bringing up *will* be addressed... others will remain tabled. We haven't forgotten about Starscream, believe you me... it's just that for now he'll be biding his time waiting for the right opportunity! (Sadly, it won't be in *this* 26.)
2) Is anyone going to have a gun with missiles/lasers/blasts of energy? Or will everyone chuck stuff/fight hand to hand?
Our guys will be relying mostly on battle skills... but trust me, they're plenty well armed!
3) Are we going to see the memories of deceased beast wars transformers? Rampage could be in some one's nightmare, or Dinobot could have a memorial, or something.
Oh, deceased Transformers *will* be getting memorials, believe you me!
4)I have no questions. Just an observation. Your responses to the questions put forth are some of the funniest and witty statements I've ever seen. I'm very much looking forward to BM and having it run at least three seasons if the Fox execs have both the brains and the $$$'s!
The Fox execs are not a factor in the continuing of Beast Wars/Machines/Transformers... it's all Hasbro. So as long as their is a fan-base (ie: market), Hasbro will continue making the line of toys and the shows to support it. Me, I hope it runs for a LOOONG time because I'm having a lot of fun here!
5) Will Megatron be the ONLY sentient bad guy, or will there (possibly not from his plotting) come other evils that perhaps even threaten him? Can we expect more Vehicons? Thanks.
No, yes, yes.
6) I was wondering, since they're on Cybertron, will there be any cities (for people to protect, rather than just all out war)? Or just little bases? Also, I just want to say, THANK YOU SOOOOO much for having this FAQ. I want to be kept up to date as much as possible.
You're welcome. And yes, there will be cities. And no, there will not be block parties on them!
7) Some of my favorite characters were the traitorous members of the Predacon team. You talk about developing characters when you just want to write off the bad guys as "mindless". Tell me you have some kind of plan for the vehicons as far as personality go! No two word answers please.
You'll see!
8) One thing I found cool about Beast Wars was how the characters in their beast modes would do beast things (IE, Rattrap would eat some garbage when he's a rat) will they be doing things like that, or will all the action you have in store for them keep 'em! busy?
Both.
9) This isn't a question, it's a thank you. Thank you for taking the time to answer all these questions. (some of them several times ;) It shows you have an interest and feeling for the fans and that's quite pleasant to know. If we ask too many silly questions, quiz you on TF minutia, make unrealistic requests, or even gripe about the "morphing-esque" thing please know that it's only out of our deep love for the Transformers Past, Present, and Future. Thank you for doing your best to continue that and for what looks to be a GREAT show. :) That said, let me cast my vote with the others for a Starscream episode _somewhere_ down the line. His appearance in BW really demands a sequel/rematch with Blackaracnia. It's the sort of thing that could easily fit into a continuing arc without interrupting it, he has strong links to both G1 and BW, fans love him (how could you not love someone THAT dangerous, unabashedly self-serving, charismatic yet cowardly at heart, and above all completely treacherous.) And plus, everyones favorite immortal, disembodied spark is the ONLY character besides the original Optimus Prime to appear in EVERY US Transformer Cartoon and Comic since the beginning. You wouldn't want to break that streak, would you? ;-)
I'm having a great time answering all of these questions, so thanks for your continued interest in the show! As far as Starscream goes... well, I like tradition as much as the next guy, but our Maximals have plenty to keep them busy without Starscream rearing his ugly/treacherous/charismatic yet treacherous head!
10) It appears that you too are a Star Wars fan, yeah. Anyway, I was wondering if you have as much say as Mr. Lucas does when it comes to the MUSIC for Beast Machines. In the case of Star Wars, Lucas sets the tempo, the beat, the mood of the Music. Sure it is Mr. Williams that is actually making the Music, but it is with the direction of Mr. Lucas. Do you also have the same amount of power and say as far as the music is concerned or is it up to someone else to figure out what is to be done for music? Please answer this question for me. Thanks and take care.
I loooove film music! And although I have no direct say into what goes where on this series, the composers are certainly setting all the right tones! (I love the cues on Beast Wars, especially the quiet, woodwind-like ones!)
11) I have a funny feeling that Cheetor is going to play a big part in BEAST Machines... i keep thinking he will either become the maximal leader like Hot Rod did in Transformers:The Movie, or he will turn to the Dark side, like that vader guy.... I'm probably totally wrong, but the point is that through this FAQ page, you really have some of us TF fans thinking, and that is a great thing, for ratings, support, and best of all, it will help make some damn good thinkers out of us so someday we might carry on the TF tradition.
Keep watching. We have big plans for Cheetor.
12) Do you get any feedback from the voice actors regarding their characters? Since they've been doing their characters for a couple of years and all, do they ever gripe ("He wouldn't say *this*") or make suggestions? Or do they just toe the line and collect a paycheck? <G>
They are all great guys, and are delivering just what we want for our characters. And, yes, they will often suggest line alternatives that better help "sell" an idea or attitude.
13) So far what I have heard about BM has been great. I just wish I could have been at BotCon to see it, Also it is very brave of you guys to maintain a page like this and answer so many people's questions. You guys are a big help to all us hardcore TF fans. Now the question: In one question someone asked if we would see "cybertron citizens" you said no. Could they all be in slavery to Megatron?
They certainly *could*... but Megatron already came up with something far, far worse for them.
14) I have 2 questions; "Crossing the Rubicon" was written by D.C.Fontana, is this the same writer from the original "Star Trek" and "Logans' Run"? Will she be writing any more Scripts for "Beast Machines"?
Yes, it's certainly the same D.C. Fontana! I've always loved her work. And, no, so far we haven't had her on board for Beast Machines. (Although now that you mention it...)
15) First, thanks a million for doing this. Okay, can we expect to be dragged kicking and screaming into "message" episodes, now that the show's on network? For instance, the 3rd season of Gargoyles took a drastic turn into prejudice philosophizing that had nothing to do with the previous season or its main themes.
Fox is making major demands on us... that the stories be great and that the characters be great. Beyond that, they're giving us a LOT of latitude! (And, trust me, we are truly grateful.) Have I mentioned lately that the exec in charge of the series is a HUUUUGE Transformer fan?
16) I have always enjoyed hunting down episode scripts to see what has been changed between the script and the animation. Will you be releasing the scripts on BobSkir.com?
Sure, if they let me post them. I'll ask if it's okay, once the segments have aired. But certainly not beforehand!
17) I've read the FAQ and I must say I'm very impressed by your candid answers. I saw very little fluff in the way of answers. You did a great job of answering the questions honestly, without spoilers, and it all looked very sincere. The Autobots and Decepticons have been in place for about 9 million years -- that's a lot of history. Will you be touching on any of that? What about the factions of Autobots and Decepticons who never made it back to Cybertron after the Great Wars? I realize that BW took place a few hundred years past our present day timeline, but frankly, that's just a drop in the bucket to these long lived beings. Surely there are some out there who are still Autobots or Decepticons with no idea of these little 'brothers' running around ruling the planet. I'm glad you have a lot of respect for the old ways, yet still have the drive to move forward.
Autobot history *will* come into play (after a fact), but specific characters will not be returning for cameos or anything.
18) Hey Bob, First off, I do have to say that I'm looking forward to Beast Machines - September can't come fast enough. But the main point of this message is more of a personal matter, I guess. I was just wondering (since you attended UVA) if you're from Virginia, and if so, whereabouts in the state? Your attendance at UVA caught my eye because I attend Virginia Tech!! Now, as all Hokies and Cavaliers know, we tend not to like each other, but I promise that won't come into play in my judgment of Beast Machines! Again, I look forward to September. Thanks for your time! P.S. GO HOKIES!!! :)
I'm actually from Long Island, New York. And I'm glad to have a few Hokies on board watching the show! (P.S. -- "Wahoo-Wah! Wahoo-Wah! Uni-Vee Virgin-eye-uh!" -- I think we just found our new Maximal battle cry!)
19) Okay, I'm about to become a pain again (heck, ask Hasbro how much of a pain in the aft I can be,) but my question is...is the any chance you and Marty will be adding any more femmes. This isn't just for myself but a lot of the female fans are getting slightly upset at the lack of femmes characters. Black Arachnia is cool, and so was Airazor but with Airazor dead there is only Black Arachnia. So please, please, please add some more femmes. Trust me, I do this to Hasbro on a weekly basis so don't get too upset if I keep nagging you on the subject.
I love writing women (check out The Rogue's Tale on X-Men) and lobbied ferociously for a new female to join our team. I lost the battle in Season One, but Season Two offers us a whole new opportunity (one which *you* will really appreciate!). Wait for it...!
20) Are there plans currently (yes or no) to have an episode wherein a villain will play the role of a hero?
Well, Megatron is mighty heroic, certainly from his point of view!


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