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Lost and Found (Animated)

2017-01-08T01:39:36Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Real-world references */

{{disambig3|Lost and Found}}
{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=AniJapan
|image=TFA Lost and Found Lugnut Blitzwing Earth modes.JPG
|caption=These two are Megatron's only hope…he's in trouble.
|ep=11
|ep2=11
|prev2=Along Came a Spider
|next2=Survival of the Fittest
|title="Lost and Found"
|airdate=[[March 1]], [[2008]]
|written by=[[Rich Fogel]]
|directed by=[[Irineo Maramba]] [[Yutaka Kagawa]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]}}

'''The Autobots clash with Decepticons Lugnut and Blitzwing, who come to Earth searching for their missing leader, Megatron.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:LugnutBlitzwingNemesis.JPG|left|upright=0.95|thumb|The scourge of poor parking.]]
A lunar rover examines recent seismic activity on the Moon's surface and stumbles upon the crashed [[Nemesis (Animated)|''Nemesis'']]. As it moves in for a closer look, a huge, unidentified object lands on the rover and crushes it. The huge thing turns out to be [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]]. His partner, [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] berates him for his clumsiness, but then offers some dancing lessons. An annoyed Lugnut points out they've traveled across the galaxy to find [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron's]] ship, not become light on their feet. Blitzwing comments that this is the same sector in which they lost track of [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]], and an argument breaks out (Lugnut doesn't like Lockdown), culminating in Lugnut confidently stating he ''knows'' Megatron still lives.

On Earth, [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] is rudely awakened from a stasis nap by an unapologetic [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari]], who is in the middle of a street hockey game with [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]]. The game picks up, and Bumblebee is about to score, when a trash can makes a save! Sari tries to write it off, but Ratchet is quick to notice the [[AllSpark Key]] currently plugged into said can. He tells her off, but they are interrupted when the Key begins to glow, followed by two glowing objects entering Earth's atmosphere. As a prophetic Ratchet decides this can't be good, camera-bots move in to investigate, but are quickly crushed by Blitzwing. Both he and Lugnut mistake a nearby crane as a sentient life form, and Lugnut demands to know Megatron's location. After a shove, the crane responds by slamming its wrecking ball into Blitzwing. Watching a live feed, Megatron muses over whether or not he can risk revealing himself. After all, he has already been betrayed once. At their home base, the [[Autobot]]s get ready to mobilize. Sari is all fired up, but both Ratchet and [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Prime]] tell her she needs to wait behind, as they want to protect the innocents. (Bumblebee very quickly points out that ''they're'' innocent too.)

[[File:Lugnutfist.JPG|right|upright=0.95|thumb|''Tekken 6: Robot Revolution''.]]

Back at the construction site, Blitzwing and Lugnut have decided to devastate the place in order to draw out the Autobots. It works, and things quickly kick off as Optimus is forced to slice a tanker thrown by Lugnut in half. This promising opener falls apart when Blitzwing prevents both Prowl and Bumblebee from launching any attacks. Ratchet manages to trap some of Lugnut's missiles (though they break through his magnetic grip, they still don't hit any of the Autobots), but as Bulkhead tries to outmuscle the massive 'Con, Lugnut proves to be too powerful and throws him aside. The combined efforts of Blitzwing and Lugnut prove too much for the Autobots, and things go from bad to worse when they tell the [[Decepticon]]s that Megatron burned up "over Cleveland". Screaming "Megatron lives!", a raging Lugnut activates his [[Punch of Kill Everything]] and levels the entire area, flooring the Autobots and burying both himself and Blitzwing. As the Decepticons unbury themselves from the rubble, Blitzwing tells Lugnut to warn him before using his big punch…again.

As the Decepticons free themselves, Megatron becomes convinced of Lugnut's loyalty and opts to contact only him. Lugnut automatically decides to abandon the battle and answer the summons, dragging Blitzwing along and leaving behind some very confused Autobots. Blitzwing headbutts Lugnut in midair, and Lugnut responds in kind, slamming Blitzwing down into an army base. He explains he heard Megatron's voice, but Blitzwing merely hears approaching police. He suggests they scan local [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s and hide, but Lugnut refuses until Megatron orders him to do so. He quickly scans a bomber, while Blitzwing, after a quick argument between his faces, scans both an assault tank and a fighter jet. [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] arrives, but the Decepticons are already hiding in plain sight.

[[File:TFA Lost and Found Ratchet Sari argue.JPG|left|upright=0.95|thumb|Are you Samuel James Witwicky?]]

The Autobots have returned to [[Autobot Earth Base|base]] and are making repairs. The constant danger of attack makes Prime decide the best thing to do would be to repair [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|their ship]] and take the [[AllSpark]] off of Earth. Sari takes this very badly, and she is most unwilling to use the AllSpark Key to help Ratchet fix the ship. For his part, Ratchet is less than pleased about having to work with a "protoform". Prime settles it by ordering the two to be partners.

Meanwhile, Lugnut and Blitzwing are perched on a [[hover-billboard]], observing the city below. As Blitzwing comments on the [[Human|local wildlife]], Megatron transmits information on the AllSpark Key to Lugnut and orders the retrieval of it and the AllSpark. Lugnut immediately transforms, followed by a less-than-willing Blitzwing.

[[File:TFA Lost and Found AllSpark vision.JPG|right|upright=0.95|thumb|"Who dares disturb the wizard!?!"]]

At [[Lake Erie]], the Autobots arrive, with Ratchet and Sari still bickering. They are quickly interrupted by Blitzwing and Lugnut. Ratchet and Sari make a break for it, but Blitzwing freezes the lake, preventing them from reaching the ship. However, they get a hand from Lugnut, who accidentally blasts a hole for them to get through. The Autobots dive in, and as Ratchet heads for their ship under the lake, Lugnut and Blitzwing are stalled by the rest, thanks to some clever thinking from Prime. In the Autobots' ship, Ratchet has a moment alone with the ship, but ends up fighting with Sari, who storms off to the AllSpark's cargo bay. Dejected, she gets the idea of damaging the ship enough to prevent it flying, but the AllSpark Key quickly repairs it. Suddenly, the AllSpark opens to reveal an image of Megatron's head and the Key. Moments later, a fully restored Megatron materializes, and a terrified Sari panics and opens the airlock. As water pours in, Ratchet manages to save her. Sari confesses to her sabotage, but a sympathetic Ratchet explains the reason he wants to leave is because he cares about the planet and its people, especially Sari.

[[File:ArkCannon.JPG|left|upright=0.95|thumb|This is gonna leave a mark.]]

Finally understanding, Sari agrees to help. Ratchet reveals the ship was originally a military vessel, and he hopes to bring the weapons bay back online. Outside, the Autobots are in serious trouble, but Sari's AllSpark Key soon reactivates the weapons bay, and Ratchet tells Optimus to draw the Decepticons to the ship. As they close, he activates the main cannon and blows the pair of Decepticons to kingdom come. A furious Megatron loses his link, and the Decepticons crash down onto the surface of the lake in several badly damaged pieces.

[[File:Badsign.JPG|right|upright=0.95|thumb|Want to make a bad day worse? Just add Starscream.]]

Back at base, Sari uses the AllSpark Key to patch up Bumblebee, acting rather Ratchet like when he asks for some customization. Ratchet reveals that even with the Key, it'll take some time to get the ship up and running, so they won't be gone for a good while, and Sari smiles happily.

At the lake, Blitzwing calls for help, while Lugnut begs for a sign of Megatron's forgiveness. Remarkably they get a sign—a bad one, as Starscream shows up, promising repairs, in exchange for loyalty.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (7)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (1)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (2)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (10)
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (13)

|c3=
*[[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] (4)
*[[Lester Black]] (11)
*[[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] (12)

|c4=
*[[Trash Bot]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Hothead Blitzwing''': Careful, you copper-clad klutz! You stepped in something! 
'''Random Blitzwing''': But with a few dancing lessons, you'll be light on your stabilizing servos like me. Cha cha cha. 
'''Lugnut''': Silence, Blitzwing! I did not follow this beacon halfway across the galaxy for dancing lessons! This was Megatron's ship! 
'''Random Blitzwing''': Ahaha, Starscream never did have a knack for parking.
:—Blitzwing and Lugnut find a crashed Decepticon warship on the Moon.

[[File:TFA Lost and Found Blitzwing Lugnut crane attack.JPG|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Hug-a-wrecking-ball day never really took off.]]

'''Hothead Blitzwing''': These can't be those miserable Autobots, they're far too small— 
'''Random Blitzwing''': But look at that one! It's big, it's bold, it's sassy! 
'''Lugnut''': You! What have you done with our beloved leader Megatron? Talk!
:—The Decepticons interrogate a highly suspicious-looking crane.

"Where is our glorious leader? Where is Megatron?!" 
"Big scary dude?" ''[to Optimus]'' "Didn't he turn into a fireball somewhere over Cleveland?"
:—'''Lugnut''' and '''Bumblebee'''

"I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times: Give me some warning before you use ze punch!"
:—'''Hothead Blitzwing''' to Lugnut

'''Icy Blitzwing''': The Autobots have called in reinforcements. Perhaps we should lay low until we can determine their strength and numbers. 
'''Lugnut''': I will not hide. I will stand proudly and shout ''Megatron's name'' to the ''heavens''! 
'''Megatron''': Oh, for spark's sake...
:—Sometimes, the fanatic thing just gets ridiculous.

'''Optimus''': We'll have to repair our ship and move the AllSpark off this planet. 
'''Bulkhead''': We can't just pick up and go. How will we break the news to Sari? 
'''Bumblebee''': She's a big girl. She'll understand. 
''[Scene switches to Sari crying "No" at the top of her lungs]'' 
'''Bumblebee''': I think she's taking it well.
:—The Autobots tell Sari that they're leaving.

"Help! Give me a hand! Or-or a foot! How about a pelvis?"
:—'''Random Blitzwing''', unusually happy about being in pieces.

==Notes==
===Continuity errors===
* Blitzwing transforms to tank mode to drop into Lake Erie, but right after he plunges in and appears before the Autobots, he's in [[robot mode]]. Why didn't he just go to robot mode in the first place? (In-continuity answer: Blitzwing's angry persona uses the tank mode as opposed to the jet mode, according to [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 1|Megatron Rising]]", so him getting angry at Lugnut caused his transformation automatically. Out-of-continuity answer: [[To sell toys]].)
* In the Autobots' first scuffle with the 'cons, Ratchet uses his magnetic powers to grab a bunch of missiles fired by Lugnut, exclaiming that he can't hold them forever. However, they just seem to disappear after that, as it's never shown whether or not they hit anything.
* As seen in stock-footage transformations in previous episodes, when Prime transforms after he hears of Blitzwing and Lugnut on the news, he turns into a sort of half-a-fire-engine. This form was likely animated using references for his [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Voyager-scale toy]], from which the back end can be detached. In the next shot, in which he [[Roll out|rolls out]], he's a complete fire engine.
* Blitzwing's decision to scan both a jet and a tank seems to imply that he was not a [[Triple Changer]] before the scanning. However, [[The Arrival issue 5]] clearly marks him as a Triple Changer before ever coming to Earth.

===Animation errors===
*When Ratchet reactivates Teletran 1's main cannon and states that he has a plan, his broken forehead chevron is on the left side instead of the right.
*In two animation shots of Lugnut using his [[Punch of Kill Everything|rocket punch]], the ground is not iced, hinting that the animation sequence might be reused in future episodes.
*When Lugnut scans the bomber, it is much bigger than he is.
*Not so much an error as it is a curiosity, but Lugnut's faction symbol shifts from being on his shoulder panel to his chest after he scans an Earth Mode. You can actually see it for yourself on this page.
*When Blitzwing is talking about Lockdown,the section below his normal optic is miscolored tan

===Transformers references===
* The initial scene with the lunar rover is highly reminiscent of the destruction of the [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] probe in the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]]. The two Decepticons' appearance on Earth as crash-landing meteorites also harks back to the film.
* The construction workers seen where Blitzwing and Lugnut first land are wearing outfits inspired by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] from Generation 1.
* After the airing of "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", some fans speculated on a possible connection between the Autobot ship and [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Generation 1 Omega Supreme]], based on both Prime's dialogue referring to a weapons-system program as "Codename: Omega" and the resemblance between the ship's cannon (shown briefly) and Omega Supreme's tank turret. Adding to that speculation, in ''this'' episode, Ratchet addresses the ship as "old friend". Also, when Ratchet manages to activate the weapons systems, we see a clearer shot of the cannon, which indeed looks a lot like Omega Supreme's tank turret (it even has his color scheme). Foreshadowing? Yup, [[A Bridge Too Close, Part II|foreshadowing.]]
*This episode is the first in the series to feature the use of the words "[[Slag (slang)|slag]]" and "[[frag]]" as expletives.
*This isn't the first time a [[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Decepticon battleship crash-landed on the moon]].
* Ratchet calls Sari 'a Protoform'. [[TransWarped|More, slightly less obvious foreshadowing.]]

===Real-world references===
* When Lugnut overpowers Bulkhead, he comments, "Nothing moves Lugnut", similar to the minor ''X-Men'' villain the [[wikipedia:Blob (comics)|Blob]].

===Trivia===
* This is the fourth episode in which Sari has received direct warnings about misuse of her AllSpark Key. The Allspark seems to have chosen the "tough love" approach and scared the message into her. How long this will last is up for debate. Bets will now be taken. Answer: [[TransWarped|Beginning of the third season]] when she uses it to upgrade herself, and it makes her go nuts and stab Bumblebee. Betting is now closed.
* In a humourous background detail, we see the Blitzwing-shaped hole, left from where he crashed barely two minutes ago, as Captain Fanzone's squadron arrives at the hangar. Oddly enough, they don't take much notice of it.
* Captain Fanzone doesn't come off too well in this episode, since he A) forgets that Transformers can disguise themselves as vehicles, and B) doesn't notice that two of the military jets are sporting unusual purple paint jobs, and one of them has tank treads under its wings, not to mention the above.
* Prime's vehicle mode has manual transmission.
* It's unclear why Sari didn't mention the AllSpark-generated vision of Megatron to any of the Autobots. (Granted, she doesn't know who Megatron is, but even so….)
* When Sari tells Bumblebee that the AllSpark Key isn't a toy, she looks like she has wrinkles under her eyes. Obviously, this is meant to show that Ratchet has rubbed off on her a little bit. Even her mouth looks like his briefly. Of course, she may have just been doing an impression of Ratchet as a joke.
* Random Blitzwing seems to have a knack for songs and dances. We'll see if it remains a trend.
* Captain Fanzone is currently driving a regular Detroit police car. [[Captain Fanzone's car|His old car]] was destroyed by [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] in "[[Blast from the Past]]," but it returns in future episodes.
* Megatron seems unfamiliar with Blitzwing and Lugnut's personalities (i.e., that the first is crazy, and the second is loyal). However, they served under him on the ''Nemesis'' fifty years ago, and exhibited the same characteristics then. This discrepancy is not explained. (Possibly Megatron did not have much direct contact with them in the past, or he may be assuming that fifty years might have changed them.) It also shows that unlike [[Megatron (disambiguation)|his counterparts]], ''Animated'' Megatron actually learns from betrayal, and is not so forgiving.
* This episode was adapted in comic book format using screen captures as half of "[[Transformers Animated Volume 5]]", with "[[Survival of the Fittest]]" making up the other half. It was also adapted in book form as "[[The Decepticons Invade!]]".

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Échec et combat'''" ("Failure and Struggle")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die alten Waffen'''" ("The Old Weapons")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 5|5 July]] [[2008]]

'''Spanish (Latin America)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Perdido y encontrado''" ("Lost and found")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[August 2|2 August]] [[2008]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kotei no Gekisen'''" (湖底の激戦, "Fierce Battle on the Lake Bottom")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 12|12 June]] [[2010]]
::* Blitzwing and Lugnut do the intro in this episode.
::* '''Cut:''' The camera does a shot of the Autobots playing field hockey with Sari.
::* '''Cut:''' Sari follows the Autobots to help them battle Blitzwing and Lugnut, but Ratchet objects that she won't stand a chance against two Decepticons when it took all of them to beat just one.
::* '''Cut:''' Megatron questions himself whether he should trust Blitzwing and Lugnut when Starscream betrayed him.
::* '''Cut:''' Ratchet comments "that was different" when Lugnut carries Blitzwing off to find Megatron.
::* '''Cut:''' The Autobots recover from the recent skirmish with the two Decepticons.
::* '''Cut:''' Starscream offers to help out Lugnut and Blitzwing if they pledge undying allegiance to him.

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Odnaleziona zguba'''" ("Lost and Found")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

==Home video releases==
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season One ([[Transformers Animated (cartoon)/home video|Paramount]]) — English and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Two: Lost and Found (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Two: Lost and Found (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Zwei: Die Alten Waffen (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2010 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Vol. 3 (Paramount) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2013 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season One ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Bumblebee (Movie)

2017-01-02T10:09:49Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Age of Extinction film */

{{factions|autobotfilm|NEST|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Bumblebee}}{{suite}}
:''Bumblebee is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:TF-Alliance03 Cover Nizzi.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb]]
'''Bumblebee''' is one of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s most trusted lieutenants. Although he is not the strongest or most powerful of the Autobots, Bumblebee more than makes up for this with a bottomless well of luck, determination and bravery. He would gladly give his life to protect others and stop the [[Decepticon]]s.

Badly damaged in battle, Bumblebee lost the ability to speak verbally, though he can still communicate over [[Inter-Autobot radio|inter-Autobot frequencies]] (in a fashion that seems somewhat akin to instant messaging, a usable but more distant and less personal means of interaction). He can also communicate with the Autobots' human allies and his friend, [[Sam Witwicky]], by playing audio clips from popular media on his radio.

Sometimes he is also known as '''N.B.E.-02'''.

{{quote|If there's anything you need, I won't be far away.|Bumblebee quoting ''{{w|Forrest Gump}}'' to Sam|''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Movies===
{{note|The five movies are the primary component of the live-action movie continuity family. Their events should be taken as canon for all other pieces of fiction listed below, unless otherwise specified.}}
====''Transformers'' film====
{{voiceactor|[[Mark Ryan]] (English), [[Hiroshi Iwasaki]] (Japan radio voice) [[Akio Kato]] (Japan normal voice)|[[Helmut Gauß]] (German), [[Eduardo Borgerth]] (Brazil), [[Omar Soto]] (Latin American-Spanish Radio voice), [[Alfredo Gabriel Basurto]] (Latin American-Spanish normal voice), [[Saverio Indrio]] (Italian)}}

[[File:Movie2007 Bumblebee dealership.jpg|left|upright=1.8|thumb|Out with the old, and in with the new.]]

When the Autobots scattered to the stars in search of the lost [[AllSpark]], Bumblebee made his way to the planet [[Earth]], where he connected the trail of the lost relic to the [[Witwicky]] family line. Disguising himself as a battered 1970s Camaro, he followed [[Ron Witwicky]] and his son [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] to [[Bolivia's Finest Quality Used Cars and Petting Zoo|a second rate car dealership]] and slipped himself amongst the vehicles, intending to have the boy purchase him so that he could get close to the family. When proprietor [[Bobby Bolivia]] couldn't agree on a price, however, it looked like Sam would wind up buying another car, so Bumblebee used a high-frequency sound wave to blow out the windows of every other vehicle in the lot, leaving Bolivia with no choice but to sell him.

[[File:Movie Bumblebee winner.jpg|right|upright=1.8|thumb|YOU BIG WINNER, HAHAHA.]]

The next day, Sam and his friend [[Miles Lancaster]] drove Bumblebee down to a party at the lake, where the disguised Autobot decided to do the boy a favor, playing "Drive" on his radio to subtly convince Sam to kick Miles out and offer his crush [[Mikaela Banes]] a ride home. When he neared a romantic spot overlooking the city, Bumblebee turned off his engine and began playing romantically suggestive songs; this didn't have the intended effect, and Bumblebee had to abruptly turn himself back on again when Mikaela started to walk off. After they returned Mikaela home, Bumblebee drove off during the night; Sam, believing it to be a car theft, followed him to a junkyard and witnessed the robot-mode Bumblebee sending a beacon into space to summon his fellow Autobots. Apparently unaware that he had been spotted, Bumblebee then scared off the junkyard's two guard dogs when they menaced Sam.

[[File:TF2007 bumblebee 2009 camaro.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8|Out with the new, and in with the newer.]]

When Bumblebee returned to the Witwicky home the next day, a terrified Sam fled from what he dubbed "Satan's Camaro", only to wind up being attacked by the Decepticon [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]], who was also on the trail of the AllSpark. While fleeing this new threat, Sam ran into Mikaela, and Bumblebee then snatched the pair up and drove them away, with Barricade in hot pursuit. Taking refuge at a deserted chemical plant, Bumblebee revealed his robot form to the two humans so he could engage Barricade in combat, eventually knocked the Decepticon out after a brawl. Afterward, Bumblebee—able only to communicate in sound bites broadcast over his radio—properly introduced himself to Sam and Mikaela, and drove them to nearby [[Griffith Observatory]] to watch as the other Autobots he had called upon arrived in the sky overhead. Along the way, when Mikaela wondered aloud why a super-advanced robot turned into a "piece of crap Camaro", a mildly insulted Bumblebee scanned a passing 2009 Camaro, taking on its sleek and shiny form himself.

[[File:Movie BumblebeeCC guardian.jpg|right|upright=1.8|thumb|I may be your guardian, but I will not carry you through a crowd to the music of Whitney Houston.]]

Bumblebee took his friends to a secluded alleyway, where Sam and Mikaela met the other Autobots, including their leader, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Medical officer [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] explained that Bumblebee's inability to speak was a result of an old injury to his [[processors|vocal processor]], which Ratchet then treated with a regenerative plasma beam.<ref name="Orci">[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showthread.php?t=12054 Post-movie Q&A with screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman]</ref> Prime explained that Sam had been targeted because he owned a set of [[glasses]] belonging to his grandfather, [[Archibald Witwicky]], which had the location on the AllSpark inscribed on their lenses, and the entire group returned to the Witwicky home so they could obtain them.

[[File:Movie2007 Bumblebee lubricates Simmons.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.8|"They should change my name to Bumble-PEE!!!" Ba Dum Tss! I'll be here all night!]]

Though the glasses were soon found, the forces of [[Sector Seven]] soon descended upon the house and apprehended Sam and Mikaela. The Autobots wasted no time in rescuing them, but when the interrogation of [[Seymour Simmons]] went nowhere, Bumblebee became so annoyed with his attitude that he released lubricant onto the agent. When Sector Seven reinforcements arrived, the Autobots were forced to hide; unfortunately, Sam and Mikaela fell from their hiding place beneath a bridge, and Bumblebee had to reveal himself to save them. Harpooned and frozen by Sector Seven agents, he was captured by the organization, with Optimus Prime regrettably unable to intercede as he knew the Autobots could not do so without harming the humans.

[[File:TF2007 bumblebee captured.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Taken to Sector Seven's base at [[Hoover Dam]], Bumblebee was continually doused with cryoblasts to keep him subdued while experiments were performed on him, until Sam and Mikaela (with some armed persuasion from [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]) convinced S7 to let him go. Upon his release, Bumblebee almost lashed out at his human oppressors until Sam calmed him down, informing him of the presence of the AllSpark and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] in the facility, and that the Decepticons were coming for both. Following the humans to the AllSpark's chamber, Bumblebee hesitantly reached out to the life source of his people and reformatted it, shrinking the cube until it was a size that the humans could manipulate. Cube in hand, Bumblebee and a military escort fled to [[Mission City]], meeting the Autobots en route.

[[File:TF2007 bumblebee gives sam allspark.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]

Soon after Bumblebee and the Autobots arrived in the city, the Decepticons descended in force, with a missile attack from Starscream blowing off Bumblebee's legs. To get him to safety, Mikaela and Sam hoisted Bumblebee onto an abandoned tow truck, but Bumblebee pushed the AllSpark into Sam's hands, urging him to run while he still could. As Sam reluctantly left, Mikaela drove Bumblebee away from the fighting to relative safety, but she was soon overcome with guilt for leaving Sam and the battle. With Bumblebee's assent, she turned headed back in, driving the truck in reverse so that Bumblebee could fire his weapons at [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], helping take the tank Decepticon out. Subsequently, Sam used the AllSpark to destroy Megatron, and in the aftermath, Bumblebee found that his voice had returned,<ref name="Orci"/> and he used it to request permission to remain with Sam. Optimus and Sam agreed, and after his legs were repaired, Bumblebee allowed Sam and Mikaela to make out on top of him as Optimus sent his message to space calling other Autobots to Earth. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}}

{{note|Bumblebee's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels “[[Transformers (novel)|Transformers]],” "[[Transformers: The Junior Novel]]” and "[[The Quest for the AllSpark]]"; the "[[Transformers: Movie Adaptation]]” and "[[Movie Trilogy]]" comics; the activity book "[[Look and Find Transformers]]"; and the storybooks “[[Bumblebee Rumble]],” “[[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron]],” “[[Sam's New Car]],” “[[Transformers (interactive Play-a-Sound Storybook)|Transformers Play-a-Sound]],” "[[Transformers Mix & Match]]," "[[Meet the Autobots]]," "[[Meet the Decepticons]]," and "[[Transformers: The Movie Storybook]]." In several, Bumblebee has his own [[Moustache Man]] hologram driver, which does not appear in the finished film.}}
{{--}}

====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====
{{voiceactor|[[Mark Ryan]] (dialogue cut from final movie)|[[Omar Soto]], [[Enrique Cervantes]] and [[Arturo Acosta]] (Latin American-Spanish radio voice)}}

[[File:ROTF bumblebee opens fire.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Two years after the battle of Mission City, his voice still not properly repaired, Bumblebee was dozing in the Witwicky garage the day Sam was packing for [[Princeton University]] when a scream from Sam saw him called into action to blast the [[AllSpark Mutation]]s a surviving sliver of the AllSpark had made of the Witwicky kitchen appliances. Shrugging off [[Judy Witwicky]]'s complaints that he had blown up much of their house, 'Bee returned to the garage, where he was dismayed to learn that Sam was not planning on taking him to college with him, as just he wanted a normal life.

[[File:ROTF bee makes trouble.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Hoping that Sam could serve as an ambassador of sorts to help convince the [[President of the United States]] that it was important the Autobots stay on Earth to fight off the Decepticons, Optimus Prime had Bumblebee pick up Sam from college so he could talk to him. 'Bee caused trouble for Sam right away, disrupting a frat party he was attending, then wound up with an unwanted passenger in [[Alice]], about whom he could tell something wasn't right. Bonking her head off his dashboard and spraying her in liquid to get rid of her, he then took Sam to meet Optimus, but the boy turned down the Autobot leader's offer. Unfortunately, Sam soon proved to have little choice in whether or not he would be involved in the Transformers' war, when a resurrected Megatron captured him, and Bumblebee and Prime had to come to his rescue. 'Bee took Mikaela and Sam's roommate [[Leo Spitz]], to safety, but Optimus died protecting the boy.

[[File:ROTF bumblebee puppdogeyes.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Bumblebee, together with [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], took the three humans to an abandoned prison where they would be safe, but soon, the Decepticons' master [[The Fallen]] struck across Earth, demanding Sam he turned over to them. Bearing Sam no grudge for Optimus's death, Bumblebee promised to help his fugitive friend in any way, though he advised against Sam turning himself in. At Leo's suggestion, the group went to [[New York City]] to meet his internet rival, the Robo-Warrior—in actuality, Bumblebee's old lubrication post Seymour Simmons, who provided evidence that [[Seeker (ROTF)|a group of Decepticons]] had been on Earth thousands of years ago. Following this information, the group located and reactivated the ancient [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], who teleported them to [[Egypt]] to search for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which Sam hoped could be used to revive Optimus.

[[File:ROTF Bumblebee twin bash.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|Respect my authoritah!]]

Bumblebee transported the humans to [[Petra (Earth)|Petra]], the supposed location of the [[Tomb of the Primes]], but when it appeared to be a dead end, the Twins got into an argument over why they were following Sam around. The argument turned into a brawl which threatened to crush the humans in the close quarters, so Bumblebee picked his two subordinates, slammed them together, and threw them out of the temple. However, the Twins' brawl had managed to unearth the Tomb of the Primes, and Bumblebee further opened the hole with his plasma cannon, where they found the Matrix...which instantly turned to dust. Gathering up the dust in hopes it would still work, the team headed back to Egypt, but were [[Operation: Firestorm|assaulted]] by Starscream on the way. 'Bee, Simmons, Leo, and the Twins led Starscream and the Decepticons away while Sam and Mikaela went on ahead, and when it became apparent that Starscream was no longer pursuing them, Bumblebee left to rejoin the pair.

[[File:ROTF movie BumblebeevsRampage.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|Move your body Rampage! Yeah, like that, gymnastics are really easy when you have two legs. Oh wait...]]

Arriving in the abandoned town Sam and Mikaela were hiding from the Decepticons in, Bumblebee found that Sam's parents were being held captive by [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]]. Sam distracted the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]] long enough for Bumblebee to jump him, but while they were grappling, [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] ambushed Bumblebee. The plucky Autobot managed to fight off Ravage and ''rip out his spine'', then overpowered and killed Rampage. At Sam's instruction, Bumblebee took the boy's parents to safety, returning in time to see Sam apparently be killed by a blast from Megatron, upon which he broke down in grief. However, Sam miraculously survived the attack, and with the reformed Matrix of Leadership, resurrected Optimus Prime. Together, the assembled Autobots and humans watched as Optimus combined with the remains of Jetfire, destroyed the harvester and killed The Fallen. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|Bumblebee’s involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels “[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]],” “[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Junior Novel]]” and “[[The Last Prime]]"; the comic mini-series “[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation]]”; and the storybooks "[[I Am Optimus Prime (ROTF)|I Am Optimus Prime]],” “[[When Robots Attack!]],” "[[Rise of the Decepticons]]," "[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Electronic Voice Changer]]" and "[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Mix & Match]]." In the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] of the film, Bumblebee speaks—with difficulty—in his own voice several times, a story element that was cut from the finished film.}}

====''Dark of the Moon'' film====
{{voiceactor|N/A (English)|[[Omar Soto]], [[Ferso Velázquez]] and [[Alfredo Gabriel Basurto]] (Latin American-Spanish radio voice)}}

[[File:DOTFfilm-BumblebeeStealthForce.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8|''Stealth'' Force? Right...]]
Three years after the defeat of The Fallen, Bumblebee no longer lived with Sam, having been put back on active NEST duty now regularly engaged in top secret missions with the rest of the Autobots, mostly to prevent human conflict. Alongside [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], [[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]], 'Bee investigated an illegal nuclear facility, employing his [[Stealth Force]] mode to destroy it. Upon returning to the [[NEST]] base, he assisted in teaching soldiers how to fight Decepticons.

[[File:DOTM bumblebee vs brazos.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Having received information from his co-worker [[Jerry Wang]] that suggested a conspiracy of humans collaborating with the Decepticons, Sam and his new girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]] went to NEST headquarters to share what Sam had learned, but when the guards would not let him enter, he grabbed a radio and called for Bumblebee to "convince" them. The guards quickly backed off when Bumblebee burst out of the building, but the reunion wasn't an entirely happy one, as Sam made clear to his big 'bot buddy that he was upset that he wasn't around much any more. National Intelligence Director [[Charlotte Mearing]] had no interest in Sam's conspiracy theories, so Sam left with Bumblebee to investigate the matter himself. To "repay" Sam's boss eccentric [[Bruce Brazos]] for a few leads he was able to provide them, Bumblebee play-fought with the man, who tried some karate moves on him.

[[File:Dotm-sam&bumblebee-ahhh!-1-.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8|Here comes another Flight of the Bumblebee joke...]]

After Sam, [[Seymour Simmons|Simmons]] and [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] learned that the Autobots' recent actions—recovering their lost former leader [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] and his [[space bridge]] [[pillar]]s from the wreck of the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' they had discovered on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]]—had actually been orchestrated by the Decepticons, Bumblebee, Sideswipe and Dino escorted the humans and Sentinel back to the NEST base. En route, they were attacked by the [[Dread (DOTM)|Dreads]], and Bumblebee was forced to execute an impressive mid-air transformation to avoid a crashed truck, tossing Sam into the air as he switched modes, before transforming back to vehicle mode around the boy. When the group arrived back at NEST, Sentinel revealed he was in league with Megatron, and Bumblebee was unable to prevent [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] from being killed and the base from being destroyed as Sentinel retrieved his pillars.

[[File:DOTM-bumblebeesamsfriend.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|Bee good.]]
Sentinel used his pillars to open a space bridge in the heart of Washington, and Bumblebee and the Autobots were vastly outnumbered by the Decepticon forces that poured through and had to retreat. When Sentinel forced the humans to exile the Autobots on their ship, the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'', Bumblebee was allowed a short time to say goodbye to Sam, and assured him he was always going to be his friend, before helping the others prepare the ship for launch. However shortly after lift-off, the ''Xantium'' was destroyed by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and Bumblebee and the rest of the Autobots were presumed dead.

[[File:DOTM bee and carly in ship.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8]]
In actuality, the Autobots had hidden in a rocket booster that was jettisoned before the Xantium's destruction, and arrived in the Decepticon-occupied [[Chicago]] in time to help Sam, [[Robert Epps|Epps]] and a team of soldiers in finding the kidnapped Carly. Bumblebee piloted one of the downed Decepticon fighters to get Sam into the building in which Decepticon conspirator [[Dylan Gould]] was holding Carly, and used it to both rescue the pair and blast off [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]'s head. He rejoined his fellow Autobots in attacking the Decepticon forces, and arrived in time to save Sam and Lennox from falling to their deaths after Sam managed to kill Starscream.

[[File:830px-Dotm-helluvarun-1-.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|He's right behind me, isn't he?]]
Unfortunately, Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Dino, Ratchet and Que were soon captured by [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] and his troops, and Bumblebee could only watch as Que was executed. He had barely a moment to mourn before he was pulled forward, sharing what seemed to be a final, heartfelt look with Sam... before [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] and [[Brains]] suddenly started dropping Decepticon fighters from a Decepticon warship above. With Soundwave distracted, Bumblebee attacked his would-be executioner, and after a short but intense battle, killed the Decepticon spy-master by punching straight through his chest and blasting his head to bits. Subsequently, Bumblebee joined the final battle, and with Ratchet's help, he tackled and destroyed the space bridge's control pillar, shutting the bridge down. After the defeat of the Decepticons and Sentinel Prime, Bumblebee produced a selection of gears and washers from inside his body so that Sam could use one as a ring to propose to Carly with, but Sam just told him that he needed to slow it down. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}
{{note|Bumblebee's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]” and “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]],” the “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation]] and "[[Movie Trilogy]]" comics,” and the storybooks “[[Autobots Versus Decepticons]],” "[[The Lost Autobot]]," "[[Optimus Prime's Friends and Foes]]," “[[Bumblebee's Best Friend]]," "[[Dark of the Moon: Action Pop-ups!]]" and "[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Mix & Match]]."}}
{{-}}

====''Age of Extinction'' film====
{{voiceactor|N/A (English), [[Kōichi Yamadera]] (Japanese radio voice)|[[Gerardo Alonso]], [[Ferso Velázquez]] and [[Alfredo Gabriel Basurto]] (Latin American Spanish radio voice)}}

[[File:AOEBumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|After a wild bender, Bumblebee woke up in the desert, stripped of his 2011 Camaro kibble.]]

At some point in the past, Bumblebee had a phase where he became extremely insubordinate and disrespectful to his father figure Optimus Prime.

In the aftermath of the Battle of Chicago, Bumblebee remained on Earth with the other Autobots, but they were all soon forced to go on the run when US government disbanded [[NEST]], and [[Harold Attinger]]'s [[Cemetery Wind]] taskforce began hunting down Transformers. Disguised as a beat-up 1967 Camaro, Bumblebee even found himself having to take command of the remaining Autobot refugees when Optimus Prime disappeared, even though the others saw him as brash and inexperienced.

[[File:AOE bee and stinger.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8|Bumblebee shares the same feeling with [[Stephanie Sheh|Usagi Tsukino]] when it comes to clones.]]

Five years after Chicago, Optimus returned and Bumblebee relinquished command, but this did not stop [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] from complaining about Bumblebee's leadership skills. Indignant at being called a "child" by the Autobot samurai, Bumblebee briefly brawled with Drift, but greater matters soon demanded the Autobots' attention. Following information provided by Optimus's new human ally [[Cade Yeager]] that revealed Cemetery Wind were delivering the bodies of the Transformers they captured to [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated]], the Autobots prepared to infiltrate the company's Chicago headquarters; Bumblebee falsified ID cards to get Cade and [[Shane Dyson]] into the building, then drove them to the site, masquerading as a non-sentient vehicle bring brought in for [[scanning]]. Upon seeing the company's display of [[Stinger (AOE)|Stinger]], a drone based on his own design, as well several videos and posters claiming that he was inferior to the human-made Transformer, Bumblebee flipped out and knocked over the prototype, then left Shane to take the blame for the accident.

[[File:AOE bumblebee missiles.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8|Hi Tom!]]

The information Cade brought out of KSI revealed to the Autobots that the captured Transformers were being melted down for their raw [[transformium]] metal. Learning that Ratchet had suffered this grisly fate, Bumblebee joined the Autobots in attacking the building, though not before he scanned a 2014 Camaro along the way, taking on a sleek new alternate mode. He got a lift from Drift's helicopter mode to the buildings upper levels and was able to rescue Cade from Attinger's clutches. The Autobots then withdrew, but were pursued by Stinger and KSI's premiere creation, [[Galvatron (AOE)|Galvatron]]; 'Bee attempted to blast Galvatron with a cluster of missiles, but was left in utter shock when the drone disintegrated and reassembled himself to avoid the attack.

[[File:AOE-BeeIsTheBest.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.8|Never mind the fact we should be ripped to shreds by the shattered glass from this skyscraper, you're the best, Bee!]]
When Optimus was captured by [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]], Bumblebee and the Autobots infiltrated the [[Knight Ship|bounty hunter's ship]]. Bumblebee helped their human allies escape from several [[Steeljaw (AOE)|Steeljaw]]s, and though he could not stop the ships anchors from being detached, causing the humans to fall towards Chicago, he still managed to save them by swinging down on the cables and grabbing them out of the air. Given a lift by [[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]] in a stolen gunship, 'Bee had to take over piloting the craft while Crosshairs engaged Lockdown's pursuing henchmen, and although he managed to lose the ships chasing them by diving into an underground roadway, he then promptly crashed the gunship into the city streets.

Bumblebee and the humans regrouped with the other Autobots at a disused train yard, where they learned from Brains that Galvatron was, in actuality, a reborn Megatron, and was planning to detonate a cyberforming [[seed]]—given to KSI head [[Joshua Joyce]] by Lockdown—in [[Hong Kong]]. The team immediately headed for China, but upon arrival, their ship was shot down, and Bumblebee, [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] and the humans fell out and had to escort the seed out of the city. [[File:CheapKnockOffs.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|But how does he feel about the length of his toy page?]] Bumblebee and Hound acted as a defensive line against Galvatron's forces, and though they destroyed many drones, they slowly became overwhelmed by the onslaught. Salvation came in the form of Optimus Prime and the newly recruited [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobots]]; their airborne member [[Strafe (AOE)|Strafe]] partnered himself up with Bumblebee, and together, they took out Stinger, who 'Bee "eulogized" by calling him a "cheap knockoff" and let Strafe gnaw on his head. With the battle reaching fever pitch, Bumblebee was tasked by Cade with taking his daughter [[Tessa Yeager|Tessa]] and Shane out of the city, but the pair soon convinced him to turn around and help Optimus and Cade fight the returned Lockdown. Bumblebee quickly found he was no match for Lockdown, but his intervention gave Tessa and Shane enough time to help Optimus recover, and the Autobot leader slew the bounty hunter. Bumblebee, alongside the other Autobots, was tasked with protecting the Yeager family from any threats when Optimus left Earth to confront Lockdown's employers, the mysterious [[creator (AOE)|creators]]. With Optimus off-world, Bumblebee was left in charge of the Autobots.{{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}}
{{-}}

====''The Last Knight'' film====
{{comingsoon|when=June 23, 2017}}
{{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight}}

===Novels===
====''Ghosts of Yesterday''====
Before coming to Earth, Bumblebee was part of the crew of the [[Ark (Movie)|''Ark'']], searching through space for the lost AllSpark. In 1969, Earth-time, the crew encountered an alien ship, the ''[[Ghost 1]]'', in an abandoned solar system. After the ship turned tail and headed for one of the local planets, Optimus Prime sent Bumblebee down after it. Bumblebee located the ship, and was about to approach it when [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] arrived, and he was forced to retreat under the Decepticon's superior firepower. Shortly after Bumblebee discovered some apparently artificial pillars, the ground gave way beneath him, and 'Bee found himself plunged into a cave system. With his radio damaged, he explored the caves, and was attacked by giant, monstrous worm creatures, whose organic nature did not make them any less challenging as opponents. Fortunately, Optimus arrived in time to save him.

Prime and Bumblebee had a brief encounter with Starscream and the ''Ghost 1'', the crew of which had been persuaded by the Decepticon that the Autobots were the aggressors in the Transformer war. The pair retreated back below ground, and later found the ''Ghost 1'' in a battered state, having been abandoned by Starscream. Bumblebee made contact with its crew, a species known as "humans", and the earlier misunderstanding was soon cleared up. When more of the worm creatures turned up, Bumblebee acted as a diversion so Optimus could blast a way out of the caves, and everyone escaped intact. They returned to the ''Ark'' in time to fight the Decepticons once more. Bumblebee joined Ratchet in attacking Barricade, though the Decepticon gave them more than enough trouble. When the ''Ghost-1'' and its crew were lost during the battle, the Autobots turned their attention toward the planet from which it had hailed... Earth. {{storylink|Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

====''The Veiled Threat''====

Following the battle of Mission City and the destruction of the AllSpark, Bumblebee guardianship of Sam Witwicky meant that he was not an activate participant in any missions carried out by the forces of NEST. {{storylink|Transformers: The Veiled Threat|The Veiled Threat}}

====''Classified'' novels====
[[File:Tfc-switchinggears.jpg|right|thumb|Psst, down here!]]
After the defeat of The Fallen, NEST resumed their regular business of hunting down rogue Decepticons. Bumblebee was at [[Edwards Air Force Base]] with Ratchet when they received word that two Cybertronians in transition forms had landed near [[Hurley's Crossing]]. The pair went there by helicopter and encountered [[Reverb (ROTF)|Reverb]], who claimed to be a Decepticon defector hunting down another Decepticon who was after the technology at [[Hawthorne Army Depot]]. Though Bumblebee was highly skeptical, he followed Ratchet's lead, and they took Reverb to the depot. When they reached it, [[Kevin Bowman]] let them know that [[Gears (ROTF)|Gears]] was an Autobot and in reality trying to protect an ancient weapons cache. The warning came too late, as Reverb turned the weapons on Bumblebee and Ratchet, who were unable to penetrate the personal forcefield Reverb had acquired. Despite this, Bumblebee lasted out Reverb's defeat with minimal damage. {{storylink|Transformers Classified: Switching Gears|Switching Gears}}

When Bumblebee and Gears were left at base, they received word from [[Douglas Porter]] that the Decepticon [[Blowback]] was heading up to [[Battle Mountain]] where a storehouse of Cybertronian artifacts had been discovered. The pair were compelled to travel to Battle Mountain with Kevin and Douglas, though Bumblebee made a detour to a [[Kwiki-Burger]] on the way. On arrival, they were attacked by Blowback and his men, and by the time they'd dispatched the four Decepticons, Kevin and Douglas had found the storehouse. They were subsequently picked up by Ironhide and taken back to face Optimus Prime's anger at them having gone off on their own. {{storylink|Transformers Classified: Battle Mountain|Battle Mountain}}

When the Battle Mountain cylinder was in danger of activating, Bumblebee and Gears took part in a convoy to transport the device to a NEST vault near [[Yucca Mountain]]. The trip was cut short when the convoy was ambushed outside [[Beatty]] by Reverb and some stolen [[Hyperdynamix]] autonomous tanks. They caught a break when Reverb was called away to the nearby Hyperdynamix Aerospace facility, and while Gears and Kevin followed the Decepticon, Bumblebee remained to protect the remains of the convoy. {{storylink|Transformers Classified: Satellite of Doom|Satellite of Doom}}
{{-}}

===IDW movie comics===
[[File:Defiance1 Cliffjumper Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|"Tell Hasbro that [[Cliffjumper (disambiguation)|I]] don't want to be a [[repaint]] of [[Bumblebee (disambiguation)|you]] anymore!"]]

Bumblebee was born over 10,000 years ago, one of the second generation of Cybertronians spawned by the [[AllSpark]] since its rediscovery and the revitalization of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} He and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] were guardians of the AllSpark at the [[Simfur Temple|Temple]] of [[Simfur]]. One day, when the AllSpark suddenly began giving off energy spikes, a nervous Bumblebee was troubled by the fact that planetary leaders Optimus and [[Lord High Protector]] Megatron were more concerned with a nearby archaeological excavation than with the source of the spikes, but Cliffjumper reassured him that they could handle whatever came their way. He would soon regret those words when [[Ejoornian|aliens]] from the nearby [[Eshems Nebula]] attacked Simfur. The pair were seeking cover inside the temple when Lord Megatron swooped in, berated them for not taking the fight to the enemy, and destroyed their opponent. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}} Instructed to stay out of the military's way, Bumblebee was concerned that the attack signalled the start of something ''big'', but Cliffjumper was unconcerned on the basis that two lowly guards wouldn't be part of whatever it was. [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]] agreed, ordering them to stay at their posts, after which he quizzed them on how the AllSpark had reacted during the battle. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[File:Defiance3 Optimus Bumblebee orders.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|Well, that's one way to make a first impression.]]

His ambition ignited by the [[The Fallen|mysterious relic]] discovered at the archaeological dig, a power-hungry Megatron sought to have Optimus disposed of, and sent a team led by Prowl—including Bumblebee—to apprehend him on charges of treason. When Optimus angrily demanded to know what he had done, Bumblebee pointed his weapon at the science leader and said they were just following orders, which seemed to satisfy Optimus. What 'Bee and the other security officers didn't know, however, was they were being led into a trap; on the way to the city of [[Metrotitan (ROTF)|Metrotitan]], they were ambushed by a soldiers loyal to Megatron, who had been ordered to kill them all, save Optimus. Bumblebee helped haul [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] to safety after the group was hit by an explosive round, and Optimus ordered them all to withdraw to [[Burthov]] while he took care of their attackers personally. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}} {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

[[File:Defiance Bumblebee vehiclemodes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|My alt mode is Pac-Man!]]

After it was learned that Megatron had rebuilt his Defense Force as an army known as the "Decepticons", Optimus—now Optimus ''Prime'', embracing his destiny—organized Bumblebee and the others loyal to him to stand against Megatron's forces as the "Autobots". While on an apparent scouting mission, Bumblebee and Arcee discovered the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' while it was under construction; some time later, when the vessel was complete, they also observed as the majority of the Decepticon forces boarded. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} Returning to the camp at Burthov, they and all the assembled Autobots watched at the ''Nemesis'' took off. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} With the bulk of the Decepticons gone, the Autobots launched their first strike against the Decepticons, and the war between the two factions truly began. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

[[File:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Megatron's attempt at a "Give me your arm!" meme didn't really take off...]]

After years of war, with no end in sight, Bumblebee participated in an assault on Simfur Temple to activate the "[[pillar|torch]]" [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] had created, which Sentinel had promised would end the conflict. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} Alas, Starscream blew up Sentinel's [[Ark (DOTM)|ship]], and Bumblebee retreated with the rest of the Autobots. However, the battle had weakened Decepticon forces to the extent that the Autobots were soon able to steal the AllSpark. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}} After moving the relic around the planet, Optimus Prime finally made the desperate decision to launch the AllSpark into space to put it beyond Megatron's reach. This decision took Bumblebee by surprise, but he supported Optimus. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} Bumblebee was placed in command of a small Autobot unit at the AllSpark's hiding place in [[Tyger Pax]], on the assumption that the Decepticon would focus their attention on Simfur; unfortunately, Megatron sensed the AllSpark's true location, and Bumblebee and his men found themselves under attack by the Decepticon leader and his troops. [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] tried and failed to torture the AllSpark's precise hiding spot out of Bumblebee, forcing Megatron to take up the task, but even 'Bee did not know ''exactly'' where it was—moments later, both he and Megatron could only watch as the cube was blasted into space from a launch site nearby. A furious Megatron crushed Bumblebee's voice capacitor beyond repair in a petty act of revenge and took off after the AllSpark; although the young bot survived and was dubbed a hero for his actions, he feared that all the Autobots had done was potentially spread their war to other worlds. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}}

[[File:MoviePrequel Interlude bee vs barricade.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.6]]

In time, the Autobots left Cybertron aboard the ''Ark'' in search of the AllSpark. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}} After years of questing, in 2003, Bumblebee traced the AllSpark to Earth's [[Solar System]], first touching down on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], where his image was captured by the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] and passed to human organization [[Sector Seven]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Landing on Earth in the state of [[Virginia (state)|Virginia]], 'Bee quickly evaded S7 by scanning a battered old Camaro and making for [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]]. There, he used a remote link to a coffee shop computer to search [[Shwiggle]] for any signs of extraterrestrial sightings, and discovered the story of Captain [[Archibald Witwicky]], who claimed to have seen an "Ice Man" that Bumblebee recognized as a frozen Megatron. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Bumblebee's followed Witwicky's trail to an [[Psychopathic Institute for the Long-Term Insane|asylum]] in [[Baton Rouge]], [[Louisiana]], where the late captain had been committed, {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Movie Prequel #4}} then headed downtown to [[asylum|another asylum]] that had computerized records he could scan. Having thus obtained a list of Witwicky's descendants, Bumblebee set course for [[Springfield]], Missouri, in search of his son [[Clarence Witwicky|Clarence]], evading an attack by Sector Seven along the way. In Springfield, he found records of Clarence's children and started out to track them down, starting with his eldest son [[Ben Witwicky|Ben]] in [[Denver]], [[Colorado]]. Ben proved a dead end, so 'Bee took off for [[Tucson]], only to be again attacked by Sector Seven, evading their helicopters by blinding them and rocketing off at high speed. Not long after, he learned the Decepticons had followed him to Earth when he was attacked by Barricade in the desert. {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}} {{storylink|Interlude}}

[[File:Prequel3 bumblebee altmode.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Escaping his various pursuers, a damaged and smoking Bumblebee stopped by the roadside on the way out of Colorado to rest and recover. Suddenly detecting a burst of AllSpark energy, he trace the source to [[New Mexico]], where Barricade tracked him down and attacked once again. Other Decepticons, meanwhile, attacked the energy source and found it to be a Sector Seven ruse; consequently, assuming Bumblebee would have further leads they could exploit, Barricade let 'Bee escape so that they would be able to covertly track his movements. Eventually, Bumblebee's search took him to [[Tranquility]], [[Nevada]], {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Movie Prequel #4}} where he would soon encounter Sam Witwicky, whom he befriended and allied with during the subsequent battle for the AllSpark. {{storylink|Transformers: Movie Adaptation}}

[[File:Alliance2 Bumblebee takecove-rrk.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|"Why do they always aim for the throat!?"]]

Immediately following the battle in [[Mission City]], Bumblebee had his legs reattached by Ratchet, then he and the other Autobots rolled out to avoid Sector Seven's inquiries. 'Bee remained behind to guard Sam when the other Autobots were summoned to a meeting with Lennox a month later, {{storylink|Alliance issue 1|Alliance #1}} but then took part in the mission Lennox requested their help with: transporting the dead Decepticons' body to a navy base in [[San Diego]], [[California]] for disposal at sea. Before departing Sector Seven's [[Nevada]] base with the convoy, Optimus Prime gave the surviving AllSpark sliver to [[Vine|Professor Vine]] for safekeeping, but had second thoughts about his decision partway into the mision and sent Ironhide and Bumblebee back to the facility to retrieve it. Racing ahead, Bumblebee was greeted with an unexpected sight: the base aflame, and Decepticons [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] and Starscream brawling in the midst of it all. 'Bee disarmed Wreckage with a well-aimed blast and Starscream finished him off, then turned his firepower on the humans; Bumblebee dived in front of them and took the blast, damaging his vocal processor once again. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2|Alliance #2}} {{storylink|Convergence chapter 4}} Ironhide praised him for his bravery and selflessness, Bumblebee regretted not being able to save everybody. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3|Alliance #3}}

[[File:Alliance3 Ironhide Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"I see dead people, I mean it, look there's one right over there."]]

Two weeks later, Bumblebee was present for the burial at sea of [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] and the Decepticons, following which it was announced that the Autobots and Lennox's team would be working together as a new special unit, dedicated to protecting the Earth from threats posed by the remaining Decepticons. They began training on the island of Diego Garcia, but it took time for the humans and Autobots to learn to work together; during a training exercise on a shooting range, when Bumblebee instinctively fired on a target, he only narrowly avoiding blasting Epps in the process. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3|Alliance #3}} For their first mission, NEST was deployed to [[San Francisco]] to take out the Decepticons [[Jolt (Movie)|Deadend]] and 'Bee's old opponent Swindle. Bumblebee and Lennox chased Swindle onto the deserted [[Golden Gate Bridge]], where the Decepticon was amused upon realizing who it was he was facing once again. When Swindle turned on Lennox, however, he learned the folly of underestimating Bumblebee, who blasted his one-time torturer through the back, killing him. {{storylink|Alliance issue 4|Alliance #4}}

[[File:TotF1 bee vs barricade again.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]

Concerned that Sam Witwicky would become the target of the Decepticons again, Optimus selected Bumblebee to act as Sam's guardian again and sent him to live with the boy. {{storylink|Alliance issue 4|Alliance #4}} However, Bumblebee's attempts to integrate himself into Sam's life were not as smooth as he had hoped. Without the team structure of the Autobots, Bumblebee tended to act upon instinct, taking revenge on Mikaela's ex-boyfriend [[Trent DeMarco]] for his previous humiliations of Sam by wrecking his truck, smashing a would-be car thief with the door he was attempting to unlock, and inadvertently giving Sam traffic tickets by not observing the rules of the road. When Bumblebee was alone, he attempted to learn as much as he could about human culture, feeling that he owed it to his friend. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 1|Tales of the Fallen #1}} Though no longer on active NEST duty, Bumblebee very occasionally helped his Autobot allies out; in November 2008, he came on-scene to assist his team-mates after [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] had... demolished a sizeable amount of human property in [[Uruguay]]. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 2|Tales of the Fallen #2}}

Soon, the problem of Sam's impending departure for college arose: 'Bee intended to follow Sam wherever he went, but Sam feared that he might not be able to bring his car along with him. Not thrilled the prospect of Bumblebee continuing to live with them, Sam's father Ron decreed that once Sam had gone to school, Bumblebee would have to leave. However, unexpectedly, Ron came to Bumblebee seeking aid when Mikaela reported that Sam had never made a rendezvous with her. Speeding out of the garage without Ron (and without waiting for the garage door to open), Bumblebee searched for clues to Sam's whereabouts and eventually found a message from his old foe Barricade, who demanded the AllSpark in exchange for the boy. Finding the pair at an car wrecking yard, Bumblebee attacked Barricade, but was considerably outmatched, with the Decepticon gloating that Earth had made the Autobot soft, and their last encounter was down to pure luck. Eventually, with a distraction from Sam, Bumblebee was able to force Barricade into a pool of gasoline. With the Decepticon hardly down for the count, Bumblebee told Sam to run and ignited the gasoline, causing a tremendous explosion that sent both Transformers flying. In the aftermath, Bumblebee told Sam he had a feeling they hadn't seen the last of Barricade. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 1|Tales of the Fallen #1}}

[[File:After fight with Soundwave Nefarious 1.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|If you have a problem... if no one else can help... and if you can find them... maybe you can hire... The Bee Team.]]

In the wake of the Autobots' battle with The Fallen, {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation|Revenge of the Fallen movie adaptation}} with more new Autobots arriving on Earth regularly, Bumblebee was brought back onto active duty and placed in charge of a team made up of rookies [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]], [[Knock Out (ROTF)|Knock Out]], [[Dune Runner (ROTF)|Dune Runner]] and [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]]. Bumblebee's team responded to Decepticon activity at [[Kingdom Petrochemicals]] in [[Florida]], but 'Bee and the other ground-based team-members arrived too late to save Breakaway from dying at Soundwave's hands. The Decepticons soon fled, as did a mysterious group of humans also active at the sight, leaving Bumblebee mystified as to what was going on. {{storylink|Nefarious issue 1|Nefarious #1}} He and his team returned to [[Edwards Air Force Base]], where Galloway was annoyed that he hadn't been notified about the arrival on Earth of some of the members of Bumblebee's team. {{storylink|Nefarious issue 2|Nefarious #2}}

After Optimus managed to capture Soundwave in [[Utah]], Bumblebee's team was assigned to escort the captive Decepticon to a NEST base in [[Odessa]], [[Texas]]. Decepticon. En route, their transport plane was shot down by [[Buzzsaw (ROTF)|Buzzsaw]], and when they attempt to continue the mission on the ground, they were soon obstructed by Soundwave's "mini-militia". Bumblebee tussled with [[Rumble (ROTF)|Rumble]], but quickly realized that his team was outmatched. Rather than a repeat of the loss of Breakaway, Bumblebee opted to release Soundwave. {{storylink|Nefarious issue 3|Nefarious #3}} Subsequently, Soundwave chose to ally himself with the Autobots to bring down the [[Initiative]], the human organization who had also been at Kingdom Petrochemicals, who were conspiring against the Transformers. Bumblebee's team were part of the NEST unit that follow Soundwave to the supposed location of the [[Initiative base|Initiative's base]] in [[Inyokern]], but the mobile facility had already relocated to [[Crater Lake]], [[Oregon]], by the time they got there. Pursuing it, 'Bee's team was sent to assault the base from the north, but when Bumblebee broke through the base wall, he was confronted by a most unexpected set of opponents: Initiative-controlled Transformers! {{storylink|Nefarious issue 5|Nefarious #5}} The damage he took from the initial blast knocked him out of the fight, but he had recovered in time to help during the clean-up. {{storylink|Nefarious issue 6|Nefarious #6}}

[[File:Cyberglyphicscomic bumblebee.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.6]]

While Bumblebee was picnicking with Sam and Arcee, a small earthquake, followed by the emergence of a Transformer energy signature, prompted the trio to investigate. Tracing the signal to a nearby cave, they were attacked by [[Space Case (DOTM)|Space Case]], who had been freed from his subterranean prison by the 'quake, and who promptly brought the cave down on top of the threesome. {{storylink|Transformers: Space Case}} Separated from Arcee in the cave-in, Bumblebee managed to hold up the collapsed ceiling, but could not get any transmissions out through the rocks, and found his strength slowly ebbing as the weight pressed down. 'Bee's mind drifted back to a recent encounter he and Sam had with Starscream, and remembered how the boy had aided him by using downed power lines to electrocute the Decepticon. Reminded that friendship meant trying your hardest and not letting your friends down, Bumblebee dug deep, and when a crack of light appeared overhead, managed to wrench the rocks clear. The pair were lifted to safety by Ratchet, who had been digging for them, and who was amazed that Bumblebee had had the strength to carry the weight for as long as he had. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee}}

[[File:RisingStorm2 bumblebee vs decepticons.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.7]]

While visiting Sam at college in [[Philadelphia]], Bumblebee was parked at the roadside waiting for him while he grabbed lunch when he was approached by "[[Brains]]", a Decepticon brain unit who had just recently come online and escaped from [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and [[Astrotrain (DOTM)|Astrotrain]]. Believing him to be an ordinary Earth vehicle, but not understanding that said vehicles were not alive, Brains tried asking Bumblebee for help; naturally, Bee did not break cover by replying, but when an angry Brains then kicked him, 'Bee's temper got the better of him and he transformed. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 1|Rising Storm #1}} Sam and Bumblebee brought Brains back to his college, but this only made them targets for a force of Decepticons heralded by 'Bee's recurring opponent, Barricade. Vastly outnumbered, Bumblebee nearly met his maker at the end of [[Sonar (ROTF)|Sonar]]'s blaster, but was saved when NEST reinforcements [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] arrived. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}} As the battle intensified, Bumblebee and Barricade squared off once more, {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 3|Rising Storm #3}} but as more Autobot backup came to join the fight, Bumblebee got the better of his old enemy and defeated him yet again. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4|Rising Storm #4}}

Concurrently with the battle in Philadelphia, Shockwave had staged a devastating attack on NEST's Diego Garcia base, necessitating a restructuring of the organization. NEST's [[Charlotte Mearing|new director]] removed Bumblebee from his position as Sam's guardian, and placed him on full-time NEST activity. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4|Rising Storm #4}} Some time later, the Autobots faced the return of Sentinel Prime and Bumblebee and Sam were reunited to thwart his space bridge plot. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation|Dark of the Moon movie adaptation}}
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====''Transformers: Beginnings''====
[[File:MoviePrequel bumblebee seeks allspark.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8|It's a great big universe, and we're all really puny We're just tiny little specs about the size of Mickey Rooney]]
{{voiceactor|[[Mark Ryan]]}}

[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] entrusted Bumblebee with the secret that the AllSpark would be sent into deep space to prevent Lord Megatron from possessing and corrupting it. Just after the launch, Megatron attacked Bumblebee in rage at losing the AllSpark and shattered the Autobot's voice capacitor beyond repair.

Bumblebee arrived on Earth and, sensing the AllSpark was near, took on local camouflage to search for the artifact. He immediately attracted the attention of Sector Seven agents and the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings (Movie)|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the events of the [[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]], described in the above section.}}
{{-}}

===Titan movie comics===
[[File:TitanMag-BumblebeeMegatronAllSpark.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb]]

Bumblebee was part of a mission to trick Megatron into looking in the wrong place for the AllSpark{{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Reprint of Prequel #1}}, in which he was the only one who knew the truth (not even team leader [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] knew!) {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2|Recap in #2}} He lost his voice when Megatron crushed his vocal processor upon witnessing the launch of the AllSpark. The Decepticon leader immediately discarded his body and took off after the cube {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2|Prelude: Megatron}} and it was a long while before he was recovered. {{storylink|Transformers_Comic_issue_3#Items of note|Prelude: Ratchet}}

Rendered voiceless, he continued to fight on Cybertron and would encounter [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] when the two were about to be thrown into a Decepticon smelting pool. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.2|Dogfight!}} In 2003, he travelled to Earth while tracing the AllSpark and would spend years evading Decepticons and Sector 7 alike. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Reprint of Prequel #3}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Reprint of Prequel #4}}

[[File:Titan2 BumblebeePOV.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb]]

Bumblebee and his fellow Autobots would ultimately follow the AllSpark to the planet Earth, where Bumblebee befriended the human Sam Witwicky. Some time after the battle of Mission City, Bumblebee was driven by the Witwickys to [[Princeton University|Sam's college]], where he quietly endured their bickering while scanning everything around him for potential threats. When he picked up radio transmissions from two new Autobots, he drove off into battle, and saved [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] from being slaughtered by [[Ransack (ROTF)|the Decepticon Ransack]]. But with the villain threatening a long game, Bumblebee knew that trouble was on the horizon. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.2|Dogfight!}} 'Bee brought Skids and Mudflap to meet with the other Autobots at [[Edwards Air Force Base]] in California, but no sooner had he turned his back than the pair snuck off to find Optimus Prime on their own, insisting they had a message for his ears only. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|Learning Curve}}

[[File:Titan2-6 aimedatyourheart.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.8|There's only room for ''one'' kid-appeal character...]]

Some time later, Bumblebee was hanging out in Sam's garage when he received an emergency call from NEST: the twins, having apparently fallen in with the Decepticons, had abducted Sam! 'Bee tore out of the garage, tracked down the twins, and demanded they stop immediately. When they didn't, he launched suppressive fire and began ramming Skids, which soon convinced them to release Sam. As Bumblebee held the twins at gunpoint, ready to eliminate if necessary, Mudflap's tried to explain that they hadd been framed and there was a bigger threat coming... but before 'Bee could hear any more, he was gunned down in a surprise attack from Soundwave. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.6|Outlaw Blues}} The "bigger threat" the twins had warned of soon arrived, in the form of The Fallen, but the Autobots were able to defeat the ancient Decepticon. Afterwards, back in the field in [[Beverly Hills]], Bumblebee was part of a unit assigned to captured [[Reverb (ROTF)|Reverb]]; Jolt messed the mission up, but Bumblebee saved the day by ''ramming'' the bike head-on. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.9|Culture Shock}}

[[File:Titan10 Eppsandbee.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Later, with Lennox and his crew searching for [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seekers]], Bumblebee was left with only [[Robert Epps]] to investigate an attack on Malmstrom Air Force Base and the disappearance of Optimus Prime. Epps worked out that Optimus had been victim of an electromagnetic bomb, and Bumblebee tracked his leader to where he was being held (Poor Epps had to ride in Bumblebee jumping a ravine, and almost spewed up his breakfast). After locating Prime, they found he was a captive of the [[Free Men]] militia. At Epps command, Bumblebee hit the Free Men compound with his full firepower, swiftly defeating the militia. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.10| Bring Me the Head of Optimus Prime}}

[[File:Titan18 Bumblethumbsup.jpg|thumb|upright=1|It's true!]]

Bumblebee selected [[Death Valley]] as the site for a survival exercise for raw recruits Jolt, Dune Runner, and [[Rollbar (ROTF)|Rollbar]].{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.11|Spare Parts!}} Later, he was summoned as back-up by NEST [[South Africa]] due to a Decepticon jailbreak led by [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], but Optimus ordered him to let the Decepticons leave to prevent civilian casualties. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.13|Inside Out!}} This failure left the Autobots' reputations in the toilet, and with concerns that public fights risked alienating humans, Bumblebee was tasked to head a covert unit with [[Slap Dash]] and [[Hubcap (TF 2010)|Hubcap]]. They were charged with operating under NEST's radar, monitoring Decepticons and waiting for windows of opportunity out of the public eye, before hitting hard and fast. In practice, this meant allowing Decepticons like [[Crankstart (TF 2010)|Crankstart]], [[Brimstone (TF 2010)|Brimstone]], and [[Trenchmouth]] to run amok in cities, with Bumblebee restraining his desire to stop them and keeping his men from taking action. After an uncomfortable period of hoping nobody would be killed, the Decepticons went to an isolated stretch of road: now free to act, Bumblebee led his men in a vicious ambush and personally drove ''through'' Crankshaft. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.18|Shadow War}}

[[File:NightBee4Xmas bumblebee vs deadend.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.6]]

Intrigued by the human ritual of "[[Christmas]]", Bumblebee convinced Sam to let him secretly observe the Witwicky family during the festive proceedings. Unfortunately, the cannibalistic Decepticon [[Dead End (ROTF)|Dead End]] tracked the Autobot to the Witwickys' house and attacked on Christmas Eve, tearing bits of Bumblebee's mechanisms out to integrate into his own body. Luckily, 'Bee managed to shock the zombie-con into submission before their fight awoke Sam's parents, and he was even able to get into the gift-giving on Christmas morning, buying Judy Witwicky car wax. Sam's present was particularly timely: a new traction bearing to replace the one Dead End had torn out! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.19|The Nightmare Bee-4 Christmas}}

Information obtained from the Decepticon unit Bumblebee's covert squad had brought in allowed the Autobots to trace the location of Bludgeon's Decepticons' base to [[Arkhangelskaya Oblast]] in [[Russia]]. Regrettably, while strategizing together, Bumblebee and Ironhide made the mistake of dismissing Wheelie when he offered to help; insulted and angry, the little scrap drone sold the Autobots out to Bludgeon's Decepticons, who were able to ambush 'Bee and the Autobots when they moved to attacked their base. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.20|Divided Loyalties}} Fortunately for the Autobots, Megatron himself soon arrived and slew Bludgeon for his transgressions, meaning Bumblebee and the others did not have to battle the rogue Decepticon at all. In the wake of the two Decepticons' brawl, Bumblebee discovered the shattered remains of Wheelie, torn to bits by Dead End. Unaware of his treachery, 'Bee gathered up his parts to take back to Ratchet for repair... unaware that Dead End was now on his trail once again! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.21|A Short, Sharp Lesson!}}

When the Autobots were summoned to [[Fiesole Cathedral]] in [[Fiesole]], [[Italy]] to examine a mysterious object discovered there by an archaeology professor, Bumblebee accidentally smashed the cathedrals shrine to Saint Donatus. Determined to prevent the Autobots from getting ahold of the object—actually a piece of Sentinel Prime's ''Ark''—Starscream attacked the cathedral, blasting Bumblebee through a wall with a volley of missiles. Recovering, 'Bee joined Optimus Prime in pursuing Starscream to the cathedral's belltower, but the Decepticon then brought the tower down on top of them and escaped with the ''Ark'' component. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 3.1|Fight for Fiesole}}

At some point, Bumblebee uncovered some intel, pointing towards Soundwave working in conjunction with the [[Tanto Gang]], and passed on the information to Lennox. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 3.2|Gold And Blood}}

[[File:AcceptNoSubstitutes bumblebee vs stinger.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|Can ''you'' tell which is the real Bumblebee out of the guy who can talk and the one who can't?]]

Bumblebee was later teamed with Robert Epps to hunt down Soundwave in the Spanish [[Sierra Nevada]] mountain range, but NEST's intelligence regarding the Decepticons' operational status was flawed: Soundwave's weapons systems were in perfect working order, and Bumblebee was badly damaged by his attacks. Luckily, Optimus Prime arrived to save them. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 3.3|Dealing with the Devil}}

After the return of Sentinel Prime and the battle of Chicago, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime [[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]] tracked three Decepticon survivors of the conflict to [[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]]. When the Decepticons retreated and Crosshairs tracked them to [[Pulau Bidadari]], Bumblebee monitored the ranger and relayed the events to Optimus. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 5.2|Thousand Island Fight}} Not long after, Bumblebee was shocked to see a news report claiming that he had attacked a human power plant. Though 'Bee was eager to hunt down his mysterious doppelgänger, Optimus Prime encouraged him to wait until he had the Autobot leader to back him up. The choice was soon taken out of Bumblebee's hands, however: responding to a fire at a remote human homestead, he was attacked by his mysterious duplicate, who introduced himself as "[[Stinger (AOE)|Stinger]]", and promptly welded 'Bee's battle mask shut so they would be totally indistinguishable from one another. Optimus Prime soon arrived and had to train his guns on the two identical Bumblebees... but the standoff was brief, as the real 'Bee revealed himself when he dived to save a human who had fallen from the burning building. Prime quickly sent Stinger packing, and he and Bumblebee rolled out together, wondering where Stinger had come from... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 5.3|Accept No Substitutes!}}
{{-}}
====Alternate timeline====

[[File:Titan MikaelaBumblebee.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Why is he apologizing, you ask? Look where his left hand is.]]

In a parallel universe, the battle of Mission City turned out very differently—Megatron killed Sam, captured Optimus, and obtained the AllSpark. The Decepticons proceeded to conquer North America, and by the start of 2008, had begun a plan to cyberform the Earth using the AllSpark's energies. Bumblebee—his voice still functional—and Mikaela Banes went underground, working with [[Tom Banachek]] to fight a guerilla war against the Decepticons.

Considering Optimus their last, best hope for victory, Bumblebee and Mikaela went on a mission to rescue him from the old Sector Seven base in Hoover Dam, which the Decepticons were now using as their headquarters. Mikaela quickly shot down Bumblebee's concerns about her safety, though she ''did'' almost get squished when 'Bee took out the bunker guard Swindle. Entering, the pair quickly located Optimus, but in a most unexpected condition: frozen solid in the old cryo-system previously used to contain Megatron. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}} Stalked by Megatron, Bumblebee kept the Decepticon leader busy while Mikaela attempt to deactivate the freezing system, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} but was baited into revealing himself when the tyrant threatened to kill Mikaela. Bumblebee made a desperate attack, only to be beaten aside with ease, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} but he remained defiant to the end and refused to beg for mercy. Luckily, Autobot reinforcements arrived; although even they were no match for Megatron, their added distraction provided Mikaela time to thaw out Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}} While Prime and Megatron battled, Mikaela arrived with Phase Two of their plan: a Sector Seven nanovirus that targeted AllSpark energy. Loading the virus into himself, Bumblebee charged Megatron, forcibly transmitting the nano-virus into him via a light-beam from his headlights. The virus killed Megatron once and for all, but Bumblebee did not celebrate too loudly, as he knew too well that this just left a [[Starscream (Movie)|power vacuum]]... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

[[File:Aftermathpt2 bumblebee FAAASH.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.6]]

Bumblebee and the Autobots [[Savannah]], [[Georgia]], to survey the damage done by the Decepticons' AllSpark cyberforming project. He took Mikaela to a nearby refugee camp, but as Optimus Prime had feared, the humans the were fearful of him, viewing all Cybertronians as an unwanted presence. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 14|Aftermath, Part 1}} In apparent further validation of this fear, the Autobots soon came under attack from a [[NATO]] unit while attempting to defend the camp from a Decepticon attack, but intel from Banachek suggested something was not right. Spotting the human in charge of the unit, Bumblebee and Mikaela ran a gauntlet of human and Decepticon firepower, blinding the former with his headlights and roasting the latter with his fiery exhaust, in order to get to the man. Having got in close enough, Bumblebee was able to detect a mind-controlling Decepticon [[cerebro-strip]] on the man, and Mikaela freed him from its effects, ending the conflict. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|Aftermath Part 2}} Following this battle, the Decepticons continued their attacks on human infrastructure; Bumblebee was part of a unit defending an oil pipeline in [[Crooked Creek]], [[Alaska]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}}

[[File:ReturntoCybertronpt2 ironhide restrained.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Leave it, mate, 'e's not worf it!]]

Bumblebee was part of a unit under Ironhide's command that was sent back to Cybertron in order to retrieve [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] in hopes it could be used to repair the damage inflicted upon the Earth by the AllSpark. Touching down on their homeworld, Bumblebee was sent on recon and discovered a strange satellite dish, but when the team investigated it, they were jumped by a team of Decepticons led by [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]]. The revelation that Stockade's "New Decepticons" were in control of the planet's Nucleon supply, followed by the appearance of a strange energy anomaly in Cybertron's orbit, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 17|Return to Cybertron: Part 1}} convinced Bumblebee to try talking, rather than fighting; after convincing Ironhide to stop throwing his face at Stockade's fists, he learned from Stockade that the anomaly was a living entity the Decepticons had deliberately summoned, believing it would rejuvenate Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|Return to Cybertron: Part 2}}

Not trusting this entity and wanting to stop all the Nucleon being used up, Bumblebee had the Autobots create a distraction while he turned the Nucleon transfer off, and sent a distress call to Optimus Prime on Earth. His efforts to prevent the arrival of the entity failed, and it revealed itself to be [[Unicron|Unicron, the Anti-Life]], as it began to possess Cybertron itself. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|Return to Cybertron: Part 2}} In the resulting chaos, Bumblebee had to rescue Ironhide when the satellite dish collapsed on him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 19|Return to Cybertron: Part 3}} Optimus soon arrived in response to Bumblebee's summons, brokered an alliance with Stockade, and came up with a plan: Cut off the Nucleon that Unicron's body was using for power. Bumblebee and Armorhide were dispatched to drain the Nucleon seam, but were not able to siphon all of the fuel off fast enough, so Ratchet came up with a quicker alternative: blowing it up. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 20|Return to Cybertron: Part 4}}

[[File:Titan MikaelaBumblebeereunion.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|OTP!]]

Upon returning to Earth, the Autobots found the Decepticons had pinched their base and all 600 square miles around it. They retreated, leaving Mikaela in Decepticon hands; Bumblebee was distraught over this. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|Hard Target}} He would be part of the raid to get her back, perfectly aware it was an obvious trap, but not caring due to how much they owed Mikaela. The raid was successful and the two were reunited, awwww! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

The pair's time together was short, as soon, the Decepticon-blackmailed American government ordering the Autobots off the planet. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution, Part 1}} Knowing that the Decepticons were behind, Optimus Prime had Bumblebee and Ironhide prepare a decoy ship; {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part 3}} the following day, after Bumblebee said his farewells to Mikaela (and beat up the Decepticon [[Dropkick]] as an "up yours" gesture), the Decepticons had the ship blown up shortly after take off. [[File:Revolutionpt3 the end.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8]] {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution, Part 1}} Believed dead, Bumblebee and the Autobots hid themselves on Cybertron, where they readied their final weapon against the Decepticons: a teleportation system that would trap the Decepticons on the dead planet, then teleport ''it'' off to the far reaches of the universe. When all was in readiness, the Autobots returned to Earth; Mikaela was ''not'' happy to find out they had not told her of their plan, but Bumblebee denied that it was because they didn't trust her—they had simply had to minimize any possible exposure. In the final battle that followed, Bumblebee tagged Megatron with the teleport tech, and the Decepticon leaders and his followers were soon exiled forever.

In the aftermath, after it became clear the Autobots had just exiled ''themselves'' to Earth forever—"Hey, there are worse fates," said Bumblebee—Mikaela forgave Bumblebee. Both had a lot of clean-up work to do, but also a brave new world to explore together...! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution, Part 3}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===

Bumblebee learned hand-to-hand combat at the most prestigious combat training center on Cybertron, where he received his converting energon blade as a reward for his skills. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#WalmartRace|''Dark of the Moon'' Walmart-exclusive Bumblebee}} It was on the battlefields of Cybertron that Bumblebee first met the Decepticon Starscream, who he would meet again and again in combat. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BeeStarscream|Bumblebee/Starscream}} He also repeatedly crossed paths with fellow elite spy Decepticon [[Hardtop (Movie)|Hardtop]]; initially a professional rivalry, the relationship between the two 'bots slowly evolved into a personal vendetta that saw the pair battle across the galaxy. It was a crack shot by Hardtop that damaged Bumblebee's vocal processors, causing the Autobot pain when he tries to speak. {{storylink|Hardtop (Movie)#Transformers (2007)|Hardtop}}

Bumblebee was sent to Earth ahead of the other Autobot by Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#TF2007_76deluxe|Deluxe Bumblebee ('76 Camaro)}} Prior to his arrival on the planet, Bumblebee cared little for the appearance of his alternate mode, simply scanning the first vehicle he saw, {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#evoofhero|Evolution of a Hero}} but that changed upon befriending Sam Witicky. At the boy's urging, Bumblebee scanned a new Concept Camaro form, and came to appreciate how stylish he looked. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#TF2007ConceptCamaro|Deluxe Bumblebee (Concept Camaro)}} His shiny new form was soon badly damaged, however, during the battle of Mission City—with his legs blown off, Bumblebee had to be towed to safety by the newborn [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#TowedToSafety|Towed to Safety}}

When the AllSpark was destroyed, Bumblebee was briefly empowered by its radiation, and put the new power to use hunting down the straggling Decepticons. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#AllSparkPower|AllSpark Power Bumblebee}} One such Decepticon was [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]], who he hunted across the [[Middle East]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Allspark2pack|Bumblebee vs. Scorponok}} Then, with the initial threat over, Bumblebee decided to kick back and relax. Transcanning a rally car, he began hanging around at race tracks, pitting himself against the human racers. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Rally Rocket Bumblebee}} Following this, he volunteered to be Sam's guardian. It was a pretty swank deal: he got to hang with Sam and Mikaela all the time, got lots of [[oil]], and could join Ironhide in killing Decepticons whenever he wanted. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#ROTFdeluxe|''Revenge of the Fallen'' Bumblebee}} Peacetime afforded him the luxury of becoming meticulous about his alternate mode; he even had Ratchet learn a little about the cosmetic side of repair work. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Premium|Premium Series Bumblebee}}

In time, Bumblebee came to realize that with pictures of him all over the internet, ''everyone'' recognised him... including newly arriving Decepticons, which put Sam and others in danger! With Mikaela's help, Bumblebee recoloured himself to help restore his disguise and make it easier to sneak up on the enemy. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#TF2007Stealth|Stealth Bumblebee}} With the Decepticon forces constantly growing, he also decided to upgrade his arsenal and modified his vehicle mode so he could use weaponry in it, deciding he'd been caught off guard too many times before. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Cannon|Cannon Bumblebee}} When the battle shifted to the deserts, he threw himself into the fray, upgrading himself for desert combat and wielding the mighty ''sand blast''! {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SandAttack|Sand Attack Bumblebee}}

Following the defeat of The Fallen, Bumblebee returned to active NEST duty, hunting down the Decepticons hiding across Earth; Sam even began joining him in the field. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#ROTFHumanAlliance|Human Alliance Bumblebee}} Discovering that [[Dirge (ROTF)|Dirge]] had secreted himself inside NEST itself, Bumblebee teamed with [[Armorhide (Movie)#ROTFdlx|Armorhide]] to ferret him out. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Alliance|Alliance Bumblebee}} He had particular dislike for [[Shadow Striker (ROTF)|Shadow Striker]], who really got under his metal skin. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#LegendsVsShadowStriker|Bumblebee vs Shadow Striker}} He later took on Soundwave, {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#VsSoundwave|Battlefield Bumblebee vs Infiltration Soundwave}} and brought his battle blade to bear in combat with Ravage and [[Insecticon (Movie)|Insecticon]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BattleBlade|Battle Blade Bumblebee}} His experience fighting fliers also meant that he was fully equipped to deal with [[Thrust (ROTF)|Thrust]] {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#CrashLandingAttack|Crash Landing Attack}} and [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BombingRunBattle|Bombing Run Battle}}

Bumblebee was the first Autobot try out the new [[MechTech]] weapons developed by NEST, {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#DOTM|''Dark of the Moon'' Leader Bumblebee}} and also began toting a Mobile Battle Bunker around. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#CyberverseActionSet|Bumblebee Mobile Battle Bunker}} Like several other Transformers, he took to inscribing [[Cyberglyphics]] on his armor before significant battles, out of a superstitious racial belief that they granted good luck. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Cyberglyph|"Cyberglyph" Bumblebee}} When Soundwave reappeared on Earth, Bumblebee put a plan together to take care of him once and for all. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#|BeeSoundwaveRodimus|Bumblebee/Soundwave}} Together with Sam and [[Backfire (TF 2010)|Backfire]], he formed the Autobot Daredevil Squad {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Daredevil|Autobot Daredevil Squad}} and battled Shockwave alongside Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#StreetsideBotBrawl|Streetside Bot Brawl}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
In a celebration of the Transformers brand, Bumblebee showed up as the representative for the “Movie” era of the franchise. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===Cyber Missions===
{{voiceactor|[[Tom Anderson]], [[David Kledzik]], [[Tony Gialluca II]], [[Bronco D. Jackson]] (English)|[[José Antonio Macías]] (Latin American-Spanish), [[Alexandre Moreno]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

[[File:CyberMissions1 bumblebee datatrax lockdown.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]

Some time after the defeat of The Fallen, Bumblebee and Ironhide were reviewing some [[datatrax]] that Optimus Prime had made for preservation in [[Vector Sigma]] when they detected an explosion outside their base. Bumblebee remained to lock down the most important data tracks while Ironhide went to investigate [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|the cause]] of the explosion. However, that turned out to be just what the Decepticons wanted, as moments later, Soundwave burst into the base, overwhelming Bumblebee with a sonic attack. Bumblebee attempted to counter with a shot from his shoulder cannon, but Soundwave absorbed the sonic boom and sent the acoustic energy back at him, bragging about his mastery of sound. Bumblebee decided to put his sonic skills to the absolute test, and unleashed a barrage of automatic weaponsfire at the Decepticon. At ten thousand rounds per minute, Soundwave was faced with too many sonic booms to absorb, and was soon flat on his back. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 1}} [[File:CyberMissions8 bumblebee in the arctic.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]] Bumblebee enclosed the defeated Soundwave in an electromagnetically sealed bubble, cut off from all sound. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 2}}

Ironhide, meanwhile, had gone missing in the jungle; Bumblebee reported the problem to Optimus, who had 'Bee perform a scan of the area. Bumblebee discovered several rich deposits of [[energon]] ore, which Prime pinpoint Ironhide's location. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 5}} Reunited, Bumblebee and Ironhide went on a training exercise in the Arctic, where the bigger 'bot put 'Bee through his paces. As Bumblebee was frequently singled out as a target by the Decepticons because of his small size, Ironhide taught him the importance of staying on guard and being mindful of his surroundings. As the pair sparred, Bumblebee learned another benefit of being aware of everything around him when Ironhide stopped their fight after they nearly crushed a strange little plant growing through the ice... a plant, Ironhide implied, that could well be sentient. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 8}}

[[File:CyberMissions9 Bumblebee.JPG|upright=1.5|thumb|BUUU!]]

When Decepticons [[Smolder]] and [[Chopster]] set fire to a building [[Scramble City (city)|Scramble City]], Bumblebee and Ratchet were dispatched to the scene by Optimus Prime. A menacing look from Bumblebee sent the diminutive Chopster running off in terror; 'Bee called after him to tell Smolder they would "like a word", hoping they could perhaps talk the situation out rather than fight, but Smolder wasn't interested. Bumblebee grappled with the pyromaniac Decepticon while Ratchet powered up his EMP blaster, which he then used to knock Smolder offline. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 9}}

[[File:CyberMissions12 cannon bumblebee vehicle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]

Optimus reported finding Megatron and Starscream in the Arctic regions of Earth, and Bumblebee was summoned to aid his leader in battle alongside Ironhide, Ratchet and Sideswipe. Leaving Megatron to handle Prime, Starscream attacked all the Autobots at once, but the combined fire of the four heroes was enough to ground the Decepticon. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Optimus later laid a trap to lure the Decepticons to a final confrontation with a hologram of Soundwave, and Megatron indeed walked right into it. Bumblebee, Ironhide, and Ratchet arrived to join the battle, and in the ensuing fight, Bumblebee took on Mindwipe. The Decepticon tried to hypnotize Bumblebee into not fighting, but Bumblebee blocked out his voice and kept up the attack. An army of humans soon arrived and surrounded the combatants, and the day went to the Autobots. Optimus instructed the Decepticons to leave Earth to be destroyed, and after they had fled, Bumblebee stamped a huge Autobot symbol in the dirt, a marker visible from far away that let all Decepticons who saw it know that the Autobots protected the planet. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}
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===Transformers Annual 2011===
Bumblebee charged to Sam's defense when Starscream tried to abduct the boy, but proved no match for the Decepticon, and was flung around the yard. As Starscream started making off with Sam, Bumblebee made another attempt to stop him, and was brushed aside. Luckily Optimus arrived to help, and Starscream soon fled, but the Witwicky's yard was in ruins. {{storylink|Sam in Danger}}

===''Unite for the Universe''===
[[File:UnitefortheUniverse bumblebee vs ravage.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.6]]
During NEST's ongoing worldwide hunt for the Decepticons after the defeat of The Fallen, Bumblebee paid a visit to NEST's regional headquarters in [[Bloemfontein]], [[South Africa]]. As he entered the facility, Decepticon spy Ravage was able to quickly sneak through the closing door behind him, but Bumblebee spotted him in his rear-view mirror and quickly went on the attack. When Ravage pounced on him, Bumblebee triggered his headlights, blinding the feline Decepticon and sending him fleeing, leaving Bumblebee confused as to the point of the infiltration... unaware that an airborne nano-virus Ravage had carried with him had already picked NEST's computers clean of information regarding [[Project: Unite]]. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 1|Ambition Instigated}}
{{-}}

===''I Can Read!'' books===
[[File:BumblebeeandSideswipe-TrainingDay.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Bumblebee met up with Optimus, Ironhide and Sideswipe in a desert to train. He raced Sideswipe, only for their training to be interrupted by a large boulder tumbling towards a nearby town. The two Autobots destroyed the boulder before resuming their race. They met back up with Optimus and Ironhide afterwards, and Optimus revealed the they had encountered a "natural disaster" as well. The source of the disturbances soon revealed itself to be Megatron and Starscream tunneling underground. Though the two Decepticons attempted to ambush the Autobots, Bumblebee and the others were able to send them running thanks to the training they had gone through that day. {{storylink|Training Day (book)|Training Day}}

Bumblebee and Sideswipe had a nasty run-in with the Decepticons, leaving Bumblebee pinned under a massive metal bar. Thankfully, Ratchet came to their rescue, and repaired them both. Bumblebee later helped the Autobots defeat the Decepticons in Egypt. {{storylink|Ratchet to the Rescue}}

[[File:BeeandWheeliehighfive-BuddyBrawl.jpeg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
Bumblebee was out for a drive with Wheelie, Sam and Mikaela one day when Starscream swooped down and began to attack them! Bumblebee suggested to Wheelie that they gun for Starscream's wings to defeat the Decepticon. Wheelie disagreed, saying that they had to outsmart Starscream to defeat him. The two Autobots began to argue, becoming oblivious to Starscream attacking their human companions. Thankfully, Optimus Prime showed up to knock out Starscream. Optimus then chastised Bumblebee and Wheelie for allowing their feelings get in the way of protecting Sam and Mikaela. Bumblebee realized he was in the wrong, but was still too worked up to make his apologies to Wheelie. Instead, he stormed off. But he didn't get far before Starscream regained consciousness and resumed his attack. Optimus ordered Bumblebee to work with Wheelie to stop Starscream. The pair managed to do so by outwitting Starscream and destroying his wings, making the Decepticon crash into a nearby tunnel and crippling his flying abilities. With Starscream down, Bumblebee and the rest of the group celebrated another victory over the Decepticons. {{storylink|Buddy Brawl}}
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===''Hunt for the Decepticons'' storybooks===
[[File:AutobotsthankSam-SatelliteMeltdown.jpeg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Sam witnessed the Decepticons [[Buzzsaw (ROTF)|Buzzsaw]] and [[Ratbat (ROTF)|Ratbat]] tear up a human city, while Soundwave declared that the Autobots had abandoned the humans. Refusing to believe the Decepticon's lies, Sam and Bumblebee set out to find Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots. It turned out that the Autobots had been tricked by Soundwave to go to the wrong location when they rolled out to engage the Decepticons. Sam and Bumblebee led Optimus and his troops to the scene of the conflict, where Optimus quickly dispatched the Decepticons. Afterwards, Optimus thanked for Sam's part in the day's events, while Bumblebee and the rest of the Autobots cheered. {{storylink|Satellite Meltdown}}

===''Spot the 'Bots''===
Bumblebee helped Optimus chase down Megatron to an old warehouse. There, Bumblebee duked it out with Starscream. The battle between the Autobots and Decepticons that ensued would decide the fate of the Earth! {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Spot the 'Bots}}
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===''How to Ride your Dinobot''===
====Cartoon====
[[File:Htryd-chapter-1-bumblebee-yikes.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb|I'VE CHANGED INTO WILE E. COYOTE.]]
Bumblebee had never ridden a [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]] before, and decided to start by trying to mount [[Strafe (AOE)|Strafe]]. Guided by a kind but astonishingly unhelpful narrator, Bumblebee's attempts to mount Strafe left something to be desired. After many failed efforts, Bumblebee simply destroyed the instruction manual to riding Dinobots before storming off in annoyance, much to the narrator's surprise.
{{storylink|How to Ride Your Dinobot Chapter 1: Getting on a Dinobot|Getting on a Dinobot}}
[[File:HowtoRide bumblebee and strafe.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4]]
====Comic====

When Optimus Prime asked the Autobots to accompany him into the depths of a Chinese forest, Bumblebee was sure that their objective was important... but he never expected that the Autobot leader was taking them to learn the fine art of Dinobot riding! When Hound's tough-talking approach failed to win the Dinobots' hearts, 'Bee tried a kinder, gentler method, offering the Dinos a little snack. This worked a bit ''too'' well, and he would have been crushed when the Dinobots mobbed him to get the goodies had Strafe not lifted him into the air. Bumblebee pushed his luck when he climbed onto the flying Dinobot's back, however, and Strafe promptly threw him back to the ground. Subsequently, when Grimlock caught the scent of Decepticons nearby, Strafe and the other Dinobots relented and allowed Bumblebee and the Autobots to saddle up so they could all ride out to face the villains together. {{Storylink|How to Ride a Dinobot!}}
{{-}}

===Yokohama Decepticon Secret Base===

[[File:YokohamaBase bumblebee.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Bumblebee was hanging out at the [[Transformers Expo]] in [[Yokohama]] when [[Yokohama Convoy|Nemesis Prime]] came crashing into the building. The evil Prime initially mistook Bumblebee for a cosplayer, only to realize that the little yellow Autobot was the real deal when he attacked him alongside the two versions of Optimus Prime also visiting the show. Nemesis soon got himself some backup in the form of a ''second'' [[Nemesis Prime (AOE)|Nemesis Prime]] and [[Nemesis Grimlock]], but before they could all do much more than glare at each other, the combined energies of the AllSpark, the Matrix of Leadership and the [[seed]]—all on display at the Expo, because why not—suddenly began reacting with the [[Dark Energon]] within the first Nemesis Prime. This was all part of a complicated plot by [[Unicron]], but fortunately, Nemesis resisted the dark urges within himself, and channeled all the Dark Energon into the stickers his creator [[Doctor Arkeville]] had used to make him evil. Nemesis ripped the stickers off and hurled them into the air, where all the Autobots and Decepticons—and even the Expo's human attendees, using their cell phones—blasted them and stopped the chain reaction.

All together, pretty odd. {{storylink|Yokohama Decepticon Secret Base}}
{{-}}

===''Cheetos/Age of Extinction'' comic===
[[File:CheetosAOE bumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Discovering that the Decepticons were increasing their strength through artifacts from the [[Cheetos (galaxy)|Cheetos galaxy]], Bumblebee and the Autobots recruited [[you]]r help to acquire the power-enhancing objects. {{storylink|Cheetos/Transformers: Age of Extinction}}
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===''Q-Transformers''===
{{voiceactor|[[Ryōhei Kimura]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:QTransformers the cast.jpg|left|thumb|upright=2]]
In this world, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, and Lockdown were aware that they were toys: specifically, ''Q-Transformers'', a new line of cute-looking ''Transformers'' merchandise produced to tie-in with the 30th anniversary of the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]]. Bumblebee occasionally changed his look to one more reminiscent of [[Bumblebee (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]], but his "default" form was that of a toy based on his ''Age of Extinction'' look. They hung out at different famous service areas on Japanese expressways, and talked about the ''[[Transformers: Mystery of Convoy|Mystery of Convoy]]'' video game, and the remake produced as a tie-in with their toyline, ''[[Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns (mobile game)|Mystery of Convoy Returns]]''.

[[File:QTransformers1 Lockdown's bishonen fantasy.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8|Bumblebee suddenly realized, much to his horror, that he was trapped in an anime high school AU.]]

Discussing the ins and outs of their cute designs, Optimus and his pals explained that they were created for the purpose of appealing to non-Transformers fans. Bumblebee suggested that another way to tap that market would be to create "Zodiac Transformers", based on all the different animals of the Chinese zodiac, but Lockdown had a different idea: a humanized Transformers "Boys Love" romance, where he and Optimus competed for Bumblebee's affection. Bumblebee was not impressed. {{storylink|Mystery of the 30th Anniversary Merchandise}} The trio went on to talk about the original ''Mystery of Convoy'', and Bumblebee got a telling-off from Optimus when he pointed out that it was a famously terribly game. Discussing traits that they thought made games bad, Bumblebee suggested that an RPG already completed when you started would be pretty awful. {{storylink|Mystery of Reliably Crappy Games}} When Lockdown suggested that re-releasing such a terrible game was like rubbing salt in a wound, Bumblebee didn't understand the expression. Optimus explained, and they all tried to come up with situations the phrase was applicable to; taking it a bit too far, Bumblebee suggested getting pooped on by bird, then looking up to discover that a meteor was about to crash into the Earth. {{storylink|Mystery of Smearing Salt in the Open Wound}} The group then talked about the rubbish stage bosses in ''Mystery of Convoy'', particularly the [[Destron Mark|floating Decepticon insignia]], and wondered what sort of fictional scenarios it could be used in. {{storylink|Mystery of the Stage Bosses}}

[[File:QTF bumblebee explorer.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Prime and company began being joined by their friends to discuss facets of the game. [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] participated in a talk about the differences between the original and the remake, {{storylink|Mystery of the Wittily Similar Circumstances}} while [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] highlighted the tonal "gap" between the cute character designs and the very ''un''-cute action in the game. Everyone tried to think of examples of similar "gaps": Bumblebee suggested a handsome young man cooking a nice meal... for his mother. {{storylink|Mystery of the Gap of Unpopular Men}} [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] joined them to talk about classic terrible games, which turned into a discussion about adventure and exploring, and the comforts an explorer might like to have with them on such a journey—Bumblebee thought a nice pillow would be just the thing. {{storylink|Mystery of a Certain Explorer}} [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] also talked about some famously awful old games, segueing into a discussion about psychokinetic powers; Bumblebee was concerned about the potential of such powers to interfere with television. {{storylink|Mystery of a Certain Psychic}}

When [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] came along to share his thoughts on points of commonality among famously awful games, the group talked about the technical advancements of video games, with Bumblebee mentioning motion-control. {{storylink|Mystery of Game Balance}} [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] also had some opinions on the common themes of bad games, but Bumblebee and Optimus's willingness to settle for less frustrated Lockdown. {{storylink|Mystery of the Lowest Possible Standards}}

[[File:Qtransformers gtoptimus copenbee.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2]]

Bumblebee had changed his look when [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] dropped in, to one resembling his Generation 1 self but with a Daihatsu Copen alternate mode. They talked about the constantly changing looks of Transformers through history, and how Bumblebee used to be called "Bumble" in Japan. {{storylink|Mystery of Convoy}} Still sporting his Daihatsu Copen form, Bumblebee dropped in on a conversation between [[Hot Rod]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], the star of ''Mystery of Convoy''. He told them how Optimus and Lockdown would argue over the crappy's games merits—but to be reminded of the games shortcomings only sent Magnus into floods of shameful tears. {{storylink|Mystery of Mystery of Convoy}}

When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] turned up to join the argument over just how bad ''Mystery of Convoy'' was, Optimus quickly switched bodies, taking on the form of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|his Generation 1 self]]; seeing this, Bumblebee also switched from his ''Age of Extinction'' form to his Daihatsu Copen body. They argued back and forth for a bit, discussing other ways the game could have been remade using staples of Japanese media, and Bumblebee proposed a "sports day"-style version. {{storylink|Mystery of Return of Convoy}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Road to Winning a New Fanbase}} {{storylink|The Road to Easy Identification}}}}
{{-}}

[[File:LegendsBizTrip5 TFs of today.jpg|left|thumb|upright=.75]]
===''Transformers Legends'' comic===
In the "[[Legends Universe]]", Bumblebee was just a fictional character featured in a series of popular movies and toylines. When [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] turned into [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] and tried to revert the world back to how it was in the '80s, Rattrap attempted to stop him by singing the praises of modern-day Transformers, including the ''Q-Transformers'' incarnation of Bumblebee. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 5|Bonus Edition Vol. 5}}

Bumblebee had a big presence at the ''Q-Transformers'' event held at the Decks Tokyo Beach shopping center which Rattrap, [[Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] attended, including a standee, a statue, an exclusive sticker, and even a themed "Bumblebee Mango" drink. At the neighboring Joypolis amusement park, his voice actor Ryōhei Kimura attended a Q&A! {{storylink|Deckss × Q-Transformers Collaboration Event Report|Deckss × Q-Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Tyran 511.0 Kappa]], Bumblebee survived [[Cemetery Wind]]'s massacre and joined Optimus Prime along with fellow Autobot survivors [[Bulkhead (DOTM)|Bulkhead]] and [[Backtrack (Movie)|Backtrack]] as well as the desperate Decepticons [[Axor|Axel]] and [[Wild Rider]]. Initially skeptical of the Decepticons, the Autobots learned to appreciate Wild Rider, but Axel tried and failed to betray them to Lockdown. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/16}}

===Bee's Backtalk===
[[File:Ask Vector Prime Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left]]

With [[Vector Prime]] still missing in action, Bumblebee became the fourth guest contributor to Vector Prime's [[Ask Vector Prime|column]]. He renamed the column to "Bee's Backtalk", answering questions from readers through patched-together audioclips.

Bumblebee gave us some more details about the state of the Autobots and their allies following the Chicago crisis. When asked about the fate of Sam following the rise of Cemetery Wind, Bumblebee became upset, and declined to comment. He noted that the Autobots were still searching for any more survivors of Cemetery Wind. A comment about the workmanship of KSI's Stinger units was enough to make him hopping mad, although he immediately apologized for his behavior. When someone asked Bumblebee why things in the [[Tyran|Tyran Cluster]] are prone to exploding, he suddenly found himself in the middle of a battleground as everything around him exploded. The Axiom Nexus News team lost contact with him (disappointing the editor, who was pleased that Bumblebee was able to stabilize ratings). As Andromeda was the one who found Bumblebee, she was tasked with finding his replacement: someone who, in contrast to Bumblebee's cryptic radio answers, could speak their mind in a straightforward manner.

[[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|And look how ''that'' turned out]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Bee's Backtalk|Bee's Backtalk}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Both Optimus and Bumblebee could be seen driving around the [[Speed Stars]] logo in vehicle mode. {{storylink|Commercial#Speed Stars|Speed Stars commercials}}
*Bumblebee was resting in vehicle in Al's Chevrolet car dealership, getting caught on tape while the dealership's owner filmed a commercial. The place's squirrel mascot playfully bashed Bumblebee's hood with a foam hammer, provoking Bumblebee into transforming and tossing him away. Bumblebee then sped away in a huff. {{storylink|Commercial/Dark of the Moon#Chevy|Dark of the Moon Super Bowl XLV Chevrolet Camaro TV Spot}}
*Bumblebee joined Optimus Prime on the road as part of the "[[Win A Ride To School With The Autobots]]" contest. {{storylink|Commercial/Dark of the Moon#Win A Ride|Win A Ride To School With The Autobots contest and commercial}}
*Bumblebee dazzled a group of Valero patrons by showing up at the gas station in his vehicle mode and... popping his fuel filler flap. {{storylink|Commercial/Age of Extinction#Valero|Age of Extinction Valero tie-in commercial}}
*While driving about town, Bumblebee crossed paths with a little boy in possession of a Mega 1-Step Bumblebee toy. Impressed by his miniature likeness, he paused to admire it, then gave the boy a fist bump. {{storylink|Commercial/Age of Extinction#Flip and Change|1-Step Optimus Prime & Flip and Change Grimlock toy commercial}}

==Games==
{{main|Bumblebee (Movie)/games}}

==Toys==
{{main|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Bumblebee (Movie)/merchandise}}

==''Second Life''==
In the online virtual world simulation/game ''Second Life'', there was a full replica of the Sector Seven base which contained a giant discussion room where Michael Bay held a question board. This room contained a giant frozen Megatron replica and free avatars of both Bumblebee and Barricade. Both freebies were non-transforming. Also, the Bumblebee avatar had his battle mask down and it could not be raised.

==Notes==
===Classic Camaro===
*According to an article on [http://web.archive.org/web/20071013122820/http://edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=121138?imw=Y Edmunds.com], the film makers wanted Bumblebee's original Earth form to be the 1976 iteration of the Camaro because it was the worst Camaro possible that also had chrome bumpers.
*The same article indicates that the 1976 Camaros used in the film were all purchased via online auction for under $6000 each, one for less than $2000. That one didn't run.
*One of the 1976 Camaros was sold on eBay. The bidding ended on July 18, 2007; the final price was $40,100.01.

===Modern Camaro===
*The 2008 Concept Camaro used for Bumblebee in the first movie was built by Saleen in 30 days, using a heavily modified 2006 Holden Monaro chassis as the basis. The '08 Camaro was not in production at the time that the first film was being made, hence an identical mock-up was needed to fill the role.<ref>[http://www.saleen.com/transformers.htm Saleen article about the construction of the Barricade and Bumblebee vehicles]</ref>
*In ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'', Bumblebee scans a working, driveable new generation Camaro — conveniently with the same paint job as his classic Camaro disguise at that time — that wouldn't be released until some time in the year 2009. However, it is possible that the Camaro in question was being road-tested by GM engineers, like they were doing in the real world.
*Although unexplained in the films, Bumblebee's vehicle mode changes appearance subtly between ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. This is probably because of product placement: Bumblebee's old [[alternate mode]] was an unavailable concept Camaro, while in ''Revenge'' he uses what seems to be the new Z/28 Camaro... whose mass production has since been canceled. Oops. However, it is perfectly reasonable to assume that it is the Camaro ZL1 that uses the same design.
*He changes models again between ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' and becomes a production Camaro SS (rather than the previous two movies GTO-Based mock-ups); the movie prop car changes include the addition of a rear spoiler, the black racing stripes now being further apart while at the same time losing the outer pinstripes, the racing stripes now also covering the roof and Autobot badges in the front fenders.

===Robot mode and CG model(s)===
[[File:MovieBumblebeeStinger.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|He uses it once, then dies.]]

*The Bumblebee computer-generated model consisted of 7608 individual parts, 1,511,727 polygons, 19,722 rig nodes, and 8094 texture maps. The volume of all the pieces came to 1069.01 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
*Bumblebee's character animation is based on the performance of [[wikipedia:Michael J. Fox|Michael J. Fox]] in the ''[[wikipedia:Back to the Future|Back to the Future]]'' movies.<ref>From ''Cinefex'' magazine, issue number 111, published October 2007.</ref>
[[File:ROTFBumblebeeAltColorsConcept.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|But will we ever '''get''' an orange Bumblebee? No, we'll just keep getting slightly different yellow ones.]]
*Bumblebee is equipped with a pair of arm-mounted electrical "[[Stinger (weapon)|stingers]]."<ref>Bumblebee's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bio] at Hasbro.com</ref> While designed, the stingers were ultimately not featured in the movies, though they may have influenced [[Bumblebee (Animated)|other media]].
*Speaking of weapons, for someone whose main job is being subtle, Bumblebee is quite well armed, with a cannon powerful enough to rattle [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] and a ring-shaped light missile launcher in each shoulder. He is also a capable close-combat fighter, as seen in his fights against [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]], [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], and [[Stinger (AOE)|Stinger]].
*Despite this, he has a [[Fireblast]] rating of ''three''.
*According to designer [[Paul Ozzimo]] on his website, at one point there were plans to make Bumblebee into a Z/28 convertible for ''Revenge of the Fallen'', and the possibility of changing his color to orange or black with yellow was also discussed. While none of these alterations happened, concept art for both appeared on the "25 Years of Transformers" feature on the ''Revenge'' DVD... though the black version is only seen from behind.
*Bumblebee stands approximately 16 feet tall, according to the [[Transformers The Game|official game]] strategy guide.
*In 2011, Bumblebee appeared in a Super Bowl XLV-related commercial, parodying car dealers by tossing a squirrel mascot knocking his hood to literally hammer the point of low prices. The TV spot also revealed ILM's modifications to his design for ''Dark of the Moon'', namely more pronounced shoulders and ribs ala his [[Bumblebee (WFC)|''Prime'' counterpart]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RttT4jC7_10&feature=player_embedded Chevrolet Super Bowl spot]</ref>
*Despite his Camaro alternate mode used for ''Dark of the Moon'' no longer sporting the outer pinstripes bordering his black racing stripes, the CG robot model still has them. Whoops.
*Similarly, in the first movie, after he gains the modern Camaro alt mode, Bumblebee's robot mode still features the scratches and dirt on his paint job of his original 1976 Camaro alt mode.

===License plates===
Bumblebee sported several different [[license plate]]s between the movies, the video games and the toys:

*'''489 PCE''', registered in [[California]], was the 1976 Camaro's license plate in the first movie, which was kept consistent between the car prop and the CG model for the robot mode. The license plate was later auctioned off in 2008.<ref name="plate1">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/movie-bumblebees-license-plate-for-sale/12255/ Movie Bumblebee (1976 Camaro edition) license plate for sale], Seibertron.com, January 2008.</ref>
*'''900 STRA''', without a state-specific registration, was the new license plate for the Concept Camaro car prop, which was kept for the production models used for all three subsequent movies. It was also used when the modern Camaro prop cars from the movies were on display at car shows and other events. Finally achieving consistency between both modes, Bumblebee also sported this plate in robot mode in ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''. Furthermore, Hasbro started to use this license plate number with the Leader Class Bumblebee and Deluxe Class Nitro Bumblebee toys from the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|''Dark of the Moon'' toy line]] (both sporting ''sculpted'' license plate inscriptions in both modes), and the [[Activision Blizzard|Activision]] [[Dark of the Moon (video games)|''Dark of the Moon'' video game]] also uses it for the vehicle mode. The license plate used in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was auctioned off in October 2009.<ref name="2009auct">[http://www.icollector.com/Hero-Bumblebee-license-plate-from-Transformers-Revenge-of-the-Fallen_i8633011 ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Bumblebee license plate auction], icollector.com</ref> In ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', he even uses this license plate in his 1967 Camaro disguise, and still keeps it when he upgrades to his new 2014 Camaro concept form.
*'''4NZZ454''', registered in California, is probably the most well-known license plate number due to being used on the CG model for the robot mode in the 2007 movie and ''Revenge of the Fallen''.<ref name="proctercg">[http://www.benprocter.com/storage/oldersites/sitev2/html/PROJPAGE_Trans_06.html Official Hasbro promo shots of the finalized CG model for Bumblebee] on Ben Procter's portfolio</ref> This number number was also used for a lot of Hasbro's toys from the first two movies' toy lines (in robot mode and often also in vehicle mode), including the Deluxe Class Classic Camaro.
*'''4NZZZ454''', with a red line indicative of a California registration, was an erroneous version of the above number with an extra "Z", used on some of Hasbro's toys, namely the Deluxe Class Concept Camaro Bumblebee toy from the [[Movie (toyline)|first movie's toy line]] (including several [[redeco]]s and [[retool]]s) and ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Human Alliance]] Bumblebee.
*'''5LKZ213''' can be spotted on some photos of the life-sized robot prop from the Hoover Dam set from the first movie.<ref name="procterprop">[http://www.benprocter.com/storage/oldersites/sitev2/html/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_24.html Life-sized Bumblebee prop] on Ben Procter's portfolio</ref><ref name="unicubb">[http://www.unicron.us/tf2007/toypix/ultimate_bumblebee.html Review of Ultimate Bumblebee] at Unicron.com, including a set photo of the life-sized Bumblebee prop used for the movies.</ref>
*'''BUMBLBE''', registered in California, was used for the life-sized robot prop on various exhibits in 2007.<ref name="premiere">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/bob_karol/archives/date-taken/2007/06/27/ Transformers Movie premiere in Westwood Village, California], Flickr photostream of Candid Photos</ref><ref name="18foot">[http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/pictures-18-foot-bumblebee-transformer-invades-la "18 Foot Bumblebee Transformers invade LA"] at Techeblog</ref>
*'''FXPERTS''' (registered in California), a reference to the special effects company that built the life-sized robot prop,<ref name="fxperts">[http://www.fxpertsinc.com/trans.html Building the life-sized Bumblebee prop] at Fxperts</ref> was used on various exhibits in 2008.<ref name="dolby">[http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/ces-2008-giant-bumblebee-transformer-invades-the-dolby-booth "CES 2008: Giant BumbleBee Transformer Invades the Dolby Booth"] at Techeblog</ref><ref name="holloman08">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/61043118@N00/archives/date-taken/2008/09/22/ Transformers on display at Holloman Air Force Base in September 2008], Flickr photostream of snakebite000.</ref>
*'''KDM 0814''', registered in California, was used for the life-sized robot prop on various exhibits from 2009 to at least 2011.<ref name="sydney">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/movie-bumblebee-prop-appears-in-sydney-australia/17305/ Life-sized Bumblebee prop in Sydney, Australia] at Seibertron.com</ref><ref name="vegas">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/deltamike/archives/date-taken/2009/03/30/ Transformers on display at the Las Vegas Strip], Flickr photostream of Mike Renlund</ref><ref name="childmuseum">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=77515 "Bumblebee coming to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis"] at The Allspark, March 2011</ref> A variant of this, "KDM 814" minus the "0", had been previously used as the license plate of [[The Twins]]' combined ice cream truck mode in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
*'''5BBM2''' (registered in California), mirrored on the other side, is used by Activision for the robot models used in the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Dark of the Moon (video games)|Dark of the Moon]]'' video games. Due to its mirrored nature, this plate wouldn't actually be legal.<ref name="nextgen">[http://www.nextgn.com/2009/05/15/transformers-2-playable-characters-and-soundtrack-revealed/ ''Revenge of the Fallen'' video game models] at Next Gen News</ref><ref name="actidotm">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/video-games-17/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-the-game-hands-on-171673/ Activision trailer and promo stills for Dark of the Moon video game] at TFW2005.</ref>

===Lack of voice===
*For [[Transformers (film)|the first movie]], [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] had originally preferred the Transformers not to talk ''at all'' throughout the movie, a notion Hasbro heavily contested.<ref name="tfwtour">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/139273-botcon-2007-botcon-2007-hasbro-tour-updated-friday-12-45pm.html BotCon 2007 Hasbro tour report.]</ref> Bumblebee still ended up being mute throughout most of the movie, which, according to Orci and Kurtzman, was inspired by [[Steven Spielberg|Steven Spielberg's]] ''[[Wikipedia:E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|E.T.]]'' and is supposed to signify that his friendship with Sam transcends words.<ref name="mtv">[http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1554426/20070312/story.jhtml MTV.com interview with Kurtzman and Orci.]</ref>
*According to the [[Movie Prequel issue 1|prequel comic]] by IDW Publishing, Megatron ripped out and crushed Bumblebee's voice capacitor during the battle at [[Tyger Pax]] back on Cybertron. [[Hardtop (Movie)|Hardtop]]'s toy bio claims the damage came from a shot fired by Hardtop. In the film itself, Ratchet only states to Sam that Bumblebee's "vocal processors were damaged in battle" and he was "still working on them" after firing a single plasma beam at Bumblebee's throat; by the end of all the conflict (the climax of the film proper), Bumblebee has regained his ability to speak. Although it was not confirmed on-screen, screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]] did confirm ''off''-screen<ref name="Orci"/> that Ratchet's (regenerative) beam was indeed the reason.
*Just as well, Roberto Orci ''also'' admitted that Bumblebee's brief contact with the AllSpark would be an equally valid (and an even more "in-continuity") explanation.<ref name="Orci"/>
*When asked, Orci admitted there had been plans to have Bumblebee speak in ''Revenge of the Fallen''; however, ultimately they liked his "musical ability" too much, and [[Michael Bay]] wanted to focus more on [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], since he thought kids would like the two characters.<ref name="orci">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-283.html#post3785383 Q&A with Roberto Orci at TFW2005]</ref>
*When Bumblebee finally did speak, he had a slightly British accent.

===Other===
*Bumblebee is the only member of the original five Autobots to have appeared in all four ''Transformers'' films without dying.
*Bumblebee is a big fan of Earth cartoons! Some of his favourites include ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'', ''{{w|Ren and Stimpy}}'', ''{{w|Inspector Gadget}}'', ''{{w|Futurama}}'', ''{{w|Voltron}}'', and ''{{w|Rick and Morty}}'', as noted in [[Ask Vector Prime]]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Bumblebee''' (バンブルビー ''Banburubī'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''Daai Wong Fung''' (大黃蜂, "Bumblebee" or "Hornet")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Űrdongó''' ("Space Bumblebee")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Dà-huáng-fēng''' (大黃蜂, "Bumblebee" or "Hornet")
*''Spanish:'' '''Abejorro''' ("Bumblebee")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Bdzhilka''' (Бджілка, "Bee")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/Bumblebee/bumblebee.htm Bumblebee at TFU.info]
*[http://www.seibertron.com/toys/index.php?f_series=40&f_name=bumblebee&f_type=exact&Submit=Search Galleries of various different Bumblebee toys from the Movie]

[[Category:Age of Extinction Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Classified Autobots]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Autobots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Human Alliance]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Movie Autobots]]
[[Category:NEST]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Autobots]]
[[Category:Rise of the Dark Spark Autobots]]
[[Category:The Last Knight Autobots]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]

Bumblebee (Movie)

2017-01-02T10:06:00Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* External links */

{{factions|autobotfilm|NEST|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Bumblebee}}{{suite}}
:''Bumblebee is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:TF-Alliance03 Cover Nizzi.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb]]
'''Bumblebee''' is one of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s most trusted lieutenants. Although he is not the strongest or most powerful of the Autobots, Bumblebee more than makes up for this with a bottomless well of luck, determination and bravery. He would gladly give his life to protect others and stop the [[Decepticon]]s.

Badly damaged in battle, Bumblebee lost the ability to speak verbally, though he can still communicate over [[Inter-Autobot radio|inter-Autobot frequencies]] (in a fashion that seems somewhat akin to instant messaging, a usable but more distant and less personal means of interaction). He can also communicate with the Autobots' human allies and his friend, [[Sam Witwicky]], by playing audio clips from popular media on his radio.

Sometimes he is also known as '''N.B.E.-02'''.

{{quote|If there's anything you need, I won't be far away.|Bumblebee quoting ''{{w|Forrest Gump}}'' to Sam|''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Movies===
{{note|The five movies are the primary component of the live-action movie continuity family. Their events should be taken as canon for all other pieces of fiction listed below, unless otherwise specified.}}
====''Transformers'' film====
{{voiceactor|[[Mark Ryan]] (English), [[Hiroshi Iwasaki]] (Japan radio voice) [[Akio Kato]] (Japan normal voice)|[[Helmut Gauß]] (German), [[Eduardo Borgerth]] (Brazil), [[Omar Soto]] (Latin American-Spanish Radio voice), [[Alfredo Gabriel Basurto]] (Latin American-Spanish normal voice), [[Saverio Indrio]] (Italian)}}

[[File:Movie2007 Bumblebee dealership.jpg|left|upright=1.8|thumb|Out with the old, and in with the new.]]

When the Autobots scattered to the stars in search of the lost [[AllSpark]], Bumblebee made his way to the planet [[Earth]], where he connected the trail of the lost relic to the [[Witwicky]] family line. Disguising himself as a battered 1970s Camaro, he followed [[Ron Witwicky]] and his son [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] to [[Bolivia's Finest Quality Used Cars and Petting Zoo|a second rate car dealership]] and slipped himself amongst the vehicles, intending to have the boy purchase him so that he could get close to the family. When proprietor [[Bobby Bolivia]] couldn't agree on a price, however, it looked like Sam would wind up buying another car, so Bumblebee used a high-frequency sound wave to blow out the windows of every other vehicle in the lot, leaving Bolivia with no choice but to sell him.

[[File:Movie Bumblebee winner.jpg|right|upright=1.8|thumb|YOU BIG WINNER, HAHAHA.]]

The next day, Sam and his friend [[Miles Lancaster]] drove Bumblebee down to a party at the lake, where the disguised Autobot decided to do the boy a favor, playing "Drive" on his radio to subtly convince Sam to kick Miles out and offer his crush [[Mikaela Banes]] a ride home. When he neared a romantic spot overlooking the city, Bumblebee turned off his engine and began playing romantically suggestive songs; this didn't have the intended effect, and Bumblebee had to abruptly turn himself back on again when Mikaela started to walk off. After they returned Mikaela home, Bumblebee drove off during the night; Sam, believing it to be a car theft, followed him to a junkyard and witnessed the robot-mode Bumblebee sending a beacon into space to summon his fellow Autobots. Apparently unaware that he had been spotted, Bumblebee then scared off the junkyard's two guard dogs when they menaced Sam.

[[File:TF2007 bumblebee 2009 camaro.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8|Out with the new, and in with the newer.]]

When Bumblebee returned to the Witwicky home the next day, a terrified Sam fled from what he dubbed "Satan's Camaro", only to wind up being attacked by the Decepticon [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]], who was also on the trail of the AllSpark. While fleeing this new threat, Sam ran into Mikaela, and Bumblebee then snatched the pair up and drove them away, with Barricade in hot pursuit. Taking refuge at a deserted chemical plant, Bumblebee revealed his robot form to the two humans so he could engage Barricade in combat, eventually knocked the Decepticon out after a brawl. Afterward, Bumblebee—able only to communicate in sound bites broadcast over his radio—properly introduced himself to Sam and Mikaela, and drove them to nearby [[Griffith Observatory]] to watch as the other Autobots he had called upon arrived in the sky overhead. Along the way, when Mikaela wondered aloud why a super-advanced robot turned into a "piece of crap Camaro", a mildly insulted Bumblebee scanned a passing 2009 Camaro, taking on its sleek and shiny form himself.

[[File:Movie BumblebeeCC guardian.jpg|right|upright=1.8|thumb|I may be your guardian, but I will not carry you through a crowd to the music of Whitney Houston.]]

Bumblebee took his friends to a secluded alleyway, where Sam and Mikaela met the other Autobots, including their leader, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Medical officer [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] explained that Bumblebee's inability to speak was a result of an old injury to his [[processors|vocal processor]], which Ratchet then treated with a regenerative plasma beam.<ref name="Orci">[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showthread.php?t=12054 Post-movie Q&A with screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman]</ref> Prime explained that Sam had been targeted because he owned a set of [[glasses]] belonging to his grandfather, [[Archibald Witwicky]], which had the location on the AllSpark inscribed on their lenses, and the entire group returned to the Witwicky home so they could obtain them.

[[File:Movie2007 Bumblebee lubricates Simmons.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.8|"They should change my name to Bumble-PEE!!!" Ba Dum Tss! I'll be here all night!]]

Though the glasses were soon found, the forces of [[Sector Seven]] soon descended upon the house and apprehended Sam and Mikaela. The Autobots wasted no time in rescuing them, but when the interrogation of [[Seymour Simmons]] went nowhere, Bumblebee became so annoyed with his attitude that he released lubricant onto the agent. When Sector Seven reinforcements arrived, the Autobots were forced to hide; unfortunately, Sam and Mikaela fell from their hiding place beneath a bridge, and Bumblebee had to reveal himself to save them. Harpooned and frozen by Sector Seven agents, he was captured by the organization, with Optimus Prime regrettably unable to intercede as he knew the Autobots could not do so without harming the humans.

[[File:TF2007 bumblebee captured.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Taken to Sector Seven's base at [[Hoover Dam]], Bumblebee was continually doused with cryoblasts to keep him subdued while experiments were performed on him, until Sam and Mikaela (with some armed persuasion from [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]) convinced S7 to let him go. Upon his release, Bumblebee almost lashed out at his human oppressors until Sam calmed him down, informing him of the presence of the AllSpark and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] in the facility, and that the Decepticons were coming for both. Following the humans to the AllSpark's chamber, Bumblebee hesitantly reached out to the life source of his people and reformatted it, shrinking the cube until it was a size that the humans could manipulate. Cube in hand, Bumblebee and a military escort fled to [[Mission City]], meeting the Autobots en route.

[[File:TF2007 bumblebee gives sam allspark.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]

Soon after Bumblebee and the Autobots arrived in the city, the Decepticons descended in force, with a missile attack from Starscream blowing off Bumblebee's legs. To get him to safety, Mikaela and Sam hoisted Bumblebee onto an abandoned tow truck, but Bumblebee pushed the AllSpark into Sam's hands, urging him to run while he still could. As Sam reluctantly left, Mikaela drove Bumblebee away from the fighting to relative safety, but she was soon overcome with guilt for leaving Sam and the battle. With Bumblebee's assent, she turned headed back in, driving the truck in reverse so that Bumblebee could fire his weapons at [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], helping take the tank Decepticon out. Subsequently, Sam used the AllSpark to destroy Megatron, and in the aftermath, Bumblebee found that his voice had returned,<ref name="Orci"/> and he used it to request permission to remain with Sam. Optimus and Sam agreed, and after his legs were repaired, Bumblebee allowed Sam and Mikaela to make out on top of him as Optimus sent his message to space calling other Autobots to Earth. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}}

{{note|Bumblebee's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels “[[Transformers (novel)|Transformers]],” "[[Transformers: The Junior Novel]]” and "[[The Quest for the AllSpark]]"; the "[[Transformers: Movie Adaptation]]” and "[[Movie Trilogy]]" comics; the activity book "[[Look and Find Transformers]]"; and the storybooks “[[Bumblebee Rumble]],” “[[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron]],” “[[Sam's New Car]],” “[[Transformers (interactive Play-a-Sound Storybook)|Transformers Play-a-Sound]],” "[[Transformers Mix & Match]]," "[[Meet the Autobots]]," "[[Meet the Decepticons]]," and "[[Transformers: The Movie Storybook]]." In several, Bumblebee has his own [[Moustache Man]] hologram driver, which does not appear in the finished film.}}
{{--}}

====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====
{{voiceactor|[[Mark Ryan]] (dialogue cut from final movie)|[[Omar Soto]], [[Enrique Cervantes]] and [[Arturo Acosta]] (Latin American-Spanish radio voice)}}

[[File:ROTF bumblebee opens fire.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Two years after the battle of Mission City, his voice still not properly repaired, Bumblebee was dozing in the Witwicky garage the day Sam was packing for [[Princeton University]] when a scream from Sam saw him called into action to blast the [[AllSpark Mutation]]s a surviving sliver of the AllSpark had made of the Witwicky kitchen appliances. Shrugging off [[Judy Witwicky]]'s complaints that he had blown up much of their house, 'Bee returned to the garage, where he was dismayed to learn that Sam was not planning on taking him to college with him, as just he wanted a normal life.

[[File:ROTF bee makes trouble.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Hoping that Sam could serve as an ambassador of sorts to help convince the [[President of the United States]] that it was important the Autobots stay on Earth to fight off the Decepticons, Optimus Prime had Bumblebee pick up Sam from college so he could talk to him. 'Bee caused trouble for Sam right away, disrupting a frat party he was attending, then wound up with an unwanted passenger in [[Alice]], about whom he could tell something wasn't right. Bonking her head off his dashboard and spraying her in liquid to get rid of her, he then took Sam to meet Optimus, but the boy turned down the Autobot leader's offer. Unfortunately, Sam soon proved to have little choice in whether or not he would be involved in the Transformers' war, when a resurrected Megatron captured him, and Bumblebee and Prime had to come to his rescue. 'Bee took Mikaela and Sam's roommate [[Leo Spitz]], to safety, but Optimus died protecting the boy.

[[File:ROTF bumblebee puppdogeyes.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Bumblebee, together with [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], took the three humans to an abandoned prison where they would be safe, but soon, the Decepticons' master [[The Fallen]] struck across Earth, demanding Sam he turned over to them. Bearing Sam no grudge for Optimus's death, Bumblebee promised to help his fugitive friend in any way, though he advised against Sam turning himself in. At Leo's suggestion, the group went to [[New York City]] to meet his internet rival, the Robo-Warrior—in actuality, Bumblebee's old lubrication post Seymour Simmons, who provided evidence that [[Seeker (ROTF)|a group of Decepticons]] had been on Earth thousands of years ago. Following this information, the group located and reactivated the ancient [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], who teleported them to [[Egypt]] to search for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which Sam hoped could be used to revive Optimus.

[[File:ROTF Bumblebee twin bash.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|Respect my authoritah!]]

Bumblebee transported the humans to [[Petra (Earth)|Petra]], the supposed location of the [[Tomb of the Primes]], but when it appeared to be a dead end, the Twins got into an argument over why they were following Sam around. The argument turned into a brawl which threatened to crush the humans in the close quarters, so Bumblebee picked his two subordinates, slammed them together, and threw them out of the temple. However, the Twins' brawl had managed to unearth the Tomb of the Primes, and Bumblebee further opened the hole with his plasma cannon, where they found the Matrix...which instantly turned to dust. Gathering up the dust in hopes it would still work, the team headed back to Egypt, but were [[Operation: Firestorm|assaulted]] by Starscream on the way. 'Bee, Simmons, Leo, and the Twins led Starscream and the Decepticons away while Sam and Mikaela went on ahead, and when it became apparent that Starscream was no longer pursuing them, Bumblebee left to rejoin the pair.

[[File:ROTF movie BumblebeevsRampage.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|Move your body Rampage! Yeah, like that, gymnastics are really easy when you have two legs. Oh wait...]]

Arriving in the abandoned town Sam and Mikaela were hiding from the Decepticons in, Bumblebee found that Sam's parents were being held captive by [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]]. Sam distracted the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]] long enough for Bumblebee to jump him, but while they were grappling, [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] ambushed Bumblebee. The plucky Autobot managed to fight off Ravage and ''rip out his spine'', then overpowered and killed Rampage. At Sam's instruction, Bumblebee took the boy's parents to safety, returning in time to see Sam apparently be killed by a blast from Megatron, upon which he broke down in grief. However, Sam miraculously survived the attack, and with the reformed Matrix of Leadership, resurrected Optimus Prime. Together, the assembled Autobots and humans watched as Optimus combined with the remains of Jetfire, destroyed the harvester and killed The Fallen. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|Bumblebee’s involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels “[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]],” “[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Junior Novel]]” and “[[The Last Prime]]"; the comic mini-series “[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation]]”; and the storybooks "[[I Am Optimus Prime (ROTF)|I Am Optimus Prime]],” “[[When Robots Attack!]],” "[[Rise of the Decepticons]]," "[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Electronic Voice Changer]]" and "[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Mix & Match]]." In the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] of the film, Bumblebee speaks—with difficulty—in his own voice several times, a story element that was cut from the finished film.}}

====''Dark of the Moon'' film====
{{voiceactor|N/A (English)|[[Omar Soto]], [[Ferso Velázquez]] and [[Alfredo Gabriel Basurto]] (Latin American-Spanish radio voice)}}

[[File:DOTFfilm-BumblebeeStealthForce.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8|''Stealth'' Force? Right...]]
Three years after the defeat of The Fallen, Bumblebee no longer lived with Sam, having been put back on active NEST duty now regularly engaged in top secret missions with the rest of the Autobots, mostly to prevent human conflict. Alongside [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], [[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]], 'Bee investigated an illegal nuclear facility, employing his [[Stealth Force]] mode to destroy it. Upon returning to the [[NEST]] base, he assisted in teaching soldiers how to fight Decepticons.

[[File:DOTM bumblebee vs brazos.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Having received information from his co-worker [[Jerry Wang]] that suggested a conspiracy of humans collaborating with the Decepticons, Sam and his new girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]] went to NEST headquarters to share what Sam had learned, but when the guards would not let him enter, he grabbed a radio and called for Bumblebee to "convince" them. The guards quickly backed off when Bumblebee burst out of the building, but the reunion wasn't an entirely happy one, as Sam made clear to his big 'bot buddy that he was upset that he wasn't around much any more. National Intelligence Director [[Charlotte Mearing]] had no interest in Sam's conspiracy theories, so Sam left with Bumblebee to investigate the matter himself. To "repay" Sam's boss eccentric [[Bruce Brazos]] for a few leads he was able to provide them, Bumblebee play-fought with the man, who tried some karate moves on him.

[[File:Dotm-sam&bumblebee-ahhh!-1-.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8|Here comes another Flight of the Bumblebee joke...]]

After Sam, [[Seymour Simmons|Simmons]] and [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] learned that the Autobots' recent actions—recovering their lost former leader [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] and his [[space bridge]] [[pillar]]s from the wreck of the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' they had discovered on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]]—had actually been orchestrated by the Decepticons, Bumblebee, Sideswipe and Dino escorted the humans and Sentinel back to the NEST base. En route, they were attacked by the [[Dread (DOTM)|Dreads]], and Bumblebee was forced to execute an impressive mid-air transformation to avoid a crashed truck, tossing Sam into the air as he switched modes, before transforming back to vehicle mode around the boy. When the group arrived back at NEST, Sentinel revealed he was in league with Megatron, and Bumblebee was unable to prevent [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] from being killed and the base from being destroyed as Sentinel retrieved his pillars.

[[File:DOTM-bumblebeesamsfriend.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|Bee good.]]
Sentinel used his pillars to open a space bridge in the heart of Washington, and Bumblebee and the Autobots were vastly outnumbered by the Decepticon forces that poured through and had to retreat. When Sentinel forced the humans to exile the Autobots on their ship, the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'', Bumblebee was allowed a short time to say goodbye to Sam, and assured him he was always going to be his friend, before helping the others prepare the ship for launch. However shortly after lift-off, the ''Xantium'' was destroyed by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and Bumblebee and the rest of the Autobots were presumed dead.

[[File:DOTM bee and carly in ship.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8]]
In actuality, the Autobots had hidden in a rocket booster that was jettisoned before the Xantium's destruction, and arrived in the Decepticon-occupied [[Chicago]] in time to help Sam, [[Robert Epps|Epps]] and a team of soldiers in finding the kidnapped Carly. Bumblebee piloted one of the downed Decepticon fighters to get Sam into the building in which Decepticon conspirator [[Dylan Gould]] was holding Carly, and used it to both rescue the pair and blast off [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]'s head. He rejoined his fellow Autobots in attacking the Decepticon forces, and arrived in time to save Sam and Lennox from falling to their deaths after Sam managed to kill Starscream.

[[File:830px-Dotm-helluvarun-1-.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|He's right behind me, isn't he?]]
Unfortunately, Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Dino, Ratchet and Que were soon captured by [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] and his troops, and Bumblebee could only watch as Que was executed. He had barely a moment to mourn before he was pulled forward, sharing what seemed to be a final, heartfelt look with Sam... before [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] and [[Brains]] suddenly started dropping Decepticon fighters from a Decepticon warship above. With Soundwave distracted, Bumblebee attacked his would-be executioner, and after a short but intense battle, killed the Decepticon spy-master by punching straight through his chest and blasting his head to bits. Subsequently, Bumblebee joined the final battle, and with Ratchet's help, he tackled and destroyed the space bridge's control pillar, shutting the bridge down. After the defeat of the Decepticons and Sentinel Prime, Bumblebee produced a selection of gears and washers from inside his body so that Sam could use one as a ring to propose to Carly with, but Sam just told him that he needed to slow it down. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}
{{note|Bumblebee's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]” and “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]],” the “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation]] and "[[Movie Trilogy]]" comics,” and the storybooks “[[Autobots Versus Decepticons]],” "[[The Lost Autobot]]," "[[Optimus Prime's Friends and Foes]]," “[[Bumblebee's Best Friend]]," "[[Dark of the Moon: Action Pop-ups!]]" and "[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Mix & Match]]."}}
{{-}}

====''Age of Extinction'' film====
{{voiceactor|N/A (English), [[Kōichi Yamadera]] (Japanese radio voice)|[[Gerardo Alonso]], [[Ferso Velázquez]] and [[Alfredo Gabriel Basurto]] (Latin American Spanish radio voice)}}

[[File:AOEBumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|After a wild bender, Bumblebee woke up in the desert, stripped of his 2011 Camaro kibble.]]

At some point in the past, Bumblebee had a phase where he became extremely insubordinate and disrespectful to his father figure Optimus Prime.

In the aftermath of the Battle of Chicago, Bumblebee remained on Earth with the other Autobots, but they were all soon forced to go on the run when US government disbanded [[NEST]], and [[Harold Attinger]]'s [[Cemetery Wind]] taskforce began hunting down Transformers. Disguised as a beat-up 1967 Camaro, Bumblebee even found himself having to take command of the remaining Autobot refugees when Optimus Prime disappeared, even though the others saw him as brash and inexperienced.

[[File:AOE bee and stinger.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8|Bumblebee shares the same feeling with [[Stephanie Sheh|Usagi Tsukino]] when it comes to clones.]]

Five years after Chicago, Optimus returned and Bumblebee relinquished command, but this did not stop [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] from complaining about Bumblebee's leadership skills. Indignant at being called a "child" by the Autobot samurai, Bumblebee briefly brawled with Drift, but greater matters soon demanded the Autobots' attention. Following information provided by Optimus's new human ally [[Cade Yeager]] that revealed Cemetery Wind were delivering the bodies of the Transformers they captured to [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated]], the Autobots prepared to infiltrate the company's Chicago headquarters; Bumblebee falsified ID cards to get Cade and [[Shane Dyson]] into the building, then drove them to the site, masquerading as a non-sentient vehicle bring brought in for [[scanning]]. Upon seeing the company's display of [[Stinger (AOE)|Stinger]], a drone based on his own design, as well several videos and posters claiming that he was inferior to the human-made Transformer, Bumblebee flipped out and knocked over the prototype, then left Shane to take the blame for the accident.

[[File:AOE bumblebee missiles.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8|Hi Tom!]]

The information Cade brought out of KSI revealed to the Autobots that the captured Transformers were being melted down for their raw [[transformium]] metal. Learning that Ratchet had suffered this grisly fate, Bumblebee joined the Autobots in attacking the building, though not before he scanned a 2014 Camaro along the way, taking on a sleek new alternate mode. He got a lift from Drift's helicopter mode to the buildings upper levels and was able to rescue Cade from Attinger's clutches. The Autobots then withdrew, but were pursued by Stinger and KSI's premiere creation, [[Galvatron (AOE)|Galvatron]]; 'Bee attempted to blast Galvatron with a cluster of missiles, but was left in utter shock when the drone disintegrated and reassembled himself to avoid the attack.

[[File:AOE-BeeIsTheBest.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.8|Never mind the fact we should be ripped to shreds by the shattered glass from this skyscraper, you're the best, Bee!]]
When Optimus was captured by [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]], Bumblebee and the Autobots infiltrated the [[Knight Ship|bounty hunter's ship]]. Bumblebee helped their human allies escape from several [[Steeljaw (AOE)|Steeljaw]]s, and though he could not stop the ships anchors from being detached, causing the humans to fall towards Chicago, he still managed to save them by swinging down on the cables and grabbing them out of the air. Given a lift by [[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]] in a stolen gunship, 'Bee had to take over piloting the craft while Crosshairs engaged Lockdown's pursuing henchmen, and although he managed to lose the ships chasing them by diving into an underground roadway, he then promptly crashed the gunship into the city streets.

Bumblebee and the humans regrouped with the other Autobots at a disused train yard, where they learned from Brains that Galvatron was, in actuality, a reborn Megatron, and was planning to detonate a cyberforming [[seed]]—given to KSI head [[Joshua Joyce]] by Lockdown—in [[Hong Kong]]. The team immediately headed for China, but upon arrival, their ship was shot down, and Bumblebee, [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] and the humans fell out and had to escort the seed out of the city. [[File:CheapKnockOffs.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|But how does he feel about the length of his toy page?]] Bumblebee and Hound acted as a defensive line against Galvatron's forces, and though they destroyed many drones, they slowly became overwhelmed by the onslaught. Salvation came in the form of Optimus Prime and the newly recruited [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobots]]; their airborne member [[Strafe (AOE)|Strafe]] partnered himself up with Bumblebee, and together, they took out Stinger, who 'Bee "eulogized" by calling him a "cheap knockoff" and let Strafe gnaw on his head. With the battle reaching fever pitch, Bumblebee was tasked by Cade with taking his daughter [[Tessa Yeager|Tessa]] and Shane out of the city, but the pair soon convinced him to turn around and help Optimus and Cade fight the returned Lockdown. Bumblebee quickly found he was no match for Lockdown, but his intervention gave Tessa and Shane enough time to help Optimus recover, and the Autobot leader slew the bounty hunter. Bumblebee, alongside the other Autobots, was tasked with protecting the Yeager family from any threats when Optimus left Earth to confront Lockdown's employers, the mysterious [[creator (AOE)|creators]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}}
{{-}}

====''The Last Knight'' film====
{{comingsoon|when=June 23, 2017}}
{{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight}}

===Novels===
====''Ghosts of Yesterday''====
Before coming to Earth, Bumblebee was part of the crew of the [[Ark (Movie)|''Ark'']], searching through space for the lost AllSpark. In 1969, Earth-time, the crew encountered an alien ship, the ''[[Ghost 1]]'', in an abandoned solar system. After the ship turned tail and headed for one of the local planets, Optimus Prime sent Bumblebee down after it. Bumblebee located the ship, and was about to approach it when [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] arrived, and he was forced to retreat under the Decepticon's superior firepower. Shortly after Bumblebee discovered some apparently artificial pillars, the ground gave way beneath him, and 'Bee found himself plunged into a cave system. With his radio damaged, he explored the caves, and was attacked by giant, monstrous worm creatures, whose organic nature did not make them any less challenging as opponents. Fortunately, Optimus arrived in time to save him.

Prime and Bumblebee had a brief encounter with Starscream and the ''Ghost 1'', the crew of which had been persuaded by the Decepticon that the Autobots were the aggressors in the Transformer war. The pair retreated back below ground, and later found the ''Ghost 1'' in a battered state, having been abandoned by Starscream. Bumblebee made contact with its crew, a species known as "humans", and the earlier misunderstanding was soon cleared up. When more of the worm creatures turned up, Bumblebee acted as a diversion so Optimus could blast a way out of the caves, and everyone escaped intact. They returned to the ''Ark'' in time to fight the Decepticons once more. Bumblebee joined Ratchet in attacking Barricade, though the Decepticon gave them more than enough trouble. When the ''Ghost-1'' and its crew were lost during the battle, the Autobots turned their attention toward the planet from which it had hailed... Earth. {{storylink|Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

====''The Veiled Threat''====

Following the battle of Mission City and the destruction of the AllSpark, Bumblebee guardianship of Sam Witwicky meant that he was not an activate participant in any missions carried out by the forces of NEST. {{storylink|Transformers: The Veiled Threat|The Veiled Threat}}

====''Classified'' novels====
[[File:Tfc-switchinggears.jpg|right|thumb|Psst, down here!]]
After the defeat of The Fallen, NEST resumed their regular business of hunting down rogue Decepticons. Bumblebee was at [[Edwards Air Force Base]] with Ratchet when they received word that two Cybertronians in transition forms had landed near [[Hurley's Crossing]]. The pair went there by helicopter and encountered [[Reverb (ROTF)|Reverb]], who claimed to be a Decepticon defector hunting down another Decepticon who was after the technology at [[Hawthorne Army Depot]]. Though Bumblebee was highly skeptical, he followed Ratchet's lead, and they took Reverb to the depot. When they reached it, [[Kevin Bowman]] let them know that [[Gears (ROTF)|Gears]] was an Autobot and in reality trying to protect an ancient weapons cache. The warning came too late, as Reverb turned the weapons on Bumblebee and Ratchet, who were unable to penetrate the personal forcefield Reverb had acquired. Despite this, Bumblebee lasted out Reverb's defeat with minimal damage. {{storylink|Transformers Classified: Switching Gears|Switching Gears}}

When Bumblebee and Gears were left at base, they received word from [[Douglas Porter]] that the Decepticon [[Blowback]] was heading up to [[Battle Mountain]] where a storehouse of Cybertronian artifacts had been discovered. The pair were compelled to travel to Battle Mountain with Kevin and Douglas, though Bumblebee made a detour to a [[Kwiki-Burger]] on the way. On arrival, they were attacked by Blowback and his men, and by the time they'd dispatched the four Decepticons, Kevin and Douglas had found the storehouse. They were subsequently picked up by Ironhide and taken back to face Optimus Prime's anger at them having gone off on their own. {{storylink|Transformers Classified: Battle Mountain|Battle Mountain}}

When the Battle Mountain cylinder was in danger of activating, Bumblebee and Gears took part in a convoy to transport the device to a NEST vault near [[Yucca Mountain]]. The trip was cut short when the convoy was ambushed outside [[Beatty]] by Reverb and some stolen [[Hyperdynamix]] autonomous tanks. They caught a break when Reverb was called away to the nearby Hyperdynamix Aerospace facility, and while Gears and Kevin followed the Decepticon, Bumblebee remained to protect the remains of the convoy. {{storylink|Transformers Classified: Satellite of Doom|Satellite of Doom}}
{{-}}

===IDW movie comics===
[[File:Defiance1 Cliffjumper Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|"Tell Hasbro that [[Cliffjumper (disambiguation)|I]] don't want to be a [[repaint]] of [[Bumblebee (disambiguation)|you]] anymore!"]]

Bumblebee was born over 10,000 years ago, one of the second generation of Cybertronians spawned by the [[AllSpark]] since its rediscovery and the revitalization of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} He and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] were guardians of the AllSpark at the [[Simfur Temple|Temple]] of [[Simfur]]. One day, when the AllSpark suddenly began giving off energy spikes, a nervous Bumblebee was troubled by the fact that planetary leaders Optimus and [[Lord High Protector]] Megatron were more concerned with a nearby archaeological excavation than with the source of the spikes, but Cliffjumper reassured him that they could handle whatever came their way. He would soon regret those words when [[Ejoornian|aliens]] from the nearby [[Eshems Nebula]] attacked Simfur. The pair were seeking cover inside the temple when Lord Megatron swooped in, berated them for not taking the fight to the enemy, and destroyed their opponent. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}} Instructed to stay out of the military's way, Bumblebee was concerned that the attack signalled the start of something ''big'', but Cliffjumper was unconcerned on the basis that two lowly guards wouldn't be part of whatever it was. [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]] agreed, ordering them to stay at their posts, after which he quizzed them on how the AllSpark had reacted during the battle. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[File:Defiance3 Optimus Bumblebee orders.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|Well, that's one way to make a first impression.]]

His ambition ignited by the [[The Fallen|mysterious relic]] discovered at the archaeological dig, a power-hungry Megatron sought to have Optimus disposed of, and sent a team led by Prowl—including Bumblebee—to apprehend him on charges of treason. When Optimus angrily demanded to know what he had done, Bumblebee pointed his weapon at the science leader and said they were just following orders, which seemed to satisfy Optimus. What 'Bee and the other security officers didn't know, however, was they were being led into a trap; on the way to the city of [[Metrotitan (ROTF)|Metrotitan]], they were ambushed by a soldiers loyal to Megatron, who had been ordered to kill them all, save Optimus. Bumblebee helped haul [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] to safety after the group was hit by an explosive round, and Optimus ordered them all to withdraw to [[Burthov]] while he took care of their attackers personally. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}} {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

[[File:Defiance Bumblebee vehiclemodes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|My alt mode is Pac-Man!]]

After it was learned that Megatron had rebuilt his Defense Force as an army known as the "Decepticons", Optimus—now Optimus ''Prime'', embracing his destiny—organized Bumblebee and the others loyal to him to stand against Megatron's forces as the "Autobots". While on an apparent scouting mission, Bumblebee and Arcee discovered the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' while it was under construction; some time later, when the vessel was complete, they also observed as the majority of the Decepticon forces boarded. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} Returning to the camp at Burthov, they and all the assembled Autobots watched at the ''Nemesis'' took off. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} With the bulk of the Decepticons gone, the Autobots launched their first strike against the Decepticons, and the war between the two factions truly began. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

[[File:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Megatron's attempt at a "Give me your arm!" meme didn't really take off...]]

After years of war, with no end in sight, Bumblebee participated in an assault on Simfur Temple to activate the "[[pillar|torch]]" [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] had created, which Sentinel had promised would end the conflict. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} Alas, Starscream blew up Sentinel's [[Ark (DOTM)|ship]], and Bumblebee retreated with the rest of the Autobots. However, the battle had weakened Decepticon forces to the extent that the Autobots were soon able to steal the AllSpark. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}} After moving the relic around the planet, Optimus Prime finally made the desperate decision to launch the AllSpark into space to put it beyond Megatron's reach. This decision took Bumblebee by surprise, but he supported Optimus. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} Bumblebee was placed in command of a small Autobot unit at the AllSpark's hiding place in [[Tyger Pax]], on the assumption that the Decepticon would focus their attention on Simfur; unfortunately, Megatron sensed the AllSpark's true location, and Bumblebee and his men found themselves under attack by the Decepticon leader and his troops. [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] tried and failed to torture the AllSpark's precise hiding spot out of Bumblebee, forcing Megatron to take up the task, but even 'Bee did not know ''exactly'' where it was—moments later, both he and Megatron could only watch as the cube was blasted into space from a launch site nearby. A furious Megatron crushed Bumblebee's voice capacitor beyond repair in a petty act of revenge and took off after the AllSpark; although the young bot survived and was dubbed a hero for his actions, he feared that all the Autobots had done was potentially spread their war to other worlds. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}}

[[File:MoviePrequel Interlude bee vs barricade.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.6]]

In time, the Autobots left Cybertron aboard the ''Ark'' in search of the AllSpark. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}} After years of questing, in 2003, Bumblebee traced the AllSpark to Earth's [[Solar System]], first touching down on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], where his image was captured by the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] and passed to human organization [[Sector Seven]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Landing on Earth in the state of [[Virginia (state)|Virginia]], 'Bee quickly evaded S7 by scanning a battered old Camaro and making for [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]]. There, he used a remote link to a coffee shop computer to search [[Shwiggle]] for any signs of extraterrestrial sightings, and discovered the story of Captain [[Archibald Witwicky]], who claimed to have seen an "Ice Man" that Bumblebee recognized as a frozen Megatron. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Bumblebee's followed Witwicky's trail to an [[Psychopathic Institute for the Long-Term Insane|asylum]] in [[Baton Rouge]], [[Louisiana]], where the late captain had been committed, {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Movie Prequel #4}} then headed downtown to [[asylum|another asylum]] that had computerized records he could scan. Having thus obtained a list of Witwicky's descendants, Bumblebee set course for [[Springfield]], Missouri, in search of his son [[Clarence Witwicky|Clarence]], evading an attack by Sector Seven along the way. In Springfield, he found records of Clarence's children and started out to track them down, starting with his eldest son [[Ben Witwicky|Ben]] in [[Denver]], [[Colorado]]. Ben proved a dead end, so 'Bee took off for [[Tucson]], only to be again attacked by Sector Seven, evading their helicopters by blinding them and rocketing off at high speed. Not long after, he learned the Decepticons had followed him to Earth when he was attacked by Barricade in the desert. {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}} {{storylink|Interlude}}

[[File:Prequel3 bumblebee altmode.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Escaping his various pursuers, a damaged and smoking Bumblebee stopped by the roadside on the way out of Colorado to rest and recover. Suddenly detecting a burst of AllSpark energy, he trace the source to [[New Mexico]], where Barricade tracked him down and attacked once again. Other Decepticons, meanwhile, attacked the energy source and found it to be a Sector Seven ruse; consequently, assuming Bumblebee would have further leads they could exploit, Barricade let 'Bee escape so that they would be able to covertly track his movements. Eventually, Bumblebee's search took him to [[Tranquility]], [[Nevada]], {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Movie Prequel #4}} where he would soon encounter Sam Witwicky, whom he befriended and allied with during the subsequent battle for the AllSpark. {{storylink|Transformers: Movie Adaptation}}

[[File:Alliance2 Bumblebee takecove-rrk.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|"Why do they always aim for the throat!?"]]

Immediately following the battle in [[Mission City]], Bumblebee had his legs reattached by Ratchet, then he and the other Autobots rolled out to avoid Sector Seven's inquiries. 'Bee remained behind to guard Sam when the other Autobots were summoned to a meeting with Lennox a month later, {{storylink|Alliance issue 1|Alliance #1}} but then took part in the mission Lennox requested their help with: transporting the dead Decepticons' body to a navy base in [[San Diego]], [[California]] for disposal at sea. Before departing Sector Seven's [[Nevada]] base with the convoy, Optimus Prime gave the surviving AllSpark sliver to [[Vine|Professor Vine]] for safekeeping, but had second thoughts about his decision partway into the mision and sent Ironhide and Bumblebee back to the facility to retrieve it. Racing ahead, Bumblebee was greeted with an unexpected sight: the base aflame, and Decepticons [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] and Starscream brawling in the midst of it all. 'Bee disarmed Wreckage with a well-aimed blast and Starscream finished him off, then turned his firepower on the humans; Bumblebee dived in front of them and took the blast, damaging his vocal processor once again. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2|Alliance #2}} {{storylink|Convergence chapter 4}} Ironhide praised him for his bravery and selflessness, Bumblebee regretted not being able to save everybody. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3|Alliance #3}}

[[File:Alliance3 Ironhide Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"I see dead people, I mean it, look there's one right over there."]]

Two weeks later, Bumblebee was present for the burial at sea of [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] and the Decepticons, following which it was announced that the Autobots and Lennox's team would be working together as a new special unit, dedicated to protecting the Earth from threats posed by the remaining Decepticons. They began training on the island of Diego Garcia, but it took time for the humans and Autobots to learn to work together; during a training exercise on a shooting range, when Bumblebee instinctively fired on a target, he only narrowly avoiding blasting Epps in the process. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3|Alliance #3}} For their first mission, NEST was deployed to [[San Francisco]] to take out the Decepticons [[Jolt (Movie)|Deadend]] and 'Bee's old opponent Swindle. Bumblebee and Lennox chased Swindle onto the deserted [[Golden Gate Bridge]], where the Decepticon was amused upon realizing who it was he was facing once again. When Swindle turned on Lennox, however, he learned the folly of underestimating Bumblebee, who blasted his one-time torturer through the back, killing him. {{storylink|Alliance issue 4|Alliance #4}}

[[File:TotF1 bee vs barricade again.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]

Concerned that Sam Witwicky would become the target of the Decepticons again, Optimus selected Bumblebee to act as Sam's guardian again and sent him to live with the boy. {{storylink|Alliance issue 4|Alliance #4}} However, Bumblebee's attempts to integrate himself into Sam's life were not as smooth as he had hoped. Without the team structure of the Autobots, Bumblebee tended to act upon instinct, taking revenge on Mikaela's ex-boyfriend [[Trent DeMarco]] for his previous humiliations of Sam by wrecking his truck, smashing a would-be car thief with the door he was attempting to unlock, and inadvertently giving Sam traffic tickets by not observing the rules of the road. When Bumblebee was alone, he attempted to learn as much as he could about human culture, feeling that he owed it to his friend. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 1|Tales of the Fallen #1}} Though no longer on active NEST duty, Bumblebee very occasionally helped his Autobot allies out; in November 2008, he came on-scene to assist his team-mates after [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] had... demolished a sizeable amount of human property in [[Uruguay]]. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 2|Tales of the Fallen #2}}

Soon, the problem of Sam's impending departure for college arose: 'Bee intended to follow Sam wherever he went, but Sam feared that he might not be able to bring his car along with him. Not thrilled the prospect of Bumblebee continuing to live with them, Sam's father Ron decreed that once Sam had gone to school, Bumblebee would have to leave. However, unexpectedly, Ron came to Bumblebee seeking aid when Mikaela reported that Sam had never made a rendezvous with her. Speeding out of the garage without Ron (and without waiting for the garage door to open), Bumblebee searched for clues to Sam's whereabouts and eventually found a message from his old foe Barricade, who demanded the AllSpark in exchange for the boy. Finding the pair at an car wrecking yard, Bumblebee attacked Barricade, but was considerably outmatched, with the Decepticon gloating that Earth had made the Autobot soft, and their last encounter was down to pure luck. Eventually, with a distraction from Sam, Bumblebee was able to force Barricade into a pool of gasoline. With the Decepticon hardly down for the count, Bumblebee told Sam to run and ignited the gasoline, causing a tremendous explosion that sent both Transformers flying. In the aftermath, Bumblebee told Sam he had a feeling they hadn't seen the last of Barricade. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 1|Tales of the Fallen #1}}

[[File:After fight with Soundwave Nefarious 1.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|If you have a problem... if no one else can help... and if you can find them... maybe you can hire... The Bee Team.]]

In the wake of the Autobots' battle with The Fallen, {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation|Revenge of the Fallen movie adaptation}} with more new Autobots arriving on Earth regularly, Bumblebee was brought back onto active duty and placed in charge of a team made up of rookies [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]], [[Knock Out (ROTF)|Knock Out]], [[Dune Runner (ROTF)|Dune Runner]] and [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]]. Bumblebee's team responded to Decepticon activity at [[Kingdom Petrochemicals]] in [[Florida]], but 'Bee and the other ground-based team-members arrived too late to save Breakaway from dying at Soundwave's hands. The Decepticons soon fled, as did a mysterious group of humans also active at the sight, leaving Bumblebee mystified as to what was going on. {{storylink|Nefarious issue 1|Nefarious #1}} He and his team returned to [[Edwards Air Force Base]], where Galloway was annoyed that he hadn't been notified about the arrival on Earth of some of the members of Bumblebee's team. {{storylink|Nefarious issue 2|Nefarious #2}}

After Optimus managed to capture Soundwave in [[Utah]], Bumblebee's team was assigned to escort the captive Decepticon to a NEST base in [[Odessa]], [[Texas]]. Decepticon. En route, their transport plane was shot down by [[Buzzsaw (ROTF)|Buzzsaw]], and when they attempt to continue the mission on the ground, they were soon obstructed by Soundwave's "mini-militia". Bumblebee tussled with [[Rumble (ROTF)|Rumble]], but quickly realized that his team was outmatched. Rather than a repeat of the loss of Breakaway, Bumblebee opted to release Soundwave. {{storylink|Nefarious issue 3|Nefarious #3}} Subsequently, Soundwave chose to ally himself with the Autobots to bring down the [[Initiative]], the human organization who had also been at Kingdom Petrochemicals, who were conspiring against the Transformers. Bumblebee's team were part of the NEST unit that follow Soundwave to the supposed location of the [[Initiative base|Initiative's base]] in [[Inyokern]], but the mobile facility had already relocated to [[Crater Lake]], [[Oregon]], by the time they got there. Pursuing it, 'Bee's team was sent to assault the base from the north, but when Bumblebee broke through the base wall, he was confronted by a most unexpected set of opponents: Initiative-controlled Transformers! {{storylink|Nefarious issue 5|Nefarious #5}} The damage he took from the initial blast knocked him out of the fight, but he had recovered in time to help during the clean-up. {{storylink|Nefarious issue 6|Nefarious #6}}

[[File:Cyberglyphicscomic bumblebee.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.6]]

While Bumblebee was picnicking with Sam and Arcee, a small earthquake, followed by the emergence of a Transformer energy signature, prompted the trio to investigate. Tracing the signal to a nearby cave, they were attacked by [[Space Case (DOTM)|Space Case]], who had been freed from his subterranean prison by the 'quake, and who promptly brought the cave down on top of the threesome. {{storylink|Transformers: Space Case}} Separated from Arcee in the cave-in, Bumblebee managed to hold up the collapsed ceiling, but could not get any transmissions out through the rocks, and found his strength slowly ebbing as the weight pressed down. 'Bee's mind drifted back to a recent encounter he and Sam had with Starscream, and remembered how the boy had aided him by using downed power lines to electrocute the Decepticon. Reminded that friendship meant trying your hardest and not letting your friends down, Bumblebee dug deep, and when a crack of light appeared overhead, managed to wrench the rocks clear. The pair were lifted to safety by Ratchet, who had been digging for them, and who was amazed that Bumblebee had had the strength to carry the weight for as long as he had. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee}}

[[File:RisingStorm2 bumblebee vs decepticons.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.7]]

While visiting Sam at college in [[Philadelphia]], Bumblebee was parked at the roadside waiting for him while he grabbed lunch when he was approached by "[[Brains]]", a Decepticon brain unit who had just recently come online and escaped from [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and [[Astrotrain (DOTM)|Astrotrain]]. Believing him to be an ordinary Earth vehicle, but not understanding that said vehicles were not alive, Brains tried asking Bumblebee for help; naturally, Bee did not break cover by replying, but when an angry Brains then kicked him, 'Bee's temper got the better of him and he transformed. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 1|Rising Storm #1}} Sam and Bumblebee brought Brains back to his college, but this only made them targets for a force of Decepticons heralded by 'Bee's recurring opponent, Barricade. Vastly outnumbered, Bumblebee nearly met his maker at the end of [[Sonar (ROTF)|Sonar]]'s blaster, but was saved when NEST reinforcements [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] arrived. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}} As the battle intensified, Bumblebee and Barricade squared off once more, {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 3|Rising Storm #3}} but as more Autobot backup came to join the fight, Bumblebee got the better of his old enemy and defeated him yet again. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4|Rising Storm #4}}

Concurrently with the battle in Philadelphia, Shockwave had staged a devastating attack on NEST's Diego Garcia base, necessitating a restructuring of the organization. NEST's [[Charlotte Mearing|new director]] removed Bumblebee from his position as Sam's guardian, and placed him on full-time NEST activity. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4|Rising Storm #4}} Some time later, the Autobots faced the return of Sentinel Prime and Bumblebee and Sam were reunited to thwart his space bridge plot. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation|Dark of the Moon movie adaptation}}
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====''Transformers: Beginnings''====
[[File:MoviePrequel bumblebee seeks allspark.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8|It's a great big universe, and we're all really puny We're just tiny little specs about the size of Mickey Rooney]]
{{voiceactor|[[Mark Ryan]]}}

[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] entrusted Bumblebee with the secret that the AllSpark would be sent into deep space to prevent Lord Megatron from possessing and corrupting it. Just after the launch, Megatron attacked Bumblebee in rage at losing the AllSpark and shattered the Autobot's voice capacitor beyond repair.

Bumblebee arrived on Earth and, sensing the AllSpark was near, took on local camouflage to search for the artifact. He immediately attracted the attention of Sector Seven agents and the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings (Movie)|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the events of the [[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]], described in the above section.}}
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===Titan movie comics===
[[File:TitanMag-BumblebeeMegatronAllSpark.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb]]

Bumblebee was part of a mission to trick Megatron into looking in the wrong place for the AllSpark{{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Reprint of Prequel #1}}, in which he was the only one who knew the truth (not even team leader [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] knew!) {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2|Recap in #2}} He lost his voice when Megatron crushed his vocal processor upon witnessing the launch of the AllSpark. The Decepticon leader immediately discarded his body and took off after the cube {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2|Prelude: Megatron}} and it was a long while before he was recovered. {{storylink|Transformers_Comic_issue_3#Items of note|Prelude: Ratchet}}

Rendered voiceless, he continued to fight on Cybertron and would encounter [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] when the two were about to be thrown into a Decepticon smelting pool. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.2|Dogfight!}} In 2003, he travelled to Earth while tracing the AllSpark and would spend years evading Decepticons and Sector 7 alike. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Reprint of Prequel #3}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Reprint of Prequel #4}}

[[File:Titan2 BumblebeePOV.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb]]

Bumblebee and his fellow Autobots would ultimately follow the AllSpark to the planet Earth, where Bumblebee befriended the human Sam Witwicky. Some time after the battle of Mission City, Bumblebee was driven by the Witwickys to [[Princeton University|Sam's college]], where he quietly endured their bickering while scanning everything around him for potential threats. When he picked up radio transmissions from two new Autobots, he drove off into battle, and saved [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] from being slaughtered by [[Ransack (ROTF)|the Decepticon Ransack]]. But with the villain threatening a long game, Bumblebee knew that trouble was on the horizon. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.2|Dogfight!}} 'Bee brought Skids and Mudflap to meet with the other Autobots at [[Edwards Air Force Base]] in California, but no sooner had he turned his back than the pair snuck off to find Optimus Prime on their own, insisting they had a message for his ears only. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|Learning Curve}}

[[File:Titan2-6 aimedatyourheart.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.8|There's only room for ''one'' kid-appeal character...]]

Some time later, Bumblebee was hanging out in Sam's garage when he received an emergency call from NEST: the twins, having apparently fallen in with the Decepticons, had abducted Sam! 'Bee tore out of the garage, tracked down the twins, and demanded they stop immediately. When they didn't, he launched suppressive fire and began ramming Skids, which soon convinced them to release Sam. As Bumblebee held the twins at gunpoint, ready to eliminate if necessary, Mudflap's tried to explain that they hadd been framed and there was a bigger threat coming... but before 'Bee could hear any more, he was gunned down in a surprise attack from Soundwave. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.6|Outlaw Blues}} The "bigger threat" the twins had warned of soon arrived, in the form of The Fallen, but the Autobots were able to defeat the ancient Decepticon. Afterwards, back in the field in [[Beverly Hills]], Bumblebee was part of a unit assigned to captured [[Reverb (ROTF)|Reverb]]; Jolt messed the mission up, but Bumblebee saved the day by ''ramming'' the bike head-on. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.9|Culture Shock}}

[[File:Titan10 Eppsandbee.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Later, with Lennox and his crew searching for [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seekers]], Bumblebee was left with only [[Robert Epps]] to investigate an attack on Malmstrom Air Force Base and the disappearance of Optimus Prime. Epps worked out that Optimus had been victim of an electromagnetic bomb, and Bumblebee tracked his leader to where he was being held (Poor Epps had to ride in Bumblebee jumping a ravine, and almost spewed up his breakfast). After locating Prime, they found he was a captive of the [[Free Men]] militia. At Epps command, Bumblebee hit the Free Men compound with his full firepower, swiftly defeating the militia. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.10| Bring Me the Head of Optimus Prime}}

[[File:Titan18 Bumblethumbsup.jpg|thumb|upright=1|It's true!]]

Bumblebee selected [[Death Valley]] as the site for a survival exercise for raw recruits Jolt, Dune Runner, and [[Rollbar (ROTF)|Rollbar]].{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.11|Spare Parts!}} Later, he was summoned as back-up by NEST [[South Africa]] due to a Decepticon jailbreak led by [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], but Optimus ordered him to let the Decepticons leave to prevent civilian casualties. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.13|Inside Out!}} This failure left the Autobots' reputations in the toilet, and with concerns that public fights risked alienating humans, Bumblebee was tasked to head a covert unit with [[Slap Dash]] and [[Hubcap (TF 2010)|Hubcap]]. They were charged with operating under NEST's radar, monitoring Decepticons and waiting for windows of opportunity out of the public eye, before hitting hard and fast. In practice, this meant allowing Decepticons like [[Crankstart (TF 2010)|Crankstart]], [[Brimstone (TF 2010)|Brimstone]], and [[Trenchmouth]] to run amok in cities, with Bumblebee restraining his desire to stop them and keeping his men from taking action. After an uncomfortable period of hoping nobody would be killed, the Decepticons went to an isolated stretch of road: now free to act, Bumblebee led his men in a vicious ambush and personally drove ''through'' Crankshaft. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.18|Shadow War}}

[[File:NightBee4Xmas bumblebee vs deadend.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.6]]

Intrigued by the human ritual of "[[Christmas]]", Bumblebee convinced Sam to let him secretly observe the Witwicky family during the festive proceedings. Unfortunately, the cannibalistic Decepticon [[Dead End (ROTF)|Dead End]] tracked the Autobot to the Witwickys' house and attacked on Christmas Eve, tearing bits of Bumblebee's mechanisms out to integrate into his own body. Luckily, 'Bee managed to shock the zombie-con into submission before their fight awoke Sam's parents, and he was even able to get into the gift-giving on Christmas morning, buying Judy Witwicky car wax. Sam's present was particularly timely: a new traction bearing to replace the one Dead End had torn out! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.19|The Nightmare Bee-4 Christmas}}

Information obtained from the Decepticon unit Bumblebee's covert squad had brought in allowed the Autobots to trace the location of Bludgeon's Decepticons' base to [[Arkhangelskaya Oblast]] in [[Russia]]. Regrettably, while strategizing together, Bumblebee and Ironhide made the mistake of dismissing Wheelie when he offered to help; insulted and angry, the little scrap drone sold the Autobots out to Bludgeon's Decepticons, who were able to ambush 'Bee and the Autobots when they moved to attacked their base. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.20|Divided Loyalties}} Fortunately for the Autobots, Megatron himself soon arrived and slew Bludgeon for his transgressions, meaning Bumblebee and the others did not have to battle the rogue Decepticon at all. In the wake of the two Decepticons' brawl, Bumblebee discovered the shattered remains of Wheelie, torn to bits by Dead End. Unaware of his treachery, 'Bee gathered up his parts to take back to Ratchet for repair... unaware that Dead End was now on his trail once again! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.21|A Short, Sharp Lesson!}}

When the Autobots were summoned to [[Fiesole Cathedral]] in [[Fiesole]], [[Italy]] to examine a mysterious object discovered there by an archaeology professor, Bumblebee accidentally smashed the cathedrals shrine to Saint Donatus. Determined to prevent the Autobots from getting ahold of the object—actually a piece of Sentinel Prime's ''Ark''—Starscream attacked the cathedral, blasting Bumblebee through a wall with a volley of missiles. Recovering, 'Bee joined Optimus Prime in pursuing Starscream to the cathedral's belltower, but the Decepticon then brought the tower down on top of them and escaped with the ''Ark'' component. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 3.1|Fight for Fiesole}}

At some point, Bumblebee uncovered some intel, pointing towards Soundwave working in conjunction with the [[Tanto Gang]], and passed on the information to Lennox. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 3.2|Gold And Blood}}

[[File:AcceptNoSubstitutes bumblebee vs stinger.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|Can ''you'' tell which is the real Bumblebee out of the guy who can talk and the one who can't?]]

Bumblebee was later teamed with Robert Epps to hunt down Soundwave in the Spanish [[Sierra Nevada]] mountain range, but NEST's intelligence regarding the Decepticons' operational status was flawed: Soundwave's weapons systems were in perfect working order, and Bumblebee was badly damaged by his attacks. Luckily, Optimus Prime arrived to save them. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 3.3|Dealing with the Devil}}

After the return of Sentinel Prime and the battle of Chicago, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime [[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]] tracked three Decepticon survivors of the conflict to [[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]]. When the Decepticons retreated and Crosshairs tracked them to [[Pulau Bidadari]], Bumblebee monitored the ranger and relayed the events to Optimus. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 5.2|Thousand Island Fight}} Not long after, Bumblebee was shocked to see a news report claiming that he had attacked a human power plant. Though 'Bee was eager to hunt down his mysterious doppelgänger, Optimus Prime encouraged him to wait until he had the Autobot leader to back him up. The choice was soon taken out of Bumblebee's hands, however: responding to a fire at a remote human homestead, he was attacked by his mysterious duplicate, who introduced himself as "[[Stinger (AOE)|Stinger]]", and promptly welded 'Bee's battle mask shut so they would be totally indistinguishable from one another. Optimus Prime soon arrived and had to train his guns on the two identical Bumblebees... but the standoff was brief, as the real 'Bee revealed himself when he dived to save a human who had fallen from the burning building. Prime quickly sent Stinger packing, and he and Bumblebee rolled out together, wondering where Stinger had come from... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 5.3|Accept No Substitutes!}}
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====Alternate timeline====

[[File:Titan MikaelaBumblebee.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Why is he apologizing, you ask? Look where his left hand is.]]

In a parallel universe, the battle of Mission City turned out very differently—Megatron killed Sam, captured Optimus, and obtained the AllSpark. The Decepticons proceeded to conquer North America, and by the start of 2008, had begun a plan to cyberform the Earth using the AllSpark's energies. Bumblebee—his voice still functional—and Mikaela Banes went underground, working with [[Tom Banachek]] to fight a guerilla war against the Decepticons.

Considering Optimus their last, best hope for victory, Bumblebee and Mikaela went on a mission to rescue him from the old Sector Seven base in Hoover Dam, which the Decepticons were now using as their headquarters. Mikaela quickly shot down Bumblebee's concerns about her safety, though she ''did'' almost get squished when 'Bee took out the bunker guard Swindle. Entering, the pair quickly located Optimus, but in a most unexpected condition: frozen solid in the old cryo-system previously used to contain Megatron. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}} Stalked by Megatron, Bumblebee kept the Decepticon leader busy while Mikaela attempt to deactivate the freezing system, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} but was baited into revealing himself when the tyrant threatened to kill Mikaela. Bumblebee made a desperate attack, only to be beaten aside with ease, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} but he remained defiant to the end and refused to beg for mercy. Luckily, Autobot reinforcements arrived; although even they were no match for Megatron, their added distraction provided Mikaela time to thaw out Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}} While Prime and Megatron battled, Mikaela arrived with Phase Two of their plan: a Sector Seven nanovirus that targeted AllSpark energy. Loading the virus into himself, Bumblebee charged Megatron, forcibly transmitting the nano-virus into him via a light-beam from his headlights. The virus killed Megatron once and for all, but Bumblebee did not celebrate too loudly, as he knew too well that this just left a [[Starscream (Movie)|power vacuum]]... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

[[File:Aftermathpt2 bumblebee FAAASH.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.6]]

Bumblebee and the Autobots [[Savannah]], [[Georgia]], to survey the damage done by the Decepticons' AllSpark cyberforming project. He took Mikaela to a nearby refugee camp, but as Optimus Prime had feared, the humans the were fearful of him, viewing all Cybertronians as an unwanted presence. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 14|Aftermath, Part 1}} In apparent further validation of this fear, the Autobots soon came under attack from a [[NATO]] unit while attempting to defend the camp from a Decepticon attack, but intel from Banachek suggested something was not right. Spotting the human in charge of the unit, Bumblebee and Mikaela ran a gauntlet of human and Decepticon firepower, blinding the former with his headlights and roasting the latter with his fiery exhaust, in order to get to the man. Having got in close enough, Bumblebee was able to detect a mind-controlling Decepticon [[cerebro-strip]] on the man, and Mikaela freed him from its effects, ending the conflict. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|Aftermath Part 2}} Following this battle, the Decepticons continued their attacks on human infrastructure; Bumblebee was part of a unit defending an oil pipeline in [[Crooked Creek]], [[Alaska]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}}

[[File:ReturntoCybertronpt2 ironhide restrained.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Leave it, mate, 'e's not worf it!]]

Bumblebee was part of a unit under Ironhide's command that was sent back to Cybertron in order to retrieve [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] in hopes it could be used to repair the damage inflicted upon the Earth by the AllSpark. Touching down on their homeworld, Bumblebee was sent on recon and discovered a strange satellite dish, but when the team investigated it, they were jumped by a team of Decepticons led by [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]]. The revelation that Stockade's "New Decepticons" were in control of the planet's Nucleon supply, followed by the appearance of a strange energy anomaly in Cybertron's orbit, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 17|Return to Cybertron: Part 1}} convinced Bumblebee to try talking, rather than fighting; after convincing Ironhide to stop throwing his face at Stockade's fists, he learned from Stockade that the anomaly was a living entity the Decepticons had deliberately summoned, believing it would rejuvenate Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|Return to Cybertron: Part 2}}

Not trusting this entity and wanting to stop all the Nucleon being used up, Bumblebee had the Autobots create a distraction while he turned the Nucleon transfer off, and sent a distress call to Optimus Prime on Earth. His efforts to prevent the arrival of the entity failed, and it revealed itself to be [[Unicron|Unicron, the Anti-Life]], as it began to possess Cybertron itself. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|Return to Cybertron: Part 2}} In the resulting chaos, Bumblebee had to rescue Ironhide when the satellite dish collapsed on him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 19|Return to Cybertron: Part 3}} Optimus soon arrived in response to Bumblebee's summons, brokered an alliance with Stockade, and came up with a plan: Cut off the Nucleon that Unicron's body was using for power. Bumblebee and Armorhide were dispatched to drain the Nucleon seam, but were not able to siphon all of the fuel off fast enough, so Ratchet came up with a quicker alternative: blowing it up. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 20|Return to Cybertron: Part 4}}

[[File:Titan MikaelaBumblebeereunion.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|OTP!]]

Upon returning to Earth, the Autobots found the Decepticons had pinched their base and all 600 square miles around it. They retreated, leaving Mikaela in Decepticon hands; Bumblebee was distraught over this. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|Hard Target}} He would be part of the raid to get her back, perfectly aware it was an obvious trap, but not caring due to how much they owed Mikaela. The raid was successful and the two were reunited, awwww! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

The pair's time together was short, as soon, the Decepticon-blackmailed American government ordering the Autobots off the planet. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution, Part 1}} Knowing that the Decepticons were behind, Optimus Prime had Bumblebee and Ironhide prepare a decoy ship; {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part 3}} the following day, after Bumblebee said his farewells to Mikaela (and beat up the Decepticon [[Dropkick]] as an "up yours" gesture), the Decepticons had the ship blown up shortly after take off. [[File:Revolutionpt3 the end.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8]] {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution, Part 1}} Believed dead, Bumblebee and the Autobots hid themselves on Cybertron, where they readied their final weapon against the Decepticons: a teleportation system that would trap the Decepticons on the dead planet, then teleport ''it'' off to the far reaches of the universe. When all was in readiness, the Autobots returned to Earth; Mikaela was ''not'' happy to find out they had not told her of their plan, but Bumblebee denied that it was because they didn't trust her—they had simply had to minimize any possible exposure. In the final battle that followed, Bumblebee tagged Megatron with the teleport tech, and the Decepticon leaders and his followers were soon exiled forever.

In the aftermath, after it became clear the Autobots had just exiled ''themselves'' to Earth forever—"Hey, there are worse fates," said Bumblebee—Mikaela forgave Bumblebee. Both had a lot of clean-up work to do, but also a brave new world to explore together...! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution, Part 3}}
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===Toy bios===

Bumblebee learned hand-to-hand combat at the most prestigious combat training center on Cybertron, where he received his converting energon blade as a reward for his skills. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#WalmartRace|''Dark of the Moon'' Walmart-exclusive Bumblebee}} It was on the battlefields of Cybertron that Bumblebee first met the Decepticon Starscream, who he would meet again and again in combat. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BeeStarscream|Bumblebee/Starscream}} He also repeatedly crossed paths with fellow elite spy Decepticon [[Hardtop (Movie)|Hardtop]]; initially a professional rivalry, the relationship between the two 'bots slowly evolved into a personal vendetta that saw the pair battle across the galaxy. It was a crack shot by Hardtop that damaged Bumblebee's vocal processors, causing the Autobot pain when he tries to speak. {{storylink|Hardtop (Movie)#Transformers (2007)|Hardtop}}

Bumblebee was sent to Earth ahead of the other Autobot by Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#TF2007_76deluxe|Deluxe Bumblebee ('76 Camaro)}} Prior to his arrival on the planet, Bumblebee cared little for the appearance of his alternate mode, simply scanning the first vehicle he saw, {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#evoofhero|Evolution of a Hero}} but that changed upon befriending Sam Witicky. At the boy's urging, Bumblebee scanned a new Concept Camaro form, and came to appreciate how stylish he looked. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#TF2007ConceptCamaro|Deluxe Bumblebee (Concept Camaro)}} His shiny new form was soon badly damaged, however, during the battle of Mission City—with his legs blown off, Bumblebee had to be towed to safety by the newborn [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#TowedToSafety|Towed to Safety}}

When the AllSpark was destroyed, Bumblebee was briefly empowered by its radiation, and put the new power to use hunting down the straggling Decepticons. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#AllSparkPower|AllSpark Power Bumblebee}} One such Decepticon was [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]], who he hunted across the [[Middle East]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Allspark2pack|Bumblebee vs. Scorponok}} Then, with the initial threat over, Bumblebee decided to kick back and relax. Transcanning a rally car, he began hanging around at race tracks, pitting himself against the human racers. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Rally Rocket Bumblebee}} Following this, he volunteered to be Sam's guardian. It was a pretty swank deal: he got to hang with Sam and Mikaela all the time, got lots of [[oil]], and could join Ironhide in killing Decepticons whenever he wanted. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#ROTFdeluxe|''Revenge of the Fallen'' Bumblebee}} Peacetime afforded him the luxury of becoming meticulous about his alternate mode; he even had Ratchet learn a little about the cosmetic side of repair work. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Premium|Premium Series Bumblebee}}

In time, Bumblebee came to realize that with pictures of him all over the internet, ''everyone'' recognised him... including newly arriving Decepticons, which put Sam and others in danger! With Mikaela's help, Bumblebee recoloured himself to help restore his disguise and make it easier to sneak up on the enemy. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#TF2007Stealth|Stealth Bumblebee}} With the Decepticon forces constantly growing, he also decided to upgrade his arsenal and modified his vehicle mode so he could use weaponry in it, deciding he'd been caught off guard too many times before. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Cannon|Cannon Bumblebee}} When the battle shifted to the deserts, he threw himself into the fray, upgrading himself for desert combat and wielding the mighty ''sand blast''! {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SandAttack|Sand Attack Bumblebee}}

Following the defeat of The Fallen, Bumblebee returned to active NEST duty, hunting down the Decepticons hiding across Earth; Sam even began joining him in the field. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#ROTFHumanAlliance|Human Alliance Bumblebee}} Discovering that [[Dirge (ROTF)|Dirge]] had secreted himself inside NEST itself, Bumblebee teamed with [[Armorhide (Movie)#ROTFdlx|Armorhide]] to ferret him out. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Alliance|Alliance Bumblebee}} He had particular dislike for [[Shadow Striker (ROTF)|Shadow Striker]], who really got under his metal skin. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#LegendsVsShadowStriker|Bumblebee vs Shadow Striker}} He later took on Soundwave, {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#VsSoundwave|Battlefield Bumblebee vs Infiltration Soundwave}} and brought his battle blade to bear in combat with Ravage and [[Insecticon (Movie)|Insecticon]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BattleBlade|Battle Blade Bumblebee}} His experience fighting fliers also meant that he was fully equipped to deal with [[Thrust (ROTF)|Thrust]] {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#CrashLandingAttack|Crash Landing Attack}} and [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BombingRunBattle|Bombing Run Battle}}

Bumblebee was the first Autobot try out the new [[MechTech]] weapons developed by NEST, {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#DOTM|''Dark of the Moon'' Leader Bumblebee}} and also began toting a Mobile Battle Bunker around. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#CyberverseActionSet|Bumblebee Mobile Battle Bunker}} Like several other Transformers, he took to inscribing [[Cyberglyphics]] on his armor before significant battles, out of a superstitious racial belief that they granted good luck. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Cyberglyph|"Cyberglyph" Bumblebee}} When Soundwave reappeared on Earth, Bumblebee put a plan together to take care of him once and for all. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#|BeeSoundwaveRodimus|Bumblebee/Soundwave}} Together with Sam and [[Backfire (TF 2010)|Backfire]], he formed the Autobot Daredevil Squad {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Daredevil|Autobot Daredevil Squad}} and battled Shockwave alongside Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#StreetsideBotBrawl|Streetside Bot Brawl}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
In a celebration of the Transformers brand, Bumblebee showed up as the representative for the “Movie” era of the franchise. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===Cyber Missions===
{{voiceactor|[[Tom Anderson]], [[David Kledzik]], [[Tony Gialluca II]], [[Bronco D. Jackson]] (English)|[[José Antonio Macías]] (Latin American-Spanish), [[Alexandre Moreno]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

[[File:CyberMissions1 bumblebee datatrax lockdown.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]

Some time after the defeat of The Fallen, Bumblebee and Ironhide were reviewing some [[datatrax]] that Optimus Prime had made for preservation in [[Vector Sigma]] when they detected an explosion outside their base. Bumblebee remained to lock down the most important data tracks while Ironhide went to investigate [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|the cause]] of the explosion. However, that turned out to be just what the Decepticons wanted, as moments later, Soundwave burst into the base, overwhelming Bumblebee with a sonic attack. Bumblebee attempted to counter with a shot from his shoulder cannon, but Soundwave absorbed the sonic boom and sent the acoustic energy back at him, bragging about his mastery of sound. Bumblebee decided to put his sonic skills to the absolute test, and unleashed a barrage of automatic weaponsfire at the Decepticon. At ten thousand rounds per minute, Soundwave was faced with too many sonic booms to absorb, and was soon flat on his back. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 1}} [[File:CyberMissions8 bumblebee in the arctic.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]] Bumblebee enclosed the defeated Soundwave in an electromagnetically sealed bubble, cut off from all sound. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 2}}

Ironhide, meanwhile, had gone missing in the jungle; Bumblebee reported the problem to Optimus, who had 'Bee perform a scan of the area. Bumblebee discovered several rich deposits of [[energon]] ore, which Prime pinpoint Ironhide's location. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 5}} Reunited, Bumblebee and Ironhide went on a training exercise in the Arctic, where the bigger 'bot put 'Bee through his paces. As Bumblebee was frequently singled out as a target by the Decepticons because of his small size, Ironhide taught him the importance of staying on guard and being mindful of his surroundings. As the pair sparred, Bumblebee learned another benefit of being aware of everything around him when Ironhide stopped their fight after they nearly crushed a strange little plant growing through the ice... a plant, Ironhide implied, that could well be sentient. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 8}}

[[File:CyberMissions9 Bumblebee.JPG|upright=1.5|thumb|BUUU!]]

When Decepticons [[Smolder]] and [[Chopster]] set fire to a building [[Scramble City (city)|Scramble City]], Bumblebee and Ratchet were dispatched to the scene by Optimus Prime. A menacing look from Bumblebee sent the diminutive Chopster running off in terror; 'Bee called after him to tell Smolder they would "like a word", hoping they could perhaps talk the situation out rather than fight, but Smolder wasn't interested. Bumblebee grappled with the pyromaniac Decepticon while Ratchet powered up his EMP blaster, which he then used to knock Smolder offline. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 9}}

[[File:CyberMissions12 cannon bumblebee vehicle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]

Optimus reported finding Megatron and Starscream in the Arctic regions of Earth, and Bumblebee was summoned to aid his leader in battle alongside Ironhide, Ratchet and Sideswipe. Leaving Megatron to handle Prime, Starscream attacked all the Autobots at once, but the combined fire of the four heroes was enough to ground the Decepticon. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Optimus later laid a trap to lure the Decepticons to a final confrontation with a hologram of Soundwave, and Megatron indeed walked right into it. Bumblebee, Ironhide, and Ratchet arrived to join the battle, and in the ensuing fight, Bumblebee took on Mindwipe. The Decepticon tried to hypnotize Bumblebee into not fighting, but Bumblebee blocked out his voice and kept up the attack. An army of humans soon arrived and surrounded the combatants, and the day went to the Autobots. Optimus instructed the Decepticons to leave Earth to be destroyed, and after they had fled, Bumblebee stamped a huge Autobot symbol in the dirt, a marker visible from far away that let all Decepticons who saw it know that the Autobots protected the planet. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}
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===Transformers Annual 2011===
Bumblebee charged to Sam's defense when Starscream tried to abduct the boy, but proved no match for the Decepticon, and was flung around the yard. As Starscream started making off with Sam, Bumblebee made another attempt to stop him, and was brushed aside. Luckily Optimus arrived to help, and Starscream soon fled, but the Witwicky's yard was in ruins. {{storylink|Sam in Danger}}

===''Unite for the Universe''===
[[File:UnitefortheUniverse bumblebee vs ravage.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.6]]
During NEST's ongoing worldwide hunt for the Decepticons after the defeat of The Fallen, Bumblebee paid a visit to NEST's regional headquarters in [[Bloemfontein]], [[South Africa]]. As he entered the facility, Decepticon spy Ravage was able to quickly sneak through the closing door behind him, but Bumblebee spotted him in his rear-view mirror and quickly went on the attack. When Ravage pounced on him, Bumblebee triggered his headlights, blinding the feline Decepticon and sending him fleeing, leaving Bumblebee confused as to the point of the infiltration... unaware that an airborne nano-virus Ravage had carried with him had already picked NEST's computers clean of information regarding [[Project: Unite]]. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 1|Ambition Instigated}}
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===''I Can Read!'' books===
[[File:BumblebeeandSideswipe-TrainingDay.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Bumblebee met up with Optimus, Ironhide and Sideswipe in a desert to train. He raced Sideswipe, only for their training to be interrupted by a large boulder tumbling towards a nearby town. The two Autobots destroyed the boulder before resuming their race. They met back up with Optimus and Ironhide afterwards, and Optimus revealed the they had encountered a "natural disaster" as well. The source of the disturbances soon revealed itself to be Megatron and Starscream tunneling underground. Though the two Decepticons attempted to ambush the Autobots, Bumblebee and the others were able to send them running thanks to the training they had gone through that day. {{storylink|Training Day (book)|Training Day}}

Bumblebee and Sideswipe had a nasty run-in with the Decepticons, leaving Bumblebee pinned under a massive metal bar. Thankfully, Ratchet came to their rescue, and repaired them both. Bumblebee later helped the Autobots defeat the Decepticons in Egypt. {{storylink|Ratchet to the Rescue}}

[[File:BeeandWheeliehighfive-BuddyBrawl.jpeg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
Bumblebee was out for a drive with Wheelie, Sam and Mikaela one day when Starscream swooped down and began to attack them! Bumblebee suggested to Wheelie that they gun for Starscream's wings to defeat the Decepticon. Wheelie disagreed, saying that they had to outsmart Starscream to defeat him. The two Autobots began to argue, becoming oblivious to Starscream attacking their human companions. Thankfully, Optimus Prime showed up to knock out Starscream. Optimus then chastised Bumblebee and Wheelie for allowing their feelings get in the way of protecting Sam and Mikaela. Bumblebee realized he was in the wrong, but was still too worked up to make his apologies to Wheelie. Instead, he stormed off. But he didn't get far before Starscream regained consciousness and resumed his attack. Optimus ordered Bumblebee to work with Wheelie to stop Starscream. The pair managed to do so by outwitting Starscream and destroying his wings, making the Decepticon crash into a nearby tunnel and crippling his flying abilities. With Starscream down, Bumblebee and the rest of the group celebrated another victory over the Decepticons. {{storylink|Buddy Brawl}}
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===''Hunt for the Decepticons'' storybooks===
[[File:AutobotsthankSam-SatelliteMeltdown.jpeg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Sam witnessed the Decepticons [[Buzzsaw (ROTF)|Buzzsaw]] and [[Ratbat (ROTF)|Ratbat]] tear up a human city, while Soundwave declared that the Autobots had abandoned the humans. Refusing to believe the Decepticon's lies, Sam and Bumblebee set out to find Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots. It turned out that the Autobots had been tricked by Soundwave to go to the wrong location when they rolled out to engage the Decepticons. Sam and Bumblebee led Optimus and his troops to the scene of the conflict, where Optimus quickly dispatched the Decepticons. Afterwards, Optimus thanked for Sam's part in the day's events, while Bumblebee and the rest of the Autobots cheered. {{storylink|Satellite Meltdown}}

===''Spot the 'Bots''===
Bumblebee helped Optimus chase down Megatron to an old warehouse. There, Bumblebee duked it out with Starscream. The battle between the Autobots and Decepticons that ensued would decide the fate of the Earth! {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Spot the 'Bots}}
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===''How to Ride your Dinobot''===
====Cartoon====
[[File:Htryd-chapter-1-bumblebee-yikes.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb|I'VE CHANGED INTO WILE E. COYOTE.]]
Bumblebee had never ridden a [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]] before, and decided to start by trying to mount [[Strafe (AOE)|Strafe]]. Guided by a kind but astonishingly unhelpful narrator, Bumblebee's attempts to mount Strafe left something to be desired. After many failed efforts, Bumblebee simply destroyed the instruction manual to riding Dinobots before storming off in annoyance, much to the narrator's surprise.
{{storylink|How to Ride Your Dinobot Chapter 1: Getting on a Dinobot|Getting on a Dinobot}}
[[File:HowtoRide bumblebee and strafe.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4]]
====Comic====

When Optimus Prime asked the Autobots to accompany him into the depths of a Chinese forest, Bumblebee was sure that their objective was important... but he never expected that the Autobot leader was taking them to learn the fine art of Dinobot riding! When Hound's tough-talking approach failed to win the Dinobots' hearts, 'Bee tried a kinder, gentler method, offering the Dinos a little snack. This worked a bit ''too'' well, and he would have been crushed when the Dinobots mobbed him to get the goodies had Strafe not lifted him into the air. Bumblebee pushed his luck when he climbed onto the flying Dinobot's back, however, and Strafe promptly threw him back to the ground. Subsequently, when Grimlock caught the scent of Decepticons nearby, Strafe and the other Dinobots relented and allowed Bumblebee and the Autobots to saddle up so they could all ride out to face the villains together. {{Storylink|How to Ride a Dinobot!}}
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===Yokohama Decepticon Secret Base===

[[File:YokohamaBase bumblebee.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Bumblebee was hanging out at the [[Transformers Expo]] in [[Yokohama]] when [[Yokohama Convoy|Nemesis Prime]] came crashing into the building. The evil Prime initially mistook Bumblebee for a cosplayer, only to realize that the little yellow Autobot was the real deal when he attacked him alongside the two versions of Optimus Prime also visiting the show. Nemesis soon got himself some backup in the form of a ''second'' [[Nemesis Prime (AOE)|Nemesis Prime]] and [[Nemesis Grimlock]], but before they could all do much more than glare at each other, the combined energies of the AllSpark, the Matrix of Leadership and the [[seed]]—all on display at the Expo, because why not—suddenly began reacting with the [[Dark Energon]] within the first Nemesis Prime. This was all part of a complicated plot by [[Unicron]], but fortunately, Nemesis resisted the dark urges within himself, and channeled all the Dark Energon into the stickers his creator [[Doctor Arkeville]] had used to make him evil. Nemesis ripped the stickers off and hurled them into the air, where all the Autobots and Decepticons—and even the Expo's human attendees, using their cell phones—blasted them and stopped the chain reaction.

All together, pretty odd. {{storylink|Yokohama Decepticon Secret Base}}
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===''Cheetos/Age of Extinction'' comic===
[[File:CheetosAOE bumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Discovering that the Decepticons were increasing their strength through artifacts from the [[Cheetos (galaxy)|Cheetos galaxy]], Bumblebee and the Autobots recruited [[you]]r help to acquire the power-enhancing objects. {{storylink|Cheetos/Transformers: Age of Extinction}}
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===''Q-Transformers''===
{{voiceactor|[[Ryōhei Kimura]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:QTransformers the cast.jpg|left|thumb|upright=2]]
In this world, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, and Lockdown were aware that they were toys: specifically, ''Q-Transformers'', a new line of cute-looking ''Transformers'' merchandise produced to tie-in with the 30th anniversary of the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]]. Bumblebee occasionally changed his look to one more reminiscent of [[Bumblebee (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]], but his "default" form was that of a toy based on his ''Age of Extinction'' look. They hung out at different famous service areas on Japanese expressways, and talked about the ''[[Transformers: Mystery of Convoy|Mystery of Convoy]]'' video game, and the remake produced as a tie-in with their toyline, ''[[Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns (mobile game)|Mystery of Convoy Returns]]''.

[[File:QTransformers1 Lockdown's bishonen fantasy.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8|Bumblebee suddenly realized, much to his horror, that he was trapped in an anime high school AU.]]

Discussing the ins and outs of their cute designs, Optimus and his pals explained that they were created for the purpose of appealing to non-Transformers fans. Bumblebee suggested that another way to tap that market would be to create "Zodiac Transformers", based on all the different animals of the Chinese zodiac, but Lockdown had a different idea: a humanized Transformers "Boys Love" romance, where he and Optimus competed for Bumblebee's affection. Bumblebee was not impressed. {{storylink|Mystery of the 30th Anniversary Merchandise}} The trio went on to talk about the original ''Mystery of Convoy'', and Bumblebee got a telling-off from Optimus when he pointed out that it was a famously terribly game. Discussing traits that they thought made games bad, Bumblebee suggested that an RPG already completed when you started would be pretty awful. {{storylink|Mystery of Reliably Crappy Games}} When Lockdown suggested that re-releasing such a terrible game was like rubbing salt in a wound, Bumblebee didn't understand the expression. Optimus explained, and they all tried to come up with situations the phrase was applicable to; taking it a bit too far, Bumblebee suggested getting pooped on by bird, then looking up to discover that a meteor was about to crash into the Earth. {{storylink|Mystery of Smearing Salt in the Open Wound}} The group then talked about the rubbish stage bosses in ''Mystery of Convoy'', particularly the [[Destron Mark|floating Decepticon insignia]], and wondered what sort of fictional scenarios it could be used in. {{storylink|Mystery of the Stage Bosses}}

[[File:QTF bumblebee explorer.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8]]

Prime and company began being joined by their friends to discuss facets of the game. [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] participated in a talk about the differences between the original and the remake, {{storylink|Mystery of the Wittily Similar Circumstances}} while [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] highlighted the tonal "gap" between the cute character designs and the very ''un''-cute action in the game. Everyone tried to think of examples of similar "gaps": Bumblebee suggested a handsome young man cooking a nice meal... for his mother. {{storylink|Mystery of the Gap of Unpopular Men}} [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] joined them to talk about classic terrible games, which turned into a discussion about adventure and exploring, and the comforts an explorer might like to have with them on such a journey—Bumblebee thought a nice pillow would be just the thing. {{storylink|Mystery of a Certain Explorer}} [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] also talked about some famously awful old games, segueing into a discussion about psychokinetic powers; Bumblebee was concerned about the potential of such powers to interfere with television. {{storylink|Mystery of a Certain Psychic}}

When [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] came along to share his thoughts on points of commonality among famously awful games, the group talked about the technical advancements of video games, with Bumblebee mentioning motion-control. {{storylink|Mystery of Game Balance}} [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] also had some opinions on the common themes of bad games, but Bumblebee and Optimus's willingness to settle for less frustrated Lockdown. {{storylink|Mystery of the Lowest Possible Standards}}

[[File:Qtransformers gtoptimus copenbee.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2]]

Bumblebee had changed his look when [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] dropped in, to one resembling his Generation 1 self but with a Daihatsu Copen alternate mode. They talked about the constantly changing looks of Transformers through history, and how Bumblebee used to be called "Bumble" in Japan. {{storylink|Mystery of Convoy}} Still sporting his Daihatsu Copen form, Bumblebee dropped in on a conversation between [[Hot Rod]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], the star of ''Mystery of Convoy''. He told them how Optimus and Lockdown would argue over the crappy's games merits—but to be reminded of the games shortcomings only sent Magnus into floods of shameful tears. {{storylink|Mystery of Mystery of Convoy}}

When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] turned up to join the argument over just how bad ''Mystery of Convoy'' was, Optimus quickly switched bodies, taking on the form of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|his Generation 1 self]]; seeing this, Bumblebee also switched from his ''Age of Extinction'' form to his Daihatsu Copen body. They argued back and forth for a bit, discussing other ways the game could have been remade using staples of Japanese media, and Bumblebee proposed a "sports day"-style version. {{storylink|Mystery of Return of Convoy}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Road to Winning a New Fanbase}} {{storylink|The Road to Easy Identification}}}}
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[[File:LegendsBizTrip5 TFs of today.jpg|left|thumb|upright=.75]]
===''Transformers Legends'' comic===
In the "[[Legends Universe]]", Bumblebee was just a fictional character featured in a series of popular movies and toylines. When [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] turned into [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] and tried to revert the world back to how it was in the '80s, Rattrap attempted to stop him by singing the praises of modern-day Transformers, including the ''Q-Transformers'' incarnation of Bumblebee. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 5|Bonus Edition Vol. 5}}

Bumblebee had a big presence at the ''Q-Transformers'' event held at the Decks Tokyo Beach shopping center which Rattrap, [[Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] attended, including a standee, a statue, an exclusive sticker, and even a themed "Bumblebee Mango" drink. At the neighboring Joypolis amusement park, his voice actor Ryōhei Kimura attended a Q&A! {{storylink|Deckss × Q-Transformers Collaboration Event Report|Deckss × Q-Transformers}}
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===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Tyran 511.0 Kappa]], Bumblebee survived [[Cemetery Wind]]'s massacre and joined Optimus Prime along with fellow Autobot survivors [[Bulkhead (DOTM)|Bulkhead]] and [[Backtrack (Movie)|Backtrack]] as well as the desperate Decepticons [[Axor|Axel]] and [[Wild Rider]]. Initially skeptical of the Decepticons, the Autobots learned to appreciate Wild Rider, but Axel tried and failed to betray them to Lockdown. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/16}}

===Bee's Backtalk===
[[File:Ask Vector Prime Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left]]

With [[Vector Prime]] still missing in action, Bumblebee became the fourth guest contributor to Vector Prime's [[Ask Vector Prime|column]]. He renamed the column to "Bee's Backtalk", answering questions from readers through patched-together audioclips.

Bumblebee gave us some more details about the state of the Autobots and their allies following the Chicago crisis. When asked about the fate of Sam following the rise of Cemetery Wind, Bumblebee became upset, and declined to comment. He noted that the Autobots were still searching for any more survivors of Cemetery Wind. A comment about the workmanship of KSI's Stinger units was enough to make him hopping mad, although he immediately apologized for his behavior. When someone asked Bumblebee why things in the [[Tyran|Tyran Cluster]] are prone to exploding, he suddenly found himself in the middle of a battleground as everything around him exploded. The Axiom Nexus News team lost contact with him (disappointing the editor, who was pleased that Bumblebee was able to stabilize ratings). As Andromeda was the one who found Bumblebee, she was tasked with finding his replacement: someone who, in contrast to Bumblebee's cryptic radio answers, could speak their mind in a straightforward manner.

[[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|And look how ''that'' turned out]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Bee's Backtalk|Bee's Backtalk}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Both Optimus and Bumblebee could be seen driving around the [[Speed Stars]] logo in vehicle mode. {{storylink|Commercial#Speed Stars|Speed Stars commercials}}
*Bumblebee was resting in vehicle in Al's Chevrolet car dealership, getting caught on tape while the dealership's owner filmed a commercial. The place's squirrel mascot playfully bashed Bumblebee's hood with a foam hammer, provoking Bumblebee into transforming and tossing him away. Bumblebee then sped away in a huff. {{storylink|Commercial/Dark of the Moon#Chevy|Dark of the Moon Super Bowl XLV Chevrolet Camaro TV Spot}}
*Bumblebee joined Optimus Prime on the road as part of the "[[Win A Ride To School With The Autobots]]" contest. {{storylink|Commercial/Dark of the Moon#Win A Ride|Win A Ride To School With The Autobots contest and commercial}}
*Bumblebee dazzled a group of Valero patrons by showing up at the gas station in his vehicle mode and... popping his fuel filler flap. {{storylink|Commercial/Age of Extinction#Valero|Age of Extinction Valero tie-in commercial}}
*While driving about town, Bumblebee crossed paths with a little boy in possession of a Mega 1-Step Bumblebee toy. Impressed by his miniature likeness, he paused to admire it, then gave the boy a fist bump. {{storylink|Commercial/Age of Extinction#Flip and Change|1-Step Optimus Prime & Flip and Change Grimlock toy commercial}}

==Games==
{{main|Bumblebee (Movie)/games}}

==Toys==
{{main|Bumblebee (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Bumblebee (Movie)/merchandise}}

==''Second Life''==
In the online virtual world simulation/game ''Second Life'', there was a full replica of the Sector Seven base which contained a giant discussion room where Michael Bay held a question board. This room contained a giant frozen Megatron replica and free avatars of both Bumblebee and Barricade. Both freebies were non-transforming. Also, the Bumblebee avatar had his battle mask down and it could not be raised.

==Notes==
===Classic Camaro===
*According to an article on [http://web.archive.org/web/20071013122820/http://edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=121138?imw=Y Edmunds.com], the film makers wanted Bumblebee's original Earth form to be the 1976 iteration of the Camaro because it was the worst Camaro possible that also had chrome bumpers.
*The same article indicates that the 1976 Camaros used in the film were all purchased via online auction for under $6000 each, one for less than $2000. That one didn't run.
*One of the 1976 Camaros was sold on eBay. The bidding ended on July 18, 2007; the final price was $40,100.01.

===Modern Camaro===
*The 2008 Concept Camaro used for Bumblebee in the first movie was built by Saleen in 30 days, using a heavily modified 2006 Holden Monaro chassis as the basis. The '08 Camaro was not in production at the time that the first film was being made, hence an identical mock-up was needed to fill the role.<ref>[http://www.saleen.com/transformers.htm Saleen article about the construction of the Barricade and Bumblebee vehicles]</ref>
*In ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'', Bumblebee scans a working, driveable new generation Camaro — conveniently with the same paint job as his classic Camaro disguise at that time — that wouldn't be released until some time in the year 2009. However, it is possible that the Camaro in question was being road-tested by GM engineers, like they were doing in the real world.
*Although unexplained in the films, Bumblebee's vehicle mode changes appearance subtly between ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. This is probably because of product placement: Bumblebee's old [[alternate mode]] was an unavailable concept Camaro, while in ''Revenge'' he uses what seems to be the new Z/28 Camaro... whose mass production has since been canceled. Oops. However, it is perfectly reasonable to assume that it is the Camaro ZL1 that uses the same design.
*He changes models again between ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' and becomes a production Camaro SS (rather than the previous two movies GTO-Based mock-ups); the movie prop car changes include the addition of a rear spoiler, the black racing stripes now being further apart while at the same time losing the outer pinstripes, the racing stripes now also covering the roof and Autobot badges in the front fenders.

===Robot mode and CG model(s)===
[[File:MovieBumblebeeStinger.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|He uses it once, then dies.]]

*The Bumblebee computer-generated model consisted of 7608 individual parts, 1,511,727 polygons, 19,722 rig nodes, and 8094 texture maps. The volume of all the pieces came to 1069.01 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
*Bumblebee's character animation is based on the performance of [[wikipedia:Michael J. Fox|Michael J. Fox]] in the ''[[wikipedia:Back to the Future|Back to the Future]]'' movies.<ref>From ''Cinefex'' magazine, issue number 111, published October 2007.</ref>
[[File:ROTFBumblebeeAltColorsConcept.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|But will we ever '''get''' an orange Bumblebee? No, we'll just keep getting slightly different yellow ones.]]
*Bumblebee is equipped with a pair of arm-mounted electrical "[[Stinger (weapon)|stingers]]."<ref>Bumblebee's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bio] at Hasbro.com</ref> While designed, the stingers were ultimately not featured in the movies, though they may have influenced [[Bumblebee (Animated)|other media]].
*Speaking of weapons, for someone whose main job is being subtle, Bumblebee is quite well armed, with a cannon powerful enough to rattle [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] and a ring-shaped light missile launcher in each shoulder. He is also a capable close-combat fighter, as seen in his fights against [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]], [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], and [[Stinger (AOE)|Stinger]].
*Despite this, he has a [[Fireblast]] rating of ''three''.
*According to designer [[Paul Ozzimo]] on his website, at one point there were plans to make Bumblebee into a Z/28 convertible for ''Revenge of the Fallen'', and the possibility of changing his color to orange or black with yellow was also discussed. While none of these alterations happened, concept art for both appeared on the "25 Years of Transformers" feature on the ''Revenge'' DVD... though the black version is only seen from behind.
*Bumblebee stands approximately 16 feet tall, according to the [[Transformers The Game|official game]] strategy guide.
*In 2011, Bumblebee appeared in a Super Bowl XLV-related commercial, parodying car dealers by tossing a squirrel mascot knocking his hood to literally hammer the point of low prices. The TV spot also revealed ILM's modifications to his design for ''Dark of the Moon'', namely more pronounced shoulders and ribs ala his [[Bumblebee (WFC)|''Prime'' counterpart]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RttT4jC7_10&feature=player_embedded Chevrolet Super Bowl spot]</ref>
*Despite his Camaro alternate mode used for ''Dark of the Moon'' no longer sporting the outer pinstripes bordering his black racing stripes, the CG robot model still has them. Whoops.
*Similarly, in the first movie, after he gains the modern Camaro alt mode, Bumblebee's robot mode still features the scratches and dirt on his paint job of his original 1976 Camaro alt mode.

===License plates===
Bumblebee sported several different [[license plate]]s between the movies, the video games and the toys:

*'''489 PCE''', registered in [[California]], was the 1976 Camaro's license plate in the first movie, which was kept consistent between the car prop and the CG model for the robot mode. The license plate was later auctioned off in 2008.<ref name="plate1">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/movie-bumblebees-license-plate-for-sale/12255/ Movie Bumblebee (1976 Camaro edition) license plate for sale], Seibertron.com, January 2008.</ref>
*'''900 STRA''', without a state-specific registration, was the new license plate for the Concept Camaro car prop, which was kept for the production models used for all three subsequent movies. It was also used when the modern Camaro prop cars from the movies were on display at car shows and other events. Finally achieving consistency between both modes, Bumblebee also sported this plate in robot mode in ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''. Furthermore, Hasbro started to use this license plate number with the Leader Class Bumblebee and Deluxe Class Nitro Bumblebee toys from the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|''Dark of the Moon'' toy line]] (both sporting ''sculpted'' license plate inscriptions in both modes), and the [[Activision Blizzard|Activision]] [[Dark of the Moon (video games)|''Dark of the Moon'' video game]] also uses it for the vehicle mode. The license plate used in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was auctioned off in October 2009.<ref name="2009auct">[http://www.icollector.com/Hero-Bumblebee-license-plate-from-Transformers-Revenge-of-the-Fallen_i8633011 ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Bumblebee license plate auction], icollector.com</ref> In ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', he even uses this license plate in his 1967 Camaro disguise, and still keeps it when he upgrades to his new 2014 Camaro concept form.
*'''4NZZ454''', registered in California, is probably the most well-known license plate number due to being used on the CG model for the robot mode in the 2007 movie and ''Revenge of the Fallen''.<ref name="proctercg">[http://www.benprocter.com/storage/oldersites/sitev2/html/PROJPAGE_Trans_06.html Official Hasbro promo shots of the finalized CG model for Bumblebee] on Ben Procter's portfolio</ref> This number number was also used for a lot of Hasbro's toys from the first two movies' toy lines (in robot mode and often also in vehicle mode), including the Deluxe Class Classic Camaro.
*'''4NZZZ454''', with a red line indicative of a California registration, was an erroneous version of the above number with an extra "Z", used on some of Hasbro's toys, namely the Deluxe Class Concept Camaro Bumblebee toy from the [[Movie (toyline)|first movie's toy line]] (including several [[redeco]]s and [[retool]]s) and ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Human Alliance]] Bumblebee.
*'''5LKZ213''' can be spotted on some photos of the life-sized robot prop from the Hoover Dam set from the first movie.<ref name="procterprop">[http://www.benprocter.com/storage/oldersites/sitev2/html/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_24.html Life-sized Bumblebee prop] on Ben Procter's portfolio</ref><ref name="unicubb">[http://www.unicron.us/tf2007/toypix/ultimate_bumblebee.html Review of Ultimate Bumblebee] at Unicron.com, including a set photo of the life-sized Bumblebee prop used for the movies.</ref>
*'''BUMBLBE''', registered in California, was used for the life-sized robot prop on various exhibits in 2007.<ref name="premiere">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/bob_karol/archives/date-taken/2007/06/27/ Transformers Movie premiere in Westwood Village, California], Flickr photostream of Candid Photos</ref><ref name="18foot">[http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/pictures-18-foot-bumblebee-transformer-invades-la "18 Foot Bumblebee Transformers invade LA"] at Techeblog</ref>
*'''FXPERTS''' (registered in California), a reference to the special effects company that built the life-sized robot prop,<ref name="fxperts">[http://www.fxpertsinc.com/trans.html Building the life-sized Bumblebee prop] at Fxperts</ref> was used on various exhibits in 2008.<ref name="dolby">[http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/ces-2008-giant-bumblebee-transformer-invades-the-dolby-booth "CES 2008: Giant BumbleBee Transformer Invades the Dolby Booth"] at Techeblog</ref><ref name="holloman08">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/61043118@N00/archives/date-taken/2008/09/22/ Transformers on display at Holloman Air Force Base in September 2008], Flickr photostream of snakebite000.</ref>
*'''KDM 0814''', registered in California, was used for the life-sized robot prop on various exhibits from 2009 to at least 2011.<ref name="sydney">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/movie-bumblebee-prop-appears-in-sydney-australia/17305/ Life-sized Bumblebee prop in Sydney, Australia] at Seibertron.com</ref><ref name="vegas">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/deltamike/archives/date-taken/2009/03/30/ Transformers on display at the Las Vegas Strip], Flickr photostream of Mike Renlund</ref><ref name="childmuseum">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=77515 "Bumblebee coming to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis"] at The Allspark, March 2011</ref> A variant of this, "KDM 814" minus the "0", had been previously used as the license plate of [[The Twins]]' combined ice cream truck mode in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
*'''5BBM2''' (registered in California), mirrored on the other side, is used by Activision for the robot models used in the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Dark of the Moon (video games)|Dark of the Moon]]'' video games. Due to its mirrored nature, this plate wouldn't actually be legal.<ref name="nextgen">[http://www.nextgn.com/2009/05/15/transformers-2-playable-characters-and-soundtrack-revealed/ ''Revenge of the Fallen'' video game models] at Next Gen News</ref><ref name="actidotm">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/video-games-17/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-the-game-hands-on-171673/ Activision trailer and promo stills for Dark of the Moon video game] at TFW2005.</ref>

===Lack of voice===
*For [[Transformers (film)|the first movie]], [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] had originally preferred the Transformers not to talk ''at all'' throughout the movie, a notion Hasbro heavily contested.<ref name="tfwtour">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/139273-botcon-2007-botcon-2007-hasbro-tour-updated-friday-12-45pm.html BotCon 2007 Hasbro tour report.]</ref> Bumblebee still ended up being mute throughout most of the movie, which, according to Orci and Kurtzman, was inspired by [[Steven Spielberg|Steven Spielberg's]] ''[[Wikipedia:E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|E.T.]]'' and is supposed to signify that his friendship with Sam transcends words.<ref name="mtv">[http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1554426/20070312/story.jhtml MTV.com interview with Kurtzman and Orci.]</ref>
*According to the [[Movie Prequel issue 1|prequel comic]] by IDW Publishing, Megatron ripped out and crushed Bumblebee's voice capacitor during the battle at [[Tyger Pax]] back on Cybertron. [[Hardtop (Movie)|Hardtop]]'s toy bio claims the damage came from a shot fired by Hardtop. In the film itself, Ratchet only states to Sam that Bumblebee's "vocal processors were damaged in battle" and he was "still working on them" after firing a single plasma beam at Bumblebee's throat; by the end of all the conflict (the climax of the film proper), Bumblebee has regained his ability to speak. Although it was not confirmed on-screen, screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]] did confirm ''off''-screen<ref name="Orci"/> that Ratchet's (regenerative) beam was indeed the reason.
*Just as well, Roberto Orci ''also'' admitted that Bumblebee's brief contact with the AllSpark would be an equally valid (and an even more "in-continuity") explanation.<ref name="Orci"/>
*When asked, Orci admitted there had been plans to have Bumblebee speak in ''Revenge of the Fallen''; however, ultimately they liked his "musical ability" too much, and [[Michael Bay]] wanted to focus more on [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], since he thought kids would like the two characters.<ref name="orci">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-283.html#post3785383 Q&A with Roberto Orci at TFW2005]</ref>
*When Bumblebee finally did speak, he had a slightly British accent.

===Other===
*Bumblebee is the only member of the original five Autobots to have appeared in all four ''Transformers'' films without dying.
*Bumblebee is a big fan of Earth cartoons! Some of his favourites include ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'', ''{{w|Ren and Stimpy}}'', ''{{w|Inspector Gadget}}'', ''{{w|Futurama}}'', ''{{w|Voltron}}'', and ''{{w|Rick and Morty}}'', as noted in [[Ask Vector Prime]]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Bumblebee''' (バンブルビー ''Banburubī'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''Daai Wong Fung''' (大黃蜂, "Bumblebee" or "Hornet")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Űrdongó''' ("Space Bumblebee")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Dà-huáng-fēng''' (大黃蜂, "Bumblebee" or "Hornet")
*''Spanish:'' '''Abejorro''' ("Bumblebee")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Bdzhilka''' (Бджілка, "Bee")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/Bumblebee/bumblebee.htm Bumblebee at TFU.info]
*[http://www.seibertron.com/toys/index.php?f_series=40&f_name=bumblebee&f_type=exact&Submit=Search Galleries of various different Bumblebee toys from the Movie]

[[Category:Age of Extinction Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Classified Autobots]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Autobots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Human Alliance]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Movie Autobots]]
[[Category:NEST]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Autobots]]
[[Category:Rise of the Dark Spark Autobots]]
[[Category:The Last Knight Autobots]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]

Transformers: Prime (cartoon)

2016-10-22T20:54:25Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Cast */

{{Nav-Prime}}

[[Image:TransformersPrimePremierePoster.jpg|thumb|300px|We finally have toys... we think.]]
[[Image:Beasthunters-logo1.png|300px|right]]
'''''Transformers: Prime''''' is a multiple Daytime Emmy Award-winning [[computer-generated imagery|computer-animated]] television series that premiered on [[Hub Network|The Hub]] on [[November 26]], [[2010]] with a five-part mini-series, which was followed by a season of another 21 episodes beginning on [[February 11]], [[2011]]. Season 2 began screening [[February 18]], [[2012]], and a third season of thirteen episodes with the subtitle ''[[Beast Hunters]]'' began screening on [[March 22]], [[2013]]. ''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]'', a TV movie, concluded the show on [[October 4]], 2013.

The Canadian broadcast of the series has been undertaken by Corus Entertainment, and the show aired on Teletoon from [[January 9]] 2011 to [[December 26]] 2014.<ref>[http://www.cartoonbrew.com/biz/hasbro-studios-and-corus-entertainments-kids-networks-reach-broad-animation-and-live-action-programming-agreement.html Hasbro Studios and Corus Entertainment’s Kids Networks Reach Broad Animation and Live-Action Programming Agreement]</ref>

The series premiered in the UK on [[September 5]], 2011 on [[Cartoon Network]]'s "[[Action Heroes]]" block. It began airing in Japan on [[April 7]], 2012 on [[TV Aichi]].

A follow-up series called ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' began airing in early 2015.

==Story==
[[Team Prime]] lives on [[Earth]], three years after their last confrontation with [[Decepticon]]s. [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot Central Command]] is located in a converted [[missile]] silo in [[Nevada]] provided by the [[United States of America|United States]] government, with Special Agent [[William Fowler]] acting as their liaison. However, the presence of [[Transformer]]s on Earth is not generally known among the civilian population.

When the Decepticons resurface, the Autobots take three teenage witnesses, [[Jack Darby]], [[Miko Nakadai]], and [[Raf Esquivel]] under their protection. [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] returns having discovered [[Dark Energon]], which grants him the power to resurrect the dead, but is injured, with [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] taking command in his absence. After Megatron's revival, Starscream flees after repeatedly showing he is unable to prove his loyalty to the [[Decepticon leader]].

The Autobots and Decepticons eventually make the startling discovery that Earth is in fact the body of [[Unicron]], forcing them to ally and prevent his consciousness from reasserting control over the planet. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] unleashes the [[Matrix of Leadership]], but at the cost of losing his memory, thereby allowing Megatron to manipulate him into joining the Decepticons' ranks. By using information from [[Vector Sigma]] downloaded to the [[Key to Vector Sigma|Key]], Jack restores Optimus's memory.

The Autobots also contend with the human terrorist organization, [[MECH]], headed by former military operative Leland Bishop, aka [[Silas]], who targets the Cybertronians for their technology, capturing [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and Starscream for parts, and building a [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|doppelgänger]] controlled by Silas. In the ensuing confrontation, Silas is fatally injured, forcing MECH to graft him into Breakdown. With this new body, Silas destroys his own organization and attempts to join the Decepticons, only to become [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]'s new dissection study.

The Autobots and Decepticons' struggle becomes a competition for Cybertronian artifacts strewn across the planet, which turn out to have been placed there by [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]], who foresaw the Autobots coming to Earth. Trion also orders them to find the [[Omega Key]]s, which will activate the [[Omega Lock]] and restore Cybertron. Though the keys are successfully gathered, Megatron gains possession of them and attempts to use the Omega Lock to [[Eco-structuring|cyberform]] Earth, forcing Optimus to destroy the Lock to save Earth.

Megatron responds by destroying the Autobot base, and Optimus is mortally wounded staying behind to ensure everyone else escapes through the [[GroundBridge]]. From his newly-erected fortress [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]], Megatron reestablishes contact with [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]], learning the scientist has cloned a [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] for the intent of hunting down the Autobots. The Autobots regroup following [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]'s arrival, while [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] restores Optimus with the [[Forge of Solus Prime]].

After destroying Darkmount, the status quo is restored, with the Autobots based at a [[Unit:E]] [[Hangar E|facility]], while the Decepticons retreat to orbit Earth in the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' once more. The Autobots learn of Project Predacon and race the Decepticons for the location of Predacon fossils, to prevent Shockwave from cloning more of the beasts. Ultimately, Megatron manipulates the Autobots into destroying the project when he discovers [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] is intelligent, and therefore a potential power rival. Instead, he turns his attentions to rebuilding the Omega Lock.

After the Decepticons kidnap [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] to help in their plan, the Autobots assault the ''Nemesis'' and capture the ship, killing Megatron before he can use the Omega Lock to cyberform Earth. The Autobots use the Omega Lock to restore Cybertron and settle back on their homeworld. The new peace doesn't last, as Cybertron's revival reawakens the slumbering Unicron, who takes Megatron's lifeless body as his own and seeks to destroy Primus. As Optimus retrieves the [[AllSpark]], Autobots, Decepticons, and Predacons unite under Bumblebee and Predaking to face the Chaos Bringer in defense of their home. Optimus sacrifices himself to seal away Unicron and restore the AllSpark to its rightful place while Megatron disbands the Decepticons and goes into self-imposed exile.

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
;Main Cast
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] ([[Frank Welker]]<ref>''Frank Welker records actual words written for Bumblebee which are later replaced with sound effects.'' -- Revealed in "The Autobits Edition" of [[Darkmount, NV|episode 53]].</ref>/[[Will Friedle]])
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] ([[Jeffrey Combs]])
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] ([[Sumalee Montano]])
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] ([[James Horan]])
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] ([[Nolan North]])
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] ([[Michael Ironside]])

;Others
*[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] ([[George Takei]])
*[[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] ([[Dwayne Johnson]]/ [[Billy Brown]]/[[Frank Welker]])
*[[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]] ([[Josh Keaton]])

|c2=
;Main Cast
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Blum]])
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
**[[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] ([[Daran Norris]])
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] ([[David Sobolov]])
*[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] ([[Gina Torres]])
*[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] ([[Adam Baldwin]])
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] ([[Tony Todd]])

;Others
*[[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] ([[Richard Green]]/[[Frank Welker]])
*[[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (Various)
*[[Decepticon Miner]]s ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*[[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] (Various)
**[[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]] ([[David Kaye]])
**[[Bombshock (Prime)|Bombshock]] ([[Steve Blum]])

|c3=
;Main Cast
*[[Jack Darby]] ([[Josh Keaton]])
*[[Miko Nakadai]] ([[Tania Gunadi]])
*[[Raf Esquivel]] ([[Andy Pessoa]])
*[[William Fowler]] ([[Ernie Hudson]])

;Others
*[[Silas]] ([[Clancy Brown]])
*[[June Darby]] ([[Markie Post]])
*[[Sierra]] ([[Alexandra Krosney]])
*[[Vince]] ([[Brad Raider]])
*[[Bryce|General Bryce]] ([[Robert Forster]])
*[[Vogel]] ([[John DiMaggio]])

|c4=
*[[Unicron]] ([[John Noble]])
*[[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]]/[[Clancy Brown]])
*[[Trypticon (WFC)|''Nemesis'']] ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*[[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Scraplet]]s
|h5=[[Predacon (Prime)|Predacons]]|c5=
*[[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] ([[Peter Mensah]])
*[[Darksteel (Prime)|Darksteel]] ([[Steve Blum]])
*[[Skylynx]] ([[Nolan North]])
|nonumbering=true}}

==Episodes==
{{see|List of Prime episodes}}
===Season 1===
{{collist|3|
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]
#[[Masters & Students]]
#[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]
#[[Con Job]]
#[[Convoy (episode)|Convoy]]
#[[Deus ex Machina]]
#[[Speed Metal]]
#[[Predatory]]
#[[Sick Mind]]
#[[Out of His Head]]
#[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]
#[[Operation: Breakdown]]
#[[Crisscross]]
#[[Metal Attraction]]
#[[Rock Bottom]]
#[[Partners]]
#[[T.M.I.]]
#[[Stronger, Faster]]
#[[One Shall Fall]]
#[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]
#[[One Shall Rise, Part 2]]
#[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]
}}

===Season 2===
{{collist|3|
#[[Orion Pax, Part 1]]
#[[Orion Pax, Part 2]]
#[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]
#[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1]]
#[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]
#[[Loose Cannons]]
#[[Crossfire]]
#[[Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime]]
#[[Grill]]{{dag|red}}
#[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]
#[[Flying Mind]]
#[[Tunnel Vision]]
#[[Triangulation]]
#[[Triage (episode)|Triage]]
#[[Toxicity]]
#[[Hurt]]
#[[Out of the Past]]
#[[New Recruit]]
#[[The Human Factor]]
#[[Legacy (episode)|Legacy]]
#[[Alpha/Omega]]
#[[Hard Knocks]]
#[[Inside Job]]
#[[Patch (episode)|Patch]]{{dag|red}}
#[[Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration]]
#[[Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour]]
}}

===Season 3: Beast Hunters===
{{collist|3|
#[[Darkmount, NV]]
#[[Scattered]]
#[[Prey (episode)|Prey]]
#[[Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion]]
#[[Project Predacon]]
#[[Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command]]
#[[Plus One (Prime)|Plus One]]
#[[Thirst]]
#[[Evolution]]
#[[Minus One]]
#[[Persuasion]]
#[[Synthesis]]
#[[Deadlock]]
}}

===TV movie===
*''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]''

{{dag|red}} ''[[Clip show]]''

==Production==
[[Image:TFP montage poster.jpg|thumb|GET OFF MY FACE!!!]]
After the [[live-action film series]], screenwriters [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] signed to become show runners with [[Jeff Kline]] and [[Duane Capizzi]] of The Hub's ''Transformers'' cartoon, explaining the TV show would not have the constraints of a two-hour film in delving into the mythology.<ref name="botcon2011">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2011-transformers-prime-panel-172315/ TFW coverage of Hasbro Studios panel at BotCon 2011]</ref> (Orci's employees [[Steven Puri]] and [[Mandy Safavi]] were also credited as producers.)<ref name="castcrewlist">[http://tformers.com/transformers-exclusive-transformers-prime-voice-cast-revealed-which-includes-the-rock/14278/news.html TFormers cast and crew announcement] including Dwayne Johnson exclusive.</ref> The show runners were given the "[[Binder of Revelation]]", a near 400-page [[production bible]] that [[Hasbro]] had been working on since the movies, that combined elements of the most popular [[continuity|continuities]].<ref>[http://collider.com/roberto-orci-jeff-kline-interview-transformers-prime/75039/ Collider transcript]</ref> The show's title was based on the desire to create a master continuity and a literal [[Wikipedia:Earth Prime|Prime continuity]].<ref name="botcon2011"/> Whereas the movies were about a [[Sam Witwicky|boy]] and his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|car]], the dynamic between the kids and the robots on the show was meant to be more like ''[[Wikipedia:The Iron Giant|The Iron Giant]]''.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Pb3MeUDdY Roundtable interview with ''Prime'' staff at BotCon 2011]</ref>

The writing staff was headed by Capizzi, with [[Marsha Griffin]] as the story editor. The staff consists of [[Nicole Dubuc]], [[Joseph Kuhr]], and [[Steven Melching]]. Kline said they wanted the show to be very cinematic, with tension, suspense, and danger (as marked by Cliffjumper's death in the pilot) as children are more media savvy than they were in the past. Regardless, they had to be considerate as the show still had a broad audience.<ref>[http://parrygamepreserve.com/newsDetail.php?jID=1642 PGP January 2011 Q&A]</ref> As part of the [[aligned continuity family]] with ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'', the producers strove to maintain many of the common elements (eg. Optimus and Megatron's past friendship, Dark Energon's origins as [[Unicron]]'s blood, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] sharing his film counterpart's backstory), but were allowed contradictions if it served the storytelling. By using the mammoth story bible, the writers could plan events years in advance. The large number of episodes per season meant they could pace and establish characters during season 1 slowly, while saving the more momentous, less stand alone episodes that delved into the backstory for season 2. Some of the plot ideas (namely the [[Terrorcon (Prime)|zombie robots]]) were based on stories they came up with when playing with the [[The Transformers (toyline)|toys]] as kids.<ref name="botcon2011"/> [[Bob Skir]] has written some episodes.<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/9248/20/ Allspark.com coverage of Shout and Hasbro's "Evolution of Transformers Animation" panel at 2011's Comic-Con.]</ref>

Designers include [[Christophe Vacher]] (colors), [[Vince Toyama]] and [[Jevon Bue]] (backgrounds), and [[Jose Lopez]] (lead character designer). Vacher wanted to do something different from traditional animation and saw something edgy about ''Prime''.<ref name="botcon2011"/> According to [[Ken Christiansen]], the show's characters were formed by [[Hasbro Studios]] hiring freelance conceptual artists like himself. The submitted artwork was given Lopez's staff to be examined, and they incorporated the ideas they liked best.<ref>[http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/me-and-transformers-prime.html August 2010 blog post by Ken Christiansen]</ref> Other concept artists include [[Augusto Barranco]] and [[Walter Gatus]].

Supervising director [[Dave Hartman]] headed a team including [[Todd Waterman]], [[Shaunt Nigoghossian]], [[Vinton Heuck]], and [[Kirk Van Wormer]]. [[Polygon Pictures]] provided the [[computer-generated imagery|CG animation]], for which [[Digitalscape]] performed a recruitment drive for before the show began production.<ref>[http://www.dsp.co.jp/pr/contents/000178.html Announcement on Digitalscape, also asking for job applicants.]</ref> Lopez said the animation would be a "groundbreaking mix of 2D animation and CGI".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/san-diego-comic-con-33/jose-lopez-breaks-the-silence-talks-about-transformers-prime-at-san-diego-comic-con-2010-170217/ Jose Lopez speaks about Prime's animation style]</ref> Each character has three CG models: the robot mode, their alternate mode, and one for the transformation.<ref>[http://www.cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?t=29224 Cybertron.ca January 2011 Q&A]</ref> Lopez said the designs were personality driven, and that the 3D animation allowed them to go "crazy" with the transformation schemes. In contrast, the characters were given realistic textures,<ref>[http://www.asmzine.com/geekly-rewind/2011/02/07/hasbro-transformers-qa-bonus-round-answer/ ASM Geekly Rewind January 2011 Q&A]</ref> and are subject to battle damage during episodes.<ref name="botcon">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/botcon-2010-transformers-prime-panel-coverage-170054/ Botcon 2010 Transformers Prime Panel Coverage]</ref> A show on the level of ''Prime'' would take two years to produce, but the animators only had ten months. Five episodes are animated at a time (hence the monthly gaps during the first season).<ref name="botcon2011"/>

The staff had three years of story planned, but while writing it became clear that the escalating storylines made it impossible to maintain self-contained episodes and they burned through those planned three years within the second season. The idea of incorporating Beasts into the third season was a late idea.<ref>[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/10/25/transformers-prime-producer-talks-beasts-mythology-michael-bay/ ‘Transformers: Prime’ producer talks Beasts, mythology, Michael Bay]</ref>

[[Susan Blu]] was the casting director, but was replaced as voice director by [[Jamie Simone]] following a death in her family.<ref>[http://tformers.com/transformers-sdcc-2010-the-hub-transformers-panel-1st-looks-at-prime-designs/13975/news.html Tformers.com's coverage of the SDCC Transformers Prime panel, July 22, 2010.]</ref> [[Brian Tyler]] composed the show's [[theme song]] and background music. [[Matthew Margeson]] served as music arranger.

[[Rik Alvarez]] said in 2015 that ''Prime'' and Hasbro's design team had often clashed on story (the writers wanted more autonomy from the "[[Binder of Revelation]]" and Hasbro wanted a more streamlined franchise), which came to a head on ''Beast Hunters''. The show also went overbudget (each episode cost $1.6 million)<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-robots-disguise-prime-discussion/1053596-aligned-continuity-panel-tf-con-charlotte-5.html#post13037062 Aligned Continuity panel at TF Con Charlotte notes]</ref> and The Hub itself didn't have as many people as planned, dooming the show despite plans for a fourth year.<ref>Rik Alvarez panel, slide show - [http://sunnybutte.tumblr.com/post/131367083128/that-explains-a-lot-of-the-mess-that-was See fan photos]</ref><ref name="See fan photos">Rik Alvarez panel, slide show on [[Beast Hunters]] - [http://sunnybutte.tumblr.com/post/131368170623/and-if-you-were-wondering-why-beast-hunters-was See fan photos]</ref> Dropped plans included a S3 set mostly on Cybertron, with Maximals and Predacons in a 'wild west' set up <ref>[http://sunnybutte.tumblr.com/post/131384199723/hey-all-getting-a-lot-of-questions-about-those Fan report of panel]: "Actual Maximals and Predacons were set to appear on a revitalized Cybertron in Season 3 (he described it as a ‘taming the wild west’ setting)."</ref> and an idea for [[Star Seeker|pirates]] in S4.<ref name="See fan photos"/>

==Reception==
''Transformers: Prime'' has recieved widespread acclaim, even from outside of the Transformers fandom. Over the course of the show's run-time, it won nine Daytime Emmy Awards<ref>[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=15644 Transformers Prime Nabs 6 of 8 Hasbro Studios Daytime Emmys]</ref><ref>[http://hasbrostudios.com/news/page/title/transformers-prime-honored-with-two-emmy-awards Transformers Prime’ Honored With Two Daytime EMMY® Awards
]</ref><ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2013/05/01/three-early-wins-for-transformers-prime-at-the-2013-daytime-emmy-awards-177383 Three Early Wins For Transformers: Prime At The 2013 Daytime Emmy Awards
]</ref>, two CINE Awards<ref>[http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Four-Series-on-The-Hub-TV-Network-Win-2012-CINE-Golden-Eagle-Awards-20120709# Four Series on The Hub TV Network Win 2012 CINE Golden Eagle Awards]</ref>, and was nominated for several more, as well as consistently ranking as one of the Hub's most popular programs. Within the fandom, the show quickly won fans over, an impressive feat for the chronological successor to the widely-loved ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]''. Qualities particularly celebrated include the cinematography, visuals and animation, voice acting (including the return of [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Frank Welker]] to the roles of Optimus Prime and Megatron, something the actors themselves rejoiced over), and characterization. There is also a great deal of praise given to the serious, more mature storytelling of ''Prime'' that had not been attempted in Transformers media since ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. For all of these reasons, it is usually considered one of the best Transformers cartoons.

That said, the show is not ''universally'' loved, and not just because [[GEEWUN|Bumblebee was better when he could speak]]. In the second season, the show's aforementioned budget problems were the cause of some of the most common complaints: in addition to necessitating ''two'' [[clip show]]s (an all-but-extinct concept in cartoons in the 2010s), the cashflow crisis caused several plot threads to suddenly be dropped or truncated in order to shrink the cast; [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] and [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] were abruptly killed or written out (respectively) despite being a feature of active subplots in order to eliminate the cost of their celebrity voice actors, as were characters performed by actors that were not part of the "main" cast, like [[Silas]], [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]], and [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]. Other complaints focused on the lack of buildup or foreshadowing for certain major threats like [[Unicron]] and the Predacons; in the case of the latter, former Hasbro employee [[Rik Alvarez]] confirmed that this was the result of Hasbro staff changes forcefully altering the direction of the show from what was intended.<ref name="tfcon1">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-robots-disguise-prime-discussion/1053596-aligned-continuity-panel-tf-con-charlotte-post13037062.html Notes from the TFCon Charlotte panel] at TFW2005.</ref> Another criticism had been made towards the lack of weight given to character deaths beyond Cliffjumper, usually resulting in anticlimax. A minority also lamented that the expensive animation budgeted the number of character models they could render, and thus led to a relatively small cast and an isolated setting.

==Awards and nominations==
===2011 Daytime Emmy Awards===
*Outstanding Performer In An Animated Program - [[Peter Cullen]] as [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]
*Outstanding Directing In An Animated Program - [[Dave Hartman|David Hartman]], Supervising Director; [[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]; [[Todd Waterman]]; [[Vinton Heuck]]; [[Susan Blu]], Voice Director
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Vince Toyama]], Background Designer '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Christophe Vacher]], Colour Designer '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction And Composition - [[Brian Tyler]]
*Outstanding Writing In Animation - [[Duane Capizzi]], Writer/Producer; [[Steven Melching]]; [[Nicole Dubuc]]; [[Joseph Kuhr]]; [[Marsha Griffin]]

===2012 Daytime Emmy Awards===
*Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing (Animation) - Robbi Smith, Dialogue Editor, Robert Poole II, Sound Effects Editor, Roy Braverman, Foley Editor
*Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing (Animation) - Ray Leonard, Re-Recording Mixer, Mike Bieriger, Re-Recording Mixer
*Outstanding Special Class Animated Program - [[Roberto Orci]], [[Stephen J. Davis|Stephen Davis]], [[Shuzo Shiota]], [[Alex Kurtzman]], [[Jeff Kline]], [[Duane Capizzi]], [[Mandy Safavi]], [[Rafael Ruthchild]], [[Shinji Santoh]], [[Meiko Sato]], [[Therese Trujillo]] '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program - [[Dave Hartman|David Hartman]], [[Vinton Heuck]], [[Shaunt Nigoghossian]], [[Todd Waterman]], [[Jamie Simone]]
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Christophe Vacher]] '''(WINNER)'''<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-prime-wins-one-daytime-emmy-award-also-nominated-in-four-other-categories/24811/ Hub Press Release for 2012 Daytime Emmy Nominations]</ref>

===2013 Daytime Emmy Awards===
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Jason Park]], background design for "Orion Pax, Part 3". '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Arato Kato]], character animation for "Hard Knocks". '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Kirk Van Wormer]], storyboard art for "Nemesis Prime". '''(WINNER)'''

===2014 Daytime Emmy Awards===
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Jose Lopez]], Character Design '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Yasuhiro Motoda]], Character Animator '''(WINNER)'''

==Japanese release==
[[Image:JapPrimeCartoonLogo01.jpg|center|300px]]

'''''Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Prime''''' (超ロボット生命体トランスフォーマープライム ''Chō Robot Seimeitai Transformers Prime'') began airing in Japan on [[TV Tokyo]] affiliate [[TV Aichi]], beginning [[April 7]], 2012, with an 8am Saturday morning timeslot (the same channel and timeslot as the previous two ''Transformers'' cartoons to air in Japan). It ended its 52 episode run on [[March 30]], 2013.

To reflect Takara's unique marketing strategy for the toyline—the prominent gimmick of the non-show [[Arms Micron]]s—the series included CGI-animated cartoon shorts starring those little robots, called "[[Arms Micron Theater]]", at the end of every episode. The shorts centered around the Arms Microns maintaining an undercover presence amongst the Autobots, who are not even aware that their weapons are alive.

Another additional segment titled "[[From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division]]", hosted by the popular J-pop idol group, [[Tokyo Girls' Style]], was also tacked onto each episode. These segments featured the idol girls interacting with [[Vector Sigma]] in order to relay important facts about the ''Transformers'' franchise to the audience. These facts usually involved promoting the newest toys and merchandise available as well as offering tutorials on how to transform the toys (much like the [[Otoboto family]] segments from ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'').

Due to the longer [[title sequence]] and end credits, as well as the two additional bonus segments, each episode had approximately three minutes of content removed for time constraints. Many of these edits were to reduce environment pans or establishing shots. However, as the show was reworked to appeal to a younger audience (as all Western ''Transformers'' cartoons are when localized for Japan), the violence during the fight sequences was edited for content.

Like all Japanese dubs of Western ''Transformers'' cartoons, transformation commands were added, such as shouting "Transform!" Additionally, whenever a character popped their weapon out of their hands/arms, they screamed "Arms Up!" Text was overlayed on the screen whenever a character first appeared in each episode, providing their name and function. In addition, promotional text for various ''Transformers''-specific campaigns from TakaraTomy scrolled by over the episode as things were happening, which could be kind of... distracting.

Like the dubs of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', ''Beast Wars Metals'', ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars Returns]]'', and ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'', the localization of ''Prime'' was headed up by [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]]. As is his way, Yoshikazu had the humor ratcheted up considerably. Self-aware, Fourth Wall-breaking jokes were added. An example occurs as early as the end of "[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]", when the manipulator arm turns into a spider-like creature and starts crawling around. In the dub, Ratchet thinks he hears the audience telling him to watch his back, but brushes their concerns off as unimportant.

Characters were also fundamentally altered to be more humorously quirky. [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]], for example, was changed into a female parody of [[Wikipedia:Pepe Le Pew|Pepe Le Pew]]; boy-crazy and single-mindedly amorous in her pursuit of [[Jack Darby|Jack]]. As with Yoshikazu's previous efforts, ad libbing was utilized extensively to soften tension and suspense; the characters talk ''a lot''.

On [[August 12]], 2012, TV Tokyo aired the "[[Transformers Prime Perfect Transformation Late Night 2-Hour Special]]" hosted by [[Chisato Mori]], [[Nozomi Furuki]] and [[Yūki Tai]]. The special featured a recap of "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]" thru "[[Rock Bottom]]", brand new "From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division" and "Arms Micron Theater" segments, various cast interviews and commentary, and a special comparison between the original English language version of "[[Predatory]]" and the radically different Japanese language version.<ref>http://tf.takaratomy.co.jp/toy/event/2012/tv-tokyo/ official TakaraTomy ad site for the TV special</ref>

The Japanese version of ''Prime'' only ran for 52 episodes (the first two seasons of the original English language version). "[[Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour]]" was edited and reworked to function as a series finale. This mainly involved rescripting the ending and cutting the cliffhanger so as to give the show a more ambiguously positive send off; Optimus Prime valiantly holding the line as Megatron looms over him in the Nemesis. The ''[[Beast Hunters]]'' era of the ''Prime'' franchise was rebranded by TakaraTomy as a new franchise, '''''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (franchise)|Triple Combination: Transformers Go!]]'''''. While the ''Beast Hunters'' toys were marketed and sold in Japan, it is currently unknown when or if the remaining 13 episodes of ''Prime'' and the ''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]'' film will ever be released in Japan.

The [[theme song]]s are:
*OP 1: "[[FEELING]]" by [[BIGBANG]]
*ED 1: "[[I Believe in All]]" by [[CLUTCHO]]
*OP 2: "[[TRANSFORMERZ]]" by [[m-flo]]
*ED 2: "[[A Little Bit]]" by [[CLUTCHO]]
*OP 3: "TRANSFORMERZ (version 2.0)" by [[m-flo]]
*ED 3: "[[Discord (song)|Discord]]" by [[Tokyo Girls' Style]]

==Home video releases==
{{main|Transformers: Prime (cartoon)/home video}}
;United States
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Darkness Rising (2011)<ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Transformers-Prime-Darkness-Rising/15916 Press release: Transformers Prime - 'Darkness Rising', the Newest Program's Original 5-Part Mini-Series, Announced!]</ref>
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Hub promotional DVD [Walmart Exclusive] Includes 3 episodes (2011)<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/special-transformers-prime-dvd-released-at-walmart-173588/ Transformers Prime DVD released at Walmart]</ref>
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Season One (2012)<ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Transformers-Prime-Season-1-Press-Release/16300]</ref>
*''Transformers: Prime'' - One Shall Stand (2012)<ref>http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Prime-One-Shall-Stand/dp/B007RMQ4H2</ref>
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Season Two (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Dawn of the Beast [Target Exclusive] (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Predacons Rising (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Season Three (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Ultimate Bumblebee (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Ultimate Autobots (2014)

;Germany
*''Transformers: Prime'' #1 - Die dunkle Macht erhebt sich (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #2 - Meister und Schüler (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #3 - Nur dieses eine Mal (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #4 - Die vierte Dimension (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #5 - Metallische Anziehung (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #6 - Die Prophezeiung (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' Staffel 1 (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #7 - Orion Pax (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #8 - Der falsche Prime (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #9 - Angriff auf Megatron (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #10 - Bulkheads Mission (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #11 - Die Omega-Schlüssel (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #12 - Die Entscheidung (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters'' - Schlacht um Darkmount (2015)

;Australia
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 1: Darkness Rising (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 2: Unfamiliar Enemies (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 3: Alien Threat (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 4: Strength in Numbers (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 5: One Shall Fall, One Shall Rise (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Season 2, Volume 1: Orion Pax (2013) <ref>http://www.madman.com.au/series/home/17523</ref>

==Soundtrack==
{{main|Transformers Prime: Music from the Animated Series}}

==Notes==
*Unlike most ''Transformers'' shows, episodes do not have an episode title card. Episode titles are from [[Hub Network|The Hub]] website.
*The series has also been advertised as '''''Transformers: Prime - The Animated Series'''''.
*The show was said to be "rightfully huge" at the [[BotCon 2010]] panel.<ref name="tformersbotcon10">[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=13779 BotCon 2010 - Hasbro Studios Panel - Bucket Head is Back!]</ref> Later, at the Hasbro designers' panel, the [[Thirteen|Thirteen original Transformers]] were described as being "rightfully huge".<ref>[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=13797 BotCon 2010 Hasbro designers' panel.]</ref>
*Executive Producer [[Jeff Kline]] confirmed they talked about producing a theatrical ''Prime'' film.<ref>[http://tformers.com/transformers-botcon-2011-transformers-prime-interview-with-executive-producer-jeff-kline/15863/news.html TFormers BotCon 2011 interview with Kline]</ref>
*The ''Prime'' show was originally intended to kickstart "[[Unit:E]]", a massive shared universe involving several largely-forgotten Hasbro properties. These included ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[M.A.S.K.]]'', ''[[Inhumanoids]]'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''Candyland''(!), which would later unite in an ''Avengers''-style crossover.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-robots-disguise-prime-discussion/1053596-aligned-continuity-panel-tf-con-charlotte-4.html#post13037062 TF2005.com] "More tidbits from a friend of mine who took notes at the panel: ... TFP was going to lead into a massive Avengers style Unit: E crossover to jumpstart the other brands participating. Ratchet and Fowler from TFP; Duke from GI Joe; Synergy from Jem and the Holograms; Princess Lollipop from Candyland; also characters from MASK, Stretch Armstrong, Micronauts, Sectaurs, Primordia (the renamed Inhumanoids) and more."</ref> For one reason or another, this idea didn't pan out, so we'll forever be denied the sight of Optimus Prime battling against the nefarious Lord Licorice.

==Footnotes==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.hubnetwork.com/shows/transformers-prime Hub Network page]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3iKDbKQwKI&feature=related Behind the scenes video]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prime (cartoon)}}
[[Category:Prime media]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2016-06-20T22:42:39Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Main cast */

{{Nav-dotm}}
[[File:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|my friend]], I can only say this: of all the souls I have encountered, he was the most... human."]]
'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is the third film in the [[live-action film series]]. It was released in 3D and IMAX at 9PM on [[June 28]], [[2011]]<ref name="open3D">[http://michaelbay.com/2011/06/18/see-dark-of-the-moon-one-day-earlier-on-imax-3d/ See Dark Of The Moon One Day Earlier on IMAX 3D | MichaelBay]</ref> and in wide release on [[June 29]], [[2011]]<ref name="open">[http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/paramount-moving-up-transformers-3/ Paramount Moving Up ‘T’formers 3′ Release – Deadline.com]</ref> in the United States, and between [[June 29]] and July 1 for other markets.

The film is set three years after the events of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. The Autobots continue to work for NEST, but no longer in secret, and for the goal of keeping peace between humans by taking out volatile overseas political targets. But after discovering a strange artifact during a mission in Chernobyl, it becomes apparent to Optimus Prime that the United States government has been less than forthright with them.

And SCENE!

{{bigquote|Aw, shit, I seen this one. It's the one where [[Spock]] goes nuts.|Wheelie|''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:Dotm-Arkreflection.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Wha... this is the finest engine room in the whole Starfleet!"]]

In the distant past, during the latter days of the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] civil war, [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] attempted to leave the planet with groundbreaking technology on board the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]''. However, his ship was shot down by the Decepticons and, after being sent hurling through space for a while, eventually crashed on the [[Earth|Earth's]] [[Moon (moon)|moon]] in 1961. The crash is noticed by the humans on Earth, leading to the [[Wikipedia:Space Race|Space Race]] under President [[John F. Kennedy]]. Landing on the Moon as part of the [[Apollo 11]] mission in 1969, astronauts [[Neil Armstrong]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] use several minutes of [[radio]] silence to investigate the spaceship and discover that Mankind is not alone in space.

In the present day, the Autobots are still part of [[NEST]], cooperating with the [[United States military|US Armed Forces]]. They have also begun to help humanity in its local conflicts, as [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]], and [[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] destroy an illegal [[Iran]]ian nuclear facility. On a mission to the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]], a NEST team led by [[William Lennox|Lt. Col. Lennox]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] discovers an unknown alien fuel cell which had led to the [[Wikipedia:Chernobyl disaster|Chernobyl disaster]]. While trying to secure the cell, they are attacked by the Decepticon [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and his "pet", the [[Driller]], who are eventually forced to retreat by Optimus Prime. Meanwhile, [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] kills [[Alexi Voskhod]], who had called NEST to Chernobyl and was secretly working for him. After securing the fuel cell and identifying it as part of the ''Ark'', Optimus Prime is angry at the humans for not following through with their agreement of sharing all known information relating to Cybertron and its inhabitants. Despite this, he eventually informs his allies and [[Charlotte Mearing]], the [[WIkipedia:Director of National Intelligence|Director of National Intelligence]], about the space bridge technology the ''Ark'' contains. Together with [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], Optimus travels to the Moon, where they find Sentinel Prime inside the ship. Retrieving him along with four pillars of the space bridge and the accompanying control pillar, they return to Earth, where Optimus uses the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to reactivate Sentinel Prime. In [[Africa]], Decepticon leader [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] (still recovering from wounds [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|suffered]] in [[Egypt]]) meets with his lieutenants [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. Upon learning that the Autobots have recovered Sentinel and the pillars, Megatron orders Soundwave and Laserbeak to terminate their "loose ends".

Meanwhile, [[Sam Witwicky]], the Autobots' human friend, is suffering from everyday problems. Even though President [[Barack Obama]] has awarded him a medal for saving the Earth twice, Sam has trouble finding a job. Together with his new girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]], whom he had met in the [[White House]] (after his former girlfriend [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] had left him), he also gives the stranded Autobots [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] and [[Brains]] a home. After a long search, he finally finds a position as a mail carrier at a telecommunication company named [[Accuretta Systems]]. From his colleague, [[Jerry Wang]], he learns about a conspiracy by humans who collaborate with the Decepticons. Before Jerry can tell Sam more, however, he is killed by Laserbeak.

[[File:DOTM-Sentinelendofyourworld.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"There's a man out there I haven't seen in fifteen years who's trying to kill me."]]

Locked out of participating in the investigation by Mearing, Sam turns to [[Seymour Simmons]] for help. Simmons, who has become a millionaire as a writer, and his aide, [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]], help Sam find out that the Soviets have taken photos of Decepticons removing hundreds of space bridge pillars out of the ''Ark'' even before Apollo 11 had landed on the Moon. Sam and Simmons conclude that the Decepticons had left Sentinel Prime behind on purpose, knowing that only he would be able to activate the space bridge, and only Optimus Prime could reactivate him. Sam is able to warn the Autobots in time so they can protect Sentinel from a Decepticon attack and escort him back to the NEST headquarters. Upon arriving there, however, Sentinel Prime betrays them, revealing that he made a deal with Megatron to ensure Cybertron's survival. After killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and most of the NEST soldiers, Sentinel claims the remaining pillars and escapes. The other Autobots track him down to [[Washington, D.C.]], but before Optimus can stop him, Sentinel activates a space bridge to the Moon. The portal allows dozens of Decepticon troops which had remained hidden under the Moon's surface to reach Earth, forcing the Autobots to retreat.

[[File:DOTM-Moonspacebridge.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.55|"We are one big, happy fleet! Ah, [[Kirk (Star Trek)|Kirk]], my old friend, do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish that is best served cold? It is ''very'' cold in space."]]

In the meantime, Sam is worried about Carly and searches for her. He finds her with her employer, [[Dylan Gould]], who reveals to Sam that he not only arranged for Sam to get a job with Acuretta, but is also a collaborator with the Decepticons. At their request, his father had used his influence to ensure that [[NASA]] would not conduct any more missions to the Moon. When Sam and Carly attempt to flee, they discover Carly's car is a disguise for Soundwave, who takes her captive. Dylan instructs Sam to ask Optimus Prime about the Autobots' strategy, otherwise Carly will die. To ensure that Sam will not try to warn the Autobots, he attaches a Decepticon disguised as a watch on Sam's wrist, and it taps into his nervous system.

Meanwhile, Sentinel Prime has given Mankind an ultimatum to exile the Autobots from Earth, since he is only trying to save Cybertron, or so he claims. The US government promptly passes a bill to this effect. Before the Autobots leave Earth aboard their spaceship, the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'', Sam asks Optimus about his plan. Optimus replies that there is no plan, and Mankind is on its own now. With all Autobots on board, the ''Xantium'' takes off, but is promptly intercepted by Starscream, who had waited in Earth's orbit. With the ''Xantium'' destroyed, the Decepticons believe the Autobots to be dead and let Sam go.

With the Autobots out of the way, the Decepticons conquer [[Chicago]], kill most of its population and set up the control pillar for the space bridge inside the city, placing the other pillars around the world. Dylan informs Carly that the Decepticons do not intend to return to Cybertron; instead, they want to transport Cybertron into Earth's orbit, because Earth not only has the necessary resources, but also six billion slaves to rebuild the Transformers' home planet.

Sam decides to go to Chicago, where Dylan has taken Carly. Former NEST soldier [[Robert Epps]], who now works for NASA, accompanies him, together with other former NEST members. Upon arrival in Chicago, they are promptly attacked by the Decepticons, but are rescued by Optimus Prime and the other Autobots. Having never intended to leave Earth, they had hidden themselves inside a modified rocket booster that was jettisoned before Starscream destroyed the ''Xantium''.

[[File:DOTM Driller vs Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|"From Hell's heart, I stab at thee!"]]

The Autobots and the humans soldiers make their way to the skyscraper where Dylan is located in order to destroy the space bridge's control pillar. Sam and Bumblebee rescue Carly, killing Laserbeak in the process, during which they find a damaged UAV and alert the military to the Decepticons plans. Due to another attack by a team of Decepticons led by Shockwave, the team is separated once more. While the Autobots battle the Decepticons, Epps and his team try to destroy the pillar from another skyscraper. However, they are attacked by Shockwave and the Driller, who brings the skyscraper crashing down. Optimus Prime comes to their aid and destroys the Driller, but is shot by Shockwave and becomes trapped in crane cables.

In the meantime, Lennox and the rest of NEST have managed to make their way into the city using [[wingsuit]]s, and with Lennox's help, Sam destroys Starscream using weapons provided to him by the Autobot scientist Que. Meanwhile, the Decepticons have captured several Autobots, but Dylan convinces them not to keep prisoners and kill them all. [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] executes Que, and Soundwave moves to kill Bumblebee next, but the Autobots Wheelie and Brains have managed to make one of the Decepticons' ships crash, thereby distracting Soundwave long enough for Bumblebee and the other Autobots to get free. Bumblebee overpowers and kills Soundwave. NEST soldiers and US Marines snipe the Decepticons. Autobots and Tanks roll in and ambush the Decepticons. Optimus Prime returns and massacres a large group of Decepticons. He then kills Shockwave and uses the Decepticon's arm cannon to topple over the space bridge's control pillar, deactivating the bridge.

[[File:DOTMCybertrontransit.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.55|"Earth was created in six days. Now, watch out! Here comes Genesis! We'll do it for you in six minutes!"]]

Optimus Prime then confronts Sentinel Prime and the two engage in a ferocious battle of Student vs Master. Carly stumbles across Megatron outside the main battle zone. Having previously witnessed a violent argument between Sentinel Prime and Megatron, she appeals to his pride and makes him realize that he will never be able to rule over Cybertron as long as Sentinel is alive. Meanwhile, after a long fight, Sentinel gains the upper hand over Optimus and severs his right arm. However, before he can execute his former pupil, an infuriated Megatron attacks Sentinel and severely damages him, declaring that Earth is his planet to rule. Megatron realized how far he had fallen in power within the past few years, and has decided to once again take his rightful place at the top of the command chain. Meanwhile, Dylan manages to reactivate the toppled pillar, but is attacked by Sam, who hurls him against the pillar, killing him. Subsequently, Bumblebee destroys the pillar for good, thus destroying the space bridge and, presumably, Cybertron with it. Seeing this, Megatron half-heartedly offers Optimus Prime a truce on the condition that he will remain in charge of the Decepticons, mockingly saying that they would be nothing without each other. Realizing that the offer is less than sincere, Optimus refuses and attacks Megatron, decapitating him with an axe. The weakened Sentinel Prime tries to excuse his actions, but Optimus, claiming Sentinel "betrayed himself," executes the treacherous Prime with Megatron's shotgun.

[[File:DOTM Autobots NEST victorious.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|"Live long... and prosper..."]]

With the battle over, Sam and Carly are reunited, and Simmons takes an opportunity to kiss Mearing, who he still has feelings for, and she has him arrested. With their home planet now forever beyond reach, and the forces of the Decepticons destroyed, the remaining Autobots finally accept Earth as their new home, as Optimus Prime states that the Autobots will always be here, to protect the Earth and all who live on it.

==Quotes==

'''Mission Control''': We are not alone after all, are we? 
'''Buzz Aldrin''': No, sir. We are not alone. 
:—Buzz Aldrin makes history, and raises the hackles of conspiracy theorists.

'''Dino''': "He's in a bad mood. He's not talking to anybody today." 
'''Mearing''': "What is this, the silent treatment?" 
'''Ironhide''': "We've seen that and this is ''not'' that." 
'''Que''': "Definitely not." 
'''Ironhide''': "This is ''worse''. Prime! Make something of yourself! (Ironhide taps Optimus's roof) He's pissed."
:—Ironhide discusses Optimus Prime's foul mood.

"Who wants some chicken dinner now, bitch? Huh? 'Cause somebody messed with the wrong Wang today!" 
:—'''Jerry Wang''', being crazy. But also awesome.

"The thing about Russians is, they never like to talk. Gonna take a little of the 'international language.'" <Doorman opens sliding hatch> "''Do svidaniya''." 
"That means 'goodbye!'" <closes hatch>
:—'''Simmons''' tries to reason with a '''Russian''', to no avail.

"It's a Cyrillic alphabet; it's like all the buttons you never push on a calculator!"
:—'''Dutch''' tries to translate Russian, also to no avail.

"Class dismissed."
:—'''Ironhide''', after dispatching the Dreads.

"What you must realize, my Autobot brothers, is that we were never going to win the war. For the sake of our planet's survival, a deal had to be made...with ''Megatron''."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' reveals his treachery.

[[File:DOTM-MegatronLincoln.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"I'll give him this: [[Atlantis, Arise!|he's]] [[Transformers The Game (console)|consistent]]!"]]
"Here we are. Fight us ''now''."
:—'''Megatron''', pulling the evil overlord cliche on us while sitting atop the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]]

"If you go in this building, that's if she's even still alive, there's no way you're going to reach her!" 
"What do you suggest I do?!" 
"...it's over. I'm sorry, but it's over." 
:—'''Robert Epps''' tells '''Sam Witwicky''' that they've run out of plans.

"We will kill them all."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' offers an alternative plan.

"They got my trailer. I ''need'' that flight tech!" 
:—'''Optimus Prime''', valiantly [[To sell toys|selling toys]].

"I bring you Cybertron, your home! and still you choose humanity." 
"You are the one who taught me [[Bio|freedom is everyone's right]]." 
:—'''Sentinel''' VS '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Your Decepticons are finally conquering this planet, and yet their leader won't be you." 
"IT WILL BE ME! It will ''always'' be me! 
"In any minute now, you'll be nothing but Sentinel's bitch."
:—'''Carly Spencer''' tells '''Megatron''' that if he's going to be the Starscream, he should ''act'' like it.

"Optimus. All I ever wanted...was the survival of our race. You must see why I had to betray you..." 
"You didn't betray me. You betrayed yourself..." 
:—'''Optimus Prime''''s final exchange with '''Sentinel Prime''' before effectively ''double-tapping'' him.

"Who would you be without me, Prime?" 
"Time to find out." 
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' exchange pre-fight banter one last time.

"In any war, there are calms between the storms. There will be days when we lose faith. Days when our allies turn against us... but the day will never come when we forsake this planet and its people."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s closing narration, [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|which predicts what will happen to them years later.]]

==Main cast==

{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]])
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Dino/Mirage]]<ref name="credits">Mirage and Wheeljack, known by those names in the toyline and essentially all supporting media, are respectively named "Dino" and "Que" in the film. While Dino is simply credited as such, Que is listed in the credits as "Que/Wheeljack".</ref> ([[Francesco Quinn]])
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que/Wheeljack]]<ref name="credits"/> ([[George Coe]])
*The Wreckers
**[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]]<ref>Roadbuster is listed as "Roadbuster/Amp" in the credits, a reference to his car mode's sponsor. His name is not used in the film, but he is called "Roadbuster" in the toyline and supporting media.</ref> ([[Ron Bottitta]])
**[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
**[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]<ref>Leadfoot is listed in the film's end credits as "Leadfoot/Target", a reference to his car mode's sponsor. His name is not spoken in the film, but he is called "Leadfoot" in the toyline and the supporting media.</ref> ([[John DiMaggio]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Brains]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]<ref name=skidsandmudflap>Skids and Mudflap only appear during the convoy scene at the beginning of the film</ref> (cameo)
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]<ref name=skidsandmudflap/> (cameo)

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charlie Adler]])
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
**[[Driller]]
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
**[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] ([[Keith Szarabajka]])
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]
*[[Loader]]
*[[Devcon (DOTM)|Devcon]]
*[[Igor]] ([[Greg Berg]])
* [[Dread (DOTM)|The Dreads]]
**[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
**[[Hatchet]]
**[[Crowbar]] ([[Jimmie Wood]])*
*[[Hatchling]]s
*[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] type Decepticon
*[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]] type Decepticon
*An unnamed [[Audi R8 Decepticon]]
*An unnamed [[M1 Abrams Decepticon]]
*[[Garbage truck Decepticon]]
*Unnamed [[Lensmeter Decepticon]]s
*Unnamed [[protoform]]s
*[[Watch-bot]]<ref>Repeatedly referred to as the "Watch-bot" (proper noun) in the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]]''</ref>
*Unnamed [[Pickup Decepticon]]
*Unnamed [[Police car Decepticon]]

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])
*[[Carly Spencer]] ([[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]])
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[Charlotte Mearing]] ([[Frances McDormand]])
*[[Dylan Gould]] ([[Patrick Dempsey]])
*[[Bruce Brazos]] ([[John Malkovich]])
*[[Hardcore Eddie]] ([[Lester Speight]])
*[[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]])
*[[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] ([[Alan Tudyk]])
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])
*[[Jerry Wang]] ([[Ken Jeong]])
*[[Neil Armstrong]] ([[Don Jeanes]])
*[[Buzz Aldrin]] ([[Cory Tucker]]/himself)
*[[Walter Cronkite]]
*[[Bill O'Reilly]] (himself)
*[[Alexi Voskhod]] ([[Ravil Isyanov]])

|h4=Other|c4=
|nonumbering=true
}}

* *During the highway battle, Jimmie Wood's Bonecrusher scream in the high way battle from the first movie can be heard coming from Crowbar.

==Errors==
===Astronomical and historical errors===
* The Moon does not rotate with respect to Earth, and Mare Tranquillitatis is near the middle of the near side. Therefore, Tranquility Base could never be described as being on the far side, and Earth is never as close to the horizon as shown in the movie.
* The Apollo 11 Command/Service Module is seen flying to the Moon without the Lunar Module. The Lunar Module is attached when the vehicle is orbiting the Moon, however.
* When the modern day site of the Apollo 11 landing is seen, the ascent module (the cabin Buzz and Neil flew back to orbit in) is still there.
* Cybertron is apparently several times the size of Earth, yet the characters talk of bringing it "into Earth's atmosphere".
* The Space Bridge starts to bring Cybertron amazingly close to Earth - less than one Earth-diameter away. Assuming Cybertron's mass is proportional to its size, Cybertron's gravitational field would [[The Ultimate Doom|tear the Earth apart]] at that distance.

===Geographic discontinuities===
* The [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]] is shown to be located ''inside'' of, or at least right next to the abandoned city of [[Wikipedia:Pripyat|Pripyat]], and the human characters access it through nearby buildings. In reality, the power plant is situated on the outskirts of the city. Even worse, [[Alexi Voskhod]] ''explicitly'' says that the entrance leads through a ''school''. Who builds a ''school'' right next to a ''nuclear power plant''?
* Furthermore, Pripyat's infamous Ferris wheel as shown in the movie is not only the wrong model (the real one's passenger cabins have canopies), but the real one is also located in an open field far away from any buildings.<ref name="ferris">[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pripyat_-_Ferris_wheel.jpg Photo of the Pripyat Ferris wheel] showing the closest nearby buildings.</ref> But hey, at least it's the right color!
* Also, why exactly is the Sputnik mission case inside the Chernobyl reactor building? Did the Soviets never bother to discard the packaging of their toy after starting to play with it?
* When Megatron transforms for the first time, he's in a grassy savannah. In the next shot, he's standing in the middle of a desert... and in the establishing shot of the Decepticon camp, it's back in the savannah.
* [[wikipedia:Mount Kilimanjaro|Mount Kilimanjaro]] is seen in the background of many of the scenes in Namibia; in reality, the mountain is located in Tanzania, more than three thousand kilometers away.
[[File:DOTM-Wreckers-Prime-Cables.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Chicago's own [[knockoff]] of a prominent Chinese building.]]
* In a [[Atlantis, Arise!|fairly common cinematic contrivance]], the film depicts multiple skyscrapers in the background of many scenes set in Washington, D.C., while the real-life city has no skyscrapers.
* Also, Washington, D.C. almost entirely lacks old industrial buildings that could be converted into lofts, and likewise doesn't have the kind of densely urban streets that Sam is shown to live on.
* NEST Headquarters, supposedly in Washington, is actually Chicago's abandoned Main Post Office.
* Likewise, Dylan's auto collection museum, also set in (land-locked) Washington, is actually the Milwaukee Art Museum. [[Lake Michigan]] is even visible through the windows!
* When Optimus Prime (using his jetpack) gets himself caught in wires below an under-construction building, that building bears a striking resemblance to the [[Wikipedia: China Central Television Headquarters|China Central Television Headquarters]] in [[Beijing]], [[China]]... a far shot from [[Chicago]]. Since construction for the CCTV building was finished in 2008, long before ''Dark of the Moon'' was even ''conceived'', this appears to be an intentional instance of a "cool building" being inserted just for the sake of it.

===Continuity errors===
* Like in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Ironhide sports his [[license plate]] from the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]], "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, but doesn't have a license plate in vehicle mode. (According to set photos, his license plate in vehicle mode is mostly black, with a NEST logo on it.)
* Speaking of inconsistencies between robot and vehicle mode: Bumblebee's updated Chevrolet Camaro alternate mode no longer has pinstripes bordering his black racing stripes, but the CG robot model still has the pinstripes.
[[Image:DOTM-SoundwaveMercedesStar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9|right|Is this the reverse of hidden faction insignias in vehicle mode?]]
*Soundwave has [[kibble]] from his [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] alternate mode while he is in Africa, but his chest has only a blank grille. The Mercedes star is only added to his chest from the scene where he reveals himself to be Carly's car onward.
* After Megatron pulls out his shotgun for the first time, he holsters it on the right side of his back. In the next scene it is on his left side.
* In the highway battle scene with the [[Dread (DOTM)|Dreads]], Bumblebee enhances his front wheels to evade Hatchet, yet in the next scene he's fully in Stealth Force mode.
*When Hatchet is killed by Bumblebee and Dino, the last shot shows him being throwm onto a car (using footage recycled from Michael Bay's 2005 film ''[[Wikipedia:The Island (2005 film)|The Island]]'', as elaborated on below), with Dino's grappling hook cables still attached to Hatchet, which would imply that Dino is still in robot mode at this point. However, the very next shot shows Dino in the far background, driving behind Bumblebee in vehicle mode.
* During Ironhide and Sideswipe's "Mexican standoff" with Crankcase and Crowbar, all combatants drop their firearms, but when Ironhide is speared, his guns are on his back again. They disappear in subsequent shots.
* Despite being captured by Soundwave in her evening gown, Carly is somehow able to change into more convenient clothes (but still wearing high heels!) after arriving at Dylan's place, and has yet another outfit following the attack on Chicago the following day. Not only that, she changes her earrings, too!
* When the Autobots are boarding the ''Xantium,'' Simmons mentions that nine Autobots are leaving. Former Decepticons Wheelie and Brains apparently don't count. Poor little guys!
* The Wreckers claim they had been hiding inside a rocket booster that was jettisoned from the ''Xantium'' before Starscream destroyed it. The boosters are only seen to be detached after Starscream destroys the ship, after it has barely taken off from the ground.
* Though it's a standard action movie contrivance, it sure is convenient that the glass windows inside skyscrapers are extremely fragile when needed, and glass shards are as dangerous as bread crumbs so nobody suffers a single cut from sliding across them.
* Shortly after everyone jumps through the window and starts sliding down, a downwards shot of the building shows all of the windows behind them are intact.
* As everyone tumbles through a lower floor of the building, [[Stone]] is shown to fall right through and out the other side with a collection of office furniture, but not long after is back with Epps's squad.
* Despite the Decepticons taking over Chicago and killing a whole bunch of people, there seem to be a lot of people continuing to go about their daily lives. The skyscraper Epps's team goes into to launch a rocket from still seems to have plenty of office workers in it when the Driller attacks it. When Sam's being thrown around on the end of the grapple glove rope while fighting Starscream, he crashes through a wall into a dry-cleaning business where a woman appears to be calmly hanging up a shirt. Did they all just not get the memo?
* The sequence beginning with Sam, Carly, Epps and the rest of the soldiers jumping out of the windows of the tilted skyscraper is one giant continuity headache: First they jump out of the windows, then slide down several stories, then the camera angle changes and they're sliding down several more stories, and ''then'' a wide shot shows the top of the skyscraper from an angle where the characters cannot be seen, then slowly pans around and eventually shows them all sliding down from one of the topmosts floors all over again! Eventually, they crash back into one of the lowest floors near the break. After the Driller has toppled the top portion of the skyscraper over, the group is ''again'' shown to escape from one one of the topmost floors to the neighboring building!
* Though it is Barricade who kicks and shoves Que along before executing him, the voice heard is Soundwave's. Presumably, this was an artifact of the early alternate version of the scene, in which Soundwave was to kill Dino, and they just re-used the audio.
*While fighting the Autobots at the end of the film, Sentinel Prime's cape disappears for a brief scene before reappearing on his back when the camera angle changes.
*When Sam and Carly are reunited after the final battle, Carly's hands keep changing the position on every cut, sometimes on Sam's neck, sometimes on his shoulders.
*Not intentional: Skids and Mudflap appear for a brief few seconds in the film. This leaves questions as to what happened to them. They weren't seen departing from Earth or taking part in the Chicago battle.
*It's said that four Autobots were captured by the Decepticons in Chicago, but actually five Autobots were captured. (Unless this observation was made ''before'' Bumblebee arrived after saving Sam and Lennox)
*When Que is about to be executed, the "cardboard head on a stick" prop used for [[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] during the shooting of the movie (a common method used for the movies to give the actors ''something'' to react to) can be spotted in the final edit of the film,<ref name="headprop">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/494618-movies-errors-mirage-prop-final-movie-edit.html "Movies Errors - Mirage prop in final movie edit"] at TFW2005</ref> possibly a leftover from an earlier draft of the script where Soundwave mocked Bumblebee with Dino's disembodied head.

==Transformers references==
In addition to recurring elements from the previous films, ''Dark of the Moon'' bases a number of elements on previous versions of the ''Transformers'' mythos, including plot elements based on older stories, something fairly rare in the other two movies:
* New characters [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] are heavily based upon their Generation 1 counterparts. [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]] is derived from G1 character [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]. [[Sentinel Prime (disambiguation)|Sentinel Prime]] is the name of Optimus's predecessor in many continuities, and in this instance, he continues his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|predecessor]]'s [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|legacy]] of being a giant jerk.

* "Carly" was the name of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]'s [[Carly|girlfriend and eventual wife]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].

* The ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' gets its name from the Autobots' crashed spaceship in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''Transformers'' comics]].

* The ''[[Xantium (G1)|Xantium]]'' is the name of the [[Wrecker]]s' spaceship in the [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''Transformers'' comics.

* [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]] and [[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]] being members of the Wreckers recalls their original G1 counterparts being likewise part of the Wreckers.

* Optimus's new trailer is based on the trailer that [[Optimus Prime (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]] hauled around, including its ability to open up into a weapons base.

* Optimus now carries the Matrix around in his chest as he has in past incarnations.

* The corrosive end met by Ironhide comes at the hands of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]], the oxidizing pathogen that first appeared in the Generation 1 cartoon episode [[Cosmic Rust (episode)|of the same name]]. Though not named in the film, its identity is made clear by production artwork by [[Josh Nizzi]] which labels Sentinel Prime's gun a "Cosmic Rust gun".

* Megatron removing [[Abraham Lincoln]] from his chair at the [[wikipedia:Lincoln Memorial|Lincoln Memorial]] and then sitting in it is a scene taken directly from the Generation 1 cartoon episode, "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]", and the Decepticon ending for ''[[Transformers The Game]]'' (sort of).

* The idea of bringing Cybertron to Earth via space bridge and enslaving humans was the plot of the Generation 1 multi-part episode "[[The Ultimate Doom]]."

* Likewise, the idea of an influential and powerful human joining forces with the Decepticons, resulting in the Autobots being exiled from Earth by the government via a spacecraft, only for that spacecraft to be destroyed, was the plot behind another Generation 1 cartoon multi-part episode, "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1|Megatron's Master Plan]]."

* Megatron's first line - a weary "[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All hail Megatron]]" - is the title of IDW's direction-changing comic maxi-series, which had just wrapped up when production on the film was beginning.

* When the worker at Accureta Systems is trying to make the [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|photocopier]] work, it beeps the "more than meets the eye" refrain from the original cartoon's [[theme song]].

* The [[Transformation#The noise|transformation noise]] can be heard at the end of the film when Bumblebee transforms to robot mode, the final onscreen transformation, just as it was heard during [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout's]] transformation, which was also the first onscreen transformation in the first film.

==Real-world references==
* When Brains and Wheelie are watching ''[[Wikipedia: Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek: The Original Series]]'', the screen features [[Spock|Mr. Spock]], portrayed by Leonard Nimoy—who voices Sentinel Prime. Wheelie comments that it is "the one where Spock goes nuts," which foreshadows Sentinel's heel turn. The episode itself is the famous ''TOS'' episode "[[Wikipedia: Amok Time|Amok Time]]", although for some inexplicable reason, the first of the two clips shown on-screen is ''mirrored''.

* Sentinel Prime says "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." The voice actor said the same line in the 1982 film ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' as Mr. Spock. However, in that movie, Nimoy's character dies a hero.

* To finish the Spock trifecta, when Bumblebee says his goodbyes to Sam, he uses a clip of Leonard Nimoy, as Spock, saying "I will always be your friend," another line from ''Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan''.

* [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] and his fake girlfriend's name, "India", are a reference to [[Wikipedia:Dutch India|Dutch India]].

* [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]'s name is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Q (James Bond)|Q]] from ''[[Wikipedia:James Bond|James Bond]]'' novels and films. Que also gives weapons to NEST soldiers while explaining the advantages and abilities for the weapons much like Q does for James Bond.

* When Bumblebee brings forth "rings" for Sam and Carly, he "hums" the [[Wikipedia: Wedding March|Wedding March]] (or, more correctly, the [[Wikipedia: Bridal Chorus|Bridal Chorus]] from [[Wikipedia: Richard Wagner|Richard Wagner's]] 1850 opera ''[[Wikipedia: Lohengrin (opera)|Lohengrin]]'').
*Before Sentinel gets attacked by Megatron, he quotes "There can only be one" from the film Highlander. Sentinel is also modeled after one of the film's lead stars Sean Connery.

==Other editions==

==Prequel material==
*''[[Transformers: Sector 7]]''
*''[[Transformers: Foundation]]''
*''[[Transformers: Rising Storm]]''
*''[[Transformers: Convergence]]''
*''[[Transformers: Jazz]]''
*''[[Transformers: Space Case]]''
*''[[Transformers: Ratchet]]''
*''[[Transformers: Arcee]]''
*''[[Transformers: Bumblebee]]''
*''[[Transformers: Starscream]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Stealth Force Edition]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Autobots/Decepticons]]''
*''[[Transformers (Titan Magazine)#Dark of the Moon|Transformers (Titan Magazine)]]''
*''[[Transformers Classified: Switching Gears]]''

==Adaptations==
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]]''

==Soundtrack==
{{main|Dark of the Moon: The Album}}

==Score==
{{main|Dark of the Moon: The Score}}

==Home video releases==
''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' was released on DVD, Blu-Ray, and Digital Download on September 30, 2011, followed by the 2-Disc Special Edition in December.<ref>[TFW2005 - Official Transformers Movie Website Updated With Transformers 3 Home Release Info http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/official-transformers-movie-website-updated-with-transformers-3-home-release-info-173245/]</ref>
===Additional Information===
{{collist|
* Close Captions in English
* Audio Description as Audio Description in English <ref>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005G4TJUC/audiodescriin-20</ref>|collist}}

==Theatrical posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
File:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
File:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
File:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
File:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Reception==
On June 23, 2011, the world premiere of ''Dark of the Moon'' was held in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]], with band [[Linkin Park]] performing a concert that included their title song for the movie, "Iridescent".

The official release date was moved up from July 1 to June 29 to allow breathing room between its release and ''[[Wikipedia:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]''. On June 28, 2011, the film was released in 3D and IMAX at 9pm in the US. Some theaters cheated a little and showed it at 8:45.

''Dark of the Moon'' launched with nearly 10,000 copies in 4011 theaters nationwide. On its opening day, the movie earned $37.3 million, making not only for the best opening day of 2011 up to that point, but also ranking as the sixth most successful opening on a Wednesday ever, while at the same time ranking well behind ''Revenge of the Fallen'', with $60 million on its opening day (also a Wednesday).<ref name="openingday">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3197&p=.htm "'Transformers' Suboptimal on Wednesday"], Box Office Mojo, June 2011.</ref> (Of course, a lot of the print material still listed the release date as [[July 1]]st, the following Friday.)

On [[August 2]], it crossed the $1 billion mark in worldwide gross, just under 5 weeks after its release, landing it in the #9 spot for worldwide gross of all time.<ref>http://www.deadline.com/2011/08/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-crosses-1-billion-worldwide-mark-for-paramount/ Deadline Hollywood</ref> Of that, $338 million came from the US. It is currently the only Paramount picture to have made the $1 billion mark. (While ''Titanic'' also made over $1 billion worldwide, it was only a Paramount movie ''domestically'', where it made "only" $620 million.)

''Dark of the Moon'' ended its theatrical run in the #4 spot for highest worldwide gross of all time.

''Dark of the Moon'' was nominated for three Academy Awards, in the categories of Best Visual Effects, Sound Editing, and Sound Mixing, losing all to ''[[wikipedia: Hugo (film)|Hugo]]''.<ref>[http://oscar.go.com/nominees#t Official 2012 Oscar nominees page]</ref>

On February 25, 2012, it was announced that ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' was nominated for eight [[Wikipedia:Golden Raspberry Award|Golden Raspberry Award]]s. Unlike ''Revenge of the Fallen'', however, it did not receive the awards for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, & Worst Director, losing all of its nominations to ''[[wikipedia: Jack & Jill (film)|Jack & Jill]]''.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-is-safe-from-razzies-174726/]</ref>

==Production staff==
{{stub}}

===Visual effects===
{{stub}}

===Locations department===
{{quote|[The Decepticons'] decision to attack Chicago<ref>http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-471495</ref> seems inexplicable, until you take into consideration the generous tax credits offered by the Illinois Film Office.|film critic Roger Ebert|[http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2011/07/on_the_origin_of_transformers.html On the Origin of Transformers]}}

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
[[File:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'', [[DreamWorks]] announced that two sequels were already being planned.<ref name="spy">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a58430/two-transformers-sequels-in-pipeline.html Digital Spy article from May 2007, confirming that two sequels were being planned]</ref> On March 16, 2009, over three months before the premiere of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] announced the third movie for July 1, 2011.<ref name="3release">Pamela McClintock: [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001280?refCatId=13 Variety article from March 2009], confirming Transformers 3 for July 2011.</ref> Director [[Michael Bay]] promptly backpedaled, as he had intended for the third ''Transformers'' movie to be released in 2012.<ref name="baywait">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?3947-Wait-a-minute! Michael Bay's reaction to Paramount's July 2011 date for ''Transformers 3''], March 2009.</ref> He officially changed his mind in October 2009, agreeing to the release date set by Paramount.<ref name="bay3-2011">[http://michaelbay.com/2009/10/01/transformers-3-july-1st-2011/ Michael Bay officially confirms the 2011 release date], October 2009.</ref>

[[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], two of the previous two movies' screenwriters, had already announced in March 2009 that they would not return for a third part.<ref name="noorcikurtz">[http://www.slashfilm.com/orci-and-kurtzman-not-returning-for-transformers-3-will-leonard-nimoy-voice-the-fallen/ Slashfilm quoting Roberto Orci that he and Kurtzman would not return for a third movie], March 2009. (Original post on Don Murphy's message board appears to no longer exist.)</ref> In September 2009, their ''Revenge'' co-writer [[Ehren Kruger]] was confirmed as the screenwriter of ''Transformers 3''.<ref name="krugernelson">[http://michaelbay.com/2009/09/14/transformers-3-pain-gain-bad-boys-3/ Michael Bay's website admin Nelson Lauren sorta-confirms Ehren Kruger as TF3's screenwriter], September 2009.</ref> Kruger had already impressed both director Michael Bay and [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] with his knowledge of ''Transformers'' mythology prior to working on ''Revenge''.<ref name="writersr">[http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/zap-transformers2writers,0,1938976.story Zap2it story about the ROTF writers]</ref>

In an interview with ''Wonderland'' magazine in September 2009, [[Megan Fox]], the main female star of the previous two movies, discussed the harsh conditions on the sets and compared director Michael Bay to [[Wikipedia:Adolf Hitler|Adolf Hitler]].<ref name="latimesfox">[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2009/09/megan-fox-on-michael-bay-he-wants-to-be-hitler.html Los Angeles Times article about Megan Fox's fatal interview with ''Wonderland'' magazine], September 2009.</ref> Bay initially played down the affair and still welcomed Fox back for the third installment a month later.<ref name="bay3-2011"/> Even though Fox was still spotted on the ''Transformers 3'' set in May 2010,<ref name="foxonset">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/100786-megan-fox-on-set-for-transformers-3-previz Megan Fox on the DOTM set], May 2010.</ref> Paramount announced a few weeks later that she wouldn't return for a third movie after all.<ref name="nomorefox">[http://www.deadline.com/2010/05/michael-bays-revenge-no-more-megan/ Deadline article confirming that Megan Fox had been dropped off ''Transformers 3''], May 2010.</ref> Still that same month, [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] was confirmed to replace her as the lead female actress.<ref name="rosierepl">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1640047/model-rosie-huntingtonwhiteley-cast-transformers-3.jhtml MTV.com article confirming Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as the new female star of ''Transformers ''], May 2010.</ref> Her character's name was confirmed as "[[Carly Spencer|Carly]]" by Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, in July 2010.<ref name="nelsonchicagojul">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7566-Transformers-3-Chicago-Set-Photos Nelson posts about his visit to the Chicago set at shootfortheedit.com's forums], July 2010.</ref> In 2011, Michael Bay finally confirmed in an interview with ''GQ'' magazine that it had been [[Steven Spielberg]], executive producer of the ''Transformers'' movies, who had urged him to fire Fox following the Hitler comparison.<ref name="baygq">[http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201107/michael-bay-steven-spielberg-fired-megan-fox-transformers GQ interview with Michael Bay], June 2011.</ref> In a later interview, however, he claimed this statement had been taken out of context.<ref name="baych">[http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/kultur/kino/Diese-Autos-muessen-zerstoert-werden--und-da-bin-ich-der-richtige-Mann/story/23997460 Interview with Michael Bay from Switzerland] (German language), July 2011.</ref>

In March 2010, Oscar winners [[John Malkovich]] and [[Frances McDormand]] as well as Comedian [[Ken Jeong]] were confirmed having signed on for supporting roles.<ref name="malkomcdor">[http://michaelbay.com/2010/03/22/transformers-3-update-from-michael-bay/ Michael Bay confirming John Malkovich, Frances McDormand and Ken Jeong for ''Transformers 3''], March 2010.</ref>

In April 2010, [[Kevin Dunn]] and [[Julie White]] were confirmed as returning as Sam Witwicky's parents.<ref name="varietydunnwhite">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017329.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 'Dunn, White sign on for 'Transformers 3''], Variety, April 2010.</ref>

In May 2010, Paramount confirmed that [[Patrick Dempsey]] has been cast in ''Transformers 3'' to play Mikaela Banes' boss (this was before Megan Fox was fired from the production).<ref name="dempsey">[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/05/04/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-transformers-3/ "Patrick Dempsey confirmed for Transformers 3"], Hollywood Insider, May 2010.</ref>

In July 2010, Nelson Lauren confirmed that former American footballer [[Lester Speight]] would play a soldier in the movie.<ref name="nelsonchicagophotos">[http://michaelbay.com/2010/07/20/transformers-3-chicago-set-photos/ Photos of the Chicago set by michaelbay.com webmaster Nelson Lauren], July 2010.</ref>

[[Leonard Nimoy]] was confirmed as the voice actor for [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] in March 2011.<ref name="nimoysent">[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon Entertainment Weekly announces Leonard Nimoy's involvement], March 2011]</ref> Nimoy, who had previously voiced [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] in 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and was married to Michael Bay's cousin Susan, had previously been under consideration for [[The Fallen]]'s voice in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', but Bay had been hesitant for fear of offending his relative with the relatively low pay allotted to voice actors.<ref name="nimoy1">[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/04/21/michael-bay-afraid-to-offend-leonard-nimoy-with-transformers-family-reunion-offer/ ''Michael Bay Afraid To Offend Leonard Nimoy With ‘Transformers’ Family Reunion Offer''], MTV.com Movies blog, April 2009.</ref> Even though Nimoy openly asked Bay to simply give him a call,<ref name="nimoy2">[http://www.latinoreview.com/news/leonard-nimoy-to-michael-bay-call-me-6682 Leonard Nimoy To Michael Bay: "Call Me!"], Latino Review, April 2009.</ref> it ultimately never worked out, and The Fallen was voiced by [[Tony Todd]] instead. For ''Dark of the Moon'', Bay finally overcame his anxiety and hired Nimoy, who accepted the offer.<ref name="nimoy3">[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ "Leonard Nimoy joins 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' voice cast -- EXCLUSIVE"], Entertainment Weekly, March 2011.</ref> In return, screenwriter Ehren Kruger included several nods to Nimoy's well-known character as Mr. Spock from ''[[Star Trek]]'' in the movie.<ref name="nimoystartrek">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666643/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-star-trek-references.jhtml "'Transformers: Dark Of The Moon': Behind The 'Star Trek' Nods"], MTV.com, July 2011.</ref> ''Dark of the Moon'' would be Nimoy's final performance in the ''Transformers'' franchise before his death in early 2015.

===Writing and production===
After having defended the almost universally critically panned ''Revenge of the Fallen'' for a long time, Michael Bay finally acknowledged flaws of the script, but blamed the [[Wikipedia:2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike|2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]] prior to the movie for many problems. As a definite error, he singled out the "dork comedy", which he promised to avoid with ''Dark of the Moon''.<ref name="bayvisit">[http://collider.com/michael-bay-interview-transformers-dark-moon-edit-bay-visit/63824/ Collider.com article about DOTM], December 2010.</ref>

Principal shooting began in May 2010. Shooting locations included [[Chicago]] (and nearby East Chicago and Gary Indiana), Moscow,<ref name="locations">[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=63682 "Transformers 3 Headed to Chicago and Moscow"], Comingsoon.net, February 2010.</ref> the [[Kennedy Space Center]] in Florida,<ref name="kennedyspace">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/101114-the-transformers-3-shoot-at-kennedy-space-center "The Transformers 3 Shoot at Kennedy Space Center"], SuperHeroHype.com, May 2010.</ref> Milwaukee (Wisconsin),<ref name="milwaukee">[http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/movies/98266574.html "'Transformers 3' takes over Milwaukee Art Museum"], Journal Sentinel Online, July 2010.</ref> Detroit,<ref name="detroit">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/107775-photos-from-the-detroit-transformers-3-set "Photos From the Detroit Transformers 3 Set"], SuperHeroHype.com, September 2010.</ref> [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="militaryextras">[http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=473674758199&id=114648515718 US Department of Defense casting call for ''Dark of the Moon''], October 2010.</ref> and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.<ref name="angkor">[http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=1184 "'Transformers 3' To Be Shot in Cambodia"], Agence Kampuchea Presse, January 2011.</ref>

For the scene where Lennox and his soldier jump out of a V-22 Osprey using wingsuits, Michael Bay used real parachutists and thus avoided unnecessary CG effects. In fact, he had been inspired for this scene in the first place by watching the parachutists in their wingsuits on television<ref name="wingsuits">[http://blog.movies.yahoo.com/blog/1498-transformers-wingsuits-no-cgi-required Yahoo! Movies article on the wingsuit parachutists], June 2011.</ref> and wrote the scene with the intention of using the parachutists in the movie.<ref name="bayvisit"/>

For the Apollo 11 moon landing mission in the flashback sequence at the beginning of the movie, astronauts [[Neil Armstrong]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] are played by actors Don Jeanes and Cory Tucker, respectively. In the present day timeline, Aldrin himself appears briefly as his own older self.<ref name="aldrin">[http://movies.yahoo.com/news/yahoo-contributor-network/astronaut-buzz-aldrin-hangs-out-with-optimus-prime-transformers-dark-moon Yahoo! Movies article on Buzz Aldrin's appearance in DOTM], July 2011.</ref>

Over 500 cars were destroyed in the making of ''Dark of the Moon'', all of them damaged property from insurance companies intended for destruction.<ref name="baych"/>
[[Image:ROTFvsDOTMUSNavyHollenbeck.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|right|Wherever General Morshower goes, I go.]]

Two accidents happened during shooting: In September 2010, while shooting in East Chicago, Indiana, a female extra was severely injured when a stunt scene went wrong, leaving her with permanent brain damage, the left side of her body paralyzed and her left eye stitched shut. Paramount was subsequently sued for damages by the victim's family.<ref name="extrastunt">[http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-10-05/news/ct-met-transformers-lawsuit-20101005_1_gabriela-cedillo-stunt-welding Chicago tibune article on the injured extra and the subsequent lawsuit], October 2010.</ref> She was eventually granted an $18.5 million settlement in May 2012.<ref name="settlement">[http://www.tmz.com/2012/05/23/transfomers-3-injured-extra-gets-18-million-settlement/ TMZ story about Gabriela Cedillo's settlement]</ref> As a consequence, part of the scene of the car chase battle in Washington, D.C. (which would have included the shoot that had led to the accident) was instead "[[Stock footage|borrowed]]" from Michael Bay's 2005 film ''[[Wikipedia:The Island (2005 film)|The Island]]''.<ref name="island1">[http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/04/transformers-3-re-uses-car-crash-from-the-island "Transformers 3 Re-Uses Car Crash From The Island"], IGN Movies, July 2011.</ref> While shooting in Washington, D.C., in October 2010, one of the Chevrolet Camaro prop cars that served as Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] crashed into a [[Wikipedia: Metropolitan Police|Metropolitan Police]] SUV. Nobody was seriously injured this time, though Bumblebee sustained severe front-end damage.<ref name="camarocrash">[http://jalopnik.com/5661321/bumblebee-smashes-cop-car-in-yet-another-transformers-3-accident Jalopnik article on the Camaro crash], October 2010.</ref> Hasbro would later "commemorate" this latter event with the [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] [[Cyberverse]] "Cybertronian Warriors Pack". Fans, meanwhile, joked that the SUV was Barricade getting revenge.

Another (brief) instance of recycled footage occurs during the Chicago battle: When the Navy fires several Tomahawks at the Decepticons, the mission control room scene was previously used to depict the interior of the [[USS Kidd]] in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. The most obvious similarity is the [[Hollenbeck|same operator]] saying "Target acquired" both times.<ref name="recycled">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=6tSMdR8vH0s Youtube video] featuring brief clips from ''Dark of the Moon'' and ''Revenge of the Fallen'', highlighting the recycled footage.</ref>

''Dark of the Moon'' is the first of the ''Transformers'' movies to be released in 3D. Despite early considerations to shoot the movie in 2D and convert it into 3D later, Michael Bay ultimately shot 60% of the film in native 3D, another 15% were done digitally, and the rest was shot in 2D and converted later. [[James Cameron]] assisted Michael Bay with the 3D effects. The movie's budget amounted to $195 million, which is about the same budget ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had. About $30 million went into the 3D effects.<ref name="cameron">[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bay-reveals-james-camerons-191774 "Michael Bay Reveals James Cameron's Secret Role in the Making of 'Transformers'"], The Hollywood Reporter, May 2011.</ref>

=== Sponsors and partners ===
==== Hasbro ====
Hasbro, licensor of the [[Transformers brand]], hoped that the third movie would once again boost toy sales, after profits had dropped in the first quarter of 2011.<ref name="hasbroq12011">[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Hasbro-1Q-profit-drops-71-pct-apf-664090076.html?x=0&.v=11 Yahoo! Finance article about weak Hasbro toy sales in 2011's first quarter], April 2011.</ref> For the second quarter of 2011, Hasbro reported a net revenue growth of 23 percent to $908.5 million, citing brands such as ''Transformers'' and ''Beyblade'' as the main sources of the increased income.<ref name="hasbro2nsq">[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Hasbro-Reports-Revenue-and-bw-4063497156.html?x=0&.v=1 "Hasbro Reports Revenue and Earnings Growth for the Second Quarter 2011"], Yahoo! Finance, July 2011.</ref>

==== US military and NASA ====
Like the previous two movies, ''Dark of the Moon'' featured real military personnel as extras, supported by the [[United States Department of Defense]].<ref name="militaryextras"/> Shooting locations were Hurlburt Field and [[Edwards Air Force Base]].<ref name="hurlburt">[http://www.shadowspear.com/special-operations-entertainment/105725-transformers-filmed-at-hurlburt.html "'Transformers 3 Filmed at Hurlburt, 1SOW Included as 'Extras'"], ShadowSpear Special Operations, July 2011.</ref>

In addition, ''Dark of the Moon'' was also supported by NASA, and NASA employees appear as extras in the movie as well.<ref name="nasa">[http://www.space.com/12142-transformers-film-nasa-space-program-touches.html "'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' Has Real-Life NASA Touches"], Space.com, July 2011.</ref>

==== General Motors and other car manufacturers ====
[[General Motors]] once again provided several vehicles. All recurring Autobots retain their [[alternate mode]]s from ''Revenge of the Fallen'' despite some minor tweaks, such as Sideswipe now being a convertible, and Bumblebee now sporting a rear spoiler. Once again, the cooperation was mutual, with General Motors using Bumblebee for TV commercials. The first of those, aired during the 2011 Super Bowl, also revealed some minor tweaks to Bumblebee's robot mode.<ref name="bumblebeead1">[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/02/-bumblebee-appears-in-a-chevrolet-camaro-super-bowl-ad/1 "'Bumblebee' appears in Chevrolet's Super Bowl ad"], USA Today, February 2011.</ref><ref name="bumblebeead2">[http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/06/chevy-drops-new-ad-touting-transformers-3-tie-in/ "Video: Chevy drops new ad touting Transformers 3 tie-in"], Autoblog.com, June 2011.</ref> According to Chevrolet, the ''Transformers'' movies notably affect car sales, as about ten percent of all Camaros sold in the preceding year were yellow, twice as many as with other models.<ref name="carstarscast">[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/transformers-dark-moon-how-sequels-204557 "'Transformers: Dark of the Moon': How the Sequel's Star Cars Were Cast"], The Hollywood Reporter, June 2011.</ref>

New additions for ''Dark of the Moon'' are a Ferrari 458 Italia and a Mercedes-Benz E550 as Autobots ([[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]], respectively) and a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG as a Decepticon ([[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]). In the movie, both Autobots sport names which aren't recycled from existing Hasbro toys. In the Ferrari's case, the reason for this is that Hasbro's greatest competitor, Mattel, has an exclusive license for Ferrari toys.<ref name="ferrarimattel">[http://www.ferrari.com/English/Pages/Mattel.aspx Mattel license information], Ferrari.com.</ref><ref name="nelsonnomirage">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/409844-mirage-no-longer-name-red-italia-dotm-3.html#post6103423 Michael Bay's website admin, Nelson Lauren, explaining why the Ferrari isn't named "Mirage"], TFW2005, May 2011.</ref> "Dino" is named in reference to [[Wikipedia: Alfredo Ferrari|Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari]], as per Ferrari's request. The Mercedes-Benz E550, meanwhile, was specifically customized for the movie.<ref name="e550tuning">[http://www.eurotuner.com/news/eurp_1102_mercedes_benz_e550_for_next_transformers_movie/index.html "Mercedes-Benz E550 for Next Transformers Movie - Web Exclusive"], Eurotuner.com, February 2011.</ref> "Que" is named in homage to [[Wikipedia:Q (James Bond)|Q]] from [[Wikipedia:James Bond|James Bond]]. A Maybach 62S Landaulet is also featured in the movie, albeit not as a Transformer, but merely as a regular car used by [[Seymour Simmons]] and his assistant [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]].

Unlike Optimus Prime, whose alternate mode was not licensed for any of the three movies, the Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck used for [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] was officially provided by the Rosenbauer International AG and entirely repainted specifically for the film, at a cost of thousands of dollars, as real-world aircraft fire-fighting vehicles are required by FAA regulations to have a much lighter color scheme, which didn't appeal to director [[Michael Bay]].<ref name="rosenbauer">[http://www.rosenbaueramerica.com/press/2011/06/rosenbauer-panther-6x6-to-be-f/ Rosenbauer America press release, June 28, 2011]</ref>

Since the heavily armed Chevrolet Impalas that serve as the [[Wrecker|Wreckers']] alternate modes are directly based on existing NASCAR race cars, the prop versions of [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]], and [[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]] made an appearance at [[2011]] Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on [[February 20]], four month before the movie's release, appearing both off the track as display cars, and on the track, participating in the ceremonial first lap.<ref name="daytona">[http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/photos/2011/02/18/TRANSFORMERS-cars-on-display-at-Daytona "'TRANSFORMERS' cars on display at Daytona"], Hendrick Motorsports, February 2011.</ref> Director Michael Bay, actor [[Josh Duhamel]] and actress [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] also attended the event, and during the television broadcast of the race, a new ''Dark of the Moon'' television spot was aired.

==== Other product placement ====
As always, various companies have their products and names prominently displayed throughout the movie, such as [[Wikipedia:Northrop Grumman|Northrop Grumman]], [[CNN]], [[Fox News Channel|Fox News]], [[Wikipedia:Cisco|Cisco]] and [[Wikipedia:Superfund|Superfund]].<ref name="brands1">[http://www.brandchannel.com/brandcameo_films.asp?movie_year_az=2011 "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"] at brandchannel.com.</ref> Paper manufacturer Double A also cooperated with Paramount and even had Michael Bay direct a commercial that features scenes from ''Dark of the Moon'', notably [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]].<ref name="paper">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/167497-transformers-featured-in-double-a-paper-ad "Transformers Featured in Double A Paper Ad"] at SuperHeroHype, June 2011.</ref> Of particular note is the large number of Chinese brands such as [[Wikipedia:Lenovo|Lenovo]], [[Wikipedia:Yili Group|Yili]] Shuhua Milk, [[Wikipedia:Metersbonwe Group|Metersbonwe]] Mtee shirts and [[Wikipedia:TCL Corporation|TCL]] HDTV screens.<ref name="chinesebrands">[http://advertising.chinasmack.com/2011/transformers-the-rise-of-chinese-product-placement.html "Transformers: The Rise Of Chinese Product Placement"] at Chinasmack.</ref><ref name="brands2">[http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2011/07/05/Brandcameo-070411-Transformers-3.aspx "Transformers 3 Product Placement: If Tom Hanks Gets a Pass, Michael Bay Does Not"] at brandchannel, July 2011.</ref>

For [[Nokia]], the product placement turned out to be dated by the time the movie came out, as a mobile phone featured in the movie ran on [[Wikipedia:Symbian|Symbian]], despite Nokia mostly dropping Symbian as an operating system due to their recent partnership with [[Wikipedia:Microsoft|Microsoft]].<ref name="nokiaobit">[http://www.thenoisecast.com/2011/07/nokia-x7-product-placement-in-transformers-3-feels-like-an-obituary/ "Nokia X7 Product Placement In Transformers 3 Feels Like An Obituary"], Noisecast, July 2011.</ref>

=== Changes before, during and after production ===
* In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in June 2009, Michael Bay suggested that [[Ramon Rodriguez]] would reprise his role as [[Leo Spitz]] from ''Revenge of the Fallen'' for the third movie.<ref name="bayramon">[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2009/06/30/ramon-rodriguez-will-have-bigger-role-in-third-transformers-movie-bay-hints/ "Ramon Rodriguez will have bigger role in third ‘Transformers’ movie, Bay hints"], Los Angeles Times, June 2009.</ref>

* As stated above, [[Megan Fox]] was originally intended to reprise her role as [[Mikaela Banes]] from the previous two movies. She was still spotted on the ''Dark of the Moon'' set during the previsualization stage in May 2010,<ref name="foxonset"/> but was fired from the production shortly afterwards due to a falling out with director [[Michael Bay]]. [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]]'s character of [[Carly Spencer]] was written in as a replacement, though the fact that her part was originally written for Mikaela still shows in some parts: For example, Carly is overseeing [[Dylan Gould|Dylan]]'s car collection, which could be viewed as an extension of Mikaela's history with working with cars. Furthermore, Sam and Carly not only have [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] (who had been previously "domesticated" by Mikaela) as a "pet", but also her dog [[Bonecrusher (dog)|Bonecrusher]] (played by Michael Bay's eponymous real-life dog).

[[File:DOTM Skids, Mudflap, Que and Sideswipe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Eat this, Megan Fox.]]
*In January 2010, actor James Avery claimed in an interview that he would be playing a new Autobot named "Silverbolt".<ref name="avery">[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136 James Avery interview on Unscripted], January 2010</ref> In June 2010, representatives of James Avery, responding to a bizarre rumor that he had passed away, confirmed that the actor was indeed alive and would be playing Silverbolt in ''Transformers 3''.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/entertainment-in-national/uncle-phil-james-avery-isn-t-dead-after-all James Avery isn't dead after all], The Examiner, June 2010.</ref> Despite this, neither Avery nor Silverbolt ultimately appear in ''Dark of the Moon''.

* In January 2011, an Idaho newspaper<ref>[http://magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story "Rupert's Fagerbakke finds a voice that is truly golden"]</ref> announced voice actor [[Bill Fagerbakke]] as the voice of a "Chevy Impala stock car" that would appear in ''Dark of the Moon'' (presumably meaning one of the three [[Wrecker]]s, who share that base altmode). Why Fagerbakke did not end up voicing any of the Wreckers in the final cut of the film is unknown.

* Shockwave's original voice actor, [[Corey Burton]], expressed that he had no interest in voicing him for ''Dark of the Moon'', explaining "[I] have practically no interest in that kind of mega-budget movie enterprise involvement" and that the inspiration for his Shockwave voice, [[wikipedia:David Warner (actor)|David Warner]], was rumored to have been considered.<ref>[http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight=#2707 Corey Burton's message board post.]</ref> In the end, Shockwave's almost-entirely-wordless-snarl-based role would have been something of a waste of Warner; the role ultimately went to Frank Welker. There's a nice touch of symmetry in the casting, with Welker taking over a Burton-originated role not long after Burton took on a Welker-originated character in [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' Megatron]].

* In an earlier draft of the movie's script, Megatron is sincere when he offers Optimus Prime a truce at the end. Optimus accepts, and Megatron and the remaining Decepticons leave Earth to rebuild Cybertron. This ending is used for the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation|comic adaptation]]. According to Michael Bay's website administrator Nelson, the ending was changed because the studio didn't want the adaptations to share the same ending with the film.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/members/nelson-47919.html#vmessage284191</ref>

* Furthermore, it was originally supposed to be [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage/"Dino"]] rather than [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack/"Que"]] who would have been executed by [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] in Chicago. This version made it into the comic adaptation and the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel|junior novelization]].

[[File:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Colour me your colour, baby Colour me your car Colour me your colour, darling I know who you are]]
* Another scrapped death for Mirage is seen in the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]], in where he's decapicated by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. His severed head is subsequently used by Soundwave to mock the Autobots before they are about to get executed.

* A scrapped death for Wheeljack/"Que" involved the Autobot being run off of a Chicago street and into a river by the [[Driller]], where he would have been torn to pieces by Decepticon troopers lying in wait in the river.

* [[The Twins]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], were originally supposed to return for ''Dark of the Moon'', and to die at the hands of Sentinel Prime shortly after Ironhide. Even though [[General Motors]] provided two Chevrolet Sparks to serve as their alternate modes<ref name="chevyspark">[http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-spark-transformers-3.html Left Lane News article on two Chevrolet Sparks spotted on the DOTM set], May 2010.</ref> which were still spotted on the set as late as October 2010,<ref name="dcparking">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/10/transformers-3-dc-parking-lot-gallery.html "Transformers 3 DC Parking Lot Gallery"], Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, October 2010.</ref> the two were mostly edited out of the final movie (their vehicle modes can barely be glimpsed in a few brief shots). Michael Bay even went so far as to offer a $25,000 reward for anyone who would see the Twins "perform" in the movie.<ref name="reward">[http://collider.com/transformers-3-twins-skids-mudflap-michael-bay/91104/ Collider.com article on Michael Bay's "reward" for spotting Skids and Mudflap "perform" in DOTM], May 2011.</ref> In the novelization and the comic adaptation, Skids and Mudflap still appear.

* Another plot point that was apparently dropped was an anti-Autobot sentiment among the human populace. Graffiti with a crossed out Autobot [[insignia|logo]] with the words "go home" below it showed up in several set photos.<ref name="gohome1">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/05/transformers-3-filming-with-twins.html Photos from the set in Sherman Oaks, California] at the Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, May 2010.</ref><ref name="gohome2">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/possible-tf3-plot-point-revealed-autobots-go-home/19188/ Photos from the Chicago set] at Seibertron.com, July 2010.</ref> In the movie, Congress instantly passes a law exiling the Autobots from Earth following Sentinel Prime's ultimatum.

* Early working names included "[[Ultra Magnus (disambiguation)|Ultra Magnus]]" for [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]],<ref name="chicagocall">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2011/06/chicgo-call-sheet-for-ultra-magnus.html "Chicago Call Sheet For Ultra Magnus"], Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, June 2011.</ref> "Enzo" (after [[Wikipedia:Enzo Ferrari|Enzo Ferrari]])<ref name="callsheet2">[http://tilallaremine.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/dark-of-the-moon-call-sheets/ Dark of the Moon Call Sheets!] at Til All Are Mine blog, July 2011.</ref> and "Rush" for Mirage/"Dino", "[[Warpath (disambiguation)|Warpath]]" for both [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]] and [[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]], "Tempest" for Topspin, "[[Flash (disambiguation)|Flash]]" for [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]], "[[Dreadwind (disambiguation)|Dreadwind]]" for [[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]], "[[Hooligan (disambiguation)|Hooligan]]" for [[Crowbar]], "[[Dirtbag]]" for [[Hatchet]], "[[Blitzwing (disambiguation)|Blitzwing]]" for [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], "[[Breakdown (disambiguation)|Breakdown]]" for Soundwave's new vehicular design, "[[Clench (G1)|Colossus]]" for the [[Driller]],<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref> "Buzzard" for [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], "[[Undermine (disambiguation)|Undermine]]" for [[Igor]] and "[[Steeljaw (disambiguation)|Steeljaw]]" for Wheeljack/"Que". However, it's quite possible a few of these were code names used to keep character identities a secret during production as images of Megatron's new cloak obscured face refer to the character as "[[Cyclonus (disambiguation)|Cyclonus]]".<ref name="wburt">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt DOTM concepts.]</ref>

* Roadbuster was originally intended to have [[Wikipedia:Jeff Gordon|Jeff Gordon]]'s #24 [[Wikipedia:DuPont|DuPont]]-sponsored Chevrolet Impala as his alternate mode, rather than [[Wikipedia:Dale Earnhardt, Jr.|Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]'s #88 Impala sponsored by [[Wikipedia:AMP Energy|AMP Energy]].<ref name="nizzi"/>

[[File:DOTMSuperBowlvsTrailer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|So does this qualify as a retcon?]]
* Que/Wheeljack's head was once considered to be based on [[Wikipedia:Christopher Lloyd|Christopher Lloyd]]'s [[Wikipedia:Emmett Brown|Doc Brown]] from the [[Wikipedia:Back to the Future trilogy|''Back to the Future'' movies]], rather than [[Wikipedia:Albert Einstein|Albert Einstein]].<ref name="wburt"/>

* The Wreckers were originally intended to have a robot pet dog, whose working names also included "Warpath".<ref name="nizzi"/> Hasbro released a toy of the dog with the [[Human Alliance]] version of Leadfoot, named "[[Steeljaw (DOTM)|Steeljaw]]".

* Megatron was originally supposed to appear in his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' form.<ref>http://joshnizzi.com/images/TF3/JoshNizzi_TF3_56.jpg</ref>

* In an interview with MTV.com, actors [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[John Malkovich]] hinted at some smaller scenes that were cut from the final edit of the movie. In addition to some add-libbing by the actors, one scene would have featured Malkovich's character, [[Bruce Brazos]], attempting to get Carly's phone number.<ref name="deletedmtv">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666772/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-dvd-deleted-scenes.jhtml MTV.com on deleted scenes], July 2011.</ref>

* In the original teaser trailer for ''Dark of the Moon'' that was released in December 2010, the opening scene that featured [[Neil Armstrong]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] investigate the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' on the moon had Sentinel Prime sport a gold and silver color scheme. For the final movie, his base color was changed to red.

* Similar to the teaser trailer, the Super Bowl spot also features footage that contains unfinished CG effects. Most notably, the shot that depicts Optimus Prime, equipped with his flight pack, swooping down on the Decepticons before starting his epic rampage on the ground was changed by the time the first full trailer was released: Optimus himself and the nameless [[M1 Abrams Decepticon]] are both rescaled and moved to different positions on-screen; a Decepticon using the same [[body-type]] as [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] is removed entirely; and a Decepticon using the same body-type as Long Haul, as well as other [[generic]]s, are added. The final movie uses pretty much the same version as seen in the trailer.
{{-}}

=== Leaks and disinformation===
[[File:DOTMgameSoundwave.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|What you're about to see is totally classified.]]
The movie's title, then "Transformers: ''The'' Dark of the Moon", was first discovered on October 6, 2010 via listings for childrens' books on [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]]. The title was further confirmed by a whois check for "www.transformersdarkofthemoonmovie.com".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-3-title-revealed-170697/ Transformers 3 Title Revealed?] @ TFW2005.com</ref> On October 31, the official website for all three movies, [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ transformersmovie.com], was updated to show the ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' logo as well as international release dates.

[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] was heavily touted as the new main villain, no doubt in an attempt to conceal [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]'s unexpected betrayal halfway through the movie. A piece of information that commonly popped up in media coverage was the claim that Shockwave was the ruler of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] while the other Autobots and Decepticons were duking it out on Earth.<ref name="pushpops">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-3-plot-summary-revealed-170756/ "Transformers 3 Plot Summary Revealed"], TFW2005, October 2010.</ref> The last bit could be written off as a case of [[Wikipedia:Chinese whispers|chinese whisper]]: Shockwave got announced as the villain for ''Dark of the Moon'', mainstream media (such as USA Today<ref name="usatodayswitch">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm "Next 'Transformers' is due for a switch"], USA Today, June 2010.</ref>) who aren't versed in Transformers lore looked up the character, found out about his ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Shockwave (G1)|namesake]]'s role in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]], included it as a piece of trivia to show they did their research, and then the trivia note got picked up as gospel by other media. Nevertheless, it was included in the ''official plot summary'' by Paramount's German branch (which also claimed that ''Shockwave'' was the robot discovered inside the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' as seen in the trailer).<ref name="germansite">[http://www.transformers3-film.de/ Official German DOTM site] including faulty plot summary.</ref>

[[File:TF3HasbroSoundwaveBio.JPG|thumb|upright=1.66|left|If you breathe a word of what you see in here, you will do time for treason.]]Michael Bay and other official parties tried ''really'' hard to suppress the plot twist of the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG given to [[Carly Spencer|Carly]] by [[Dylan Gould|Dylan]] turning out to be the new [[alternate mode]] of [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. After the Mercedes had been spotted on the set, with [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] exiting it,<ref name="mercedesset">[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=67518 DOTM Set Photos], ComingSoon.net, July 2010.</ref> the first hint that it was more than meets the eye came with the trailer for the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|video game]], which showed Soundwave's robot mode with car [[kibble]] such as wheels that heavily resembled those of the Mercedes. In addition, [[Rising Storm issue 3|issue 3]] of ''[[Transformers: Rising Storm]]'' depicted Soundwave's robot mode not only with car kibble, but with a Mercedes star on his chest. Despite this, director Michael Bay insisted that the Mercedes was simply Carly's car, claiming that "Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's {{sic}} really frown on that. I can't say what the game company and comics do that's their own thing. They don't have the same constraints movies do. It's Carly's car."<ref name="baynomerc">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8724-Update-Is-Soundwave-the-silver-Mercedes-on-set-of-DOTM&p=169598&viewfull=1#post169598 Michael Bay's response to the fan theory that Soundwave is the Silver Mercedes.], April 2011.</ref> On April 19, 2011, an event for promoting the ''Spider-Man: Edge of Time'' and ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' video games was held in London. As part of this, [[High Moon Studios]] released promotional stills from the ''Dark of the Moon'' game, one of which depicted Soundwave's new robot mode, again with Mercedes parts. However, a news embargo was enforced on the attending press, which was broken by South African video game site [http://egamer.co.za egamer].<ref name="egamera">[http://egamer.co.za/2011/05/exclusive-hands-on-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ egamer's preview of the ''Dark of the Moon'' video game]</ref> The site was soon asked to take down the article and images, as were various ''Transformers'' fan sites that had reported on the article and mirrored the images. On May 2, 2011, Hasbro's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/ official Transformers website] was given a massive overhaul, including the addition of the new [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma database]. The entry for Soundwave initially identified his alternate mode as a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, but was soon changed to "satellite". On May 3, 2011, the embargo for the video game article and promotional stills was finally lifted, allowing sites to freely show the image of Soundwave's new robot mode.

On May 5, 2011, several weeks before the trade paperback collection's official release, preview pages from [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation|''Dark of the Moon'' comic adaptation]] were discovered at Amazon. Through some bizarre system error, ''several dozen pages'' were made available, which included the major plot twist of Sentinel Prime showing his true colors and killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. Unsurprisingly, this discovery was quickly posted on several major Transformers [[fandom|fan sites]], often without a spoiler warning.

==Notes==
* A 126-page script for the movie was leaked in December 2009,<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6435/20/ The Allspark: Transformers News Movie Comics Animated - Script Treatment for Transformers 3? Bogus or Not, Here You Go!]</ref> causing much discussion among the fandom. It was later confirmed as fake.<ref>[http://shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6532 Script]</ref>
* When word hit that [[Megan Fox]] was off the picture, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VTs5ESycpY Heidi Montag] put an "audition" for her part on YouTube. [http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/114ce28ddd/sir-ben-kingsley-shows-up-heidi-montag Sir Ben Kingsley] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4FZeucBO0c Ashton Kutcher] made fun of her, because life is rad.
* Several concepts that had been established by the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]] were (more or less) dropped with ''Dark of the Moon'' in favor or a more traditional, ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]''-esque approach:
** In the 2007 movie, the Autobots arrive on Earth in "[[Protoform]]" entry modes (which was subsequently used as the basis for the Decepticons' arrival in [[Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall]]). Prior to the release of the movie, screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]] defended this choice over the use of a spaceship such as the ''Ark'' by asking why "aliens who moonlight as vehicles need other vehicles to travel".<ref name="orcitravel">[http://tformers.com/Ark-Not-Making-An-Appearance-In-the-Movie/6513/news.html TFormers quoting Roberto Orci], because Don Murphy's board can only be read by registered members.</ref> He somewhat changed his mind after the movie had been released, however.<ref name="orciship">[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=388596&postcount=271 Roberto Orci on the Transformers Live Action Movie Boards], July 2007.</ref> After the Decepticons' ship, the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', had made an appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', ''Dark of the Moon'' not only introduces the movieverse version of the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'', but also reveals that all the new Autobots who have been on Earth since before ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had arrived in their own spaceship, the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'', making the notion of individual Transformers traveling through space as "comets" an exception rather than the rule. ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' would also later depict the Autobots as stranded on Earth after the destruction of the ''Xantium'' in this film, further pointing towards the "comet" transportation as an abandoned concept.
** Furthermore, ''Dark of the Moon'' largely abandons the idea of Transformers having all their weapons integrated into their bodies in favor of more traditional, separate weapons. For example, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who had blades and hooks emerging from his forearms in the previous two movies now stores all his weapons (including an axe) as accessories inside his trailer (though he still carries some on his person). Also, Ironhide, whose cannons were previously affixed to his arms, now sports handheld firearms instead. Even Megatron, whose [[fusion cannon]] previously grew out of his arms, now has a hand-held shotgun. Though it can be argued that Optimus still has his swords in his arms during the Chicago battle, and both Ironhide and Megatron lost their integrated weapons in the previous film, the general change is still noticeable. The only ones who still seem to have the same converting arm cannons as in the previous movies are Bumblebee, Ratchet, and Starscream.
* Another change from the previous movies (though not rooted in ''Generation 1'') is that Transformers that take damage in battle now spill a red liquid that is very obviously meant to resemble human blood.
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] finally achieves a certain consistency between his two primary modes: Ever since his upgrade to a modern Camaro in ''Transformers'' (2007), his [[license plate]] had alternated between "900 STRA" in vehicle mode and "4NZZ 454" in robot mode. ''Dark of the Moon'' finally uses "900 STRA" for the robot mode as well. Hasbro's toys, which had previously favored the CG robot model's "4NZZ 454" (barring the occasional "4NZZ'''Z''' 454" flub), follow suit.
*Speaking of license plates: [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]]'s Maybach 62S Landaulet sports a German license plate, "'''S MM 6201'''", registered in the city of Stuttgart. In reality, that plate is registered to the manufacturer and used for promotional photos.<ref name="maybach">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/update--transformers-3-rumor--who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-170533/ Set photos and promo photos of the Maybach 62S Landaulet] at TFW2005.</ref>
*Michael Bay's private Gulfstream Aerospace G-1159A jet (registration number N4500X) has a cameo in the movie as [[Charlotte Mearing]]'s plane.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Darkside Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dākusaido Mūn'')
*''Cantonese:'' (變形金剛: 黑月降臨, "Transformers: The Arrival of the Black Moon")
*''Finnish:'' '''''Transformers: Kuun pimeä puoli''''' ("Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers 3: La Face cachée de la Lune''''' ("Transformers 3: The Hidden Side of the Moon")
*''German:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Italian:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Pièn-hsíng Chīn-kāng Sān''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛３, "Transformers 3"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Yuè Hēi zhī Shí''''' (China, 变形金刚：月黑之时, "Transformers: When the Moon Becomes Black")
*''Polish:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Lado Oculto da Lua''''' ("Transformers: The Hidden Side of the Moon")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery 3: Tjomnaja storona Luny''''' (Трансформеры 3: Тёмная сторона Луны, "Transformers 3: The Dark Side of the Moon")
*''Serbian:'' '''''Transformers 3: Tama Meseca''''' ("Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Lado Oscuro de la Luna''''' (America, "Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon")
*''Swedish:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Turkish:'' '''''Transformers: Ayın Karanlık Yüzü''''' ("Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon")

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersmovie.com/ Official ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' website]
*[http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ Trailers.Apple.com ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' page]
* Designer portfolios: [http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi], [http://www.warrenmanser.com/WarrenManser.com/PORTFOLIO_M/Pages/TRANSFORMERS_3.html Warren Manser], [http://www.joelchang.com/index.php?/projects/transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ Joel Chang], [http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8293 The Aaron Sims Company] (at Concept Art World), [http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt] (at Concept Art World), [http://massiveblack.com/MBwebolution/blog/?p=301 Massive Black], [http://www.ghull.com/#/125195 George Hull]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark of the Moon (film)}}
[[Category:Dark of the Moon| Dark of the Moon (film)]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon media| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2016-06-01T23:48:26Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Main cast */

{{Nav-dotm}}
[[File:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|my friend]], I can only say this: of all the souls I have encountered, he was the most... human."]]
'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is the third film in the [[live-action film series]]. It was released in 3D and IMAX at 9PM on [[June 28]], [[2011]]<ref name="open3D">[http://michaelbay.com/2011/06/18/see-dark-of-the-moon-one-day-earlier-on-imax-3d/ See Dark Of The Moon One Day Earlier on IMAX 3D | MichaelBay]</ref> and in wide release on [[June 29]], [[2011]]<ref name="open">[http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/paramount-moving-up-transformers-3/ Paramount Moving Up ‘T’formers 3′ Release – Deadline.com]</ref> in the United States, and between [[June 29]] and July 1 for other markets.

The film is set three years after the events of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. The Autobots continue to work for NEST, but no longer in secret, and for the goal of keeping peace between humans by taking out volatile overseas political targets. But after discovering a strange artifact during a mission in Chernobyl, it becomes apparent to Optimus Prime that the United States government has been less than forthright with them.

And SCENE!

{{bigquote|Aw, shit, I seen this one. It's the one where [[Spock]] goes nuts.|Wheelie|''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:Dotm-Arkreflection.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Wha... this is the finest engine room in the whole Starfleet!"]]

In the distant past, during the latter days of the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] civil war, [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] attempted to leave the planet with groundbreaking technology on board the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]''. However, his ship was shot down by the Decepticons and, after being sent hurling through space for a while, eventually crashed on the [[Earth|Earth's]] [[Moon (moon)|moon]] in 1961. The crash is noticed by the humans on Earth, leading to the [[Wikipedia:Space Race|Space Race]] under President [[John F. Kennedy]]. Landing on the Moon as part of the [[Apollo 11]] mission in 1969, astronauts [[Neil Armstrong]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] use several minutes of [[radio]] silence to investigate the spaceship and discover that Mankind is not alone in space.

In the present day, the Autobots are still part of [[NEST]], cooperating with the [[United States military|US Armed Forces]]. They have also begun to help humanity in its local conflicts, as [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]], and [[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] destroy an illegal [[Iran]]ian nuclear facility. On a mission to the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]], a NEST team led by [[William Lennox|Lt. Col. Lennox]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] discovers an unknown alien fuel cell which had led to the [[Wikipedia:Chernobyl disaster|Chernobyl disaster]]. While trying to secure the cell, they are attacked by the Decepticon [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and his "pet", the [[Driller]], who are eventually forced to retreat by Optimus Prime. Meanwhile, [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] kills [[Alexi Voskhod]], who had called NEST to Chernobyl and was secretly working for him. After securing the fuel cell and identifying it as part of the ''Ark'', Optimus Prime is angry at the humans for not following through with their agreement of sharing all known information relating to Cybertron and its inhabitants. Despite this, he eventually informs his allies and [[Charlotte Mearing]], the [[WIkipedia:Director of National Intelligence|Director of National Intelligence]], about the space bridge technology the ''Ark'' contains. Together with [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], Optimus travels to the Moon, where they find Sentinel Prime inside the ship. Retrieving him along with four pillars of the space bridge and the accompanying control pillar, they return to Earth, where Optimus uses the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to reactivate Sentinel Prime. In [[Africa]], Decepticon leader [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] (still recovering from wounds [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|suffered]] in [[Egypt]]) meets with his lieutenants [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. Upon learning that the Autobots have recovered Sentinel and the pillars, Megatron orders Soundwave and Laserbeak to terminate their "loose ends".

Meanwhile, [[Sam Witwicky]], the Autobots' human friend, is suffering from everyday problems. Even though President [[Barack Obama]] has awarded him a medal for saving the Earth twice, Sam has trouble finding a job. Together with his new girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]], whom he had met in the [[White House]] (after his former girlfriend [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] had left him), he also gives the stranded Autobots [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] and [[Brains]] a home. After a long search, he finally finds a position as a mail carrier at a telecommunication company named [[Accuretta Systems]]. From his colleague, [[Jerry Wang]], he learns about a conspiracy by humans who collaborate with the Decepticons. Before Jerry can tell Sam more, however, he is killed by Laserbeak.

[[File:DOTM-Sentinelendofyourworld.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"There's a man out there I haven't seen in fifteen years who's trying to kill me."]]

Locked out of participating in the investigation by Mearing, Sam turns to [[Seymour Simmons]] for help. Simmons, who has become a millionaire as a writer, and his aide, [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]], help Sam find out that the Soviets have taken photos of Decepticons removing hundreds of space bridge pillars out of the ''Ark'' even before Apollo 11 had landed on the Moon. Sam and Simmons conclude that the Decepticons had left Sentinel Prime behind on purpose, knowing that only he would be able to activate the space bridge, and only Optimus Prime could reactivate him. Sam is able to warn the Autobots in time so they can protect Sentinel from a Decepticon attack and escort him back to the NEST headquarters. Upon arriving there, however, Sentinel Prime betrays them, revealing that he made a deal with Megatron to ensure Cybertron's survival. After killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and most of the NEST soldiers, Sentinel claims the remaining pillars and escapes. The other Autobots track him down to [[Washington, D.C.]], but before Optimus can stop him, Sentinel activates a space bridge to the Moon. The portal allows dozens of Decepticon troops which had remained hidden under the Moon's surface to reach Earth, forcing the Autobots to retreat.

[[File:DOTM-Moonspacebridge.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.55|"We are one big, happy fleet! Ah, [[Kirk (Star Trek)|Kirk]], my old friend, do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish that is best served cold? It is ''very'' cold in space."]]

In the meantime, Sam is worried about Carly and searches for her. He finds her with her employer, [[Dylan Gould]], who reveals to Sam that he not only arranged for Sam to get a job with Acuretta, but is also a collaborator with the Decepticons. At their request, his father had used his influence to ensure that [[NASA]] would not conduct any more missions to the Moon. When Sam and Carly attempt to flee, they discover Carly's car is a disguise for Soundwave, who takes her captive. Dylan instructs Sam to ask Optimus Prime about the Autobots' strategy, otherwise Carly will die. To ensure that Sam will not try to warn the Autobots, he attaches a Decepticon disguised as a watch on Sam's wrist, and it taps into his nervous system.

Meanwhile, Sentinel Prime has given Mankind an ultimatum to exile the Autobots from Earth, since he is only trying to save Cybertron, or so he claims. The US government promptly passes a bill to this effect. Before the Autobots leave Earth aboard their spaceship, the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'', Sam asks Optimus about his plan. Optimus replies that there is no plan, and Mankind is on its own now. With all Autobots on board, the ''Xantium'' takes off, but is promptly intercepted by Starscream, who had waited in Earth's orbit. With the ''Xantium'' destroyed, the Decepticons believe the Autobots to be dead and let Sam go.

With the Autobots out of the way, the Decepticons conquer [[Chicago]], kill most of its population and set up the control pillar for the space bridge inside the city, placing the other pillars around the world. Dylan informs Carly that the Decepticons do not intend to return to Cybertron; instead, they want to transport Cybertron into Earth's orbit, because Earth not only has the necessary resources, but also six billion slaves to rebuild the Transformers' home planet.

Sam decides to go to Chicago, where Dylan has taken Carly. Former NEST soldier [[Robert Epps]], who now works for NASA, accompanies him, together with other former NEST members. Upon arrival in Chicago, they are promptly attacked by the Decepticons, but are rescued by Optimus Prime and the other Autobots. Having never intended to leave Earth, they had hidden themselves inside a modified rocket booster that was jettisoned before Starscream destroyed the ''Xantium''.

[[File:DOTM Driller vs Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|"From Hell's heart, I stab at thee!"]]

The Autobots and the humans soldiers make their way to the skyscraper where Dylan is located in order to destroy the space bridge's control pillar. Sam and Bumblebee rescue Carly, killing Laserbeak in the process, during which they find a damaged UAV and alert the military to the Decepticons plans. Due to another attack by a team of Decepticons led by Shockwave, the team is separated once more. While the Autobots battle the Decepticons, Epps and his team try to destroy the pillar from another skyscraper. However, they are attacked by Shockwave and the Driller, who brings the skyscraper crashing down. Optimus Prime comes to their aid and destroys the Driller, but is shot by Shockwave and becomes trapped in crane cables.

In the meantime, Lennox and the rest of NEST have managed to make their way into the city using [[wingsuit]]s, and with Lennox's help, Sam destroys Starscream using weapons provided to him by the Autobot scientist Que. Meanwhile, the Decepticons have captured several Autobots, but Dylan convinces them not to keep prisoners and kill them all. [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] executes Que, and Soundwave moves to kill Bumblebee next, but the Autobots Wheelie and Brains have managed to make one of the Decepticons' ships crash, thereby distracting Soundwave long enough for Bumblebee and the other Autobots to get free. Bumblebee overpowers and kills Soundwave. NEST soldiers and US Marines snipe the Decepticons. Autobots and Tanks roll in and ambush the Decepticons. Optimus Prime returns and massacres a large group of Decepticons. He then kills Shockwave and uses the Decepticon's arm cannon to topple over the space bridge's control pillar, deactivating the bridge.

[[File:DOTMCybertrontransit.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.55|"Earth was created in six days. Now, watch out! Here comes Genesis! We'll do it for you in six minutes!"]]

Optimus Prime then confronts Sentinel Prime and the two engage in a ferocious battle of Student vs Master. Carly stumbles across Megatron outside the main battle zone. Having previously witnessed a violent argument between Sentinel Prime and Megatron, she appeals to his pride and makes him realize that he will never be able to rule over Cybertron as long as Sentinel is alive. Meanwhile, after a long fight, Sentinel gains the upper hand over Optimus and severs his right arm. However, before he can execute his former pupil, an infuriated Megatron attacks Sentinel and severely damages him, declaring that Earth is his planet to rule. Megatron realized how far he had fallen in power within the past few years, and has decided to once again take his rightful place at the top of the command chain. Meanwhile, Dylan manages to reactivate the toppled pillar, but is attacked by Sam, who hurls him against the pillar, killing him. Subsequently, Bumblebee destroys the pillar for good, thus destroying the space bridge and, presumably, Cybertron with it. Seeing this, Megatron half-heartedly offers Optimus Prime a truce on the condition that he will remain in charge of the Decepticons, mockingly saying that they would be nothing without each other. Realizing that the offer is less than sincere, Optimus refuses and attacks Megatron, decapitating him with an axe. The weakened Sentinel Prime tries to excuse his actions, but Optimus, claiming Sentinel "betrayed himself," executes the treacherous Prime with Megatron's shotgun.

[[File:DOTM Autobots NEST victorious.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|"Live long... and prosper..."]]

With the battle over, Sam and Carly are reunited, and Simmons takes an opportunity to kiss Mearing, who he still has feelings for, and she has him arrested. With their home planet now forever beyond reach, and the forces of the Decepticons destroyed, the remaining Autobots finally accept Earth as their new home, as Optimus Prime states that the Autobots will always be here, to protect the Earth and all who live on it.

==Quotes==

'''Mission Control''': We are not alone after all, are we? 
'''Buzz Aldrin''': No, sir. We are not alone. 
:—Buzz Aldrin makes history, and raises the hackles of conspiracy theorists.

'''Dino''': "He's in a bad mood. He's not talking to anybody today." 
'''Mearing''': "What is this, the silent treatment?" 
'''Ironhide''': "We've seen that and this is ''not'' that." 
'''Que''': "Definitely not." 
'''Ironhide''': "This is ''worse''. Prime! Make something of yourself! (Ironhide taps Optimus's roof) He's pissed."
:—Ironhide discusses Optimus Prime's foul mood.

"Who wants some chicken dinner now, bitch? Huh? 'Cause somebody messed with the wrong Wang today!" 
:—'''Jerry Wang''', being crazy. But also awesome.

"The thing about Russians is, they never like to talk. Gonna take a little of the 'international language.'" <Doorman opens sliding hatch> "''Do svidaniya''." 
"That means 'goodbye!'" <closes hatch>
:—'''Simmons''' tries to reason with a '''Russian''', to no avail.

"It's a Cyrillic alphabet; it's like all the buttons you never push on a calculator!"
:—'''Dutch''' tries to translate Russian, also to no avail.

"Class dismissed."
:—'''Ironhide''', after dispatching the Dreads.

"What you must realize, my Autobot brothers, is that we were never going to win the war. For the sake of our planet's survival, a deal had to be made...with ''Megatron''."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' reveals his treachery.

[[File:DOTM-MegatronLincoln.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"I'll give him this: [[Atlantis, Arise!|he's]] [[Transformers The Game (console)|consistent]]!"]]
"Here we are. Fight us ''now''."
:—'''Megatron''', pulling the evil overlord cliche on us while sitting atop the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]]

"If you go in this building, that's if she's even still alive, there's no way you're going to reach her!" 
"What do you suggest I do?!" 
"...it's over. I'm sorry, but it's over." 
:—'''Robert Epps''' tells '''Sam Witwicky''' that they've run out of plans.

"We will kill them all."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' offers an alternative plan.

"They got my trailer. I ''need'' that flight tech!" 
:—'''Optimus Prime''', valiantly [[To sell toys|selling toys]].

"I bring you Cybertron, your home! and still you choose humanity." 
"You are the one who taught me [[Bio|freedom is everyone's right]]." 
:—'''Sentinel''' VS '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Your Decepticons are finally conquering this planet, and yet their leader won't be you." 
"IT WILL BE ME! It will ''always'' be me! 
"In any minute now, you'll be nothing but Sentinel's bitch."
:—'''Carly Spencer''' tells '''Megatron''' that if he's going to be the Starscream, he should ''act'' like it.

"Optimus. All I ever wanted...was the survival of our race. You must see why I had to betray you..." 
"You didn't betray me. You betrayed yourself..." 
:—'''Optimus Prime''''s final exchange with '''Sentinel Prime''' before effectively ''double-tapping'' him.

"Who would you be without me, Prime?" 
"Time to find out." 
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' exchange pre-fight banter one last time.

"In any war, there are calms between the storms. There will be days when we lose faith. Days when our allies turn against us... but the day will never come when we forsake this planet and its people."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s closing narration, [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|which predicts what will happen to them years later.]]

==Main cast==

{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]])
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Dino/Mirage]]<ref name="credits">Mirage and Wheeljack, known by those names in the toyline and essentially all supporting media, are respectively named "Dino" and "Que" in the film. While Dino is simply credited as such, Que is listed in the credits as "Que/Wheeljack".</ref> ([[Francesco Quinn]])
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que/Wheeljack]]<ref name="credits"/> ([[George Coe]])
*The Wreckers
**[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]]<ref>Roadbuster is listed as "Roadbuster/Amp" in the credits, a reference to his car mode's sponsor. His name is not used in the film, but he is called "Roadbuster" in the toyline and supporting media.</ref> ([[Ron Bottitta]])
**[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
**[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]<ref>Leadfoot is listed in the film's end credits as "Leadfoot/Target", a reference to his car mode's sponsor. His name is not spoken in the film, but he is called "Leadfoot" in the toyline and the supporting media.</ref> ([[John DiMaggio]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Brains]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]<ref name=skidsandmudflap>Skids and Mudflap only appear during the convoy scene at the beginning of the film</ref> (cameo)
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]<ref name=skidsandmudflap/> (cameo)

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charlie Adler]])
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
**[[Driller]]
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
**[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] ([[Keith Szarabajka]])
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Loader]]
*[[Devcon (DOTM)|Devcon]]
*[[Igor]] ([[Greg Berg]])
* [[Dread (DOTM)|The Dreads]]
**[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
**[[Hatchet]]
**[[Crowbar]] ([[Jimmie Wood]])*
*[[Hatchling]]s
*[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] type Decepticon
*[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]] type Decepticon
*An unnamed [[Audi R8 Decepticon]]
*An unnamed [[M1 Abrams Decepticon]]
*[[Garbage truck Decepticon]]
*Unnamed [[Lensmeter Decepticon]]s
*Unnamed [[protoform]]s
*[[Watch-bot]]<ref>Repeatedly referred to as the "Watch-bot" (proper noun) in the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]]''</ref>
*Unnamed [[Pickup Decepticon]]
*Unnamed [[Police car Decepticon]]

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])
*[[Carly Spencer]] ([[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]])
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[Charlotte Mearing]] ([[Frances McDormand]])
*[[Dylan Gould]] ([[Patrick Dempsey]])
*[[Bruce Brazos]] ([[John Malkovich]])
*[[Hardcore Eddie]] ([[Lester Speight]])
*[[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]])
*[[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] ([[Alan Tudyk]])
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])
*[[Jerry Wang]] ([[Ken Jeong]])
*[[Neil Armstrong]] ([[Don Jeanes]])
*[[Buzz Aldrin]] ([[Cory Tucker]]/himself)
*[[Walter Cronkite]]
*[[Bill O'Reilly]] (himself)
*[[Alexi Voskhod]] ([[Ravil Isyanov]])

|h4=Other|c4=
|nonumbering=true
}}

* *During the highway battle, Jimmie Wood's Bonecrusher scream in the high way battle from the first movie can be heard coming from Crowbar.

==Errors==
===Astronomical and historical errors===
* The Moon does not rotate with respect to Earth, and Mare Tranquillitatis is near the middle of the near side. Therefore, Tranquility Base could never be described as being on the far side, and Earth is never as close to the horizon as shown in the movie.
* The Apollo 11 Command/Service Module is seen flying to the Moon without the Lunar Module. The Lunar Module is attached when the vehicle is orbiting the Moon, however.
* When the modern day site of the Apollo 11 landing is seen, the ascent module (the cabin Buzz and Neil flew back to orbit in) is still there.
* Cybertron is apparently several times the size of Earth, yet the characters talk of bringing it "into Earth's atmosphere".
* The Space Bridge starts to bring Cybertron amazingly close to Earth - less than one Earth-diameter away. Assuming Cybertron's mass is proportional to its size, Cybertron's gravitational field would [[The Ultimate Doom|tear the Earth apart]] at that distance.

===Geographic discontinuities===
* The [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]] is shown to be located ''inside'' of, or at least right next to the abandoned city of [[Wikipedia:Pripyat|Pripyat]], and the human characters access it through nearby buildings. In reality, the power plant is situated on the outskirts of the city. Even worse, [[Alexi Voskhod]] ''explicitly'' says that the entrance leads through a ''school''. Who builds a ''school'' right next to a ''nuclear power plant''?
* Furthermore, Pripyat's infamous Ferris wheel as shown in the movie is not only the wrong model (the real one's passenger cabins have canopies), but the real one is also located in an open field far away from any buildings.<ref name="ferris">[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pripyat_-_Ferris_wheel.jpg Photo of the Pripyat Ferris wheel] showing the closest nearby buildings.</ref> But hey, at least it's the right color!
* Also, why exactly is the Sputnik mission case inside the Chernobyl reactor building? Did the Soviets never bother to discard the packaging of their toy after starting to play with it?
* When Megatron transforms for the first time, he's in a grassy savannah. In the next shot, he's standing in the middle of a desert... and in the establishing shot of the Decepticon camp, it's back in the savannah.
* [[wikipedia:Mount Kilimanjaro|Mount Kilimanjaro]] is seen in the background of many of the scenes in Namibia; in reality, the mountain is located in Tanzania, more than three thousand kilometers away.
[[File:DOTM-Wreckers-Prime-Cables.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Chicago's own [[knockoff]] of a prominent Chinese building.]]
* In a [[Atlantis, Arise!|fairly common cinematic contrivance]], the film depicts multiple skyscrapers in the background of many scenes set in Washington, D.C., while the real-life city has no skyscrapers.
* Also, Washington, D.C. almost entirely lacks old industrial buildings that could be converted into lofts, and likewise doesn't have the kind of densely urban streets that Sam is shown to live on.
* NEST Headquarters, supposedly in Washington, is actually Chicago's abandoned Main Post Office.
* Likewise, Dylan's auto collection museum, also set in (land-locked) Washington, is actually the Milwaukee Art Museum. [[Lake Michigan]] is even visible through the windows!
* When Optimus Prime (using his jetpack) gets himself caught in wires below an under-construction building, that building bears a striking resemblance to the [[Wikipedia: China Central Television Headquarters|China Central Television Headquarters]] in [[Beijing]], [[China]]... a far shot from [[Chicago]]. Since construction for the CCTV building was finished in 2008, long before ''Dark of the Moon'' was even ''conceived'', this appears to be an intentional instance of a "cool building" being inserted just for the sake of it.

===Continuity errors===
* Like in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Ironhide sports his [[license plate]] from the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]], "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, but doesn't have a license plate in vehicle mode. (According to set photos, his license plate in vehicle mode is mostly black, with a NEST logo on it.)
* Speaking of inconsistencies between robot and vehicle mode: Bumblebee's updated Chevrolet Camaro alternate mode no longer has pinstripes bordering his black racing stripes, but the CG robot model still has the pinstripes.
[[Image:DOTM-SoundwaveMercedesStar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9|right|Is this the reverse of hidden faction insignias in vehicle mode?]]
*Soundwave has [[kibble]] from his [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] alternate mode while he is in Africa, but his chest has only a blank grille. The Mercedes star is only added to his chest from the scene where he reveals himself to be Carly's car onward.
* After Megatron pulls out his shotgun for the first time, he holsters it on the right side of his back. In the next scene it is on his left side.
* In the highway battle scene with the [[Dread (DOTM)|Dreads]], Bumblebee enhances his front wheels to evade Hatchet, yet in the next scene he's fully in Stealth Force mode.
*When Hatchet is killed by Bumblebee and Dino, the last shot shows him being throwm onto a car (using footage recycled from Michael Bay's 2005 film ''[[Wikipedia:The Island (2005 film)|The Island]]'', as elaborated on below), with Dino's grappling hook cables still attached to Hatchet, which would imply that Dino is still in robot mode at this point. However, the very next shot shows Dino in the far background, driving behind Bumblebee in vehicle mode.
* During Ironhide and Sideswipe's "Mexican standoff" with Crankcase and Crowbar, all combatants drop their firearms, but when Ironhide is speared, his guns are on his back again. They disappear in subsequent shots.
* Despite being captured by Soundwave in her evening gown, Carly is somehow able to change into more convenient clothes (but still wearing high heels!) after arriving at Dylan's place, and has yet another outfit following the attack on Chicago the following day. Not only that, she changes her earrings, too!
* When the Autobots are boarding the ''Xantium,'' Simmons mentions that nine Autobots are leaving. Former Decepticons Wheelie and Brains apparently don't count. Poor little guys!
* The Wreckers claim they had been hiding inside a rocket booster that was jettisoned from the ''Xantium'' before Starscream destroyed it. The boosters are only seen to be detached after Starscream destroys the ship, after it has barely taken off from the ground.
* Though it's a standard action movie contrivance, it sure is convenient that the glass windows inside skyscrapers are extremely fragile when needed, and glass shards are as dangerous as bread crumbs so nobody suffers a single cut from sliding across them.
* Shortly after everyone jumps through the window and starts sliding down, a downwards shot of the building shows all of the windows behind them are intact.
* As everyone tumbles through a lower floor of the building, [[Stone]] is shown to fall right through and out the other side with a collection of office furniture, but not long after is back with Epps's squad.
* Despite the Decepticons taking over Chicago and killing a whole bunch of people, there seem to be a lot of people continuing to go about their daily lives. The skyscraper Epps's team goes into to launch a rocket from still seems to have plenty of office workers in it when the Driller attacks it. When Sam's being thrown around on the end of the grapple glove rope while fighting Starscream, he crashes through a wall into a dry-cleaning business where a woman appears to be calmly hanging up a shirt. Did they all just not get the memo?
* The sequence beginning with Sam, Carly, Epps and the rest of the soldiers jumping out of the windows of the tilted skyscraper is one giant continuity headache: First they jump out of the windows, then slide down several stories, then the camera angle changes and they're sliding down several more stories, and ''then'' a wide shot shows the top of the skyscraper from an angle where the characters cannot be seen, then slowly pans around and eventually shows them all sliding down from one of the topmosts floors all over again! Eventually, they crash back into one of the lowest floors near the break. After the Driller has toppled the top portion of the skyscraper over, the group is ''again'' shown to escape from one one of the topmost floors to the neighboring building!
* Throughout the sequence of Barricade kicking and shoving Que along before executing him, he is speaking with Soundwave's voice. While possibly an editing error, it may have been a deliberate choice so as to avoid paying Frank Welker or Jess Harnell for an additional voice role.
*While fighting the Autobots at the end of the film, Sentinel Prime's cape disappears for a brief scene before reappearing on his back when the camera angle changes.
*When Sam and Carly are reunited after the final battle, Carly's hands keep changing the position on every cut, sometimes on Sam's neck, sometimes on his shoulders.
*Not intentional: Skids and Mudflap appear for a brief few seconds in the film. This leaves questions as to what happened to them. They weren't seen departing from Earth or taking part in the Chicago battle.
*It's said that four Autobots were captured by the Decepticons in Chicago, but actually five Autobots were captured. (Unless this observation was made ''before'' Bumblebee arrived after saving Sam and Lennox)
*When Que is about to be executed, the "cardboard head on a stick" prop used for [[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] during the shooting of the movie (a common method used for the movies to give the actors ''something'' to react to) can be spotted in the final edit of the film,<ref name="headprop">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/494618-movies-errors-mirage-prop-final-movie-edit.html "Movies Errors - Mirage prop in final movie edit"] at TFW2005</ref> possibly a leftover from an earlier draft of the script where Soundwave mocked Bumblebee with Dino's disembodied head.

==Transformers references==
In addition to recurring elements from the previous films, ''Dark of the Moon'' bases a number of elements on previous versions of the ''Transformers'' mythos, including plot elements based on older stories, something fairly rare in the other two movies:
* New characters [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] are heavily based upon their Generation 1 counterparts. [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]] is derived from G1 character [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]. [[Sentinel Prime (disambiguation)|Sentinel Prime]] is the name of Optimus's predecessor in many continuities, and in this instance, he continues his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|predecessor]]'s [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|legacy]] of being a giant jerk.

* "Carly" was the name of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]'s [[Carly|girlfriend and eventual wife]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].

* The ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' gets its name from the Autobots' crashed spaceship in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''Transformers'' comics]].

* The ''[[Xantium (G1)|Xantium]]'' is the name of the [[Wrecker]]s' spaceship in the [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''Transformers'' comics.

* [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]] and [[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]] being members of the Wreckers recalls their original G1 counterparts being likewise part of the Wreckers.

* Optimus's new trailer is based on the trailer that [[Optimus Prime (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]] hauled around, including its ability to open up into a weapons base.

* Optimus now carries the Matrix around in his chest as he has in past incarnations.

* The corrosive end met by Ironhide comes at the hands of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]], the oxidizing pathogen that first appeared in the Generation 1 cartoon episode [[Cosmic Rust (episode)|of the same name]]. Though not named in the film, its identity is made clear by production artwork by [[Josh Nizzi]] which labels Sentinel Prime's gun a "Cosmic Rust gun".

* Megatron removing [[Abraham Lincoln]] from his chair at the [[wikipedia:Lincoln Memorial|Lincoln Memorial]] and then sitting in it is a scene taken directly from the Generation 1 cartoon episode, "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]", and the Decepticon ending for ''[[Transformers The Game]]'' (sort of).

* The idea of bringing Cybertron to Earth via space bridge and enslaving humans was the plot of the Generation 1 multi-part episode "[[The Ultimate Doom]]."

* Likewise, the idea of an influential and powerful human joining forces with the Decepticons, resulting in the Autobots being exiled from Earth by the government via a spacecraft, only for that spacecraft to be destroyed, was the plot behind another Generation 1 cartoon multi-part episode, "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1|Megatron's Master Plan]]."

* Megatron's first line - a weary "[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All hail Megatron]]" - is the title of IDW's direction-changing comic maxi-series, which had just wrapped up when production on the film was beginning.

* When the worker at Accureta Systems is trying to make the [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|photocopier]] work, it beeps the "more than meets the eye" refrain from the original cartoon's [[theme song]].

* The [[Transformation#The noise|transformation noise]] can be heard at the end of the film when Bumblebee transforms to robot mode, the final onscreen transformation, just as it was heard during [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout's]] transformation, which was also the first onscreen transformation in the first film.

==Real-world references==
* When Brains and Wheelie are watching ''[[Wikipedia: Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek: The Original Series]]'', the screen features [[Spock|Mr. Spock]], portrayed by Leonard Nimoy—who voices Sentinel Prime. Wheelie comments that it is "the one where Spock goes nuts," which foreshadows Sentinel's heel turn. The episode itself is the famous ''TOS'' episode "[[Wikipedia: Amok Time|Amok Time]]", although for some inexplicable reason, the first of the two clips shown on-screen is ''mirrored''.

* Sentinel Prime says "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." The voice actor said the same line in the 1982 film ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' as Mr. Spock. However, in that movie, Nimoy's character dies a hero.

* To finish the Spock trifecta, when Bumblebee says his goodbyes to Sam, he uses a clip of Leonard Nimoy, as Spock, saying "I will always be your friend," another line from ''Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan''.

* [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] and his fake girlfriend's name, "India", are a reference to [[Wikipedia:Dutch India|Dutch India]].

* [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]'s name is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Q (James Bond)|Q]] from ''[[Wikipedia:James Bond|James Bond]]'' novels and films. Que also gives weapons to NEST soldiers while explaining the advantages and abilities for the weapons much like Q does for James Bond.

* When Bumblebee brings forth "rings" for Sam and Carly, he "hums" the [[Wikipedia: Wedding March|Wedding March]] (or, more correctly, the [[Wikipedia: Bridal Chorus|Bridal Chorus]] from [[Wikipedia: Richard Wagner|Richard Wagner's]] 1850 opera ''[[Wikipedia: Lohengrin (opera)|Lohengrin]]'').
*Before Sentinel gets attacked by Megatron, he quotes "There can only be one" from the film Highlander. Sentinel is also modeled after one of the film's lead stars Sean Connery.

==Other editions==

==Prequel material==
*''[[Transformers: Sector 7]]''
*''[[Transformers: Foundation]]''
*''[[Transformers: Rising Storm]]''
*''[[Transformers: Convergence]]''
*''[[Transformers: Jazz]]''
*''[[Transformers: Space Case]]''
*''[[Transformers: Ratchet]]''
*''[[Transformers: Arcee]]''
*''[[Transformers: Bumblebee]]''
*''[[Transformers: Starscream]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Stealth Force Edition]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Autobots/Decepticons]]''
*''[[Transformers (Titan Magazine)#Dark of the Moon|Transformers (Titan Magazine)]]''
*''[[Transformers Classified: Switching Gears]]''

==Adaptations==
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]]''

==Soundtrack==
{{main|Dark of the Moon: The Album}}

==Score==
{{main|Dark of the Moon: The Score}}

==Home video releases==
''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' was released on DVD, Blu-Ray, and Digital Download on September 30, 2011, followed by the 2-Disc Special Edition in December.<ref>[TFW2005 - Official Transformers Movie Website Updated With Transformers 3 Home Release Info http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/official-transformers-movie-website-updated-with-transformers-3-home-release-info-173245/]</ref>
===Additional Information===
{{collist|
* Close Captions in English
* Audio Description as Audio Description in English <ref>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005G4TJUC/audiodescriin-20</ref>|collist}}

==Theatrical posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
File:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
File:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
File:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
File:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Reception==
On June 23, 2011, the world premiere of ''Dark of the Moon'' was held in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]], with band [[Linkin Park]] performing a concert that included their title song for the movie, "Iridescent".

The official release date was moved up from July 1 to June 29 to allow breathing room between its release and ''[[Wikipedia:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]''. On June 28, 2011, the film was released in 3D and IMAX at 9pm in the US. Some theaters cheated a little and showed it at 8:45.

''Dark of the Moon'' launched with nearly 10,000 copies in 4011 theaters nationwide. On its opening day, the movie earned $37.3 million, making not only for the best opening day of 2011 up to that point, but also ranking as the sixth most successful opening on a Wednesday ever, while at the same time ranking well behind ''Revenge of the Fallen'', with $60 million on its opening day (also a Wednesday).<ref name="openingday">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3197&p=.htm "'Transformers' Suboptimal on Wednesday"], Box Office Mojo, June 2011.</ref> (Of course, a lot of the print material still listed the release date as [[July 1]]st, the following Friday.)

On [[August 2]], it crossed the $1 billion mark in worldwide gross, just under 5 weeks after its release, landing it in the #9 spot for worldwide gross of all time.<ref>http://www.deadline.com/2011/08/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-crosses-1-billion-worldwide-mark-for-paramount/ Deadline Hollywood</ref> Of that, $338 million came from the US. It is currently the only Paramount picture to have made the $1 billion mark. (While ''Titanic'' also made over $1 billion worldwide, it was only a Paramount movie ''domestically'', where it made "only" $620 million.)

''Dark of the Moon'' ended its theatrical run in the #4 spot for highest worldwide gross of all time.

''Dark of the Moon'' was nominated for three Academy Awards, in the categories of Best Visual Effects, Sound Editing, and Sound Mixing, losing all to ''[[wikipedia: Hugo (film)|Hugo]]''.<ref>[http://oscar.go.com/nominees#t Official 2012 Oscar nominees page]</ref>

On February 25, 2012, it was announced that ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' was nominated for eight [[Wikipedia:Golden Raspberry Award|Golden Raspberry Award]]s. Unlike ''Revenge of the Fallen'', however, it did not receive the awards for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, & Worst Director, losing all of its nominations to ''[[wikipedia: Jack & Jill (film)|Jack & Jill]]''.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-is-safe-from-razzies-174726/]</ref>

==Production staff==
{{stub}}

===Visual effects===
{{stub}}

===Locations department===
{{quote|[The Decepticons'] decision to attack Chicago<ref>http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-471495</ref> seems inexplicable, until you take into consideration the generous tax credits offered by the Illinois Film Office.|film critic Roger Ebert|[http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2011/07/on_the_origin_of_transformers.html On the Origin of Transformers]}}

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
[[File:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'', [[DreamWorks]] announced that two sequels were already being planned.<ref name="spy">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a58430/two-transformers-sequels-in-pipeline.html Digital Spy article from May 2007, confirming that two sequels were being planned]</ref> On March 16, 2009, over three months before the premiere of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] announced the third movie for July 1, 2011.<ref name="3release">Pamela McClintock: [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001280?refCatId=13 Variety article from March 2009], confirming Transformers 3 for July 2011.</ref> Director [[Michael Bay]] promptly backpedaled, as he had intended for the third ''Transformers'' movie to be released in 2012.<ref name="baywait">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?3947-Wait-a-minute! Michael Bay's reaction to Paramount's July 2011 date for ''Transformers 3''], March 2009.</ref> He officially changed his mind in October 2009, agreeing to the release date set by Paramount.<ref name="bay3-2011">[http://michaelbay.com/2009/10/01/transformers-3-july-1st-2011/ Michael Bay officially confirms the 2011 release date], October 2009.</ref>

[[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], two of the previous two movies' screenwriters, had already announced in March 2009 that they would not return for a third part.<ref name="noorcikurtz">[http://www.slashfilm.com/orci-and-kurtzman-not-returning-for-transformers-3-will-leonard-nimoy-voice-the-fallen/ Slashfilm quoting Roberto Orci that he and Kurtzman would not return for a third movie], March 2009. (Original post on Don Murphy's message board appears to no longer exist.)</ref> In September 2009, their ''Revenge'' co-writer [[Ehren Kruger]] was confirmed as the screenwriter of ''Transformers 3''.<ref name="krugernelson">[http://michaelbay.com/2009/09/14/transformers-3-pain-gain-bad-boys-3/ Michael Bay's website admin Nelson Lauren sorta-confirms Ehren Kruger as TF3's screenwriter], September 2009.</ref> Kruger had already impressed both director Michael Bay and [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] with his knowledge of ''Transformers'' mythology prior to working on ''Revenge''.<ref name="writersr">[http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/zap-transformers2writers,0,1938976.story Zap2it story about the ROTF writers]</ref>

In an interview with ''Wonderland'' magazine in September 2009, [[Megan Fox]], the main female star of the previous two movies, discussed the harsh conditions on the sets and compared director Michael Bay to [[Wikipedia:Adolf Hitler|Adolf Hitler]].<ref name="latimesfox">[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2009/09/megan-fox-on-michael-bay-he-wants-to-be-hitler.html Los Angeles Times article about Megan Fox's fatal interview with ''Wonderland'' magazine], September 2009.</ref> Bay initially played down the affair and still welcomed Fox back for the third installment a month later.<ref name="bay3-2011"/> Even though Fox was still spotted on the ''Transformers 3'' set in May 2010,<ref name="foxonset">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/100786-megan-fox-on-set-for-transformers-3-previz Megan Fox on the DOTM set], May 2010.</ref> Paramount announced a few weeks later that she wouldn't return for a third movie after all.<ref name="nomorefox">[http://www.deadline.com/2010/05/michael-bays-revenge-no-more-megan/ Deadline article confirming that Megan Fox had been dropped off ''Transformers 3''], May 2010.</ref> Still that same month, [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] was confirmed to replace her as the lead female actress.<ref name="rosierepl">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1640047/model-rosie-huntingtonwhiteley-cast-transformers-3.jhtml MTV.com article confirming Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as the new female star of ''Transformers ''], May 2010.</ref> Her character's name was confirmed as "[[Carly Spencer|Carly]]" by Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, in July 2010.<ref name="nelsonchicagojul">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7566-Transformers-3-Chicago-Set-Photos Nelson posts about his visit to the Chicago set at shootfortheedit.com's forums], July 2010.</ref> In 2011, Michael Bay finally confirmed in an interview with ''GQ'' magazine that it had been [[Steven Spielberg]], executive producer of the ''Transformers'' movies, who had urged him to fire Fox following the Hitler comparison.<ref name="baygq">[http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201107/michael-bay-steven-spielberg-fired-megan-fox-transformers GQ interview with Michael Bay], June 2011.</ref> In a later interview, however, he claimed this statement had been taken out of context.<ref name="baych">[http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/kultur/kino/Diese-Autos-muessen-zerstoert-werden--und-da-bin-ich-der-richtige-Mann/story/23997460 Interview with Michael Bay from Switzerland] (German language), July 2011.</ref>

In March 2010, Oscar winners [[John Malkovich]] and [[Frances McDormand]] as well as Comedian [[Ken Jeong]] were confirmed having signed on for supporting roles.<ref name="malkomcdor">[http://michaelbay.com/2010/03/22/transformers-3-update-from-michael-bay/ Michael Bay confirming John Malkovich, Frances McDormand and Ken Jeong for ''Transformers 3''], March 2010.</ref>

In April 2010, [[Kevin Dunn]] and [[Julie White]] were confirmed as returning as Sam Witwicky's parents.<ref name="varietydunnwhite">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017329.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 'Dunn, White sign on for 'Transformers 3''], Variety, April 2010.</ref>

In May 2010, Paramount confirmed that [[Patrick Dempsey]] has been cast in ''Transformers 3'' to play Mikaela Banes' boss (this was before Megan Fox was fired from the production).<ref name="dempsey">[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/05/04/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-transformers-3/ "Patrick Dempsey confirmed for Transformers 3"], Hollywood Insider, May 2010.</ref>

In July 2010, Nelson Lauren confirmed that former American footballer [[Lester Speight]] would play a soldier in the movie.<ref name="nelsonchicagophotos">[http://michaelbay.com/2010/07/20/transformers-3-chicago-set-photos/ Photos of the Chicago set by michaelbay.com webmaster Nelson Lauren], July 2010.</ref>

[[Leonard Nimoy]] was confirmed as the voice actor for [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] in March 2011.<ref name="nimoysent">[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon Entertainment Weekly announces Leonard Nimoy's involvement], March 2011]</ref> Nimoy, who had previously voiced [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] in 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and was married to Michael Bay's cousin Susan, had previously been under consideration for [[The Fallen]]'s voice in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', but Bay had been hesitant for fear of offending his relative with the relatively low pay allotted to voice actors.<ref name="nimoy1">[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/04/21/michael-bay-afraid-to-offend-leonard-nimoy-with-transformers-family-reunion-offer/ ''Michael Bay Afraid To Offend Leonard Nimoy With ‘Transformers’ Family Reunion Offer''], MTV.com Movies blog, April 2009.</ref> Even though Nimoy openly asked Bay to simply give him a call,<ref name="nimoy2">[http://www.latinoreview.com/news/leonard-nimoy-to-michael-bay-call-me-6682 Leonard Nimoy To Michael Bay: "Call Me!"], Latino Review, April 2009.</ref> it ultimately never worked out, and The Fallen was voiced by [[Tony Todd]] instead. For ''Dark of the Moon'', Bay finally overcame his anxiety and hired Nimoy, who accepted the offer.<ref name="nimoy3">[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ "Leonard Nimoy joins 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' voice cast -- EXCLUSIVE"], Entertainment Weekly, March 2011.</ref> In return, screenwriter Ehren Kruger included several nods to Nimoy's well-known character as Mr. Spock from ''[[Star Trek]]'' in the movie.<ref name="nimoystartrek">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666643/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-star-trek-references.jhtml "'Transformers: Dark Of The Moon': Behind The 'Star Trek' Nods"], MTV.com, July 2011.</ref> ''Dark of the Moon'' would be Nimoy's final performance in the ''Transformers'' franchise before his death in early 2015.

===Writing and production===
After having defended the almost universally critically panned ''Revenge of the Fallen'' for a long time, Michael Bay finally acknowledged flaws of the script, but blamed the [[Wikipedia:2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike|2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]] prior to the movie for many problems. As a definite error, he singled out the "dork comedy", which he promised to avoid with ''Dark of the Moon''.<ref name="bayvisit">[http://collider.com/michael-bay-interview-transformers-dark-moon-edit-bay-visit/63824/ Collider.com article about DOTM], December 2010.</ref>

Principal shooting began in May 2010. Shooting locations included [[Chicago]] (and nearby East Chicago and Gary Indiana), Moscow,<ref name="locations">[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=63682 "Transformers 3 Headed to Chicago and Moscow"], Comingsoon.net, February 2010.</ref> the [[Kennedy Space Center]] in Florida,<ref name="kennedyspace">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/101114-the-transformers-3-shoot-at-kennedy-space-center "The Transformers 3 Shoot at Kennedy Space Center"], SuperHeroHype.com, May 2010.</ref> Milwaukee (Wisconsin),<ref name="milwaukee">[http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/movies/98266574.html "'Transformers 3' takes over Milwaukee Art Museum"], Journal Sentinel Online, July 2010.</ref> Detroit,<ref name="detroit">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/107775-photos-from-the-detroit-transformers-3-set "Photos From the Detroit Transformers 3 Set"], SuperHeroHype.com, September 2010.</ref> [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="militaryextras">[http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=473674758199&id=114648515718 US Department of Defense casting call for ''Dark of the Moon''], October 2010.</ref> and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.<ref name="angkor">[http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=1184 "'Transformers 3' To Be Shot in Cambodia"], Agence Kampuchea Presse, January 2011.</ref>

For the scene where Lennox and his soldier jump out of a V-22 Osprey using wingsuits, Michael Bay used real parachutists and thus avoided unnecessary CG effects. In fact, he had been inspired for this scene in the first place by watching the parachutists in their wingsuits on television<ref name="wingsuits">[http://blog.movies.yahoo.com/blog/1498-transformers-wingsuits-no-cgi-required Yahoo! Movies article on the wingsuit parachutists], June 2011.</ref> and wrote the scene with the intention of using the parachutists in the movie.<ref name="bayvisit"/>

For the Apollo 11 moon landing mission in the flashback sequence at the beginning of the movie, astronauts [[Neil Armstrong]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] are played by actors Don Jeanes and Cory Tucker, respectively. In the present day timeline, Aldrin himself appears briefly as his own older self.<ref name="aldrin">[http://movies.yahoo.com/news/yahoo-contributor-network/astronaut-buzz-aldrin-hangs-out-with-optimus-prime-transformers-dark-moon Yahoo! Movies article on Buzz Aldrin's appearance in DOTM], July 2011.</ref>

Over 500 cars were destroyed in the making of ''Dark of the Moon'', all of them damaged property from insurance companies intended for destruction.<ref name="baych"/>
[[Image:ROTFvsDOTMUSNavyHollenbeck.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|right|Wherever General Morshower goes, I go.]]

Two accidents happened during shooting: In September 2010, while shooting in East Chicago, Indiana, a female extra was severely injured when a stunt scene went wrong, leaving her with permanent brain damage, the left side of her body paralyzed and her left eye stitched shut. Paramount was subsequently sued for damages by the victim's family.<ref name="extrastunt">[http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-10-05/news/ct-met-transformers-lawsuit-20101005_1_gabriela-cedillo-stunt-welding Chicago tibune article on the injured extra and the subsequent lawsuit], October 2010.</ref> She was eventually granted an $18.5 million settlement in May 2012.<ref name="settlement">[http://www.tmz.com/2012/05/23/transfomers-3-injured-extra-gets-18-million-settlement/ TMZ story about Gabriela Cedillo's settlement]</ref> As a consequence, part of the scene of the car chase battle in Washington, D.C. (which would have included the shoot that had led to the accident) was instead "[[Stock footage|borrowed]]" from Michael Bay's 2005 film ''[[Wikipedia:The Island (2005 film)|The Island]]''.<ref name="island1">[http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/04/transformers-3-re-uses-car-crash-from-the-island "Transformers 3 Re-Uses Car Crash From The Island"], IGN Movies, July 2011.</ref> While shooting in Washington, D.C., in October 2010, one of the Chevrolet Camaro prop cars that served as Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] crashed into a [[Wikipedia: Metropolitan Police|Metropolitan Police]] SUV. Nobody was seriously injured this time, though Bumblebee sustained severe front-end damage.<ref name="camarocrash">[http://jalopnik.com/5661321/bumblebee-smashes-cop-car-in-yet-another-transformers-3-accident Jalopnik article on the Camaro crash], October 2010.</ref> Hasbro would later "commemorate" this latter event with the [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] [[Cyberverse]] "Cybertronian Warriors Pack". Fans, meanwhile, joked that the SUV was Barricade getting revenge.

Another (brief) instance of recycled footage occurs during the Chicago battle: When the Navy fires several Tomahawks at the Decepticons, the mission control room scene was previously used to depict the interior of the [[USS Kidd]] in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. The most obvious similarity is the [[Hollenbeck|same operator]] saying "Target acquired" both times.<ref name="recycled">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=6tSMdR8vH0s Youtube video] featuring brief clips from ''Dark of the Moon'' and ''Revenge of the Fallen'', highlighting the recycled footage.</ref>

''Dark of the Moon'' is the first of the ''Transformers'' movies to be released in 3D. Despite early considerations to shoot the movie in 2D and convert it into 3D later, Michael Bay ultimately shot 60% of the film in native 3D, another 15% were done digitally, and the rest was shot in 2D and converted later. [[James Cameron]] assisted Michael Bay with the 3D effects. The movie's budget amounted to $195 million, which is about the same budget ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had. About $30 million went into the 3D effects.<ref name="cameron">[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bay-reveals-james-camerons-191774 "Michael Bay Reveals James Cameron's Secret Role in the Making of 'Transformers'"], The Hollywood Reporter, May 2011.</ref>

=== Sponsors and partners ===
==== Hasbro ====
Hasbro, licensor of the [[Transformers brand]], hoped that the third movie would once again boost toy sales, after profits had dropped in the first quarter of 2011.<ref name="hasbroq12011">[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Hasbro-1Q-profit-drops-71-pct-apf-664090076.html?x=0&.v=11 Yahoo! Finance article about weak Hasbro toy sales in 2011's first quarter], April 2011.</ref> For the second quarter of 2011, Hasbro reported a net revenue growth of 23 percent to $908.5 million, citing brands such as ''Transformers'' and ''Beyblade'' as the main sources of the increased income.<ref name="hasbro2nsq">[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Hasbro-Reports-Revenue-and-bw-4063497156.html?x=0&.v=1 "Hasbro Reports Revenue and Earnings Growth for the Second Quarter 2011"], Yahoo! Finance, July 2011.</ref>

==== US military and NASA ====
Like the previous two movies, ''Dark of the Moon'' featured real military personnel as extras, supported by the [[United States Department of Defense]].<ref name="militaryextras"/> Shooting locations were Hurlburt Field and [[Edwards Air Force Base]].<ref name="hurlburt">[http://www.shadowspear.com/special-operations-entertainment/105725-transformers-filmed-at-hurlburt.html "'Transformers 3 Filmed at Hurlburt, 1SOW Included as 'Extras'"], ShadowSpear Special Operations, July 2011.</ref>

In addition, ''Dark of the Moon'' was also supported by NASA, and NASA employees appear as extras in the movie as well.<ref name="nasa">[http://www.space.com/12142-transformers-film-nasa-space-program-touches.html "'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' Has Real-Life NASA Touches"], Space.com, July 2011.</ref>

==== General Motors and other car manufacturers ====
[[General Motors]] once again provided several vehicles. All recurring Autobots retain their [[alternate mode]]s from ''Revenge of the Fallen'' despite some minor tweaks, such as Sideswipe now being a convertible, and Bumblebee now sporting a rear spoiler. Once again, the cooperation was mutual, with General Motors using Bumblebee for TV commercials. The first of those, aired during the 2011 Super Bowl, also revealed some minor tweaks to Bumblebee's robot mode.<ref name="bumblebeead1">[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/02/-bumblebee-appears-in-a-chevrolet-camaro-super-bowl-ad/1 "'Bumblebee' appears in Chevrolet's Super Bowl ad"], USA Today, February 2011.</ref><ref name="bumblebeead2">[http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/06/chevy-drops-new-ad-touting-transformers-3-tie-in/ "Video: Chevy drops new ad touting Transformers 3 tie-in"], Autoblog.com, June 2011.</ref> According to Chevrolet, the ''Transformers'' movies notably affect car sales, as about ten percent of all Camaros sold in the preceding year were yellow, twice as many as with other models.<ref name="carstarscast">[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/transformers-dark-moon-how-sequels-204557 "'Transformers: Dark of the Moon': How the Sequel's Star Cars Were Cast"], The Hollywood Reporter, June 2011.</ref>

New additions for ''Dark of the Moon'' are a Ferrari 458 Italia and a Mercedes-Benz E550 as Autobots ([[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]], respectively) and a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG as a Decepticon ([[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]). In the movie, both Autobots sport names which aren't recycled from existing Hasbro toys. In the Ferrari's case, the reason for this is that Hasbro's greatest competitor, Mattel, has an exclusive license for Ferrari toys.<ref name="ferrarimattel">[http://www.ferrari.com/English/Pages/Mattel.aspx Mattel license information], Ferrari.com.</ref><ref name="nelsonnomirage">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/409844-mirage-no-longer-name-red-italia-dotm-3.html#post6103423 Michael Bay's website admin, Nelson Lauren, explaining why the Ferrari isn't named "Mirage"], TFW2005, May 2011.</ref> "Dino" is named in reference to [[Wikipedia: Alfredo Ferrari|Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari]], as per Ferrari's request. The Mercedes-Benz E550, meanwhile, was specifically customized for the movie.<ref name="e550tuning">[http://www.eurotuner.com/news/eurp_1102_mercedes_benz_e550_for_next_transformers_movie/index.html "Mercedes-Benz E550 for Next Transformers Movie - Web Exclusive"], Eurotuner.com, February 2011.</ref> "Que" is named in homage to [[Wikipedia:Q (James Bond)|Q]] from [[Wikipedia:James Bond|James Bond]]. A Maybach 62S Landaulet is also featured in the movie, albeit not as a Transformer, but merely as a regular car used by [[Seymour Simmons]] and his assistant [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]].

Unlike Optimus Prime, whose alternate mode was not licensed for any of the three movies, the Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck used for [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] was officially provided by the Rosenbauer International AG and entirely repainted specifically for the film, at a cost of thousands of dollars, as real-world aircraft fire-fighting vehicles are required by FAA regulations to have a much lighter color scheme, which didn't appeal to director [[Michael Bay]].<ref name="rosenbauer">[http://www.rosenbaueramerica.com/press/2011/06/rosenbauer-panther-6x6-to-be-f/ Rosenbauer America press release, June 28, 2011]</ref>

Since the heavily armed Chevrolet Impalas that serve as the [[Wrecker|Wreckers']] alternate modes are directly based on existing NASCAR race cars, the prop versions of [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]], and [[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]] made an appearance at [[2011]] Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on [[February 20]], four month before the movie's release, appearing both off the track as display cars, and on the track, participating in the ceremonial first lap.<ref name="daytona">[http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/photos/2011/02/18/TRANSFORMERS-cars-on-display-at-Daytona "'TRANSFORMERS' cars on display at Daytona"], Hendrick Motorsports, February 2011.</ref> Director Michael Bay, actor [[Josh Duhamel]] and actress [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] also attended the event, and during the television broadcast of the race, a new ''Dark of the Moon'' television spot was aired.

==== Other product placement ====
As always, various companies have their products and names prominently displayed throughout the movie, such as [[Wikipedia:Northrop Grumman|Northrop Grumman]], [[CNN]], [[Fox News Channel|Fox News]], [[Wikipedia:Cisco|Cisco]] and [[Wikipedia:Superfund|Superfund]].<ref name="brands1">[http://www.brandchannel.com/brandcameo_films.asp?movie_year_az=2011 "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"] at brandchannel.com.</ref> Paper manufacturer Double A also cooperated with Paramount and even had Michael Bay direct a commercial that features scenes from ''Dark of the Moon'', notably [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]].<ref name="paper">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/167497-transformers-featured-in-double-a-paper-ad "Transformers Featured in Double A Paper Ad"] at SuperHeroHype, June 2011.</ref> Of particular note is the large number of Chinese brands such as [[Wikipedia:Lenovo|Lenovo]], [[Wikipedia:Yili Group|Yili]] Shuhua Milk, [[Wikipedia:Metersbonwe Group|Metersbonwe]] Mtee shirts and [[Wikipedia:TCL Corporation|TCL]] HDTV screens.<ref name="chinesebrands">[http://advertising.chinasmack.com/2011/transformers-the-rise-of-chinese-product-placement.html "Transformers: The Rise Of Chinese Product Placement"] at Chinasmack.</ref><ref name="brands2">[http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2011/07/05/Brandcameo-070411-Transformers-3.aspx "Transformers 3 Product Placement: If Tom Hanks Gets a Pass, Michael Bay Does Not"] at brandchannel, July 2011.</ref>

For [[Nokia]], the product placement turned out to be dated by the time the movie came out, as a mobile phone featured in the movie ran on [[Wikipedia:Symbian|Symbian]], despite Nokia mostly dropping Symbian as an operating system due to their recent partnership with [[Wikipedia:Microsoft|Microsoft]].<ref name="nokiaobit">[http://www.thenoisecast.com/2011/07/nokia-x7-product-placement-in-transformers-3-feels-like-an-obituary/ "Nokia X7 Product Placement In Transformers 3 Feels Like An Obituary"], Noisecast, July 2011.</ref>

=== Changes before, during and after production ===
* In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in June 2009, Michael Bay suggested that [[Ramon Rodriguez]] would reprise his role as [[Leo Spitz]] from ''Revenge of the Fallen'' for the third movie.<ref name="bayramon">[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2009/06/30/ramon-rodriguez-will-have-bigger-role-in-third-transformers-movie-bay-hints/ "Ramon Rodriguez will have bigger role in third ‘Transformers’ movie, Bay hints"], Los Angeles Times, June 2009.</ref>

* As stated above, [[Megan Fox]] was originally intended to reprise her role as [[Mikaela Banes]] from the previous two movies. She was still spotted on the ''Dark of the Moon'' set during the previsualization stage in May 2010,<ref name="foxonset"/> but was fired from the production shortly afterwards due to a falling out with director [[Michael Bay]]. [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]]'s character of [[Carly Spencer]] was written in as a replacement, though the fact that her part was originally written for Mikaela still shows in some parts: For example, Carly is overseeing [[Dylan Gould|Dylan]]'s car collection, which could be viewed as an extension of Mikaela's history with working with cars. Furthermore, Sam and Carly not only have [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] (who had been previously "domesticated" by Mikaela) as a "pet", but also her dog [[Bonecrusher (dog)|Bonecrusher]] (played by Michael Bay's eponymous real-life dog).

[[File:DOTM Skids, Mudflap, Que and Sideswipe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Eat this, Megan Fox.]]
*In January 2010, actor James Avery claimed in an interview that he would be playing a new Autobot named "Silverbolt".<ref name="avery">[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136 James Avery interview on Unscripted], January 2010</ref> In June 2010, representatives of James Avery, responding to a bizarre rumor that he had passed away, confirmed that the actor was indeed alive and would be playing Silverbolt in ''Transformers 3''.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/entertainment-in-national/uncle-phil-james-avery-isn-t-dead-after-all James Avery isn't dead after all], The Examiner, June 2010.</ref> Despite this, neither Avery nor Silverbolt ultimately appear in ''Dark of the Moon''.

* In January 2011, an Idaho newspaper<ref>[http://magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story "Rupert's Fagerbakke finds a voice that is truly golden"]</ref> announced voice actor [[Bill Fagerbakke]] as the voice of a "Chevy Impala stock car" that would appear in ''Dark of the Moon'' (presumably meaning one of the three [[Wrecker]]s, who share that base altmode). Why Fagerbakke did not end up voicing any of the Wreckers in the final cut of the film is unknown.

* Shockwave's original voice actor, [[Corey Burton]], expressed that he had no interest in voicing him for ''Dark of the Moon'', explaining "[I] have practically no interest in that kind of mega-budget movie enterprise involvement" and that the inspiration for his Shockwave voice, [[wikipedia:David Warner (actor)|David Warner]], was rumored to have been considered.<ref>[http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight=#2707 Corey Burton's message board post.]</ref> In the end, Shockwave's almost-entirely-wordless-snarl-based role would have been something of a waste of Warner; the role ultimately went to Frank Welker. There's a nice touch of symmetry in the casting, with Welker taking over a Burton-originated role not long after Burton took on a Welker-originated character in [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' Megatron]].

* In an earlier draft of the movie's script, Megatron is sincere when he offers Optimus Prime a truce at the end. Optimus accepts, and Megatron and the remaining Decepticons leave Earth to rebuild Cybertron. This ending is used for the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation|comic adaptation]]. According to Michael Bay's website administrator Nelson, the ending was changed because the studio didn't want the adaptations to share the same ending with the film.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/members/nelson-47919.html#vmessage284191</ref>

* Furthermore, it was originally supposed to be [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage/"Dino"]] rather than [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack/"Que"]] who would have been executed by [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] in Chicago. This version made it into the comic adaptation and the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel|junior novelization]].

[[File:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Colour me your colour, baby Colour me your car Colour me your colour, darling I know who you are]]
* Another scrapped death for Mirage is seen in the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]], in where he's decapicated by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. His severed head is subsequently used by Soundwave to mock the Autobots before they are about to get executed.

* A scrapped death for Wheeljack/"Que" involved the Autobot being run off of a Chicago street and into a river by the [[Driller]], where he would have been torn to pieces by Decepticon troopers lying in wait in the river.

* [[The Twins]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], were originally supposed to return for ''Dark of the Moon'', and to die at the hands of Sentinel Prime shortly after Ironhide. Even though [[General Motors]] provided two Chevrolet Sparks to serve as their alternate modes<ref name="chevyspark">[http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-spark-transformers-3.html Left Lane News article on two Chevrolet Sparks spotted on the DOTM set], May 2010.</ref> which were still spotted on the set as late as October 2010,<ref name="dcparking">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/10/transformers-3-dc-parking-lot-gallery.html "Transformers 3 DC Parking Lot Gallery"], Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, October 2010.</ref> the two were mostly edited out of the final movie (their vehicle modes can barely be glimpsed in a few brief shots). Michael Bay even went so far as to offer a $25,000 reward for anyone who would see the Twins "perform" in the movie.<ref name="reward">[http://collider.com/transformers-3-twins-skids-mudflap-michael-bay/91104/ Collider.com article on Michael Bay's "reward" for spotting Skids and Mudflap "perform" in DOTM], May 2011.</ref> In the novelization and the comic adaptation, Skids and Mudflap still appear.

* Another plot point that was apparently dropped was an anti-Autobot sentiment among the human populace. Graffiti with a crossed out Autobot [[insignia|logo]] with the words "go home" below it showed up in several set photos.<ref name="gohome1">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/05/transformers-3-filming-with-twins.html Photos from the set in Sherman Oaks, California] at the Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, May 2010.</ref><ref name="gohome2">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/possible-tf3-plot-point-revealed-autobots-go-home/19188/ Photos from the Chicago set] at Seibertron.com, July 2010.</ref> In the movie, Congress instantly passes a law exiling the Autobots from Earth following Sentinel Prime's ultimatum.

* Early working names included "[[Ultra Magnus (disambiguation)|Ultra Magnus]]" for [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]],<ref name="chicagocall">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2011/06/chicgo-call-sheet-for-ultra-magnus.html "Chicago Call Sheet For Ultra Magnus"], Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, June 2011.</ref> "Enzo" (after [[Wikipedia:Enzo Ferrari|Enzo Ferrari]])<ref name="callsheet2">[http://tilallaremine.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/dark-of-the-moon-call-sheets/ Dark of the Moon Call Sheets!] at Til All Are Mine blog, July 2011.</ref> and "Rush" for Mirage/"Dino", "[[Warpath (disambiguation)|Warpath]]" for both [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]] and [[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]], "Tempest" for Topspin, "[[Flash (disambiguation)|Flash]]" for [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]], "[[Dreadwind (disambiguation)|Dreadwind]]" for [[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]], "[[Hooligan (disambiguation)|Hooligan]]" for [[Crowbar]], "[[Dirtbag]]" for [[Hatchet]], "[[Blitzwing (disambiguation)|Blitzwing]]" for [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], "[[Breakdown (disambiguation)|Breakdown]]" for Soundwave's new vehicular design, "[[Clench (G1)|Colossus]]" for the [[Driller]],<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref> "Buzzard" for [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], "[[Undermine (disambiguation)|Undermine]]" for [[Igor]] and "[[Steeljaw (disambiguation)|Steeljaw]]" for Wheeljack/"Que". However, it's quite possible a few of these were code names used to keep character identities a secret during production as images of Megatron's new cloak obscured face refer to the character as "[[Cyclonus (disambiguation)|Cyclonus]]".<ref name="wburt">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt DOTM concepts.]</ref>

* Roadbuster was originally intended to have [[Wikipedia:Jeff Gordon|Jeff Gordon]]'s #24 [[Wikipedia:DuPont|DuPont]]-sponsored Chevrolet Impala as his alternate mode, rather than [[Wikipedia:Dale Earnhardt, Jr.|Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]'s #88 Impala sponsored by [[Wikipedia:AMP Energy|AMP Energy]].<ref name="nizzi"/>

[[File:DOTMSuperBowlvsTrailer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|So does this qualify as a retcon?]]
* Que/Wheeljack's head was once considered to be based on [[Wikipedia:Christopher Lloyd|Christopher Lloyd]]'s [[Wikipedia:Emmett Brown|Doc Brown]] from the [[Wikipedia:Back to the Future trilogy|''Back to the Future'' movies]], rather than [[Wikipedia:Albert Einstein|Albert Einstein]].<ref name="wburt"/>

* The Wreckers were originally intended to have a robot pet dog, whose working names also included "Warpath".<ref name="nizzi"/> Hasbro released a toy of the dog with the [[Human Alliance]] version of Leadfoot, named "[[Steeljaw (DOTM)|Steeljaw]]".

* Megatron was originally supposed to appear in his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' form.<ref>http://joshnizzi.com/images/TF3/JoshNizzi_TF3_56.jpg</ref>

* In an interview with MTV.com, actors [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[John Malkovich]] hinted at some smaller scenes that were cut from the final edit of the movie. In addition to some add-libbing by the actors, one scene would have featured Malkovich's character, [[Bruce Brazos]], attempting to get Carly's phone number.<ref name="deletedmtv">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666772/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-dvd-deleted-scenes.jhtml MTV.com on deleted scenes], July 2011.</ref>

* In the original teaser trailer for ''Dark of the Moon'' that was released in December 2010, the opening scene that featured [[Neil Armstrong]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] investigate the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' on the moon had Sentinel Prime sport a gold and silver color scheme. For the final movie, his base color was changed to red.

* Similar to the teaser trailer, the Super Bowl spot also features footage that contains unfinished CG effects. Most notably, the shot that depicts Optimus Prime, equipped with his flight pack, swooping down on the Decepticons before starting his epic rampage on the ground was changed by the time the first full trailer was released: Optimus himself and the nameless [[M1 Abrams Decepticon]] are both rescaled and moved to different positions on-screen; a Decepticon using the same [[body-type]] as [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] is removed entirely; and a Decepticon using the same body-type as Long Haul, as well as other [[generic]]s, are added. The final movie uses pretty much the same version as seen in the trailer.
{{-}}

=== Leaks and disinformation===
[[File:DOTMgameSoundwave.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|What you're about to see is totally classified.]]
The movie's title, then "Transformers: ''The'' Dark of the Moon", was first discovered on October 6, 2010 via listings for childrens' books on [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]]. The title was further confirmed by a whois check for "www.transformersdarkofthemoonmovie.com".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-3-title-revealed-170697/ Transformers 3 Title Revealed?] @ TFW2005.com</ref> On October 31, the official website for all three movies, [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ transformersmovie.com], was updated to show the ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' logo as well as international release dates.

[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] was heavily touted as the new main villain, no doubt in an attempt to conceal [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]'s unexpected betrayal halfway through the movie. A piece of information that commonly popped up in media coverage was the claim that Shockwave was the ruler of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] while the other Autobots and Decepticons were duking it out on Earth.<ref name="pushpops">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-3-plot-summary-revealed-170756/ "Transformers 3 Plot Summary Revealed"], TFW2005, October 2010.</ref> The last bit could be written off as a case of [[Wikipedia:Chinese whispers|chinese whisper]]: Shockwave got announced as the villain for ''Dark of the Moon'', mainstream media (such as USA Today<ref name="usatodayswitch">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm "Next 'Transformers' is due for a switch"], USA Today, June 2010.</ref>) who aren't versed in Transformers lore looked up the character, found out about his ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Shockwave (G1)|namesake]]'s role in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]], included it as a piece of trivia to show they did their research, and then the trivia note got picked up as gospel by other media. Nevertheless, it was included in the ''official plot summary'' by Paramount's German branch (which also claimed that ''Shockwave'' was the robot discovered inside the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' as seen in the trailer).<ref name="germansite">[http://www.transformers3-film.de/ Official German DOTM site] including faulty plot summary.</ref>

[[File:TF3HasbroSoundwaveBio.JPG|thumb|upright=1.66|left|If you breathe a word of what you see in here, you will do time for treason.]]Michael Bay and other official parties tried ''really'' hard to suppress the plot twist of the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG given to [[Carly Spencer|Carly]] by [[Dylan Gould|Dylan]] turning out to be the new [[alternate mode]] of [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. After the Mercedes had been spotted on the set, with [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] exiting it,<ref name="mercedesset">[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=67518 DOTM Set Photos], ComingSoon.net, July 2010.</ref> the first hint that it was more than meets the eye came with the trailer for the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|video game]], which showed Soundwave's robot mode with car [[kibble]] such as wheels that heavily resembled those of the Mercedes. In addition, [[Rising Storm issue 3|issue 3]] of ''[[Transformers: Rising Storm]]'' depicted Soundwave's robot mode not only with car kibble, but with a Mercedes star on his chest. Despite this, director Michael Bay insisted that the Mercedes was simply Carly's car, claiming that "Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's {{sic}} really frown on that. I can't say what the game company and comics do that's their own thing. They don't have the same constraints movies do. It's Carly's car."<ref name="baynomerc">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8724-Update-Is-Soundwave-the-silver-Mercedes-on-set-of-DOTM&p=169598&viewfull=1#post169598 Michael Bay's response to the fan theory that Soundwave is the Silver Mercedes.], April 2011.</ref> On April 19, 2011, an event for promoting the ''Spider-Man: Edge of Time'' and ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' video games was held in London. As part of this, [[High Moon Studios]] released promotional stills from the ''Dark of the Moon'' game, one of which depicted Soundwave's new robot mode, again with Mercedes parts. However, a news embargo was enforced on the attending press, which was broken by South African video game site [http://egamer.co.za egamer].<ref name="egamera">[http://egamer.co.za/2011/05/exclusive-hands-on-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ egamer's preview of the ''Dark of the Moon'' video game]</ref> The site was soon asked to take down the article and images, as were various ''Transformers'' fan sites that had reported on the article and mirrored the images. On May 2, 2011, Hasbro's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/ official Transformers website] was given a massive overhaul, including the addition of the new [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma database]. The entry for Soundwave initially identified his alternate mode as a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, but was soon changed to "satellite". On May 3, 2011, the embargo for the video game article and promotional stills was finally lifted, allowing sites to freely show the image of Soundwave's new robot mode.

On May 5, 2011, several weeks before the trade paperback collection's official release, preview pages from [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation|''Dark of the Moon'' comic adaptation]] were discovered at Amazon. Through some bizarre system error, ''several dozen pages'' were made available, which included the major plot twist of Sentinel Prime showing his true colors and killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. Unsurprisingly, this discovery was quickly posted on several major Transformers [[fandom|fan sites]], often without a spoiler warning.

==Notes==
* A 126-page script for the movie was leaked in December 2009,<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6435/20/ The Allspark: Transformers News Movie Comics Animated - Script Treatment for Transformers 3? Bogus or Not, Here You Go!]</ref> causing much discussion among the fandom. It was later confirmed as fake.<ref>[http://shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6532 Script]</ref>
* When word hit that [[Megan Fox]] was off the picture, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VTs5ESycpY Heidi Montag] put an "audition" for her part on YouTube. [http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/114ce28ddd/sir-ben-kingsley-shows-up-heidi-montag Sir Ben Kingsley] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4FZeucBO0c Ashton Kutcher] made fun of her, because life is rad.
* Several concepts that had been established by the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]] were (more or less) dropped with ''Dark of the Moon'' in favor or a more traditional, ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]''-esque approach:
** In the 2007 movie, the Autobots arrive on Earth in "[[Protoform]]" entry modes (which was subsequently used as the basis for the Decepticons' arrival in [[Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall]]). Prior to the release of the movie, screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]] defended this choice over the use of a spaceship such as the ''Ark'' by asking why "aliens who moonlight as vehicles need other vehicles to travel".<ref name="orcitravel">[http://tformers.com/Ark-Not-Making-An-Appearance-In-the-Movie/6513/news.html TFormers quoting Roberto Orci], because Don Murphy's board can only be read by registered members.</ref> He somewhat changed his mind after the movie had been released, however.<ref name="orciship">[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=388596&postcount=271 Roberto Orci on the Transformers Live Action Movie Boards], July 2007.</ref> After the Decepticons' ship, the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', had made an appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', ''Dark of the Moon'' not only introduces the movieverse version of the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'', but also reveals that all the new Autobots who have been on Earth since before ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had arrived in their own spaceship, the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'', making the notion of individual Transformers traveling through space as "comets" an exception rather than the rule. ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' would also later depict the Autobots as stranded on Earth after the destruction of the ''Xantium'' in this film, further pointing towards the "comet" transportation as an abandoned concept.
** Furthermore, ''Dark of the Moon'' largely abandons the idea of Transformers having all their weapons integrated into their bodies in favor of more traditional, separate weapons. For example, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who had blades and hooks emerging from his forearms in the previous two movies now stores all his weapons (including an axe) as accessories inside his trailer (though he still carries some on his person). Also, Ironhide, whose cannons were previously affixed to his arms, now sports handheld firearms instead. Even Megatron, whose [[fusion cannon]] previously grew out of his arms, now has a hand-held shotgun. Though it can be argued that Optimus still has his swords in his arms during the Chicago battle, and both Ironhide and Megatron lost their integrated weapons in the previous film, the general change is still noticeable. The only ones who still seem to have the same converting arm cannons as in the previous movies are Bumblebee, Ratchet, and Starscream.
* Another change from the previous movies (though not rooted in ''Generation 1'') is that Transformers that take damage in battle now spill a red liquid that is very obviously meant to resemble human blood.
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] finally achieves a certain consistency between his two primary modes: Ever since his upgrade to a modern Camaro in ''Transformers'' (2007), his [[license plate]] had alternated between "900 STRA" in vehicle mode and "4NZZ 454" in robot mode. ''Dark of the Moon'' finally uses "900 STRA" for the robot mode as well. Hasbro's toys, which had previously favored the CG robot model's "4NZZ 454" (barring the occasional "4NZZ'''Z''' 454" flub), follow suit.
*Speaking of license plates: [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]]'s Maybach 62S Landaulet sports a German license plate, "'''S MM 6201'''", registered in the city of Stuttgart. In reality, that plate is registered to the manufacturer and used for promotional photos.<ref name="maybach">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/update--transformers-3-rumor--who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-170533/ Set photos and promo photos of the Maybach 62S Landaulet] at TFW2005.</ref>
*Michael Bay's private Gulfstream Aerospace G-1159A jet (registration number N4500X) has a cameo in the movie as [[Charlotte Mearing]]'s plane.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Darkside Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dākusaido Mūn'')
*''Cantonese:'' (變形金剛: 黑月降臨, "Transformers: The Arrival of the Black Moon")
*''Finnish:'' '''''Transformers: Kuun pimeä puoli''''' ("Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers 3: La Face cachée de la Lune''''' ("Transformers 3: The Hidden Side of the Moon")
*''German:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Italian:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Pièn-hsíng Chīn-kāng Sān''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛３, "Transformers 3"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Yuè Hēi zhī Shí''''' (China, 变形金刚：月黑之时, "Transformers: When the Moon Becomes Black")
*''Polish:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Lado Oculto da Lua''''' ("Transformers: The Hidden Side of the Moon")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery 3: Tjomnaja storona Luny''''' (Трансформеры 3: Тёмная сторона Луны, "Transformers 3: The Dark Side of the Moon")
*''Serbian:'' '''''Transformers 3: Tama Meseca''''' ("Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Lado Oscuro de la Luna''''' (America, "Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon")
*''Swedish:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Turkish:'' '''''Transformers: Ayın Karanlık Yüzü''''' ("Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon")

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersmovie.com/ Official ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' website]
*[http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ Trailers.Apple.com ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' page]
* Designer portfolios: [http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi], [http://www.warrenmanser.com/WarrenManser.com/PORTFOLIO_M/Pages/TRANSFORMERS_3.html Warren Manser], [http://www.joelchang.com/index.php?/projects/transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ Joel Chang], [http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8293 The Aaron Sims Company] (at Concept Art World), [http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt] (at Concept Art World), [http://massiveblack.com/MBwebolution/blog/?p=301 Massive Black], [http://www.ghull.com/#/125195 George Hull]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark of the Moon (film)}}
[[Category:Dark of the Moon| Dark of the Moon (film)]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon media| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Ratchet (WFC)

2016-04-19T21:26:55Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Notes */

{{faction|autobot|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Ratchet}}
:''Ratchet is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[File:PrimeRatcht.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|If we don't get Jeffrey Combs versus [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lance Henriksen]] before this series ends, there will be much, much sobbing.]]
The [[Autobot]]s' medical officer, '''Ratchet''' has a dry wit, often giving his wounded comrades a hard time for taking hits he somehow avoids. With the Energon supplies becoming less and less, he works to find new ways to make do, and he'd ''really'' prefer if the Autobots didn't risk injury (or worse) to protect [[human]]s. He'd also prefer the humans weren't brought back to [[Autobot Outpost Omega One]] but since ''he'' is unfamiliar with human tech, he needs [[Raf Esquivel]] to help him out. However, for all his views on humans, deep down Ratchet ''admires'' what the tiny fleshies bring to the fight. Maybe he'll even warm up to them.

[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s best friend, and ''de facto'' second-in-command, you'd be hard-pressed to find another Autobot who loves his leader as much as he does. Yet this is not to say Ratchet has blind faith in him; Ratchet resents Optimus' lack of action over the years regarding ending the war and many missed chances to kill [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. He's as flawed as any normal being would be, and a huge vice is his Cybertronian pride. At least once, it's nearly cost him the life of a friend. Furthermore, his grief for his destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|home world]] is what drives him. He didn't take the loss of Cybertron very well, and would do almost anything to get it back some day.

{{quote|In a contest between resources and ingenuity, never underestimate ingenuity.|Ratchet, [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]}}

==Fiction==
===''The Covenant of Primus''===
Ratchet emerged from the [[Well of All Sparks]] before the [[Age of Wrath]]. In his youth, Ratchet left his primitive village behind, and embarked on a pilgrimage to the newly-founded city of [[Iacon]]. There, he applied as a student to Iacon's medical units, and learned medical science from the then-current chief of surgery [[Remedy (COP)|Remedy]]. Over time, Ratchet slowly climbed the ranks, and eventually became a junior medic in one of Iacon's many medical clinics.

One day, Ratchet was interrupted from his studies by the arrival of [[Coldwelder]], a working-class [[Energon]] miner who claimed to have been abducted and experimented on by [[Quintesson|aliens]]. Ratchet was skeptical of his claims, but ordered his intern [[Crankhandle]] to help run a diagnostic on the frightened victim. While examining his patient with his colleague [[Cogwheel]], Ratchet discovered a probe of unknown origin had indeed been planted in Coldwelder's cranium. Ratchet was more than happy to let Cogwheel deal with the fallout of this strange discovery but felt guilty afterwords for passing the matter off to her to deal with.

Much later, the outbreak of the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]], Ratchet chose to join the Autobots under Optimus Prime. After the Autobot scout [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] was grievously wounded by Megatron, Ratchet attempted to patch up Bumblebee. Although the medic was able to repair Bumblebee's leg, he was unable to save his voice box, rendering Bumblebee mute.

After the great exodus from Cybertron, Ratchet was one of the handful of Autobots who travelled to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus}}

===Aligned novels===
Ratchet made his name during the [[Praxus|Praxian]] stalemate. He and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] fought in a few battles together, during which he taught the younger Autobot how to apply first aid. He repaired his throat after [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] destroyed it in revenge for ejecting the [[AllSpark]] into space, enabling Bumblebee to speak from time to time.

After Megatron invaded [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and took the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], Ratchet welded [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]]'s face and stabilized [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]]'s condition. When [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] asked Ratchet if Omega was ready to fight again, the offended medic responded that if Optimus wanted Omega to fight after the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] blew him out of the sky, [[Dark Energon]]-infused gladiators attacked him and Megatron tore out the Chamber out of his chest, then he wanted another surgeon. Optimus knew he had to apologize but was too preoccupied with rescuing [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]].

When the Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', Ratchet informed Optimus and [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] that Omega was repaired and ready to distract [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Uniend 610.23 Zeta]], {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}} Ratchet was present for a meeting amongst [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s most trusted lieutenants about [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]]'s plan to launch the [[AllSpark]] into space to keep it from [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], and then took part in the Battle at [[Tyger Pax]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee at Tyger Pax}}

===''Prime'' comic===
[[File:PrimeComicRatchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Don't worry, you won't see me as dirty later. Except [[Stronger, Faster|that one time]]...]]
Ratchet was stationed at the Autobot base on [[Earth]], opening the [[GroundBridge]] for Optimus to retrieve [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]. He reattached her arm after [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] had blown it off. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Jeffrey Combs]] (English), [[Nobuo Tobita]] (Japanese)|[[José María Carrero]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Seong-yong Ha]] (Korean), [[Claudio Moneta]] (Italian), [[Jan Spitzer]] (German), [[Mario Arvizu]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Jarosław Boberek]] (Polish), [[Luiz Antônio Lobue]] (Brazilian Portuguse), [[Jari Salo]] (Finnish)}}

Ratchet served during the war for Cybertron, where he "proved [his] mettle". {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}} After Bumblebee was captured at [[Tyger Pax]], Ratchet was the field medic who put him back together, but was unable to repair his voice box. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} At some point after Team Prime arrived on Earth, Ratchet modified [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]]'s jet, allowing him to fly without a flight suit. {{storylink|Grill}}

[[File:DarknessRising1-Ratchettragedy.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|You're drawn to his eccentric charm.]]
Ratchet was on patrol in a snowy region when news came in that [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was battling a platoon of Decepticons solo. Ratchet and the other Autobots returned to base to [[GroundBridge]] to his location, but they were too late: Cliffjumper was nowhere to be found, and Ratchet confirmed that his lifesigns had ceased. It was Ratchet's belief that continuing to operate on Earth and aid humans would only result in more tragedy, and as such, it was no surprise that he vehemently objected to the Autobots becoming protectors for [[Jack Darby]], [[Miko Nakadai]] and [[Raf Esquivel]] soon after—though the kids' incessant questions didn't help their case, either. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} Ratchet's mood was not improved when [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] accidentally crushed an important piece of lab equipment, and things got even worse when he was instructed to stay at base and watch the children while the other Autobots investigated the reappearance of Cliffjumper's lifesign. He did, however, start to see the value in the kids' presence when Raf helped him in his continuing struggle to master the inferior human computer systems the Autobot base ran on. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

[[File:Optimus Prime Ratchet Zombies Darkness Rising 4.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|He performs surgery with these. Carefully.]]

The other Autobots returned from their mission with the news that Cliffjumper had been revived by the Decepticons as a [[zombie]], and when [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] began feeling dizzy, Ratchet examined her and discovered a trace of the mysterious substance that had reanimated Cliffjumper. While examining it, Ratchet inadvertently dripped some on the equipment Bulkhead had broken, transforming it into a vicious little monster. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} Optimus Prime helped him destroy it, and both realized that they were dealing with [[Dark Energon]]. Realizing that [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] planned to raise an undead army, Optimus took Ratchet to the site of an ancient Transformer battle on Earth, but they arrived too late to prevent Megatron from using Dark Energon to raise the buried corpses of the warriors as a legion of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]]. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 3}} Ratchet quickly deduced that the best way to stop them was dismemberment, and he and Prime managed to cut down the entire army despite the debilitating effects of the Dark Energon. Ratchet sustained a wounded arm in the battle, and Megatron was able to escape. Returning to base, Ratchet examined some plans that Miko had obtained from the Decepticons in his absence, and speculated that the villains were building a [[space bridge]] so they could use Dark Energon to raise a zombie army on Cybertron and bring them to Earth. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}} Given his injuries, Ratchet stayed behind at the base to man the GroundBridge, sending the other Autobots to the orbiting space bridge for battle, and the kids to the [[Giant Sized Array]] radio telescope in [[Texas]] to cut off the Decepticons' targeting systems. While the kids failed in their endeavour, they did succeed in obtaining schematics for the space bridge, which Ratchet used to determine a means of destroying it. He instructed Arcee's team on sabotaging the space bridge, and bridged everyone back to base before the inevitable explosion. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}}

[[File:Masters&Students-Ratch-animator.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|I was busy pushing bodies around as you well know and what would a note say, Dan? "Cat dead, details later"?]]
Ratchet was initially dismayed to learn that the kids were working on their school science projects in the Autobot base, but changed his tune in short order and actually turned down combat duty to stay and help them. Unfortunately for the kids, he completely took over their projects, building a large volcano for Raf, a model of Cybertron for Miko, and an advanced engine for Jack. None of the projects went down well at school, much to Ratchet's disappointment. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

[[File:Scrapheap-Ratchetinfected.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|My kingdom for a [[Charlie Fong]]!]]
Ratchet found another reason to be grateful to have the kids around when a [[Scraplet]] infestation in the base left the GroundBridge disabled, and Ratchet at the mercy of the metal-eating monsters. Jack used a fire extinguisher to freeze the creatures, saving Ratchet's life, but the medic remained too badly wounded to effect repairs to the GroundBridge, and had to entrust the job to the humans. They succeeded, and Ratchet was able to patch up himself and his fellow Autobots. {{storylink|Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap}} Problems with the GroundBridge lingered, however, and Ratchet continued working on it during a visit by Bulkhead's old buddy [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], while trying to ignore the distractions caused by the other Autobots partying and Wheeljack and Bulkhead [[Cybertronian sport#Lobbing|Lobbing]]. The delays caused by Ratchet's repairs resulted in "Wheeljack" being exposed as [[Makeshift (Prime)|a Decepticon imposter]]. Unfortunately this also meant that when the real Wheeljack turned up, Ratchet was subjected to another round of partying. {{storylink|Con Job}}

Ratchet continued to play the role of tech support over the Autobots next few missions. He remained in the base to monitor the Autobot convoy as they transported the [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System]] across country, alerting them to an incoming Decepticon attack and—under protest—working with Raf to GroundBride Miko and Jack onto a moving track so they could stop the forces of [[MECH]] from stealing the device. [[File:SickMind-RatchetOP.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"I've heard that humans quite often wake up late with black eyes. They call the condition 'a hangover'."]]{{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}} The episode burnt Raf's laptop out, but Ratchet later helped fix it. {{storylink|Raf's Notes|Raf's Notes #5}} When the Decepticons stole an [[Energon Harvester]] from a human museum, Ratchet manufactured a replica to replace it, despite Bulkhead breaking his frame welder. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}}

When Ratchet and Optimus Prime investigated a [[Autobot plague ship|crashed Autobot vessel]], they discovered that it was a plague ship carrying deceased victims of [[Cybonic plague]], a pathogen created by Megatron himself. Optimus contracted the disease, which was beyond even Ratchet's ability to cure. In search of a treatment, he GroundBridged Arcee and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] to the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' so they could obtain the cure from Megatron's mind via [[cortical psychic patch]], a controversial procedure banned by Autobots but in which Ratchet was well-versed. While watching the link, Ratchet recorded the hologram of the plague antidote Megatron showed to Bumblebee, and was able later to produce a cure for Optimus. {{storylink|Sick Mind}}

[[File:OutHead-RatchetMegatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I hope you've been practicing "The Man Who Sold the World", Megatron, because you're about to be ''unplugged!'']] While Optimus was given a clean bill of health, Ratchet was more concerned about Bumblebee; learning that the scout was seeing visions of Megatron following their psychic link-up, Ratchet induced a shutdown to give his systems time to recover. The other Autobots soon left the base on a mission, and Ratchet was left with Raf, who was sitting by the unconscious Bumblebee's beside. Trying to explain to the boy that this was unnecessary only resulted in Ratchet being subjected to pictures of Raf's family. The discussion was cut off when Bumblebee suddenly reactivated, leading Ratchet to realize that Megatron had taken over his comrade's body. Unable to stop the Decepticon leader from escaped through the GroundBridge, Ratchet and Raf followed Bumblebee to the Decepticon ship. There, they tried fruitlessly to stop Bumblebee from restoring Megatron to life, and had to retreat under Vehicon fire after Megatron's resurrection. They found Optimus's team on the ground below and returned to base where Ratchet checked over Bumblebee's processor for any lingering traces of Megatron's influence. {{Storylink|Out of His Head}}

Due to his experience with Dark Energon, Ratchet—much to his own surprise—was tapped to take Arcee's place when the Autobots deployed to confront [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. He was attempting to use the evil substance to revive [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]. Discovering that the kids had followed them through the GroundBridge, Ratchet ordered them to head back through to base, only for a Decepticon GroundBridge to manifest at the same time, causing a disruption that hurled the children into a parallel dimension. Deducing what had happened, Ratchet was able to recreate the original feedback loop and create a portal the kids could escape through. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}} Ratchet also went into the field on the Autobots' next mission: After patching up Bulkhead following a skirmish with Breakdown in which the 'Con was captured by MECH, Ratchet joined the effort to rescue the Decepticon. Following an Energon signature but finding only Breakdown's plucked-out eye, Ratchet attempted to extract images from the eye to help in the Autobots' search, but it turned out to be a MECH booby-trap, and the team only narrowly avoided the bomb explosion that resulted. They later tracked down Bulkhead in time to rescue him from Starscream and Breakdown. {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}}

[[File:StrongerFaster-Ratchetvehicle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|A rare sighting.]]

Ratchet was at the Autobot base when Jack and Arcee brought Jack's mother [[June Darby]] in to introduce her to everyone. {{storylink|Crisscross}} When June next visited the base, the on-edge medic assumed her car was a Decepticon, though he didn't object to June, a nurse, respectfully calling him "doctor". While in conversation with June, Ratchet detected a magnetic anomaly and dispatched Bulkhead and Arcee to find it; when they returned magnetically stuck together, he realized they were dealing with a [[polarity gauntlet]]. Bulkhead and Arcee were eventually able to retrieve the device and present it to Ratchet back at base. {{storylink|Metal Attraction}} Ratchet's tech expertise came to the fore again when he detected the activation of a crashed [[Harbinger|Decepticon ship's]] computer system: when Bumblebee and Arcee returned from investigating with two frozen comrades and the pieces of the [[immobilizer|Decepticon weapon]] responsible, Ratchet was able to repair the weapon and use it to restore Prime and Bulkhead. {{storylink|Partners}}

[[File:StrongerFaster-crouchbehindrock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Stronger, faster, squatter]]

While most of the other Autobots went out to retrieve a [[Cybertronian data cylinder]], Ratchet stayed at base to monitor them and annoy Bulkhead and Miko by interrupting their monster truck footage. After Bulkhead was called out to the field, Ratchet assigned Miko cleaning duties, only for her to rush off to the battlefield and inadvertently cause the contents of the cylinder to be downloaded into Bulkhead's brain. Ratchet initially gave Bulkhead a clean bill of health, but when Bulkhead started painting complex formulae, Ratchet made two discoveries: one, that the formulae were for [[Synthetic Energon]], and two, that the data was slowly destroying Bulkhead's mind. After much of the formula had been transcribed, the data was beamed out of Bulkhead into space, leaving him comatose. Ratchet's suggestion that a familiar sound might rouse the Autobot led Miko to wake Bulkhead with her guitar playing. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} Working from Bulkhead's incomplete formula, Ratchet appeared to succeed in synthesizing a batch of the Synthetic Energon, and used himself as a guinea pig. Supercharged by the new substance at the expense of his mental stability, Ratchet was made strong enough to trash an entire squad of Vehicons on his own and to throw Bulkhead through a wall while sparring. When he went too far in interrogating a [[Decepticon Miner]] under the auspices of being more "proactive", Optimus was forced to confine him to base. Escaping, Ratchet went to confront Megatron on his own, infiltrating the Decepticons' Energon mine and making short work of Breakdown. Unfortunately, Megatron proved more formidable than expected, and Ratchet was seriously injured and left for Knock Out to extract a sample of Synthetic Energon from. Drained of the SynthEn and its effects, Ratchet managed to raise enough strength to fight back and destroy the sample, and was then rescued by the other Autobots and taken back to base for treatment. Ratchet apologized for his behavior, though at least they'd gained a supply of real energon from the mine out of it. {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}

[[File:OneShallRise2-Ratchethumans.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|Professionals never look directly into the camera, Ratchet]]

When Optimus became interested in a prophecy from the [[Covenant of Primus]], Ratchet worked out that the planetary alignment mentioned was mere days away. Shortly after, Raf was injured during a mission to stop the Decepticons from gathering space bridge components. Ratchet's lack of knowledge of human physiology left him unable to treat the boy, so June Darby was called in to help. Ratchet refused to allow Raf to be taken to a hospital, as human doctors wouldn't have any experience with Energon contamination, but it became apparent that this wasn't what was ailing Raf. He had been infected with ''Dark'' Energon. Ratchet took the risk of applying an infusion of regular Energon to neutralize the Dark, and Raf recovered. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}} Immediately thereafter, Ratchet joined Arcee and Bulkhead in rescuing Optimus from a battle with Megatron, then set about analyzing a series of natural disasters that began across the Earth, deducing that the tremors were the heartbeat of [[Unicron]], slumbering within the Earth and threatening to destroy it with his awakening. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} When Megatron approached the Autobots with the proposition of an alliance to stop Unicron from destroying the planet, Ratchet scoffed at the notion. He grew increasing incredulous to the idea that he would GroundBridge the others into the Earth's very core, following co-ordinates provided by Megatron, so the Optimus could use the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to deactivate Unicron, but was nonetheless forced to go along with the plan when Optimus accepted Megatron's offer. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}}

Remaining behind in the base with the kids and unable to contact the Autobots in the planet's depths, Ratchet passed the time telling the humans about the old days when Optimus was known as Orion Pax, and was shocked to discover that Optimus had entrusted Jack with the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] before departing. A final tremor that Ratchet shielded the kids from heralded Autobot victory within the planet, but when Ratchet GroundBridged the others back, they reported that Optimus had lost his memories and left with Megatron. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

Ratchet reasoned that Optimus's amnesia must have been a result of emptying the Matrix, and that the solution involved the Key to Vector Sigma. He started tinkering with the GroundBridge to try and find a way to reach Cybertron, though when frustrations boiled over at their lack of success in getting Optimus back, Jack suggested they might use the Decepticon space bridge instead. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Thought he continued his tinkering with the GroundBridge, Ratchet was demoralized after the first test with Raf's radio-controlled car resulted in the destruction of the toy. The real breakthrough came when Ratchet was able to trade Starscream medical attention for information on the location of the space bridge. Once Ratchet and the others secured the bridge, they sent Jack and Arcee through. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}} Ratchet, Bulkhead and Bumblebee monitored Jack's progress from the Earth end of the space bridge. When Megatron arrived to take back control, Ratchet and the others were tossed around like rag dolls by the Decepticon leader. Luckily for them their plan worked out, and Ratchet and the others returned to base with Optimus Prime restored. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}

[[File:OperationBumblebee2 delirious Ratchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"And if you think that's bad, you should see what I did to Injector!"]]
Optimus and Ratchet followed an ancient signal and tangled with Megatron in the process of retrieving the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]]. After another altercation, Ratchet discovered that Bumblebee's [[transformation cog|T-cog]] was missing. Ratchet was therefore forced to pick Raf up after school, and told the boy the story of how Bumblebee's voice box was damaged. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} Guilty at his inability to do anything, Ratchet offered his own T-cog and, after talking Optimus into letting him do it, selected Arcee to perform the procedure. When he woke up, it was to find that the operation had been aborted, and Bumblebee had gone after MECH. Bumblebee returned with his lost cog, though in a damaged state, and Ratchet was able to repair it enough to restore Bumblebee's ability to transform. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

Ratchet patched up Wheeljack after the Wrecker returned to Earth and was involved in a scrap with [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]. {{storylink|Loose Cannons}} Receiving another coded signal, Ratchet and Bulkhead again found Starscream in need of medical attention. They were able to get information from him about Airachnid's status and the presence of an [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]] on Earth. {{storylink|Crossfire}} When Fowler was attacked by a truck that resembled Optimus, Ratchet tracked Optimus's signal to confirm the offender wasn't their leader. They soon established that the truck in question was a MECH-created clone of Optimus, and Ratchet patched up the Autobots after they defeated Silas and [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]]. {{storylink|Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime}} Ratchet dispatched Optimus, Bumblebee and Arcee to investigate underground activity, and they returned with Airachnid in stasis lock. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}}

Optimus's attempt to attack the ''Nemesis'' with the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]] failed, Ratchet returned the stasis-locked team to base and GroundBridged Fowler and the kids aboard the ship. With his guidance, they were able to shut down the intelligence guiding the ship, and he even stepped aboard himself to retrieve Jack and the [[transfer drive]] full of [[Project Iacon]] data. {{storylink|Flying Mind}}

[[File:Prime-TriageRatchet&Wheeljack.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"Hey Wheeljack, do you think it looks weird when I cross my legs? I mean, I can't help if I have such girly legs."]]
When Optimus decided they would need to secure all four relics at once, Ratchet pointed out that they were short-manned as it was. {{storylink|Tunnel Vision}} He was unimpressed when Optimus decided that Wheeljack would be called in to help him on his part of the mission since he was a capable warrior. {{storylink|Triangulation}} Ratchet disapproved of Wheeljack's behavior as they set off in the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'', particularly being called "Doc". He also was far from impressed with his methods when attacking Soundwave and Laserbeak before they crashed landed. When they noticed the downed Laserbeak nearby, he struck on the idea of implanting a virus into the disabled Laserbeak, which would upload the Iacon database to the Autobots. With Raf's help, Ratchet managed to do so while Wheeljack kept Soundwave occupied, and managed to keep out of sight when Soundwave arrived to retrieve his pet. He attempted to convince Wheeljack to return to base for repairs, and thanked him for his back-up. When he returned to base, he found the virus was downloading the Iacon database into the Autobots' mainframe, but his joy was short-lived, as Bulkhead came flying through the GroundBridge with a smoking back {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}} after being shot by [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]] {{storylink|Toxicity}}

Ratchet worked frantically to stabilize Bulkhead and, with the help of the other Autobots, managed to succeed, though Bulkhead remained comatose. {{storylink|Hurt}} He continued to oversee Bulkhead's recovery, though when Miko started getting too rough with the patient, he insisted on Bulkhead taking a break. {{storylink|Out of the Past}} When Raf found a report of a Cybertronian escape pod, Optimus took a team including Ratchet to investigate. Ratchet was almost slagged by an Insecticon, but newcomer [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] arrived and helped them win. Back at base, Ratchet was left in charge when Optimus went out to retrieve some [[Red Energon]], and Smokescreen talked him into letting the new Autobot go to Optimus's aid with the [[phase shifter]]. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

Bulkhead continued to try to pressure Ratchet into letting him go back out on missions. Ratchet finally gave in during a mission to protect a military base, though rather than sending him to the base, Ratchet sent him to protect Raf, who was hacking into a [[Project Damocles]] satellite. {{storylink|The Human Factor}}

Ratchet chastised Smokescreen when the latter broke cover to scare a human driver. After Optimus Prime opined that Smokescreen needed a human to teach him local customs and rules, Ratchet grumbled in disgust at the idea of ''yet another'' human being included in their ranks, to the uncomfortable silence of the other Autobots. Shortly thereafter, Ratchet detected a homing beacon from an Iacon relic and a team led by Optimus was sent to investigate in [[China]]. However, a second signal was then detected elsewhere, and with Optimus's team unreachable, Smokescreen was sent in their steed. After discovering that the Decepticons have found the legendary [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], Smokescreen was captured and Jack was pursued by Insecticons, but not before he managed to notify Ratchet of their findings, who GroundBridges to Optimus' position to fill him in. After the Autobots returned to base with their new prize, Ratchet sent Jack home at the request of a very angry Arcee and witnessed Optimus Prime enter a trance while communing through the Star Saber with [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|Legacy (episode)|Legacy}}

Ratchet was happy at the news they would soon be able to return home to Cybertron, and when the other Autobots realized they would have to leave their human friends behind, Ratchet suggested they could sent texts. While he worked on a way for Optimus to properly wield the Star Saber, the weapon was later destroyed in battle against Megatron, though Ratchet reminded the other Autobots that Optimus didn't need a sword to be a great warrior. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}} Ratchet found himself busy repairing the other Autobots after a number of failed missions to retrieve Omega Keys and monitored Optimus's work decoding coordinates, though it turned out that the final set were a picture of Smokescreen. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}}

With Smokescreen a prisoner on the Decepticon warship, Ratchet was unable to track him, but once he freed himself, Ratchet provided a GroundBridge back to base. A short time later they were contacted by Starscream, who offered the final key they needed in exchange for the replacement of his T-Cog. Unfortunately it was a trap, and while Optimus, Ratchet and Bulkhead were examining the corpse of one of [[Starscream clone (Prime)|Starscream's clones]], the real Starscream made off with the Omega Keys. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

[[File:DarkestHour-Ratchetleaves.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"And Optimus, before you come back to life, be sure to tell Cliffjumper he still needs to pay his medical bills!"]]

Ratchet was surprised to learn that Optimus had kept the existence of the [[Omega Lock]] a secret from everyone. After Optimus modified the GroundBridge into a space bridge, he sent the other Autobots to Cybertron and monitored their progress, though he had to field a phone call from Jack asking why no one had picked the kids up. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}} He had to field a further call from June Darby, and a power surge that disrupted the base computers. When the Autobots finally returned, it was with the news that the Omega Lock had been destroyed, much to Ratchet's shock. When the Decepticons attacked the base, the Autobots were forced to abandon it, and Ratchet GroundBridged to a location elsewhere in the US. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

[[File:Scattered-Bigfoot.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"If I have to kill humans for beef jerky one more time..."]]
Despondent, Ratchet hid in a scrap yard outside Woodland Park. He was caught on camera, enabling Bumblebee and Raf to track him down, but they were at first unable to convince him to help them fight back. After experiencing a change of heart, he followed them to the ''Harbinger'' to help get the ship working. {{storylink|Scattered}}
He was able to get the ship's GroundBridge working and used the Decepticon frequencies to contact Fowler. The trio were shortly after joined by most of the other surviving Autobots, accompanied by the newly arrived [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}}

Ratchet utilized the GroundBridge and communications systems to lure the Decepticons away from [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]], with the help of the kids. He monitored the Autobot attack on the fortress from the ''Harbinger'', and was thus able to detect the incoming Optimus Prime, shortly before their leader turned up to save the day. The Autobots later assembled at a human military base, and Ratchet assured Smokescreen that he'd made the right choice in repairing Optimus with the Forge. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}} As the others salvaged technology from their old base, Ratchet set about getting it working in their new one and was able to make the GroundBridge functional again. He also restarted his work on Synthetic Energon, though he warned Optimus not to expect too much. {{storylink|Project Predacon}}

Upon Wheeljack’s return to base after a failed mission, Ratchet asked him to accompany Arcee on another errand, lest Ratchet be forced to abandon his work and venture out of his comfort zone. Though Ratchet was later willing to go out to fetch yet another Predacon bone from a museum (albeit grudgingly), agent Fowler informed him that this was unnecessary, as he was more than capable of retrieving it himself. Things went wrong once more, unfortunately, and the Decepticons acquired the fossil once more. {{storylink|Plus One (Prime)|Plus One}}

[[File:PersuasionFaceoff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Look, if you've kidnapped me to ask about Char Gar Gothikon, let me tell you, this is not the craziest thing the fandom has done!]]
While he continued his work, he also had to take time out to repair the other Autobots, such as when Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack came off second-best against [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]]. {{storylink|Evolution}} He did his best to replace Magnus's hand, but was only able to manage a claw. When the Decepticons began stealing technology, the Autobots captured Soundwave, but were unable to make him talk. Ratchet decided he would have to open the Decepticon up to examine his hard drives directly, but Soundwave merely erased the drives and crashed himself. A Decepticon attack on the [[Solaris particle collider]] led Ratchet to believe that the Decepticons intended to repair the Omega Lock, but while the ramifications were still sinking in, Laserbeak reactivated Soundwave with new orders to capture Ratchet. {{storylink|Minus One}} Ratchet awoke on the ''Nemesis'' and was subjected to a cortical psychic patch. Once the Decepticons realized that he had not completed the Synthetic Energon formula, Megatron revealed to him the reason why he had been captured. The threat of harm to the other Autobots was not enough, but when Megatron explained that the Synth-En was needed to restore Cybertron, and showed off the Omega Lock they'd restored, he reluctantly agreed to help. {{storylink|Persuasion}}

[[File:TFP-Synthesis-PredakingandRatchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|Ratchet: "Sean Connery called, he wants his title back." Predaking: "But I ''am'' the last dragon!"]]
With the help of Decepticon engineering, Ratchet completed the formula, but rather than hand Megatron the power to recreate Cybertron, he attempted to destroy it and escape. Unfortunately he was stopped by Megatron, who handed him over to Predaking as a plaything. Though Predaking was keen to avenge his lost species, Ratchet revealed what he'd overheard—that Megatron had allowed the Autobots to find Shockwave's lab. During Predaking's resulting rampage, Ratchet dropped the warship's shields and made contact with the other Autobots to let them know Megatron was planning to cyberform Earth. {{storylink|Synthesis}} Ratchet made his way to the Omega Lock control room, where he did his best to keep Shockwave occupied. He and the others present witnessed Bumblebee kill Megatron, and he was overjoyed to discover that Bumblebee's voice box had been restored as the result of exposure to the Omega Lock. The Autobot took control of the warship and used the Omega Lock to restore Cybertron, however Ratchet opted to remain on Earth to help the humans. {{storylink|Deadlock}}

Ratchet was called to Cybertron to tend to Ultra Magnus, after the Wrecker was wrecked by some new Predacons. When Unicron arrived on the planet using Megatron's body, Ratchet was able to use the ship's sensors to pinpoint Unicron's location, and reveal that the dark god was raising an army of undead Predacons with which to destroy Primus. He was kept out of the battle to save Cybertron, but was present when Optimus sacrificed himself to restore the AllSpark to Cybertron. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

===Titan Magazines ''Prime'' comic===
[[File:Titan4.1 Ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Optimus! Check out my giant shoulder pads!!!]]
In the lower levels of Outpost Omega One, Ratchet constructed a training room he dubbed the [[Safe]], though the inferior Earth materials he was forced to use meant it wasn't as good as it could be. Indeed, Bulkhead began tearing his way merrily through it, only to uncover something Ratchet hadn't found—a nuclear missile while promptly activated. Ratchet and Raf were assigned to deal with the bomb, however as Raf was the expert on Earth technology, Ratchet deferred to him. Luckily Raf managed to reverse the bomb's timer, and Fowler arrived with some scientists to take care of the rest. After Bulkhead apologised to Ratchet for smashing up the room, Ratchet suggested he and Raf design a new Safe. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.1|The Safe and the Failsafe}}

Optimus took the Autobots and the kids on a trip to [[Valley of Fire State Park]]. When Raf impressed the others with his knowledge and worried it made himself sound geeky, Ratchet proclaimed himself Autobot geek and proud. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.2|War Story}}

Ratchet alerted the others to the fact that Fowler was about to arrive at the base, and indeed, Fowler walked in moments later with the news that the Decepticons had hijacked [[Yamal|a nuclear ship]] near [[Antarctica]]. When Optimus, Bumblebee and Ratchet arrived at the ship, they found the crew were unconscious. Ratchet wondered what could have done that, but he was answered moments later by [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], who knocked him out with a [[sonic lance]]. By the time Ratchet recovered, the fight was over, and as they returned to the base, he said he'd be fine so long as he stayed away from any ice. Unfortunately in their absence, the others had turned the base into an ice skating ring, and as soon as he stepped through the GroundBridge, Ratchet ended up flat on his back. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.3|Ice Breaker}}

[[File:Titan4.4 Ratchet.jpg|thumb|270px]]
Raf was playing ''[[Invasionauts II]]'' at the base, Ratchet observed that the alien robots he was fighting in the game looked a lot like Autobots. After the game hypnotised Raf into operating the GroundBridge and letting in Vehicons, Ratchet initially blamed Bulkhead, but helped hold off the Decepticons until Raf recovered and reconfigured the bridge to suck the Vehicons back in. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.4|Tinker, Tailor, Gamer, Spy!}} Ratchet approved of the way Jack was starting to sound as paranoid as him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.5|School Is... Out!}} After the [[President of the United States]] was kidnapped by Starscream, Ratchet and the Autobots tracked the Decepticon to the [[Grand Canyon]]. Ratchet and Bulkhead protected [[Air Force One]] while the others rescued the President. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.6|All the President's 'Bots!}}

When he lost contact with Optimus Prime while their leader was exploring a scrap-metal facility in [[Zhejiang Province]], [[China]], Ratchet dispatched Bulkhead and Arcee to help, but was forced to drop them ten kilometers from the target due to interference. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.8|The Mind Trap!}} Ratchet was forced to GroundBridge [[Novo|Agent Novo]] to China after the MECH operative took Miko hostage. To make up for it, he discovered a way to track [[Miko's phone]], pointing the other Autobots to the location of MECH's base. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.9|The Novo Incident}}

After deploying Optimus's team to the [[Deep Driller]] oil platform, Ratchet monitored the situation from base, and was amused by the sight of Prime and the others being defeated by a bunch of humans in [[robotic battle suit]]s. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.10|Mad Dogs & Autobots}} Ratchet operated the GroundBridge so the other Autobots could take the kids onto the ''Nemesis'' to search for Bulkhead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.11|The Battle for Bulkhead}} During a battle in [[The Wave]], Bumblebee was injured by a sniper, so Ratchet patched him up and sent him back to base with Raf. When the Autobots later returned to base, Ratchet was surprised to find the pair had trashed the place. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.12|The Evil Shred}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.13|Protecting the Lady}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.17|Collider Scope}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.18|Power Outage}}}}

====Ratchet's Joke Page====
At some point Ratchet got a medical degree and began treating human patients. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.8|Issue 4.8}}

===Eaglemoss ''Prime'' comic===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|On Thin Ice}} {{storylink|Sand Trap}} {{storylink|Friend or Foe?}} {{storylink|Horrible TV}} {{storylink|Cell}}}}

===''Rescue Bots'' cartoon===
When three of the [[Rescue Bot]]s were stricken down with a mysterious virus, Optimus consulted Ratchet, who suggested that one of the antidotes from the Rescue Bots' ship would cure it. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (RB)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}} Ratchet later gave the Rescue Bots energon transfusions after they used up their own supply powering the [[Mayor Luskey Dome]]. {{storylink|Today and Forever}}

===''Tales of the Beast Hunters''===
After [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] run into trouble in the [[asteroid belt]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] had Ratchet overload the GroundBridge. Despite protesting, Ratchet succeeded in bridging Optimus to the derelict ship the others were on. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 5}} Once the team successfully returned with mysterious Cybertronian weapons, Ratchet was put to work in his lab trying to make them function. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 7}} [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] managed to retrieve some [[data disc]]s from [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]'s lab, which Ratchet found contained information on Shockwave's cloning process and the weapons Bumblebee had retrieved. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 13}} He eventually managed to unlock the secrets of the weapons and power them up. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 17}} When Bumblebee recovered from the earlier mission, Ratchet assigned him to light duties patrolling with [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 23}}

===''Full of Fire!''===
Ratchet constructed a number of new Beast Hunters weapons for Team Prime, including a [[Dragonshredder Drill]] for himself. He, Bumblebee and Bulkhead went out into a [[New Mexico]] desert with Optimus Prime to test the weapons, and were attacked there by no less than six Predacons. Ratchet quickly brought all of the weapons online, and they proved capable of making the Autobots more than a match for the Predacons. {{storylink|Full of Fire!}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Pursuing the AllSpark after it had been launched into space, Ratchet was one of the many Autobots that found their way to Earth. There, he participated in a great battle within a human settlement against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}
===2015 Robots in Disguise cartoon===
{{spoiler|Decepticon Island (Part 1)|April 23}}
Ratchet remained on Cybertron after Prime's sacrifice and the rebirth of Cybertron. Although he tried to join the reconstruction efforts, he found that the new Cybertronian council blamed Optimus Prime and the Autobots for the planet's destruction. The Council assigned Ratchet the job of hunting down any remaining war criminals. Knowing that this was effectively a banishment -and knowing that protesting would only land him in prison- Ratchet reluctantly accepted. Partnered with the [[Mini-Con]] [[Undertone]], he tracked down and captured rogue Decepticons. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

Some years after Cybertron's rebirth, a statue of Ratchet was constructed in his honor. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}}

Ratchet eventually tracked a Decepticon to Earth, where he ran across [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]]. Shortly afterwards, he encountered Bumblebee and the rest of the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]], including a reborn Optimus Prime. Making his way back to the scrapyard base, he explained the circumstances of his mission to the team, only to be interrupted by the arrival of [[Toolbox]], an escaped Mini-Con. Along with the other Autobots, he decided to take part in the raid on the Decepticon base. He also privately counciled Optimus about whether or not the former Autobot leader should re-take command. The team slipped into the base by masquerading as [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]]'s captives, although they were eventually spotted and surrounded by [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]]'s new army of Decepticon fugitives. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

{{spoiler|Decepticon Island (Part 2)|April 23}}

The team had to split up, and Ratchet found himself fighting alongside [[Drift (RID)|Drift]] and his Mini-Con students against [[Overload (RID)|Overload]]. Ratchet was overpowered by the hulking Decepticon and thrown into a stasis pod, although [[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] and [[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]] released him and [[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]]. Ratchet and Undertone escaped with the other Autobots after Bumblebee and Optimus detonated a [[stasis bomb]] inside the ship. In the aftermath, Ratchet and Undertone decided to return to Cybertron with Windblade to confront Cybertron's government. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 2)}}

===IDW ''Robots in Disguise'' comic===
While struggling to get his team to work together, Bumblebee recalled happier times when he was part of Team Prime with Ratchet. {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 1|Robots in Disguise #1}}

==Commercial appearances==
*After having already been weirded out after Bulkhead broke into a scat in the middle of a carol, {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Carolers1|The Hub Carolers (First spot)}}Ratchet was dismayed as the [[Joker]], a criminal, stole the chorus of [[wikipedia:Jingle Bells|Jingle Bells]] as it was being performed by a group of carolers. This group included [[Bulkhead (Prime)|other]] [[Megatron (WFC)|Transformers]], [[My Little Pony|ponies]], and an [[wikipedia:Strawberry Shortcake|underage baker]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Carolers2|The Hub Carolers (Second spot)}}

*Fowler summoned the Autobots for a vague special mission. When Ratchet inquired if they were to receive back-up, Fowler informed them that [[Batman]] had agreed to team up with them. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Impossibly Awesome|Mission: Impossibly Awesome Marathon}}

*Ratchet presented Bumblebee and Optimus with new secret weapons that the two of them used to mow down legions of Vehicons. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Weaponizers|Weaponizers Commercial}}

*Ratchet took Bumblebee through a tour of the Autobots' armory which culminated in Ratchet presenting [[Optimus Maximus (Prime)|Optimus Maximus]]. The two of them then rode the mech into battle, plowing through ranks of Vehicons. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Optimus Maximus|Optimus Maximus commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
{{voiceactor|[[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)|[[Stefano Albertini]] (Italian)}}
[[File:RatchetWFCScreenshotAttack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Just let me patch you up with my [[Energon repair ray|ENORMOUS HEALING CANNON]]!"]]
During the [[Decepticon]]s' siege of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Ratchet was assigned to Optimus, and helped him rescue a courier named [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who informed Optimus that with the presumed death of [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Zeta Prime]], the Council was putting him in command. The three of them headed back to the command center, receiving a message from [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] that the [[Aerialbot (WFC)|Aerialbots]] were being overwhelmed and needed support. It was decided that the planetary guns, disabled earlier by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron's]] forces, needed to be brought back online. Informing Jetfire that he was taking temporary command, Optimus took Ratchet and Bumblebee with him on the mission, though when Ratchet questioned the "temporary" part, Optimus brushed it aside.

When that mission was completed, they decided their next stop was the [[Decagon]], in order to re-establish communications and coordinate Iacon's defense. Hitting serious resistance, including several [[Decepticon war machine]]s and more than a few damaged lifts which Ratchet puzzled out a way around, they nonetheless prevailed with help from Jetfire and [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]], before reaching the Decagon itself, where they encountered the former Autobot [[Air Commander|Sky Commander]], [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. They managed to defeat him as well and retook the Decagon. He boosted the signal of a message from the captive Zeta Prime and cautioned Optimus not to act as it was clearly a trap.

After Optimus was named the new [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], he went on a mission to free [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s core of Megatron's [[Dark Energon]] corruption. In order to do so, however, he needed to open the [[Omega Gate]], which would require freeing [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] from Decepticon captivity. Omega was still badly damaged from his battle with Megatron's forces, so Optimus called in Ratchet, whom Prime, [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]], and Ironhide protected during his operation to repair Omega Supreme. After the Omega Gate was opened, Ratchet returned to base with Omega, as field repairs could only do so much.

When [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] began destroying fleeing Autobot ships on Megatron's order, Ratchet declared the Decepticon leader completely insane. Once Trypticon fell to the surface from orbit, Ratchet organized the rescue effort. After Trypticon was defeated, he praised Optimus on his success, but the price paid was costly - many Autobots were lost, and those remaining were now forced to abandon Cybertron while the planetary [[Primus|Core]] repaired the damage. Ratchet was one of those who stayed behind with Optimus to resist Megatron's schemes, and to build an ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' to carry them from their home when the time came. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

[[File:WFC Ratchet.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Standing ''near'' ze point does nothing! Get ''on'' ze point, dummkopf!"]]

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron — Autobots''===
[[File:WFCDS Ratchet.jpg|thumb|124px|"Doctor, are you sure this will work?" 
"I HAVE NO IDEA!"]]
When the Decepticons started poking around an Autobot base, Ratchet tracked their search patterns and instructed a [[Autobot rookie|rookie]] on where to go to find whatever it was they were looking for. Ratchet was in the control room to greet the rookie on arrival, and hand him over to [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]] for basic training. Unfortunately the Decepticons destroyed the rookie and found the intel they were after. Following Zeta Prime's capture, the Autobot leader managed to contact Ironhide and Ratchet, but the data links powering the communications grid were severed. Ratchet greeted another rookie, who managed to repair the data links.

Ratchet would go on to become a member of Optimus' inner circle. Following the retaking of Iacon, he reported that the Data-net was back online and Zeta Prime could contact them again. He later worked with Jetfire to analyse core samples, and discovered that the core would be healing itself if it weren't for the influence of the Dark Energon corruptors. Optimus's team successfully freed the core, but the planet was no longer able to sustain them. When Ratchet asked what they'd do, Optimus responded that their new mission was to leave the planet. Ratchet was among the Autobots who defeated Megatron's secret weapon, the monstrous titan Trypticon. Upon Trypticon's defeat, Ratchet left the planet along with Optimus's team. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|War for Cybertron - Autobots/Decepticons}}

===''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures''===
Ratchet attempted to aid and evacuate survivors from an orbital blast form Megatron's new weapon, [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]], when the Decepticon leader tracked him down. After exchanging gunfire, Ratchet was forced onto a ledge, and Megatron tauntingly kicked him off. The Autobot survived the fall, but was pinned down by debris. Fortunately [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] was in the area and came to the rescue. As the two made their trek back to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Ratchet informed Sideswipe that he had information about the Decepticon superweapon that needed to get to Optimus right away... {{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}
{{note|Ratchet is not a playable character; he appears as a boss in the Decepticon campaign, and only in a single cutscene in the Autobot campaign.}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
{{voiceactor|[[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)}}
Ratchet was deeply hurt by the torment of having to watch his home planet power down around him. He recorded several audio logs in order to acknowledge and reflect on the cause of the planet's slow demise, hoping that a future generation would never have to endure such a sight. Ratchet came to fear the very likely reality that the Transformers' war would not end when "all were one" - but rather, due to their own extinction from lack of Energon. It was this need for Energon that forced the Autobots to begin to siphon power from [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]'s inert, but still alive body; a gruesome last resort that shook Ratchet to his core, praying that there was some justification to be found for the Autobots' desperate act.

During the preparations for the Ark's launch, Ratchet worked with Optimus Prime, [[Perceptor (Prime)|Perceptor]], and the other Autobots to recover the energon necessary for lift-off. Grimlock later identified a space bridge for the Autobots to use to escape Cybertron, but upon its' destruction, Ratchet reported that it was becoming unstable and they needed to launch as soon as possible. Thanks to the sacrifice of [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]], they were able to do so immediately, but they came under attack by the ''Nemesis''. When cornered while trying to treat Bumblebee during the initial assault, Ratchet slyly used a flashing beacon to disorient the Decepticons while feigning submission. Ratchet guided Bumblebee through the ''Ark'' until he found the dueling Optimus and Megatron.
{{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

{{note|Ratchet also appears as a playable character in the game's 'Escalation' mode, on the 'Ignition' map. Ratchet fights alongside [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]]. He is the team's [[Medic (FOC)|medic]].}}

=== ''Transformers: Prime - The Game'' ===
[[File:Transformers prime the game ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
{{voiceactor|[[Jeffrey Combs]] (English)}}

When Team Prime mobilized to untether the [[Dark Energon]] meteor that the Decepticons were towing into orbit via the ''Nemesis'', Ratchet per usual stayed behind to run the GroundBridge. When the meteor fell to Earth, taking Team Prime with it, Ratchet left the human allies to man the Bridge in order to retrieve [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], who was the only Autobot whose energy signature they were able to locate... ''before'' Ratchet teleported out, at least.

Ratchet found Prime next to the largest surviving chunk of the meteorite, which also contained the colossus [[Thunderwing (Prime)|Thunderwing]]. The giant awoke, and quickly swatted Ratchet away with its one free arm. Ratchet made his way bac kto the ruins where Optimus and Thunderwing had landed, but the ''Nemesis'' had also arrived and began raining plasma fire into the area to subdue Thunderwing. Optimus and Ratchet bolted for a GroundBridge portal opened by Arcee (as she had luckily fallen close to [[Jasper]] and was able to make it back to the base on-wheel), but stray cannon-fire sent Ratchet flying away once again. The timed portal closed without him, and left Ratchet to be captured by the Decepticons.

On board the ''Nemesis'', Ratchet was forced to repair the giant Thunderwing, as the Decepticons had also kidnapped Miko and Raf and used them as hostages. Ratchet, indignant as always, performed just enough work to look like he was doing what he was told, but spent more time seeking out a weak point in the monster. When Megatron returned with the final major component to bringing Thunderwing back to full power, Ratchet looked to be out of options... until the Decepticon leader was momentarily distracted by the return of Starscream, who himself was being held hostage by Bulkhead. Ratchet took the chance to bolt from his cell and lock Megatron in, making his way through the security system and hordes of Vehicons to free Miko and Raf.

Once the humans were free, they took a service elevator up to the main communications hub of the ''Nemesis'' in order to get word out to the other Autobots, and hopefully use the Decepticon SpaceBridge to escape. After taking out numerous Vehicons, the three made it to the main comm hub, only to find Soundwave at the controls. Raf patched into the room's defense systems to briefly drop energy shielding on four computer towers, allowing Ratchet to destroy them and drop the force field that surrounded the main comm console. Forced to fight one-on-one, Soundwave made clever use of the Space bridge to warp in and out of the control room, but eventually found himself bested by the veteran Autobot and was forced to retreat. Now in control, Ratchet was able to communicate with the other Autobots who had infiltrated the ''Nemesis'', and successfully warped them off the ship as it collapsed due to the damage Thunderwing had caused in his escape.

Back at the base, Ratchet informed the others that he could develop a siphon that could drain at least some of Thunderwing's Dark Energon, hopefully weakening the beast enough to allow them to destroy him. He stayed behind to work on the device as Bumblebee, Arcee and Bulkhead mobilized near a Dark Energon volcano that Thunderwing was headed towards. Ratchet was forced to bring the incomplete device with him to the volcano upon Thunderwing's arrival. He informed the other Autobots that due to the short amount of time he had to work on it, the siphon would only be truly effective if it was practically ''inside'' Thunderwing. Things looked hopeless until stowaways Miko and Jack piped up, Miko showing the Autobots a [[Miko's phone|cell phone picture]] of a break in Thunderwing's chest armor that Ratchet had never repaired... a break just big enough for a human to fit into. Though reluctant to put the humans at risk, Ratchet handed over the siphon to Jack, who rode Arcee to the beast, and successfully installed the siphon, allowing Optimus Prime to finish Thunderwing once and for all. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime - The Game}}

{{note|Ratchet is only playable in a single stage of Story Mode: "The Escape!". He is available as a playable character in the game's multi-player battle modes from the start, however. 
In this game, Ratchet oddly does not have his blades. Instead, when he enters his "upgrade" mode, he deploys a massive wrench from his left wrist socket (seriously, it's as big as his forearm!) which he uses to clobber opponents. This is also the only time we see Prime-cartoon-era Ratchet employ a blaster for combat.}}
{{--}}

===''Hunt the Beasts'' online game===
Ratchet enlisted [[you]] for a top secret mission; you were to infiltrate Shockwave's lab and retrieve data on Shockwave's experiments, the Predacons. Ratchet instructed you to scour the lab for the data, and report back to him immediately upon its discovery. Throughout your investigation, Ratchet would aid you to overcome many obstacles with his instructions, such as how to rewire the controls to a busted lift, or turn on the Energon stabilization protocols. Once the data on the Predacons has been gathered, Ratchet informed you that the Autobots would prepare for the looming threat of the Predacons with new weapons called "[[Beast Gear]]." He then uploaded data on the Autobots to keep you informed on their Predacon-battling capabilities, and thanked you for your service. {{storylink|Hunt the Beasts}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense''===
Ratchet discovered a way to send Autonomous Defense Turrets through the Ground Bridge. He shipped these out to the battle whenever other Autobots in combat situations requested them. He also walked through the other Autobots through their missions while he stayed behind at Autobot headquarters, coordinating their efforts. He would also occasionally send Energon to the Autobots in the field when he detected an incoming threat that was particularly imposing. {{Storylink|Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense|Terrorcon Defense}}

===''Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense''===
When the Decepticons constructed an [[Energon Drain]] in an asteroid field, Ratchet and the Autobots countered it by building a [[Pulsar Dish]] from debris. While the dish was under construction, Ratchet could help out by repairing damage dealt to the dish by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Universe''===
[[File:Tu-character-art ratchet.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Either he has an identity crisis, or he still doesn't know which medical center this vehicle form belongs to!]]
Prowl revealed that Ratchet built the groundbridge in [[High Grand]] {{storylink|Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe Autobot tutorial}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
====Console====
{{Charstubgames}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark (console)}}

===''Transformers: Robots in Disguise''===
{{charstubgames}}{{storylink|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|Robots in Disguise (mobile game)}}

==Games==
===''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game===
{{charstubgames}}{{storylink|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game}}

==Toys==
===Cyberverse===
[[File:Cyberverse legion ratchet.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Let's go practice medicine.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Cyberverse Legion, 2012)
**''Series / Number:'' '''2 / 004'''
**''Japanese Number:'' '''EZ-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Battle blade

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' [[Cyberverse#Series 2|Cyberverse]] Legion Class toys, "Autobot Ratchet" transforms into an emergency vehicle, and comes with a translucent battle blade weapon. It can peg via its numerous [[C joint|3mm post]]s onto his robot hands, arms/vehicle sides, and robot back/vehicle roof. Early versions of the mold oddly lacked an actual face but a [http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/cyberverse-prime-ratchet-receives-an-update-aka-hasbro-i-needed-that-t86206s400.php running change] finally gave him one.

:His blade, in the same color, is also used by Cyberverse [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#Cyberverse|Cliffjumper]] and ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Mirage (Movie)#Cyberverse|Mirage]], while a green version is used by [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#CyberverseQuickblade|Quickblade Bumblebee]], and a purple version is used by [[Knock Out (Prime)#CyberverseSingle|Knock Out]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/LegRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Cyberverse Legion Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EZ6pack}}
[[File:PrimeEZCollectionAutobotSet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Doctor is credit to team!]]
*'''Autobot Set''' (EZ Collection 6-pack, [[November 24|11-24]]-2012)
**''ID number'': '''EZ-SP1'''
**''Accessories'': Battle blade

: This version of Ratchet was only available in a TakaraTomy ''[[EZ Collection]]'' six-pack with [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#EZ6pack|Bumblebee]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)#EZ6pack|Bulkhead]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#EZ6pack|Optimus Prime]], [[Arcee (WFC)#EZ6pack|Arcee]], and [[Wheeljack (Prime)#EZ6pack|Wheeljack]].

: This release utilizes the version of the mold with a face.

{{-}}

===Prime===
{{anchor|Deluxe}}
[[File:PrimeRID-RatchetDeluxe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|And that's how he lost his medical license.]]
[[File:Prime-toy RatchetTakTom.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|With all those craters on him, he'll probably need to see a dermatologist.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2012)
**''Series / Number'': '''1 / 006'''
**''Japanese release date:'' '''[[March 31|3-31]]-2012'''
**''Japanese number:'' '''AM-04'''
**''Accessories:'' Dual Battle Blades (Hasbro only), "R.A." Arms Micron (TakaraTomy only)

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Robots in Disguise (2012)|Prime: Robots in Disguise]]'' Deluxe Class toys, this larger-scale version of Ratchet has a "dramatic head reveal" [[gimmick]], with his [[robot mode]] head being spring-loaded to pop up once his "backpack" is pulled down. He features [[5mm post|5mm peg-holes]] for his hands, a pair on his front bumpers/shins, and a pair on his vehicle roof.

:He comes with a pair of battle blades that can mount/be held via 5mm post, and his hands can be swung down at the wrist to give the appearance of the blades sprouting out of his wrists, as seen in the cartoon. The blades can mount into the peg-holes on his front bumper, creating a battle mode, and the blades can store on tabs underneath his vehicle.

:His [[instructions]] depict an alternate head apparently intended for an as-yet-unreleased Gears. The sculpt was used as the basis for ''Prime'' [[Swerve (Prime)|Swerve]].

: The Japanese release of Ratchet, part of the very first assortment of [[TakaraTomy]] ''Prime'' toys, omits an incredible number of [[paint operation]]s, replacing them with customer-applied foil [[sticker]]s. (On the other hand, this ''does'' give him his "lifeline" decoration missing from the [[Hasbro]] version.) As part of the "[[Arms Micron]]" gimmick, six 5mm peg-hole attachment points have been glued onto him (as opposed to having existing parts specifically [[retool]]ed to include them like many other toys in the line) on his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] roof, doors, and side-panels, which respectively end up on his legs, forearms, and shoulders. The Hasbro version's twin blades have been replaced by the Arms Micron, [[R.A.#Toys|R.A.]], who transforms into a considerably larger version of one of the blades, and can still work as a "wrist-mounted" weapon.

: Ratchet was redecoed into [[Transformers (2014 toyline)|2014 ''Transformers'']] [[First Aid (G1)#Transformers (2014)|Protectobot First Aid]] and retooled into [[BotCon 2014]] [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm More information on ''Robots in Disguise'' Ratchet at TFU.info]''

::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-1464.html Arms Micron Ratchet at Alfes's blog]''

{{-}}

===Beast Hunters===
{{anchor|BHDeluxe}}
[[File:BHtoy Deluxe Ratchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Alright, who's ready for some <s>precision</s> surgery?"]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2013)
**''Series / Number'': '''2 / 010'''
**''Accessories:'' Dragonshredder Drill

: Part of the third wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime:]] [[Beast Hunters]]'' Deluxe Class toys, "Autobot Ratchet" is a [[redeco]] and extensive retool of the "Robots in Disguise" Deluxe Class Autobot Ratchet toy, transforming into a heavily modified rescue vehicle that's covered with spikes, features an exposed engine block on its hood, and has a sculpted rocket booster at the back. He retains the peg-holes at the usual places, and gains additional peg-holes at the back and near the rear wheels. He now comes with the "[[Dragonshredder Drill]]", which spins when the plunger to the side is pushed, and mounts via 5mm post. The halves of the drill can be pulled open to reveal a quad-barreled cannon inside. His head and chest greatly resemble ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Dinobot II]], while his "Dragonshredder Drill" is reminiscent of the [[Dinobot (BW)#Beast Wars|original Dinobot toy's]] [[Cyber-slash tail weapon]].

: His instructions include the [[Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 13|thirteenth chapter]] of the ''[[Tales of the Beast Hunters]]'' series.

: This toy is also the basis for the fiction-only "[[Alone Together]]" version of [[Jawbreaker]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm More information on ''Beast Hunters'' Ratchet at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Go!===
[[File:Transformers-Go-G09-Hunter-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I healed ze man who vill kill you!]]
*'''Hunter Ratchet''' ([[August 31|08–31]]–13)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''G19'''
**''Accessories:'' Drill

:Part of the fourth wave of TakaraTomy ''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (toyline)|Go!]]'' toys, Hunter Ratchet is a green, black, and translucent-red redeco of the ''Beast Hunters'' Deluxe Class Ratchet toy. Unusually, he's identified as a Decepticon, complete with [[insignia]]! According to a translated version of the bio, Ratchet was captured by the Decepticons, and forcibly exposed to Dark Energon thus mutating him into a Decepticon.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/HunterRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Hunter Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Robots in Disguise (2015)===
{{note|Virtually every ''Robots in Disguise (2015)'' toy in this list has a scannable [[insignia]] sticker on it. For [[Hasbro]] releases, it temporarily unlocks that toy as a playable character in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game]], and can only be scanned once per day. It's honestly quicker and less redundant to say which toys '''don't''' have this feature.}}
[[File:RID2015-Legion-Class-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Guess they didn't teach you to duck in Doctor school!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Legion, 2016)
:Legion Class Ratchet is a retool of [[Strongarm (RID)#Legion Class|Legion Class Strongarm]], sporting a new head and torso. Curiously, these new parts are based on his ''Prime'' character model, rather than his new on-screen ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' design.

:His scannable Autobot insignia is on his drivers-side door in vehicle mode, becoming his left arm in robot mode.

{{-}}{{anchor|WarriorClass}}
[[File:RID2015-Warrior-Class-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I'm the first of the new RID do-it-yourself customization kits!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Warrior, 2016)
**''Accessories'': 2 pistols
:Warrior Class Ratchet is a retool of [[Strongarm (RID)#Warrior_Class|Warrior Class Strongarm]], giving him an entirely new ambulance alternate mode and a significantly altered robot mode. He includes a pair of [[5mm post|5mm]] pistol accessories. Ratchet also features a faux front window on his robot mode chest.

:His scannable Autobot insignia is on his robot-mode chestplate.

{{comingsoontoy}}{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Mcdonald's===
[[File:Primetoy-RatchetHappyMeal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|The stickers are good practice for the Arms Micron version.]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Happy Meal, 2012)
:*''McNumber:'' '''7'''
:Happy Meal Ratchet is a non-transformable emergency vehicle! Pushing on the back of his roof reveals the base of a cannon, and pressing the Autobot symbol on the roof causes the short barrel of the cannon to pop out. Ratchet (not "Autobot Ratchet", despite claim of trademark!) also comes with a sheet of stickers to complete his deco. Since the cannon gimmick and the "mCODE" coupon use up both sides of the usual instructions sheet, the sticker placement instructions are printed on the back of the sticker sheet itself. Efficient, but not terribly user-friendly!

===Eaglemoss cards===
{{charstubtoys}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:VectorSigmaBotBuilderRatchet.jpg|thumb|I'm feeling sad and blue.]]
*Ratchet's model is usable in ''War for Cybertron'' multiplayer as the Medic Rig-type chassis for [[Leader (WFC)|Leader]]-class characters. His parts are also available in ''Fall of Cybertron'', now classified as Mercenary-type components for [[Destroyer (FOC)|Destroyer]]-class characters.
*''Transformers'' alumnus [[Michael Bell]] originally auditioned for the part of Ratchet in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', but ultimately lost the role to [[Jeffrey Combs]].
*In a number of episodes, mostly written by [[Nicole Dubuc]], Ratchet's equipment gets damaged by a fellow Autobot, prompting him to utter ''"I NEEDED THAT!"'' each time.
*His license plate number in "[[Stronger, Faster]]" is '''449 EPQ'''.
*Ratchet's body parts are available to use in the Hub website's [[Vector Sigma Bot Builder]] online game. Normally, you cannot configure a generic 'bot using all Ratchet parts, but you can see what one would look like at right through the magic of Photoshop.
*With the exceptions of Optimus and Bumblebee, Ratchet was the only Autobot to make a reappearance in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'', from the previous show, ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]''.

{{-}}
===Arms Up Modes===
In the Japanese ''Prime'' toyline, Ratchet has several powered-up modes when given various [[Arms Micron]]s in certain configurations:

[[File:DarknessRising4 CybSat-RatchetAntiTerror.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"I am ze ÜBERMENSCH!"]]

*'''Destroy Mode''' (デストロイモード ''Desutoroi Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': B.2, C.L., O.P., R.A.
: Ratchet's rather uncharacteristically-named "Destroy Mode", as seen on his box-back photo, uses a combined-weapon made up of [[R.A.]] and [[B.2]] in his right hand, [[O.P.]] on his left arm, and [[C.L.]] on his left leg.

*'''''Sekkensenrenzan'' Mode''' (接近戦連斬モード ''Sekkensenrenzan Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': C.L., Gora, O.P. (x2), R.A. (x2)
:Meaning "Close-combat Multi-slash Mode", and revealed in the "[[From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division|Cybertron Satellite]]" segment from "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4|Infiltration Transformation! Battleship Nemesis]]", this "Anti-Terrorcon" mode is... just ''brutal''. He's got an R.A. on each forearm, with an O.P. attached to the back of each, with [[Gora]] (?) on his right leg, and C.L. on his left.

*'''Stealth Mode''' (ステルスモード ''Sterusu Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': R.A. (x4!), Zori (x2)
:''Four'' R.A.s are joined to create a super-large [[shuriken]]-like weapon that stores on Ratchet's back. A pair of [[Zori]]s hang from Ratchet's shoulders, with the claw-tails hanging down to create a "cloak of invisibility". This mode is for "stealthily backing up Optimus Prime and the others", according to the [http://youtu.be/QJUMhgggH-Q TakaraTomy developer video where it premiered], hosted by TakaraTomy designer [[Hironori Kobayashi]].
:There is also a variant configuration, '''Defense Mode''', which opens up the panels on Ratchet's arms and moves the Zoris to the "wrist-mounted blade" positions, which cross in an "X" in front of Ratchet as a stealth shield.
:Kobayashi also made custom carbon-black stickers for Ratchet's shoulders and chest, and in the video shows viewers how to customize their own stickers.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Ratchet''' (ラチェット ''Rachetto'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Jiùhùchē''' (救护车, "Ambulance")
*''Russian:'' '''Khrapovik''' (Храповик, "Ratchet")

[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Medics]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Universe game Autobots]]
[[Category:Rise of the Dark Spark Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2015) Autobots]]

Ratchet (WFC)

2016-04-19T21:26:20Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Notes */

{{faction|autobot|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Ratchet}}
:''Ratchet is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[File:PrimeRatcht.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|If we don't get Jeffrey Combs versus [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lance Henriksen]] before this series ends, there will be much, much sobbing.]]
The [[Autobot]]s' medical officer, '''Ratchet''' has a dry wit, often giving his wounded comrades a hard time for taking hits he somehow avoids. With the Energon supplies becoming less and less, he works to find new ways to make do, and he'd ''really'' prefer if the Autobots didn't risk injury (or worse) to protect [[human]]s. He'd also prefer the humans weren't brought back to [[Autobot Outpost Omega One]] but since ''he'' is unfamiliar with human tech, he needs [[Raf Esquivel]] to help him out. However, for all his views on humans, deep down Ratchet ''admires'' what the tiny fleshies bring to the fight. Maybe he'll even warm up to them.

[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s best friend, and ''de facto'' second-in-command, you'd be hard-pressed to find another Autobot who loves his leader as much as he does. Yet this is not to say Ratchet has blind faith in him; Ratchet resents Optimus' lack of action over the years regarding ending the war and many missed chances to kill [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. He's as flawed as any normal being would be, and a huge vice is his Cybertronian pride. At least once, it's nearly cost him the life of a friend. Furthermore, his grief for his destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|home world]] is what drives him. He didn't take the loss of Cybertron very well, and would do almost anything to get it back some day.

{{quote|In a contest between resources and ingenuity, never underestimate ingenuity.|Ratchet, [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]}}

==Fiction==
===''The Covenant of Primus''===
Ratchet emerged from the [[Well of All Sparks]] before the [[Age of Wrath]]. In his youth, Ratchet left his primitive village behind, and embarked on a pilgrimage to the newly-founded city of [[Iacon]]. There, he applied as a student to Iacon's medical units, and learned medical science from the then-current chief of surgery [[Remedy (COP)|Remedy]]. Over time, Ratchet slowly climbed the ranks, and eventually became a junior medic in one of Iacon's many medical clinics.

One day, Ratchet was interrupted from his studies by the arrival of [[Coldwelder]], a working-class [[Energon]] miner who claimed to have been abducted and experimented on by [[Quintesson|aliens]]. Ratchet was skeptical of his claims, but ordered his intern [[Crankhandle]] to help run a diagnostic on the frightened victim. While examining his patient with his colleague [[Cogwheel]], Ratchet discovered a probe of unknown origin had indeed been planted in Coldwelder's cranium. Ratchet was more than happy to let Cogwheel deal with the fallout of this strange discovery but felt guilty afterwords for passing the matter off to her to deal with.

Much later, the outbreak of the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]], Ratchet chose to join the Autobots under Optimus Prime. After the Autobot scout [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] was grievously wounded by Megatron, Ratchet attempted to patch up Bumblebee. Although the medic was able to repair Bumblebee's leg, he was unable to save his voice box, rendering Bumblebee mute.

After the great exodus from Cybertron, Ratchet was one of the handful of Autobots who travelled to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus}}

===Aligned novels===
Ratchet made his name during the [[Praxus|Praxian]] stalemate. He and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] fought in a few battles together, during which he taught the younger Autobot how to apply first aid. He repaired his throat after [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] destroyed it in revenge for ejecting the [[AllSpark]] into space, enabling Bumblebee to speak from time to time.

After Megatron invaded [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and took the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], Ratchet welded [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]]'s face and stabilized [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]]'s condition. When [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] asked Ratchet if Omega was ready to fight again, the offended medic responded that if Optimus wanted Omega to fight after the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] blew him out of the sky, [[Dark Energon]]-infused gladiators attacked him and Megatron tore out the Chamber out of his chest, then he wanted another surgeon. Optimus knew he had to apologize but was too preoccupied with rescuing [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]].

When the Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', Ratchet informed Optimus and [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] that Omega was repaired and ready to distract [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Uniend 610.23 Zeta]], {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}} Ratchet was present for a meeting amongst [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s most trusted lieutenants about [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]]'s plan to launch the [[AllSpark]] into space to keep it from [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], and then took part in the Battle at [[Tyger Pax]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee at Tyger Pax}}

===''Prime'' comic===
[[File:PrimeComicRatchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Don't worry, you won't see me as dirty later. Except [[Stronger, Faster|that one time]]...]]
Ratchet was stationed at the Autobot base on [[Earth]], opening the [[GroundBridge]] for Optimus to retrieve [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]. He reattached her arm after [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] had blown it off. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Jeffrey Combs]] (English), [[Nobuo Tobita]] (Japanese)|[[José María Carrero]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Seong-yong Ha]] (Korean), [[Claudio Moneta]] (Italian), [[Jan Spitzer]] (German), [[Mario Arvizu]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Jarosław Boberek]] (Polish), [[Luiz Antônio Lobue]] (Brazilian Portuguse), [[Jari Salo]] (Finnish)}}

Ratchet served during the war for Cybertron, where he "proved [his] mettle". {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}} After Bumblebee was captured at [[Tyger Pax]], Ratchet was the field medic who put him back together, but was unable to repair his voice box. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} At some point after Team Prime arrived on Earth, Ratchet modified [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]]'s jet, allowing him to fly without a flight suit. {{storylink|Grill}}

[[File:DarknessRising1-Ratchettragedy.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|You're drawn to his eccentric charm.]]
Ratchet was on patrol in a snowy region when news came in that [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was battling a platoon of Decepticons solo. Ratchet and the other Autobots returned to base to [[GroundBridge]] to his location, but they were too late: Cliffjumper was nowhere to be found, and Ratchet confirmed that his lifesigns had ceased. It was Ratchet's belief that continuing to operate on Earth and aid humans would only result in more tragedy, and as such, it was no surprise that he vehemently objected to the Autobots becoming protectors for [[Jack Darby]], [[Miko Nakadai]] and [[Raf Esquivel]] soon after—though the kids' incessant questions didn't help their case, either. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} Ratchet's mood was not improved when [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] accidentally crushed an important piece of lab equipment, and things got even worse when he was instructed to stay at base and watch the children while the other Autobots investigated the reappearance of Cliffjumper's lifesign. He did, however, start to see the value in the kids' presence when Raf helped him in his continuing struggle to master the inferior human computer systems the Autobot base ran on. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

[[File:Optimus Prime Ratchet Zombies Darkness Rising 4.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|He performs surgery with these. Carefully.]]

The other Autobots returned from their mission with the news that Cliffjumper had been revived by the Decepticons as a [[zombie]], and when [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] began feeling dizzy, Ratchet examined her and discovered a trace of the mysterious substance that had reanimated Cliffjumper. While examining it, Ratchet inadvertently dripped some on the equipment Bulkhead had broken, transforming it into a vicious little monster. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} Optimus Prime helped him destroy it, and both realized that they were dealing with [[Dark Energon]]. Realizing that [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] planned to raise an undead army, Optimus took Ratchet to the site of an ancient Transformer battle on Earth, but they arrived too late to prevent Megatron from using Dark Energon to raise the buried corpses of the warriors as a legion of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]]. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 3}} Ratchet quickly deduced that the best way to stop them was dismemberment, and he and Prime managed to cut down the entire army despite the debilitating effects of the Dark Energon. Ratchet sustained a wounded arm in the battle, and Megatron was able to escape. Returning to base, Ratchet examined some plans that Miko had obtained from the Decepticons in his absence, and speculated that the villains were building a [[space bridge]] so they could use Dark Energon to raise a zombie army on Cybertron and bring them to Earth. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}} Given his injuries, Ratchet stayed behind at the base to man the GroundBridge, sending the other Autobots to the orbiting space bridge for battle, and the kids to the [[Giant Sized Array]] radio telescope in [[Texas]] to cut off the Decepticons' targeting systems. While the kids failed in their endeavour, they did succeed in obtaining schematics for the space bridge, which Ratchet used to determine a means of destroying it. He instructed Arcee's team on sabotaging the space bridge, and bridged everyone back to base before the inevitable explosion. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}}

[[File:Masters&Students-Ratch-animator.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|I was busy pushing bodies around as you well know and what would a note say, Dan? "Cat dead, details later"?]]
Ratchet was initially dismayed to learn that the kids were working on their school science projects in the Autobot base, but changed his tune in short order and actually turned down combat duty to stay and help them. Unfortunately for the kids, he completely took over their projects, building a large volcano for Raf, a model of Cybertron for Miko, and an advanced engine for Jack. None of the projects went down well at school, much to Ratchet's disappointment. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

[[File:Scrapheap-Ratchetinfected.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|My kingdom for a [[Charlie Fong]]!]]
Ratchet found another reason to be grateful to have the kids around when a [[Scraplet]] infestation in the base left the GroundBridge disabled, and Ratchet at the mercy of the metal-eating monsters. Jack used a fire extinguisher to freeze the creatures, saving Ratchet's life, but the medic remained too badly wounded to effect repairs to the GroundBridge, and had to entrust the job to the humans. They succeeded, and Ratchet was able to patch up himself and his fellow Autobots. {{storylink|Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap}} Problems with the GroundBridge lingered, however, and Ratchet continued working on it during a visit by Bulkhead's old buddy [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], while trying to ignore the distractions caused by the other Autobots partying and Wheeljack and Bulkhead [[Cybertronian sport#Lobbing|Lobbing]]. The delays caused by Ratchet's repairs resulted in "Wheeljack" being exposed as [[Makeshift (Prime)|a Decepticon imposter]]. Unfortunately this also meant that when the real Wheeljack turned up, Ratchet was subjected to another round of partying. {{storylink|Con Job}}

Ratchet continued to play the role of tech support over the Autobots next few missions. He remained in the base to monitor the Autobot convoy as they transported the [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System]] across country, alerting them to an incoming Decepticon attack and—under protest—working with Raf to GroundBride Miko and Jack onto a moving track so they could stop the forces of [[MECH]] from stealing the device. [[File:SickMind-RatchetOP.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"I've heard that humans quite often wake up late with black eyes. They call the condition 'a hangover'."]]{{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}} The episode burnt Raf's laptop out, but Ratchet later helped fix it. {{storylink|Raf's Notes|Raf's Notes #5}} When the Decepticons stole an [[Energon Harvester]] from a human museum, Ratchet manufactured a replica to replace it, despite Bulkhead breaking his frame welder. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}}

When Ratchet and Optimus Prime investigated a [[Autobot plague ship|crashed Autobot vessel]], they discovered that it was a plague ship carrying deceased victims of [[Cybonic plague]], a pathogen created by Megatron himself. Optimus contracted the disease, which was beyond even Ratchet's ability to cure. In search of a treatment, he GroundBridged Arcee and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] to the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' so they could obtain the cure from Megatron's mind via [[cortical psychic patch]], a controversial procedure banned by Autobots but in which Ratchet was well-versed. While watching the link, Ratchet recorded the hologram of the plague antidote Megatron showed to Bumblebee, and was able later to produce a cure for Optimus. {{storylink|Sick Mind}}

[[File:OutHead-RatchetMegatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I hope you've been practicing "The Man Who Sold the World", Megatron, because you're about to be ''unplugged!'']] While Optimus was given a clean bill of health, Ratchet was more concerned about Bumblebee; learning that the scout was seeing visions of Megatron following their psychic link-up, Ratchet induced a shutdown to give his systems time to recover. The other Autobots soon left the base on a mission, and Ratchet was left with Raf, who was sitting by the unconscious Bumblebee's beside. Trying to explain to the boy that this was unnecessary only resulted in Ratchet being subjected to pictures of Raf's family. The discussion was cut off when Bumblebee suddenly reactivated, leading Ratchet to realize that Megatron had taken over his comrade's body. Unable to stop the Decepticon leader from escaped through the GroundBridge, Ratchet and Raf followed Bumblebee to the Decepticon ship. There, they tried fruitlessly to stop Bumblebee from restoring Megatron to life, and had to retreat under Vehicon fire after Megatron's resurrection. They found Optimus's team on the ground below and returned to base where Ratchet checked over Bumblebee's processor for any lingering traces of Megatron's influence. {{Storylink|Out of His Head}}

Due to his experience with Dark Energon, Ratchet—much to his own surprise—was tapped to take Arcee's place when the Autobots deployed to confront [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. He was attempting to use the evil substance to revive [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]. Discovering that the kids had followed them through the GroundBridge, Ratchet ordered them to head back through to base, only for a Decepticon GroundBridge to manifest at the same time, causing a disruption that hurled the children into a parallel dimension. Deducing what had happened, Ratchet was able to recreate the original feedback loop and create a portal the kids could escape through. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}} Ratchet also went into the field on the Autobots' next mission: After patching up Bulkhead following a skirmish with Breakdown in which the 'Con was captured by MECH, Ratchet joined the effort to rescue the Decepticon. Following an Energon signature but finding only Breakdown's plucked-out eye, Ratchet attempted to extract images from the eye to help in the Autobots' search, but it turned out to be a MECH booby-trap, and the team only narrowly avoided the bomb explosion that resulted. They later tracked down Bulkhead in time to rescue him from Starscream and Breakdown. {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}}

[[File:StrongerFaster-Ratchetvehicle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|A rare sighting.]]

Ratchet was at the Autobot base when Jack and Arcee brought Jack's mother [[June Darby]] in to introduce her to everyone. {{storylink|Crisscross}} When June next visited the base, the on-edge medic assumed her car was a Decepticon, though he didn't object to June, a nurse, respectfully calling him "doctor". While in conversation with June, Ratchet detected a magnetic anomaly and dispatched Bulkhead and Arcee to find it; when they returned magnetically stuck together, he realized they were dealing with a [[polarity gauntlet]]. Bulkhead and Arcee were eventually able to retrieve the device and present it to Ratchet back at base. {{storylink|Metal Attraction}} Ratchet's tech expertise came to the fore again when he detected the activation of a crashed [[Harbinger|Decepticon ship's]] computer system: when Bumblebee and Arcee returned from investigating with two frozen comrades and the pieces of the [[immobilizer|Decepticon weapon]] responsible, Ratchet was able to repair the weapon and use it to restore Prime and Bulkhead. {{storylink|Partners}}

[[File:StrongerFaster-crouchbehindrock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Stronger, faster, squatter]]

While most of the other Autobots went out to retrieve a [[Cybertronian data cylinder]], Ratchet stayed at base to monitor them and annoy Bulkhead and Miko by interrupting their monster truck footage. After Bulkhead was called out to the field, Ratchet assigned Miko cleaning duties, only for her to rush off to the battlefield and inadvertently cause the contents of the cylinder to be downloaded into Bulkhead's brain. Ratchet initially gave Bulkhead a clean bill of health, but when Bulkhead started painting complex formulae, Ratchet made two discoveries: one, that the formulae were for [[Synthetic Energon]], and two, that the data was slowly destroying Bulkhead's mind. After much of the formula had been transcribed, the data was beamed out of Bulkhead into space, leaving him comatose. Ratchet's suggestion that a familiar sound might rouse the Autobot led Miko to wake Bulkhead with her guitar playing. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} Working from Bulkhead's incomplete formula, Ratchet appeared to succeed in synthesizing a batch of the Synthetic Energon, and used himself as a guinea pig. Supercharged by the new substance at the expense of his mental stability, Ratchet was made strong enough to trash an entire squad of Vehicons on his own and to throw Bulkhead through a wall while sparring. When he went too far in interrogating a [[Decepticon Miner]] under the auspices of being more "proactive", Optimus was forced to confine him to base. Escaping, Ratchet went to confront Megatron on his own, infiltrating the Decepticons' Energon mine and making short work of Breakdown. Unfortunately, Megatron proved more formidable than expected, and Ratchet was seriously injured and left for Knock Out to extract a sample of Synthetic Energon from. Drained of the SynthEn and its effects, Ratchet managed to raise enough strength to fight back and destroy the sample, and was then rescued by the other Autobots and taken back to base for treatment. Ratchet apologized for his behavior, though at least they'd gained a supply of real energon from the mine out of it. {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}

[[File:OneShallRise2-Ratchethumans.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|Professionals never look directly into the camera, Ratchet]]

When Optimus became interested in a prophecy from the [[Covenant of Primus]], Ratchet worked out that the planetary alignment mentioned was mere days away. Shortly after, Raf was injured during a mission to stop the Decepticons from gathering space bridge components. Ratchet's lack of knowledge of human physiology left him unable to treat the boy, so June Darby was called in to help. Ratchet refused to allow Raf to be taken to a hospital, as human doctors wouldn't have any experience with Energon contamination, but it became apparent that this wasn't what was ailing Raf. He had been infected with ''Dark'' Energon. Ratchet took the risk of applying an infusion of regular Energon to neutralize the Dark, and Raf recovered. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}} Immediately thereafter, Ratchet joined Arcee and Bulkhead in rescuing Optimus from a battle with Megatron, then set about analyzing a series of natural disasters that began across the Earth, deducing that the tremors were the heartbeat of [[Unicron]], slumbering within the Earth and threatening to destroy it with his awakening. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} When Megatron approached the Autobots with the proposition of an alliance to stop Unicron from destroying the planet, Ratchet scoffed at the notion. He grew increasing incredulous to the idea that he would GroundBridge the others into the Earth's very core, following co-ordinates provided by Megatron, so the Optimus could use the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to deactivate Unicron, but was nonetheless forced to go along with the plan when Optimus accepted Megatron's offer. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}}

Remaining behind in the base with the kids and unable to contact the Autobots in the planet's depths, Ratchet passed the time telling the humans about the old days when Optimus was known as Orion Pax, and was shocked to discover that Optimus had entrusted Jack with the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] before departing. A final tremor that Ratchet shielded the kids from heralded Autobot victory within the planet, but when Ratchet GroundBridged the others back, they reported that Optimus had lost his memories and left with Megatron. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

Ratchet reasoned that Optimus's amnesia must have been a result of emptying the Matrix, and that the solution involved the Key to Vector Sigma. He started tinkering with the GroundBridge to try and find a way to reach Cybertron, though when frustrations boiled over at their lack of success in getting Optimus back, Jack suggested they might use the Decepticon space bridge instead. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Thought he continued his tinkering with the GroundBridge, Ratchet was demoralized after the first test with Raf's radio-controlled car resulted in the destruction of the toy. The real breakthrough came when Ratchet was able to trade Starscream medical attention for information on the location of the space bridge. Once Ratchet and the others secured the bridge, they sent Jack and Arcee through. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}} Ratchet, Bulkhead and Bumblebee monitored Jack's progress from the Earth end of the space bridge. When Megatron arrived to take back control, Ratchet and the others were tossed around like rag dolls by the Decepticon leader. Luckily for them their plan worked out, and Ratchet and the others returned to base with Optimus Prime restored. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}

[[File:OperationBumblebee2 delirious Ratchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"And if you think that's bad, you should see what I did to Injector!"]]
Optimus and Ratchet followed an ancient signal and tangled with Megatron in the process of retrieving the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]]. After another altercation, Ratchet discovered that Bumblebee's [[transformation cog|T-cog]] was missing. Ratchet was therefore forced to pick Raf up after school, and told the boy the story of how Bumblebee's voice box was damaged. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} Guilty at his inability to do anything, Ratchet offered his own T-cog and, after talking Optimus into letting him do it, selected Arcee to perform the procedure. When he woke up, it was to find that the operation had been aborted, and Bumblebee had gone after MECH. Bumblebee returned with his lost cog, though in a damaged state, and Ratchet was able to repair it enough to restore Bumblebee's ability to transform. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

Ratchet patched up Wheeljack after the Wrecker returned to Earth and was involved in a scrap with [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]. {{storylink|Loose Cannons}} Receiving another coded signal, Ratchet and Bulkhead again found Starscream in need of medical attention. They were able to get information from him about Airachnid's status and the presence of an [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]] on Earth. {{storylink|Crossfire}} When Fowler was attacked by a truck that resembled Optimus, Ratchet tracked Optimus's signal to confirm the offender wasn't their leader. They soon established that the truck in question was a MECH-created clone of Optimus, and Ratchet patched up the Autobots after they defeated Silas and [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]]. {{storylink|Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime}} Ratchet dispatched Optimus, Bumblebee and Arcee to investigate underground activity, and they returned with Airachnid in stasis lock. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}}

Optimus's attempt to attack the ''Nemesis'' with the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]] failed, Ratchet returned the stasis-locked team to base and GroundBridged Fowler and the kids aboard the ship. With his guidance, they were able to shut down the intelligence guiding the ship, and he even stepped aboard himself to retrieve Jack and the [[transfer drive]] full of [[Project Iacon]] data. {{storylink|Flying Mind}}

[[File:Prime-TriageRatchet&Wheeljack.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"Hey Wheeljack, do you think it looks weird when I cross my legs? I mean, I can't help if I have such girly legs."]]
When Optimus decided they would need to secure all four relics at once, Ratchet pointed out that they were short-manned as it was. {{storylink|Tunnel Vision}} He was unimpressed when Optimus decided that Wheeljack would be called in to help him on his part of the mission since he was a capable warrior. {{storylink|Triangulation}} Ratchet disapproved of Wheeljack's behavior as they set off in the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'', particularly being called "Doc". He also was far from impressed with his methods when attacking Soundwave and Laserbeak before they crashed landed. When they noticed the downed Laserbeak nearby, he struck on the idea of implanting a virus into the disabled Laserbeak, which would upload the Iacon database to the Autobots. With Raf's help, Ratchet managed to do so while Wheeljack kept Soundwave occupied, and managed to keep out of sight when Soundwave arrived to retrieve his pet. He attempted to convince Wheeljack to return to base for repairs, and thanked him for his back-up. When he returned to base, he found the virus was downloading the Iacon database into the Autobots' mainframe, but his joy was short-lived, as Bulkhead came flying through the GroundBridge with a smoking back {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}} after being shot by [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]] {{storylink|Toxicity}}

Ratchet worked frantically to stabilize Bulkhead and, with the help of the other Autobots, managed to succeed, though Bulkhead remained comatose. {{storylink|Hurt}} He continued to oversee Bulkhead's recovery, though when Miko started getting too rough with the patient, he insisted on Bulkhead taking a break. {{storylink|Out of the Past}} When Raf found a report of a Cybertronian escape pod, Optimus took a team including Ratchet to investigate. Ratchet was almost slagged by an Insecticon, but newcomer [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] arrived and helped them win. Back at base, Ratchet was left in charge when Optimus went out to retrieve some [[Red Energon]], and Smokescreen talked him into letting the new Autobot go to Optimus's aid with the [[phase shifter]]. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

Bulkhead continued to try to pressure Ratchet into letting him go back out on missions. Ratchet finally gave in during a mission to protect a military base, though rather than sending him to the base, Ratchet sent him to protect Raf, who was hacking into a [[Project Damocles]] satellite. {{storylink|The Human Factor}}

Ratchet chastised Smokescreen when the latter broke cover to scare a human driver. After Optimus Prime opined that Smokescreen needed a human to teach him local customs and rules, Ratchet grumbled in disgust at the idea of ''yet another'' human being included in their ranks, to the uncomfortable silence of the other Autobots. Shortly thereafter, Ratchet detected a homing beacon from an Iacon relic and a team led by Optimus was sent to investigate in [[China]]. However, a second signal was then detected elsewhere, and with Optimus's team unreachable, Smokescreen was sent in their steed. After discovering that the Decepticons have found the legendary [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], Smokescreen was captured and Jack was pursued by Insecticons, but not before he managed to notify Ratchet of their findings, who GroundBridges to Optimus' position to fill him in. After the Autobots returned to base with their new prize, Ratchet sent Jack home at the request of a very angry Arcee and witnessed Optimus Prime enter a trance while communing through the Star Saber with [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|Legacy (episode)|Legacy}}

Ratchet was happy at the news they would soon be able to return home to Cybertron, and when the other Autobots realized they would have to leave their human friends behind, Ratchet suggested they could sent texts. While he worked on a way for Optimus to properly wield the Star Saber, the weapon was later destroyed in battle against Megatron, though Ratchet reminded the other Autobots that Optimus didn't need a sword to be a great warrior. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}} Ratchet found himself busy repairing the other Autobots after a number of failed missions to retrieve Omega Keys and monitored Optimus's work decoding coordinates, though it turned out that the final set were a picture of Smokescreen. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}}

With Smokescreen a prisoner on the Decepticon warship, Ratchet was unable to track him, but once he freed himself, Ratchet provided a GroundBridge back to base. A short time later they were contacted by Starscream, who offered the final key they needed in exchange for the replacement of his T-Cog. Unfortunately it was a trap, and while Optimus, Ratchet and Bulkhead were examining the corpse of one of [[Starscream clone (Prime)|Starscream's clones]], the real Starscream made off with the Omega Keys. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

[[File:DarkestHour-Ratchetleaves.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"And Optimus, before you come back to life, be sure to tell Cliffjumper he still needs to pay his medical bills!"]]

Ratchet was surprised to learn that Optimus had kept the existence of the [[Omega Lock]] a secret from everyone. After Optimus modified the GroundBridge into a space bridge, he sent the other Autobots to Cybertron and monitored their progress, though he had to field a phone call from Jack asking why no one had picked the kids up. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}} He had to field a further call from June Darby, and a power surge that disrupted the base computers. When the Autobots finally returned, it was with the news that the Omega Lock had been destroyed, much to Ratchet's shock. When the Decepticons attacked the base, the Autobots were forced to abandon it, and Ratchet GroundBridged to a location elsewhere in the US. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

[[File:Scattered-Bigfoot.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"If I have to kill humans for beef jerky one more time..."]]
Despondent, Ratchet hid in a scrap yard outside Woodland Park. He was caught on camera, enabling Bumblebee and Raf to track him down, but they were at first unable to convince him to help them fight back. After experiencing a change of heart, he followed them to the ''Harbinger'' to help get the ship working. {{storylink|Scattered}}
He was able to get the ship's GroundBridge working and used the Decepticon frequencies to contact Fowler. The trio were shortly after joined by most of the other surviving Autobots, accompanied by the newly arrived [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}}

Ratchet utilized the GroundBridge and communications systems to lure the Decepticons away from [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]], with the help of the kids. He monitored the Autobot attack on the fortress from the ''Harbinger'', and was thus able to detect the incoming Optimus Prime, shortly before their leader turned up to save the day. The Autobots later assembled at a human military base, and Ratchet assured Smokescreen that he'd made the right choice in repairing Optimus with the Forge. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}} As the others salvaged technology from their old base, Ratchet set about getting it working in their new one and was able to make the GroundBridge functional again. He also restarted his work on Synthetic Energon, though he warned Optimus not to expect too much. {{storylink|Project Predacon}}

Upon Wheeljack’s return to base after a failed mission, Ratchet asked him to accompany Arcee on another errand, lest Ratchet be forced to abandon his work and venture out of his comfort zone. Though Ratchet was later willing to go out to fetch yet another Predacon bone from a museum (albeit grudgingly), agent Fowler informed him that this was unnecessary, as he was more than capable of retrieving it himself. Things went wrong once more, unfortunately, and the Decepticons acquired the fossil once more. {{storylink|Plus One (Prime)|Plus One}}

[[File:PersuasionFaceoff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Look, if you've kidnapped me to ask about Char Gar Gothikon, let me tell you, this is not the craziest thing the fandom has done!]]
While he continued his work, he also had to take time out to repair the other Autobots, such as when Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack came off second-best against [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]]. {{storylink|Evolution}} He did his best to replace Magnus's hand, but was only able to manage a claw. When the Decepticons began stealing technology, the Autobots captured Soundwave, but were unable to make him talk. Ratchet decided he would have to open the Decepticon up to examine his hard drives directly, but Soundwave merely erased the drives and crashed himself. A Decepticon attack on the [[Solaris particle collider]] led Ratchet to believe that the Decepticons intended to repair the Omega Lock, but while the ramifications were still sinking in, Laserbeak reactivated Soundwave with new orders to capture Ratchet. {{storylink|Minus One}} Ratchet awoke on the ''Nemesis'' and was subjected to a cortical psychic patch. Once the Decepticons realized that he had not completed the Synthetic Energon formula, Megatron revealed to him the reason why he had been captured. The threat of harm to the other Autobots was not enough, but when Megatron explained that the Synth-En was needed to restore Cybertron, and showed off the Omega Lock they'd restored, he reluctantly agreed to help. {{storylink|Persuasion}}

[[File:TFP-Synthesis-PredakingandRatchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|Ratchet: "Sean Connery called, he wants his title back." Predaking: "But I ''am'' the last dragon!"]]
With the help of Decepticon engineering, Ratchet completed the formula, but rather than hand Megatron the power to recreate Cybertron, he attempted to destroy it and escape. Unfortunately he was stopped by Megatron, who handed him over to Predaking as a plaything. Though Predaking was keen to avenge his lost species, Ratchet revealed what he'd overheard—that Megatron had allowed the Autobots to find Shockwave's lab. During Predaking's resulting rampage, Ratchet dropped the warship's shields and made contact with the other Autobots to let them know Megatron was planning to cyberform Earth. {{storylink|Synthesis}} Ratchet made his way to the Omega Lock control room, where he did his best to keep Shockwave occupied. He and the others present witnessed Bumblebee kill Megatron, and he was overjoyed to discover that Bumblebee's voice box had been restored as the result of exposure to the Omega Lock. The Autobot took control of the warship and used the Omega Lock to restore Cybertron, however Ratchet opted to remain on Earth to help the humans. {{storylink|Deadlock}}

Ratchet was called to Cybertron to tend to Ultra Magnus, after the Wrecker was wrecked by some new Predacons. When Unicron arrived on the planet using Megatron's body, Ratchet was able to use the ship's sensors to pinpoint Unicron's location, and reveal that the dark god was raising an army of undead Predacons with which to destroy Primus. He was kept out of the battle to save Cybertron, but was present when Optimus sacrificed himself to restore the AllSpark to Cybertron. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

===Titan Magazines ''Prime'' comic===
[[File:Titan4.1 Ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Optimus! Check out my giant shoulder pads!!!]]
In the lower levels of Outpost Omega One, Ratchet constructed a training room he dubbed the [[Safe]], though the inferior Earth materials he was forced to use meant it wasn't as good as it could be. Indeed, Bulkhead began tearing his way merrily through it, only to uncover something Ratchet hadn't found—a nuclear missile while promptly activated. Ratchet and Raf were assigned to deal with the bomb, however as Raf was the expert on Earth technology, Ratchet deferred to him. Luckily Raf managed to reverse the bomb's timer, and Fowler arrived with some scientists to take care of the rest. After Bulkhead apologised to Ratchet for smashing up the room, Ratchet suggested he and Raf design a new Safe. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.1|The Safe and the Failsafe}}

Optimus took the Autobots and the kids on a trip to [[Valley of Fire State Park]]. When Raf impressed the others with his knowledge and worried it made himself sound geeky, Ratchet proclaimed himself Autobot geek and proud. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.2|War Story}}

Ratchet alerted the others to the fact that Fowler was about to arrive at the base, and indeed, Fowler walked in moments later with the news that the Decepticons had hijacked [[Yamal|a nuclear ship]] near [[Antarctica]]. When Optimus, Bumblebee and Ratchet arrived at the ship, they found the crew were unconscious. Ratchet wondered what could have done that, but he was answered moments later by [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], who knocked him out with a [[sonic lance]]. By the time Ratchet recovered, the fight was over, and as they returned to the base, he said he'd be fine so long as he stayed away from any ice. Unfortunately in their absence, the others had turned the base into an ice skating ring, and as soon as he stepped through the GroundBridge, Ratchet ended up flat on his back. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.3|Ice Breaker}}

[[File:Titan4.4 Ratchet.jpg|thumb|270px]]
Raf was playing ''[[Invasionauts II]]'' at the base, Ratchet observed that the alien robots he was fighting in the game looked a lot like Autobots. After the game hypnotised Raf into operating the GroundBridge and letting in Vehicons, Ratchet initially blamed Bulkhead, but helped hold off the Decepticons until Raf recovered and reconfigured the bridge to suck the Vehicons back in. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.4|Tinker, Tailor, Gamer, Spy!}} Ratchet approved of the way Jack was starting to sound as paranoid as him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.5|School Is... Out!}} After the [[President of the United States]] was kidnapped by Starscream, Ratchet and the Autobots tracked the Decepticon to the [[Grand Canyon]]. Ratchet and Bulkhead protected [[Air Force One]] while the others rescued the President. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.6|All the President's 'Bots!}}

When he lost contact with Optimus Prime while their leader was exploring a scrap-metal facility in [[Zhejiang Province]], [[China]], Ratchet dispatched Bulkhead and Arcee to help, but was forced to drop them ten kilometers from the target due to interference. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.8|The Mind Trap!}} Ratchet was forced to GroundBridge [[Novo|Agent Novo]] to China after the MECH operative took Miko hostage. To make up for it, he discovered a way to track [[Miko's phone]], pointing the other Autobots to the location of MECH's base. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.9|The Novo Incident}}

After deploying Optimus's team to the [[Deep Driller]] oil platform, Ratchet monitored the situation from base, and was amused by the sight of Prime and the others being defeated by a bunch of humans in [[robotic battle suit]]s. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.10|Mad Dogs & Autobots}} Ratchet operated the GroundBridge so the other Autobots could take the kids onto the ''Nemesis'' to search for Bulkhead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.11|The Battle for Bulkhead}} During a battle in [[The Wave]], Bumblebee was injured by a sniper, so Ratchet patched him up and sent him back to base with Raf. When the Autobots later returned to base, Ratchet was surprised to find the pair had trashed the place. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.12|The Evil Shred}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.13|Protecting the Lady}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.17|Collider Scope}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.18|Power Outage}}}}

====Ratchet's Joke Page====
At some point Ratchet got a medical degree and began treating human patients. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.8|Issue 4.8}}

===Eaglemoss ''Prime'' comic===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|On Thin Ice}} {{storylink|Sand Trap}} {{storylink|Friend or Foe?}} {{storylink|Horrible TV}} {{storylink|Cell}}}}

===''Rescue Bots'' cartoon===
When three of the [[Rescue Bot]]s were stricken down with a mysterious virus, Optimus consulted Ratchet, who suggested that one of the antidotes from the Rescue Bots' ship would cure it. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (RB)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}} Ratchet later gave the Rescue Bots energon transfusions after they used up their own supply powering the [[Mayor Luskey Dome]]. {{storylink|Today and Forever}}

===''Tales of the Beast Hunters''===
After [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] run into trouble in the [[asteroid belt]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] had Ratchet overload the GroundBridge. Despite protesting, Ratchet succeeded in bridging Optimus to the derelict ship the others were on. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 5}} Once the team successfully returned with mysterious Cybertronian weapons, Ratchet was put to work in his lab trying to make them function. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 7}} [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] managed to retrieve some [[data disc]]s from [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]'s lab, which Ratchet found contained information on Shockwave's cloning process and the weapons Bumblebee had retrieved. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 13}} He eventually managed to unlock the secrets of the weapons and power them up. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 17}} When Bumblebee recovered from the earlier mission, Ratchet assigned him to light duties patrolling with [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 23}}

===''Full of Fire!''===
Ratchet constructed a number of new Beast Hunters weapons for Team Prime, including a [[Dragonshredder Drill]] for himself. He, Bumblebee and Bulkhead went out into a [[New Mexico]] desert with Optimus Prime to test the weapons, and were attacked there by no less than six Predacons. Ratchet quickly brought all of the weapons online, and they proved capable of making the Autobots more than a match for the Predacons. {{storylink|Full of Fire!}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Pursuing the AllSpark after it had been launched into space, Ratchet was one of the many Autobots that found their way to Earth. There, he participated in a great battle within a human settlement against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}
===2015 Robots in Disguise cartoon===
{{spoiler|Decepticon Island (Part 1)|April 23}}
Ratchet remained on Cybertron after Prime's sacrifice and the rebirth of Cybertron. Although he tried to join the reconstruction efforts, he found that the new Cybertronian council blamed Optimus Prime and the Autobots for the planet's destruction. The Council assigned Ratchet the job of hunting down any remaining war criminals. Knowing that this was effectively a banishment -and knowing that protesting would only land him in prison- Ratchet reluctantly accepted. Partnered with the [[Mini-Con]] [[Undertone]], he tracked down and captured rogue Decepticons. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

Some years after Cybertron's rebirth, a statue of Ratchet was constructed in his honor. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}}

Ratchet eventually tracked a Decepticon to Earth, where he ran across [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]]. Shortly afterwards, he encountered Bumblebee and the rest of the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]], including a reborn Optimus Prime. Making his way back to the scrapyard base, he explained the circumstances of his mission to the team, only to be interrupted by the arrival of [[Toolbox]], an escaped Mini-Con. Along with the other Autobots, he decided to take part in the raid on the Decepticon base. He also privately counciled Optimus about whether or not the former Autobot leader should re-take command. The team slipped into the base by masquerading as [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]]'s captives, although they were eventually spotted and surrounded by [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]]'s new army of Decepticon fugitives. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

{{spoiler|Decepticon Island (Part 2)|April 23}}

The team had to split up, and Ratchet found himself fighting alongside [[Drift (RID)|Drift]] and his Mini-Con students against [[Overload (RID)|Overload]]. Ratchet was overpowered by the hulking Decepticon and thrown into a stasis pod, although [[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] and [[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]] released him and [[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]]. Ratchet and Undertone escaped with the other Autobots after Bumblebee and Optimus detonated a [[stasis bomb]] inside the ship. In the aftermath, Ratchet and Undertone decided to return to Cybertron with Windblade to confront Cybertron's government. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 2)}}

===IDW ''Robots in Disguise'' comic===
While struggling to get his team to work together, Bumblebee recalled happier times when he was part of Team Prime with Ratchet. {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 1|Robots in Disguise #1}}

==Commercial appearances==
*After having already been weirded out after Bulkhead broke into a scat in the middle of a carol, {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Carolers1|The Hub Carolers (First spot)}}Ratchet was dismayed as the [[Joker]], a criminal, stole the chorus of [[wikipedia:Jingle Bells|Jingle Bells]] as it was being performed by a group of carolers. This group included [[Bulkhead (Prime)|other]] [[Megatron (WFC)|Transformers]], [[My Little Pony|ponies]], and an [[wikipedia:Strawberry Shortcake|underage baker]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Carolers2|The Hub Carolers (Second spot)}}

*Fowler summoned the Autobots for a vague special mission. When Ratchet inquired if they were to receive back-up, Fowler informed them that [[Batman]] had agreed to team up with them. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Impossibly Awesome|Mission: Impossibly Awesome Marathon}}

*Ratchet presented Bumblebee and Optimus with new secret weapons that the two of them used to mow down legions of Vehicons. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Weaponizers|Weaponizers Commercial}}

*Ratchet took Bumblebee through a tour of the Autobots' armory which culminated in Ratchet presenting [[Optimus Maximus (Prime)|Optimus Maximus]]. The two of them then rode the mech into battle, plowing through ranks of Vehicons. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Optimus Maximus|Optimus Maximus commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
{{voiceactor|[[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)|[[Stefano Albertini]] (Italian)}}
[[File:RatchetWFCScreenshotAttack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Just let me patch you up with my [[Energon repair ray|ENORMOUS HEALING CANNON]]!"]]
During the [[Decepticon]]s' siege of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Ratchet was assigned to Optimus, and helped him rescue a courier named [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who informed Optimus that with the presumed death of [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Zeta Prime]], the Council was putting him in command. The three of them headed back to the command center, receiving a message from [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] that the [[Aerialbot (WFC)|Aerialbots]] were being overwhelmed and needed support. It was decided that the planetary guns, disabled earlier by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron's]] forces, needed to be brought back online. Informing Jetfire that he was taking temporary command, Optimus took Ratchet and Bumblebee with him on the mission, though when Ratchet questioned the "temporary" part, Optimus brushed it aside.

When that mission was completed, they decided their next stop was the [[Decagon]], in order to re-establish communications and coordinate Iacon's defense. Hitting serious resistance, including several [[Decepticon war machine]]s and more than a few damaged lifts which Ratchet puzzled out a way around, they nonetheless prevailed with help from Jetfire and [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]], before reaching the Decagon itself, where they encountered the former Autobot [[Air Commander|Sky Commander]], [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. They managed to defeat him as well and retook the Decagon. He boosted the signal of a message from the captive Zeta Prime and cautioned Optimus not to act as it was clearly a trap.

After Optimus was named the new [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], he went on a mission to free [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s core of Megatron's [[Dark Energon]] corruption. In order to do so, however, he needed to open the [[Omega Gate]], which would require freeing [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] from Decepticon captivity. Omega was still badly damaged from his battle with Megatron's forces, so Optimus called in Ratchet, whom Prime, [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]], and Ironhide protected during his operation to repair Omega Supreme. After the Omega Gate was opened, Ratchet returned to base with Omega, as field repairs could only do so much.

When [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] began destroying fleeing Autobot ships on Megatron's order, Ratchet declared the Decepticon leader completely insane. Once Trypticon fell to the surface from orbit, Ratchet organized the rescue effort. After Trypticon was defeated, he praised Optimus on his success, but the price paid was costly - many Autobots were lost, and those remaining were now forced to abandon Cybertron while the planetary [[Primus|Core]] repaired the damage. Ratchet was one of those who stayed behind with Optimus to resist Megatron's schemes, and to build an ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' to carry them from their home when the time came. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

[[File:WFC Ratchet.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Standing ''near'' ze point does nothing! Get ''on'' ze point, dummkopf!"]]

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron — Autobots''===
[[File:WFCDS Ratchet.jpg|thumb|124px|"Doctor, are you sure this will work?" 
"I HAVE NO IDEA!"]]
When the Decepticons started poking around an Autobot base, Ratchet tracked their search patterns and instructed a [[Autobot rookie|rookie]] on where to go to find whatever it was they were looking for. Ratchet was in the control room to greet the rookie on arrival, and hand him over to [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]] for basic training. Unfortunately the Decepticons destroyed the rookie and found the intel they were after. Following Zeta Prime's capture, the Autobot leader managed to contact Ironhide and Ratchet, but the data links powering the communications grid were severed. Ratchet greeted another rookie, who managed to repair the data links.

Ratchet would go on to become a member of Optimus' inner circle. Following the retaking of Iacon, he reported that the Data-net was back online and Zeta Prime could contact them again. He later worked with Jetfire to analyse core samples, and discovered that the core would be healing itself if it weren't for the influence of the Dark Energon corruptors. Optimus's team successfully freed the core, but the planet was no longer able to sustain them. When Ratchet asked what they'd do, Optimus responded that their new mission was to leave the planet. Ratchet was among the Autobots who defeated Megatron's secret weapon, the monstrous titan Trypticon. Upon Trypticon's defeat, Ratchet left the planet along with Optimus's team. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|War for Cybertron - Autobots/Decepticons}}

===''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures''===
Ratchet attempted to aid and evacuate survivors from an orbital blast form Megatron's new weapon, [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]], when the Decepticon leader tracked him down. After exchanging gunfire, Ratchet was forced onto a ledge, and Megatron tauntingly kicked him off. The Autobot survived the fall, but was pinned down by debris. Fortunately [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] was in the area and came to the rescue. As the two made their trek back to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Ratchet informed Sideswipe that he had information about the Decepticon superweapon that needed to get to Optimus right away... {{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}
{{note|Ratchet is not a playable character; he appears as a boss in the Decepticon campaign, and only in a single cutscene in the Autobot campaign.}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
{{voiceactor|[[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)}}
Ratchet was deeply hurt by the torment of having to watch his home planet power down around him. He recorded several audio logs in order to acknowledge and reflect on the cause of the planet's slow demise, hoping that a future generation would never have to endure such a sight. Ratchet came to fear the very likely reality that the Transformers' war would not end when "all were one" - but rather, due to their own extinction from lack of Energon. It was this need for Energon that forced the Autobots to begin to siphon power from [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]'s inert, but still alive body; a gruesome last resort that shook Ratchet to his core, praying that there was some justification to be found for the Autobots' desperate act.

During the preparations for the Ark's launch, Ratchet worked with Optimus Prime, [[Perceptor (Prime)|Perceptor]], and the other Autobots to recover the energon necessary for lift-off. Grimlock later identified a space bridge for the Autobots to use to escape Cybertron, but upon its' destruction, Ratchet reported that it was becoming unstable and they needed to launch as soon as possible. Thanks to the sacrifice of [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]], they were able to do so immediately, but they came under attack by the ''Nemesis''. When cornered while trying to treat Bumblebee during the initial assault, Ratchet slyly used a flashing beacon to disorient the Decepticons while feigning submission. Ratchet guided Bumblebee through the ''Ark'' until he found the dueling Optimus and Megatron.
{{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

{{note|Ratchet also appears as a playable character in the game's 'Escalation' mode, on the 'Ignition' map. Ratchet fights alongside [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]]. He is the team's [[Medic (FOC)|medic]].}}

=== ''Transformers: Prime - The Game'' ===
[[File:Transformers prime the game ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
{{voiceactor|[[Jeffrey Combs]] (English)}}

When Team Prime mobilized to untether the [[Dark Energon]] meteor that the Decepticons were towing into orbit via the ''Nemesis'', Ratchet per usual stayed behind to run the GroundBridge. When the meteor fell to Earth, taking Team Prime with it, Ratchet left the human allies to man the Bridge in order to retrieve [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], who was the only Autobot whose energy signature they were able to locate... ''before'' Ratchet teleported out, at least.

Ratchet found Prime next to the largest surviving chunk of the meteorite, which also contained the colossus [[Thunderwing (Prime)|Thunderwing]]. The giant awoke, and quickly swatted Ratchet away with its one free arm. Ratchet made his way bac kto the ruins where Optimus and Thunderwing had landed, but the ''Nemesis'' had also arrived and began raining plasma fire into the area to subdue Thunderwing. Optimus and Ratchet bolted for a GroundBridge portal opened by Arcee (as she had luckily fallen close to [[Jasper]] and was able to make it back to the base on-wheel), but stray cannon-fire sent Ratchet flying away once again. The timed portal closed without him, and left Ratchet to be captured by the Decepticons.

On board the ''Nemesis'', Ratchet was forced to repair the giant Thunderwing, as the Decepticons had also kidnapped Miko and Raf and used them as hostages. Ratchet, indignant as always, performed just enough work to look like he was doing what he was told, but spent more time seeking out a weak point in the monster. When Megatron returned with the final major component to bringing Thunderwing back to full power, Ratchet looked to be out of options... until the Decepticon leader was momentarily distracted by the return of Starscream, who himself was being held hostage by Bulkhead. Ratchet took the chance to bolt from his cell and lock Megatron in, making his way through the security system and hordes of Vehicons to free Miko and Raf.

Once the humans were free, they took a service elevator up to the main communications hub of the ''Nemesis'' in order to get word out to the other Autobots, and hopefully use the Decepticon SpaceBridge to escape. After taking out numerous Vehicons, the three made it to the main comm hub, only to find Soundwave at the controls. Raf patched into the room's defense systems to briefly drop energy shielding on four computer towers, allowing Ratchet to destroy them and drop the force field that surrounded the main comm console. Forced to fight one-on-one, Soundwave made clever use of the Space bridge to warp in and out of the control room, but eventually found himself bested by the veteran Autobot and was forced to retreat. Now in control, Ratchet was able to communicate with the other Autobots who had infiltrated the ''Nemesis'', and successfully warped them off the ship as it collapsed due to the damage Thunderwing had caused in his escape.

Back at the base, Ratchet informed the others that he could develop a siphon that could drain at least some of Thunderwing's Dark Energon, hopefully weakening the beast enough to allow them to destroy him. He stayed behind to work on the device as Bumblebee, Arcee and Bulkhead mobilized near a Dark Energon volcano that Thunderwing was headed towards. Ratchet was forced to bring the incomplete device with him to the volcano upon Thunderwing's arrival. He informed the other Autobots that due to the short amount of time he had to work on it, the siphon would only be truly effective if it was practically ''inside'' Thunderwing. Things looked hopeless until stowaways Miko and Jack piped up, Miko showing the Autobots a [[Miko's phone|cell phone picture]] of a break in Thunderwing's chest armor that Ratchet had never repaired... a break just big enough for a human to fit into. Though reluctant to put the humans at risk, Ratchet handed over the siphon to Jack, who rode Arcee to the beast, and successfully installed the siphon, allowing Optimus Prime to finish Thunderwing once and for all. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime - The Game}}

{{note|Ratchet is only playable in a single stage of Story Mode: "The Escape!". He is available as a playable character in the game's multi-player battle modes from the start, however. 
In this game, Ratchet oddly does not have his blades. Instead, when he enters his "upgrade" mode, he deploys a massive wrench from his left wrist socket (seriously, it's as big as his forearm!) which he uses to clobber opponents. This is also the only time we see Prime-cartoon-era Ratchet employ a blaster for combat.}}
{{--}}

===''Hunt the Beasts'' online game===
Ratchet enlisted [[you]] for a top secret mission; you were to infiltrate Shockwave's lab and retrieve data on Shockwave's experiments, the Predacons. Ratchet instructed you to scour the lab for the data, and report back to him immediately upon its discovery. Throughout your investigation, Ratchet would aid you to overcome many obstacles with his instructions, such as how to rewire the controls to a busted lift, or turn on the Energon stabilization protocols. Once the data on the Predacons has been gathered, Ratchet informed you that the Autobots would prepare for the looming threat of the Predacons with new weapons called "[[Beast Gear]]." He then uploaded data on the Autobots to keep you informed on their Predacon-battling capabilities, and thanked you for your service. {{storylink|Hunt the Beasts}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense''===
Ratchet discovered a way to send Autonomous Defense Turrets through the Ground Bridge. He shipped these out to the battle whenever other Autobots in combat situations requested them. He also walked through the other Autobots through their missions while he stayed behind at Autobot headquarters, coordinating their efforts. He would also occasionally send Energon to the Autobots in the field when he detected an incoming threat that was particularly imposing. {{Storylink|Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense|Terrorcon Defense}}

===''Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense''===
When the Decepticons constructed an [[Energon Drain]] in an asteroid field, Ratchet and the Autobots countered it by building a [[Pulsar Dish]] from debris. While the dish was under construction, Ratchet could help out by repairing damage dealt to the dish by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Universe''===
[[File:Tu-character-art ratchet.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Either he has an identity crisis, or he still doesn't know which medical center this vehicle form belongs to!]]
Prowl revealed that Ratchet built the groundbridge in [[High Grand]] {{storylink|Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe Autobot tutorial}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
====Console====
{{Charstubgames}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark (console)}}

===''Transformers: Robots in Disguise''===
{{charstubgames}}{{storylink|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|Robots in Disguise (mobile game)}}

==Games==
===''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game===
{{charstubgames}}{{storylink|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game}}

==Toys==
===Cyberverse===
[[File:Cyberverse legion ratchet.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Let's go practice medicine.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Cyberverse Legion, 2012)
**''Series / Number:'' '''2 / 004'''
**''Japanese Number:'' '''EZ-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Battle blade

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' [[Cyberverse#Series 2|Cyberverse]] Legion Class toys, "Autobot Ratchet" transforms into an emergency vehicle, and comes with a translucent battle blade weapon. It can peg via its numerous [[C joint|3mm post]]s onto his robot hands, arms/vehicle sides, and robot back/vehicle roof. Early versions of the mold oddly lacked an actual face but a [http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/cyberverse-prime-ratchet-receives-an-update-aka-hasbro-i-needed-that-t86206s400.php running change] finally gave him one.

:His blade, in the same color, is also used by Cyberverse [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#Cyberverse|Cliffjumper]] and ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Mirage (Movie)#Cyberverse|Mirage]], while a green version is used by [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#CyberverseQuickblade|Quickblade Bumblebee]], and a purple version is used by [[Knock Out (Prime)#CyberverseSingle|Knock Out]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/LegRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Cyberverse Legion Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EZ6pack}}
[[File:PrimeEZCollectionAutobotSet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Doctor is credit to team!]]
*'''Autobot Set''' (EZ Collection 6-pack, [[November 24|11-24]]-2012)
**''ID number'': '''EZ-SP1'''
**''Accessories'': Battle blade

: This version of Ratchet was only available in a TakaraTomy ''[[EZ Collection]]'' six-pack with [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#EZ6pack|Bumblebee]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)#EZ6pack|Bulkhead]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#EZ6pack|Optimus Prime]], [[Arcee (WFC)#EZ6pack|Arcee]], and [[Wheeljack (Prime)#EZ6pack|Wheeljack]].

: This release utilizes the version of the mold with a face.

{{-}}

===Prime===
{{anchor|Deluxe}}
[[File:PrimeRID-RatchetDeluxe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|And that's how he lost his medical license.]]
[[File:Prime-toy RatchetTakTom.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|With all those craters on him, he'll probably need to see a dermatologist.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2012)
**''Series / Number'': '''1 / 006'''
**''Japanese release date:'' '''[[March 31|3-31]]-2012'''
**''Japanese number:'' '''AM-04'''
**''Accessories:'' Dual Battle Blades (Hasbro only), "R.A." Arms Micron (TakaraTomy only)

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Robots in Disguise (2012)|Prime: Robots in Disguise]]'' Deluxe Class toys, this larger-scale version of Ratchet has a "dramatic head reveal" [[gimmick]], with his [[robot mode]] head being spring-loaded to pop up once his "backpack" is pulled down. He features [[5mm post|5mm peg-holes]] for his hands, a pair on his front bumpers/shins, and a pair on his vehicle roof.

:He comes with a pair of battle blades that can mount/be held via 5mm post, and his hands can be swung down at the wrist to give the appearance of the blades sprouting out of his wrists, as seen in the cartoon. The blades can mount into the peg-holes on his front bumper, creating a battle mode, and the blades can store on tabs underneath his vehicle.

:His [[instructions]] depict an alternate head apparently intended for an as-yet-unreleased Gears. The sculpt was used as the basis for ''Prime'' [[Swerve (Prime)|Swerve]].

: The Japanese release of Ratchet, part of the very first assortment of [[TakaraTomy]] ''Prime'' toys, omits an incredible number of [[paint operation]]s, replacing them with customer-applied foil [[sticker]]s. (On the other hand, this ''does'' give him his "lifeline" decoration missing from the [[Hasbro]] version.) As part of the "[[Arms Micron]]" gimmick, six 5mm peg-hole attachment points have been glued onto him (as opposed to having existing parts specifically [[retool]]ed to include them like many other toys in the line) on his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] roof, doors, and side-panels, which respectively end up on his legs, forearms, and shoulders. The Hasbro version's twin blades have been replaced by the Arms Micron, [[R.A.#Toys|R.A.]], who transforms into a considerably larger version of one of the blades, and can still work as a "wrist-mounted" weapon.

: Ratchet was redecoed into [[Transformers (2014 toyline)|2014 ''Transformers'']] [[First Aid (G1)#Transformers (2014)|Protectobot First Aid]] and retooled into [[BotCon 2014]] [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm More information on ''Robots in Disguise'' Ratchet at TFU.info]''

::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-1464.html Arms Micron Ratchet at Alfes's blog]''

{{-}}

===Beast Hunters===
{{anchor|BHDeluxe}}
[[File:BHtoy Deluxe Ratchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Alright, who's ready for some <s>precision</s> surgery?"]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2013)
**''Series / Number'': '''2 / 010'''
**''Accessories:'' Dragonshredder Drill

: Part of the third wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime:]] [[Beast Hunters]]'' Deluxe Class toys, "Autobot Ratchet" is a [[redeco]] and extensive retool of the "Robots in Disguise" Deluxe Class Autobot Ratchet toy, transforming into a heavily modified rescue vehicle that's covered with spikes, features an exposed engine block on its hood, and has a sculpted rocket booster at the back. He retains the peg-holes at the usual places, and gains additional peg-holes at the back and near the rear wheels. He now comes with the "[[Dragonshredder Drill]]", which spins when the plunger to the side is pushed, and mounts via 5mm post. The halves of the drill can be pulled open to reveal a quad-barreled cannon inside. His head and chest greatly resemble ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Dinobot II]], while his "Dragonshredder Drill" is reminiscent of the [[Dinobot (BW)#Beast Wars|original Dinobot toy's]] [[Cyber-slash tail weapon]].

: His instructions include the [[Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 13|thirteenth chapter]] of the ''[[Tales of the Beast Hunters]]'' series.

: This toy is also the basis for the fiction-only "[[Alone Together]]" version of [[Jawbreaker]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm More information on ''Beast Hunters'' Ratchet at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Go!===
[[File:Transformers-Go-G09-Hunter-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I healed ze man who vill kill you!]]
*'''Hunter Ratchet''' ([[August 31|08–31]]–13)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''G19'''
**''Accessories:'' Drill

:Part of the fourth wave of TakaraTomy ''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (toyline)|Go!]]'' toys, Hunter Ratchet is a green, black, and translucent-red redeco of the ''Beast Hunters'' Deluxe Class Ratchet toy. Unusually, he's identified as a Decepticon, complete with [[insignia]]! According to a translated version of the bio, Ratchet was captured by the Decepticons, and forcibly exposed to Dark Energon thus mutating him into a Decepticon.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/HunterRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Hunter Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Robots in Disguise (2015)===
{{note|Virtually every ''Robots in Disguise (2015)'' toy in this list has a scannable [[insignia]] sticker on it. For [[Hasbro]] releases, it temporarily unlocks that toy as a playable character in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game]], and can only be scanned once per day. It's honestly quicker and less redundant to say which toys '''don't''' have this feature.}}
[[File:RID2015-Legion-Class-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Guess they didn't teach you to duck in Doctor school!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Legion, 2016)
:Legion Class Ratchet is a retool of [[Strongarm (RID)#Legion Class|Legion Class Strongarm]], sporting a new head and torso. Curiously, these new parts are based on his ''Prime'' character model, rather than his new on-screen ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' design.

:His scannable Autobot insignia is on his drivers-side door in vehicle mode, becoming his left arm in robot mode.

{{-}}{{anchor|WarriorClass}}
[[File:RID2015-Warrior-Class-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I'm the first of the new RID do-it-yourself customization kits!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Warrior, 2016)
**''Accessories'': 2 pistols
:Warrior Class Ratchet is a retool of [[Strongarm (RID)#Warrior_Class|Warrior Class Strongarm]], giving him an entirely new ambulance alternate mode and a significantly altered robot mode. He includes a pair of [[5mm post|5mm]] pistol accessories. Ratchet also features a faux front window on his robot mode chest.

:His scannable Autobot insignia is on his robot-mode chestplate.

{{comingsoontoy}}{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Mcdonald's===
[[File:Primetoy-RatchetHappyMeal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|The stickers are good practice for the Arms Micron version.]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Happy Meal, 2012)
:*''McNumber:'' '''7'''
:Happy Meal Ratchet is a non-transformable emergency vehicle! Pushing on the back of his roof reveals the base of a cannon, and pressing the Autobot symbol on the roof causes the short barrel of the cannon to pop out. Ratchet (not "Autobot Ratchet", despite claim of trademark!) also comes with a sheet of stickers to complete his deco. Since the cannon gimmick and the "mCODE" coupon use up both sides of the usual instructions sheet, the sticker placement instructions are printed on the back of the sticker sheet itself. Efficient, but not terribly user-friendly!

===Eaglemoss cards===
{{charstubtoys}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:VectorSigmaBotBuilderRatchet.jpg|thumb|I'm feeling sad and blue.]]
*Ratchet's model is usable in ''War for Cybertron'' multiplayer as the Medic Rig-type chassis for [[Leader (WFC)|Leader]]-class characters. His parts are also available in ''Fall of Cybertron'', now classified as Mercenary-type components for [[Destroyer (FOC)|Destroyer]]-class characters.
*''Transformers'' alumnus [[Michael Bell]] originally auditioned for the part of Ratchet in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', but ultimately lost the role to [[Jeffrey Combs]].
*In a number of episodes, mostly written by [[Nicole Dubuc]], Ratchet's equipment gets damaged by a fellow Autobot, prompting him to utter ''"I NEEDED THAT!"'' each time.
*His license plate number in "[[Stronger, Faster]]" is '''449 EPQ'''.
*Ratchet's body parts are available to use in the Hub website's [[Vector Sigma Bot Builder]] online game. Normally, you cannot configure a generic 'bot using all Ratchet parts, but you can see what one would look like at right through the magic of Photoshop.
*With the exceptions of Optimus and Bumblebee, Ratchet was the only Autobot to make a reappearance in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'', from the previous show, ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)]]''.

{{-}}
===Arms Up Modes===
In the Japanese ''Prime'' toyline, Ratchet has several powered-up modes when given various [[Arms Micron]]s in certain configurations:

[[File:DarknessRising4 CybSat-RatchetAntiTerror.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"I am ze ÜBERMENSCH!"]]

*'''Destroy Mode''' (デストロイモード ''Desutoroi Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': B.2, C.L., O.P., R.A.
: Ratchet's rather uncharacteristically-named "Destroy Mode", as seen on his box-back photo, uses a combined-weapon made up of [[R.A.]] and [[B.2]] in his right hand, [[O.P.]] on his left arm, and [[C.L.]] on his left leg.

*'''''Sekkensenrenzan'' Mode''' (接近戦連斬モード ''Sekkensenrenzan Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': C.L., Gora, O.P. (x2), R.A. (x2)
:Meaning "Close-combat Multi-slash Mode", and revealed in the "[[From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division|Cybertron Satellite]]" segment from "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4|Infiltration Transformation! Battleship Nemesis]]", this "Anti-Terrorcon" mode is... just ''brutal''. He's got an R.A. on each forearm, with an O.P. attached to the back of each, with [[Gora]] (?) on his right leg, and C.L. on his left.

*'''Stealth Mode''' (ステルスモード ''Sterusu Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': R.A. (x4!), Zori (x2)
:''Four'' R.A.s are joined to create a super-large [[shuriken]]-like weapon that stores on Ratchet's back. A pair of [[Zori]]s hang from Ratchet's shoulders, with the claw-tails hanging down to create a "cloak of invisibility". This mode is for "stealthily backing up Optimus Prime and the others", according to the [http://youtu.be/QJUMhgggH-Q TakaraTomy developer video where it premiered], hosted by TakaraTomy designer [[Hironori Kobayashi]].
:There is also a variant configuration, '''Defense Mode''', which opens up the panels on Ratchet's arms and moves the Zoris to the "wrist-mounted blade" positions, which cross in an "X" in front of Ratchet as a stealth shield.
:Kobayashi also made custom carbon-black stickers for Ratchet's shoulders and chest, and in the video shows viewers how to customize their own stickers.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Ratchet''' (ラチェット ''Rachetto'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Jiùhùchē''' (救护车, "Ambulance")
*''Russian:'' '''Khrapovik''' (Храповик, "Ratchet")

[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Medics]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Universe game Autobots]]
[[Category:Rise of the Dark Spark Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2015) Autobots]]

Ratchet (WFC)

2016-04-19T21:25:22Z

OptimusPrimeRID:

{{faction|autobot|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Ratchet}}
:''Ratchet is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[File:PrimeRatcht.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|If we don't get Jeffrey Combs versus [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lance Henriksen]] before this series ends, there will be much, much sobbing.]]
The [[Autobot]]s' medical officer, '''Ratchet''' has a dry wit, often giving his wounded comrades a hard time for taking hits he somehow avoids. With the Energon supplies becoming less and less, he works to find new ways to make do, and he'd ''really'' prefer if the Autobots didn't risk injury (or worse) to protect [[human]]s. He'd also prefer the humans weren't brought back to [[Autobot Outpost Omega One]] but since ''he'' is unfamiliar with human tech, he needs [[Raf Esquivel]] to help him out. However, for all his views on humans, deep down Ratchet ''admires'' what the tiny fleshies bring to the fight. Maybe he'll even warm up to them.

[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s best friend, and ''de facto'' second-in-command, you'd be hard-pressed to find another Autobot who loves his leader as much as he does. Yet this is not to say Ratchet has blind faith in him; Ratchet resents Optimus' lack of action over the years regarding ending the war and many missed chances to kill [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. He's as flawed as any normal being would be, and a huge vice is his Cybertronian pride. At least once, it's nearly cost him the life of a friend. Furthermore, his grief for his destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|home world]] is what drives him. He didn't take the loss of Cybertron very well, and would do almost anything to get it back some day.

{{quote|In a contest between resources and ingenuity, never underestimate ingenuity.|Ratchet, [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]}}

==Fiction==
===''The Covenant of Primus''===
Ratchet emerged from the [[Well of All Sparks]] before the [[Age of Wrath]]. In his youth, Ratchet left his primitive village behind, and embarked on a pilgrimage to the newly-founded city of [[Iacon]]. There, he applied as a student to Iacon's medical units, and learned medical science from the then-current chief of surgery [[Remedy (COP)|Remedy]]. Over time, Ratchet slowly climbed the ranks, and eventually became a junior medic in one of Iacon's many medical clinics.

One day, Ratchet was interrupted from his studies by the arrival of [[Coldwelder]], a working-class [[Energon]] miner who claimed to have been abducted and experimented on by [[Quintesson|aliens]]. Ratchet was skeptical of his claims, but ordered his intern [[Crankhandle]] to help run a diagnostic on the frightened victim. While examining his patient with his colleague [[Cogwheel]], Ratchet discovered a probe of unknown origin had indeed been planted in Coldwelder's cranium. Ratchet was more than happy to let Cogwheel deal with the fallout of this strange discovery but felt guilty afterwords for passing the matter off to her to deal with.

Much later, the outbreak of the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]], Ratchet chose to join the Autobots under Optimus Prime. After the Autobot scout [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] was grievously wounded by Megatron, Ratchet attempted to patch up Bumblebee. Although the medic was able to repair Bumblebee's leg, he was unable to save his voice box, rendering Bumblebee mute.

After the great exodus from Cybertron, Ratchet was one of the handful of Autobots who travelled to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus}}

===Aligned novels===
Ratchet made his name during the [[Praxus|Praxian]] stalemate. He and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] fought in a few battles together, during which he taught the younger Autobot how to apply first aid. He repaired his throat after [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] destroyed it in revenge for ejecting the [[AllSpark]] into space, enabling Bumblebee to speak from time to time.

After Megatron invaded [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and took the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], Ratchet welded [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]]'s face and stabilized [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]]'s condition. When [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] asked Ratchet if Omega was ready to fight again, the offended medic responded that if Optimus wanted Omega to fight after the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] blew him out of the sky, [[Dark Energon]]-infused gladiators attacked him and Megatron tore out the Chamber out of his chest, then he wanted another surgeon. Optimus knew he had to apologize but was too preoccupied with rescuing [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]].

When the Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', Ratchet informed Optimus and [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] that Omega was repaired and ready to distract [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Uniend 610.23 Zeta]], {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}} Ratchet was present for a meeting amongst [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s most trusted lieutenants about [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]]'s plan to launch the [[AllSpark]] into space to keep it from [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], and then took part in the Battle at [[Tyger Pax]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee at Tyger Pax}}

===''Prime'' comic===
[[File:PrimeComicRatchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Don't worry, you won't see me as dirty later. Except [[Stronger, Faster|that one time]]...]]
Ratchet was stationed at the Autobot base on [[Earth]], opening the [[GroundBridge]] for Optimus to retrieve [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]. He reattached her arm after [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] had blown it off. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Jeffrey Combs]] (English), [[Nobuo Tobita]] (Japanese)|[[José María Carrero]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Seong-yong Ha]] (Korean), [[Claudio Moneta]] (Italian), [[Jan Spitzer]] (German), [[Mario Arvizu]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Jarosław Boberek]] (Polish), [[Luiz Antônio Lobue]] (Brazilian Portuguse), [[Jari Salo]] (Finnish)}}

Ratchet served during the war for Cybertron, where he "proved [his] mettle". {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}} After Bumblebee was captured at [[Tyger Pax]], Ratchet was the field medic who put him back together, but was unable to repair his voice box. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} At some point after Team Prime arrived on Earth, Ratchet modified [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]]'s jet, allowing him to fly without a flight suit. {{storylink|Grill}}

[[File:DarknessRising1-Ratchettragedy.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|You're drawn to his eccentric charm.]]
Ratchet was on patrol in a snowy region when news came in that [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was battling a platoon of Decepticons solo. Ratchet and the other Autobots returned to base to [[GroundBridge]] to his location, but they were too late: Cliffjumper was nowhere to be found, and Ratchet confirmed that his lifesigns had ceased. It was Ratchet's belief that continuing to operate on Earth and aid humans would only result in more tragedy, and as such, it was no surprise that he vehemently objected to the Autobots becoming protectors for [[Jack Darby]], [[Miko Nakadai]] and [[Raf Esquivel]] soon after—though the kids' incessant questions didn't help their case, either. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} Ratchet's mood was not improved when [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] accidentally crushed an important piece of lab equipment, and things got even worse when he was instructed to stay at base and watch the children while the other Autobots investigated the reappearance of Cliffjumper's lifesign. He did, however, start to see the value in the kids' presence when Raf helped him in his continuing struggle to master the inferior human computer systems the Autobot base ran on. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

[[File:Optimus Prime Ratchet Zombies Darkness Rising 4.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|He performs surgery with these. Carefully.]]

The other Autobots returned from their mission with the news that Cliffjumper had been revived by the Decepticons as a [[zombie]], and when [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] began feeling dizzy, Ratchet examined her and discovered a trace of the mysterious substance that had reanimated Cliffjumper. While examining it, Ratchet inadvertently dripped some on the equipment Bulkhead had broken, transforming it into a vicious little monster. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} Optimus Prime helped him destroy it, and both realized that they were dealing with [[Dark Energon]]. Realizing that [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] planned to raise an undead army, Optimus took Ratchet to the site of an ancient Transformer battle on Earth, but they arrived too late to prevent Megatron from using Dark Energon to raise the buried corpses of the warriors as a legion of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]]. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 3}} Ratchet quickly deduced that the best way to stop them was dismemberment, and he and Prime managed to cut down the entire army despite the debilitating effects of the Dark Energon. Ratchet sustained a wounded arm in the battle, and Megatron was able to escape. Returning to base, Ratchet examined some plans that Miko had obtained from the Decepticons in his absence, and speculated that the villains were building a [[space bridge]] so they could use Dark Energon to raise a zombie army on Cybertron and bring them to Earth. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}} Given his injuries, Ratchet stayed behind at the base to man the GroundBridge, sending the other Autobots to the orbiting space bridge for battle, and the kids to the [[Giant Sized Array]] radio telescope in [[Texas]] to cut off the Decepticons' targeting systems. While the kids failed in their endeavour, they did succeed in obtaining schematics for the space bridge, which Ratchet used to determine a means of destroying it. He instructed Arcee's team on sabotaging the space bridge, and bridged everyone back to base before the inevitable explosion. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}}

[[File:Masters&Students-Ratch-animator.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|I was busy pushing bodies around as you well know and what would a note say, Dan? "Cat dead, details later"?]]
Ratchet was initially dismayed to learn that the kids were working on their school science projects in the Autobot base, but changed his tune in short order and actually turned down combat duty to stay and help them. Unfortunately for the kids, he completely took over their projects, building a large volcano for Raf, a model of Cybertron for Miko, and an advanced engine for Jack. None of the projects went down well at school, much to Ratchet's disappointment. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

[[File:Scrapheap-Ratchetinfected.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|My kingdom for a [[Charlie Fong]]!]]
Ratchet found another reason to be grateful to have the kids around when a [[Scraplet]] infestation in the base left the GroundBridge disabled, and Ratchet at the mercy of the metal-eating monsters. Jack used a fire extinguisher to freeze the creatures, saving Ratchet's life, but the medic remained too badly wounded to effect repairs to the GroundBridge, and had to entrust the job to the humans. They succeeded, and Ratchet was able to patch up himself and his fellow Autobots. {{storylink|Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap}} Problems with the GroundBridge lingered, however, and Ratchet continued working on it during a visit by Bulkhead's old buddy [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], while trying to ignore the distractions caused by the other Autobots partying and Wheeljack and Bulkhead [[Cybertronian sport#Lobbing|Lobbing]]. The delays caused by Ratchet's repairs resulted in "Wheeljack" being exposed as [[Makeshift (Prime)|a Decepticon imposter]]. Unfortunately this also meant that when the real Wheeljack turned up, Ratchet was subjected to another round of partying. {{storylink|Con Job}}

Ratchet continued to play the role of tech support over the Autobots next few missions. He remained in the base to monitor the Autobot convoy as they transported the [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System]] across country, alerting them to an incoming Decepticon attack and—under protest—working with Raf to GroundBride Miko and Jack onto a moving track so they could stop the forces of [[MECH]] from stealing the device. [[File:SickMind-RatchetOP.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"I've heard that humans quite often wake up late with black eyes. They call the condition 'a hangover'."]]{{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}} The episode burnt Raf's laptop out, but Ratchet later helped fix it. {{storylink|Raf's Notes|Raf's Notes #5}} When the Decepticons stole an [[Energon Harvester]] from a human museum, Ratchet manufactured a replica to replace it, despite Bulkhead breaking his frame welder. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}}

When Ratchet and Optimus Prime investigated a [[Autobot plague ship|crashed Autobot vessel]], they discovered that it was a plague ship carrying deceased victims of [[Cybonic plague]], a pathogen created by Megatron himself. Optimus contracted the disease, which was beyond even Ratchet's ability to cure. In search of a treatment, he GroundBridged Arcee and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] to the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' so they could obtain the cure from Megatron's mind via [[cortical psychic patch]], a controversial procedure banned by Autobots but in which Ratchet was well-versed. While watching the link, Ratchet recorded the hologram of the plague antidote Megatron showed to Bumblebee, and was able later to produce a cure for Optimus. {{storylink|Sick Mind}}

[[File:OutHead-RatchetMegatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I hope you've been practicing "The Man Who Sold the World", Megatron, because you're about to be ''unplugged!'']] While Optimus was given a clean bill of health, Ratchet was more concerned about Bumblebee; learning that the scout was seeing visions of Megatron following their psychic link-up, Ratchet induced a shutdown to give his systems time to recover. The other Autobots soon left the base on a mission, and Ratchet was left with Raf, who was sitting by the unconscious Bumblebee's beside. Trying to explain to the boy that this was unnecessary only resulted in Ratchet being subjected to pictures of Raf's family. The discussion was cut off when Bumblebee suddenly reactivated, leading Ratchet to realize that Megatron had taken over his comrade's body. Unable to stop the Decepticon leader from escaped through the GroundBridge, Ratchet and Raf followed Bumblebee to the Decepticon ship. There, they tried fruitlessly to stop Bumblebee from restoring Megatron to life, and had to retreat under Vehicon fire after Megatron's resurrection. They found Optimus's team on the ground below and returned to base where Ratchet checked over Bumblebee's processor for any lingering traces of Megatron's influence. {{Storylink|Out of His Head}}

Due to his experience with Dark Energon, Ratchet—much to his own surprise—was tapped to take Arcee's place when the Autobots deployed to confront [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. He was attempting to use the evil substance to revive [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]. Discovering that the kids had followed them through the GroundBridge, Ratchet ordered them to head back through to base, only for a Decepticon GroundBridge to manifest at the same time, causing a disruption that hurled the children into a parallel dimension. Deducing what had happened, Ratchet was able to recreate the original feedback loop and create a portal the kids could escape through. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}} Ratchet also went into the field on the Autobots' next mission: After patching up Bulkhead following a skirmish with Breakdown in which the 'Con was captured by MECH, Ratchet joined the effort to rescue the Decepticon. Following an Energon signature but finding only Breakdown's plucked-out eye, Ratchet attempted to extract images from the eye to help in the Autobots' search, but it turned out to be a MECH booby-trap, and the team only narrowly avoided the bomb explosion that resulted. They later tracked down Bulkhead in time to rescue him from Starscream and Breakdown. {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}}

[[File:StrongerFaster-Ratchetvehicle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|A rare sighting.]]

Ratchet was at the Autobot base when Jack and Arcee brought Jack's mother [[June Darby]] in to introduce her to everyone. {{storylink|Crisscross}} When June next visited the base, the on-edge medic assumed her car was a Decepticon, though he didn't object to June, a nurse, respectfully calling him "doctor". While in conversation with June, Ratchet detected a magnetic anomaly and dispatched Bulkhead and Arcee to find it; when they returned magnetically stuck together, he realized they were dealing with a [[polarity gauntlet]]. Bulkhead and Arcee were eventually able to retrieve the device and present it to Ratchet back at base. {{storylink|Metal Attraction}} Ratchet's tech expertise came to the fore again when he detected the activation of a crashed [[Harbinger|Decepticon ship's]] computer system: when Bumblebee and Arcee returned from investigating with two frozen comrades and the pieces of the [[immobilizer|Decepticon weapon]] responsible, Ratchet was able to repair the weapon and use it to restore Prime and Bulkhead. {{storylink|Partners}}

[[File:StrongerFaster-crouchbehindrock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Stronger, faster, squatter]]

While most of the other Autobots went out to retrieve a [[Cybertronian data cylinder]], Ratchet stayed at base to monitor them and annoy Bulkhead and Miko by interrupting their monster truck footage. After Bulkhead was called out to the field, Ratchet assigned Miko cleaning duties, only for her to rush off to the battlefield and inadvertently cause the contents of the cylinder to be downloaded into Bulkhead's brain. Ratchet initially gave Bulkhead a clean bill of health, but when Bulkhead started painting complex formulae, Ratchet made two discoveries: one, that the formulae were for [[Synthetic Energon]], and two, that the data was slowly destroying Bulkhead's mind. After much of the formula had been transcribed, the data was beamed out of Bulkhead into space, leaving him comatose. Ratchet's suggestion that a familiar sound might rouse the Autobot led Miko to wake Bulkhead with her guitar playing. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} Working from Bulkhead's incomplete formula, Ratchet appeared to succeed in synthesizing a batch of the Synthetic Energon, and used himself as a guinea pig. Supercharged by the new substance at the expense of his mental stability, Ratchet was made strong enough to trash an entire squad of Vehicons on his own and to throw Bulkhead through a wall while sparring. When he went too far in interrogating a [[Decepticon Miner]] under the auspices of being more "proactive", Optimus was forced to confine him to base. Escaping, Ratchet went to confront Megatron on his own, infiltrating the Decepticons' Energon mine and making short work of Breakdown. Unfortunately, Megatron proved more formidable than expected, and Ratchet was seriously injured and left for Knock Out to extract a sample of Synthetic Energon from. Drained of the SynthEn and its effects, Ratchet managed to raise enough strength to fight back and destroy the sample, and was then rescued by the other Autobots and taken back to base for treatment. Ratchet apologized for his behavior, though at least they'd gained a supply of real energon from the mine out of it. {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}

[[File:OneShallRise2-Ratchethumans.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|Professionals never look directly into the camera, Ratchet]]

When Optimus became interested in a prophecy from the [[Covenant of Primus]], Ratchet worked out that the planetary alignment mentioned was mere days away. Shortly after, Raf was injured during a mission to stop the Decepticons from gathering space bridge components. Ratchet's lack of knowledge of human physiology left him unable to treat the boy, so June Darby was called in to help. Ratchet refused to allow Raf to be taken to a hospital, as human doctors wouldn't have any experience with Energon contamination, but it became apparent that this wasn't what was ailing Raf. He had been infected with ''Dark'' Energon. Ratchet took the risk of applying an infusion of regular Energon to neutralize the Dark, and Raf recovered. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}} Immediately thereafter, Ratchet joined Arcee and Bulkhead in rescuing Optimus from a battle with Megatron, then set about analyzing a series of natural disasters that began across the Earth, deducing that the tremors were the heartbeat of [[Unicron]], slumbering within the Earth and threatening to destroy it with his awakening. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} When Megatron approached the Autobots with the proposition of an alliance to stop Unicron from destroying the planet, Ratchet scoffed at the notion. He grew increasing incredulous to the idea that he would GroundBridge the others into the Earth's very core, following co-ordinates provided by Megatron, so the Optimus could use the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to deactivate Unicron, but was nonetheless forced to go along with the plan when Optimus accepted Megatron's offer. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}}

Remaining behind in the base with the kids and unable to contact the Autobots in the planet's depths, Ratchet passed the time telling the humans about the old days when Optimus was known as Orion Pax, and was shocked to discover that Optimus had entrusted Jack with the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] before departing. A final tremor that Ratchet shielded the kids from heralded Autobot victory within the planet, but when Ratchet GroundBridged the others back, they reported that Optimus had lost his memories and left with Megatron. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

Ratchet reasoned that Optimus's amnesia must have been a result of emptying the Matrix, and that the solution involved the Key to Vector Sigma. He started tinkering with the GroundBridge to try and find a way to reach Cybertron, though when frustrations boiled over at their lack of success in getting Optimus back, Jack suggested they might use the Decepticon space bridge instead. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Thought he continued his tinkering with the GroundBridge, Ratchet was demoralized after the first test with Raf's radio-controlled car resulted in the destruction of the toy. The real breakthrough came when Ratchet was able to trade Starscream medical attention for information on the location of the space bridge. Once Ratchet and the others secured the bridge, they sent Jack and Arcee through. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}} Ratchet, Bulkhead and Bumblebee monitored Jack's progress from the Earth end of the space bridge. When Megatron arrived to take back control, Ratchet and the others were tossed around like rag dolls by the Decepticon leader. Luckily for them their plan worked out, and Ratchet and the others returned to base with Optimus Prime restored. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}

[[File:OperationBumblebee2 delirious Ratchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"And if you think that's bad, you should see what I did to Injector!"]]
Optimus and Ratchet followed an ancient signal and tangled with Megatron in the process of retrieving the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]]. After another altercation, Ratchet discovered that Bumblebee's [[transformation cog|T-cog]] was missing. Ratchet was therefore forced to pick Raf up after school, and told the boy the story of how Bumblebee's voice box was damaged. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} Guilty at his inability to do anything, Ratchet offered his own T-cog and, after talking Optimus into letting him do it, selected Arcee to perform the procedure. When he woke up, it was to find that the operation had been aborted, and Bumblebee had gone after MECH. Bumblebee returned with his lost cog, though in a damaged state, and Ratchet was able to repair it enough to restore Bumblebee's ability to transform. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

Ratchet patched up Wheeljack after the Wrecker returned to Earth and was involved in a scrap with [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]. {{storylink|Loose Cannons}} Receiving another coded signal, Ratchet and Bulkhead again found Starscream in need of medical attention. They were able to get information from him about Airachnid's status and the presence of an [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]] on Earth. {{storylink|Crossfire}} When Fowler was attacked by a truck that resembled Optimus, Ratchet tracked Optimus's signal to confirm the offender wasn't their leader. They soon established that the truck in question was a MECH-created clone of Optimus, and Ratchet patched up the Autobots after they defeated Silas and [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]]. {{storylink|Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime}} Ratchet dispatched Optimus, Bumblebee and Arcee to investigate underground activity, and they returned with Airachnid in stasis lock. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}}

Optimus's attempt to attack the ''Nemesis'' with the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]] failed, Ratchet returned the stasis-locked team to base and GroundBridged Fowler and the kids aboard the ship. With his guidance, they were able to shut down the intelligence guiding the ship, and he even stepped aboard himself to retrieve Jack and the [[transfer drive]] full of [[Project Iacon]] data. {{storylink|Flying Mind}}

[[File:Prime-TriageRatchet&Wheeljack.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"Hey Wheeljack, do you think it looks weird when I cross my legs? I mean, I can't help if I have such girly legs."]]
When Optimus decided they would need to secure all four relics at once, Ratchet pointed out that they were short-manned as it was. {{storylink|Tunnel Vision}} He was unimpressed when Optimus decided that Wheeljack would be called in to help him on his part of the mission since he was a capable warrior. {{storylink|Triangulation}} Ratchet disapproved of Wheeljack's behavior as they set off in the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'', particularly being called "Doc". He also was far from impressed with his methods when attacking Soundwave and Laserbeak before they crashed landed. When they noticed the downed Laserbeak nearby, he struck on the idea of implanting a virus into the disabled Laserbeak, which would upload the Iacon database to the Autobots. With Raf's help, Ratchet managed to do so while Wheeljack kept Soundwave occupied, and managed to keep out of sight when Soundwave arrived to retrieve his pet. He attempted to convince Wheeljack to return to base for repairs, and thanked him for his back-up. When he returned to base, he found the virus was downloading the Iacon database into the Autobots' mainframe, but his joy was short-lived, as Bulkhead came flying through the GroundBridge with a smoking back {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}} after being shot by [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]] {{storylink|Toxicity}}

Ratchet worked frantically to stabilize Bulkhead and, with the help of the other Autobots, managed to succeed, though Bulkhead remained comatose. {{storylink|Hurt}} He continued to oversee Bulkhead's recovery, though when Miko started getting too rough with the patient, he insisted on Bulkhead taking a break. {{storylink|Out of the Past}} When Raf found a report of a Cybertronian escape pod, Optimus took a team including Ratchet to investigate. Ratchet was almost slagged by an Insecticon, but newcomer [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] arrived and helped them win. Back at base, Ratchet was left in charge when Optimus went out to retrieve some [[Red Energon]], and Smokescreen talked him into letting the new Autobot go to Optimus's aid with the [[phase shifter]]. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

Bulkhead continued to try to pressure Ratchet into letting him go back out on missions. Ratchet finally gave in during a mission to protect a military base, though rather than sending him to the base, Ratchet sent him to protect Raf, who was hacking into a [[Project Damocles]] satellite. {{storylink|The Human Factor}}

Ratchet chastised Smokescreen when the latter broke cover to scare a human driver. After Optimus Prime opined that Smokescreen needed a human to teach him local customs and rules, Ratchet grumbled in disgust at the idea of ''yet another'' human being included in their ranks, to the uncomfortable silence of the other Autobots. Shortly thereafter, Ratchet detected a homing beacon from an Iacon relic and a team led by Optimus was sent to investigate in [[China]]. However, a second signal was then detected elsewhere, and with Optimus's team unreachable, Smokescreen was sent in their steed. After discovering that the Decepticons have found the legendary [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], Smokescreen was captured and Jack was pursued by Insecticons, but not before he managed to notify Ratchet of their findings, who GroundBridges to Optimus' position to fill him in. After the Autobots returned to base with their new prize, Ratchet sent Jack home at the request of a very angry Arcee and witnessed Optimus Prime enter a trance while communing through the Star Saber with [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|Legacy (episode)|Legacy}}

Ratchet was happy at the news they would soon be able to return home to Cybertron, and when the other Autobots realized they would have to leave their human friends behind, Ratchet suggested they could sent texts. While he worked on a way for Optimus to properly wield the Star Saber, the weapon was later destroyed in battle against Megatron, though Ratchet reminded the other Autobots that Optimus didn't need a sword to be a great warrior. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}} Ratchet found himself busy repairing the other Autobots after a number of failed missions to retrieve Omega Keys and monitored Optimus's work decoding coordinates, though it turned out that the final set were a picture of Smokescreen. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}}

With Smokescreen a prisoner on the Decepticon warship, Ratchet was unable to track him, but once he freed himself, Ratchet provided a GroundBridge back to base. A short time later they were contacted by Starscream, who offered the final key they needed in exchange for the replacement of his T-Cog. Unfortunately it was a trap, and while Optimus, Ratchet and Bulkhead were examining the corpse of one of [[Starscream clone (Prime)|Starscream's clones]], the real Starscream made off with the Omega Keys. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

[[File:DarkestHour-Ratchetleaves.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"And Optimus, before you come back to life, be sure to tell Cliffjumper he still needs to pay his medical bills!"]]

Ratchet was surprised to learn that Optimus had kept the existence of the [[Omega Lock]] a secret from everyone. After Optimus modified the GroundBridge into a space bridge, he sent the other Autobots to Cybertron and monitored their progress, though he had to field a phone call from Jack asking why no one had picked the kids up. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}} He had to field a further call from June Darby, and a power surge that disrupted the base computers. When the Autobots finally returned, it was with the news that the Omega Lock had been destroyed, much to Ratchet's shock. When the Decepticons attacked the base, the Autobots were forced to abandon it, and Ratchet GroundBridged to a location elsewhere in the US. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

[[File:Scattered-Bigfoot.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"If I have to kill humans for beef jerky one more time..."]]
Despondent, Ratchet hid in a scrap yard outside Woodland Park. He was caught on camera, enabling Bumblebee and Raf to track him down, but they were at first unable to convince him to help them fight back. After experiencing a change of heart, he followed them to the ''Harbinger'' to help get the ship working. {{storylink|Scattered}}
He was able to get the ship's GroundBridge working and used the Decepticon frequencies to contact Fowler. The trio were shortly after joined by most of the other surviving Autobots, accompanied by the newly arrived [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}}

Ratchet utilized the GroundBridge and communications systems to lure the Decepticons away from [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]], with the help of the kids. He monitored the Autobot attack on the fortress from the ''Harbinger'', and was thus able to detect the incoming Optimus Prime, shortly before their leader turned up to save the day. The Autobots later assembled at a human military base, and Ratchet assured Smokescreen that he'd made the right choice in repairing Optimus with the Forge. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}} As the others salvaged technology from their old base, Ratchet set about getting it working in their new one and was able to make the GroundBridge functional again. He also restarted his work on Synthetic Energon, though he warned Optimus not to expect too much. {{storylink|Project Predacon}}

Upon Wheeljack’s return to base after a failed mission, Ratchet asked him to accompany Arcee on another errand, lest Ratchet be forced to abandon his work and venture out of his comfort zone. Though Ratchet was later willing to go out to fetch yet another Predacon bone from a museum (albeit grudgingly), agent Fowler informed him that this was unnecessary, as he was more than capable of retrieving it himself. Things went wrong once more, unfortunately, and the Decepticons acquired the fossil once more. {{storylink|Plus One (Prime)|Plus One}}

[[File:PersuasionFaceoff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Look, if you've kidnapped me to ask about Char Gar Gothikon, let me tell you, this is not the craziest thing the fandom has done!]]
While he continued his work, he also had to take time out to repair the other Autobots, such as when Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack came off second-best against [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]]. {{storylink|Evolution}} He did his best to replace Magnus's hand, but was only able to manage a claw. When the Decepticons began stealing technology, the Autobots captured Soundwave, but were unable to make him talk. Ratchet decided he would have to open the Decepticon up to examine his hard drives directly, but Soundwave merely erased the drives and crashed himself. A Decepticon attack on the [[Solaris particle collider]] led Ratchet to believe that the Decepticons intended to repair the Omega Lock, but while the ramifications were still sinking in, Laserbeak reactivated Soundwave with new orders to capture Ratchet. {{storylink|Minus One}} Ratchet awoke on the ''Nemesis'' and was subjected to a cortical psychic patch. Once the Decepticons realized that he had not completed the Synthetic Energon formula, Megatron revealed to him the reason why he had been captured. The threat of harm to the other Autobots was not enough, but when Megatron explained that the Synth-En was needed to restore Cybertron, and showed off the Omega Lock they'd restored, he reluctantly agreed to help. {{storylink|Persuasion}}

[[File:TFP-Synthesis-PredakingandRatchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|Ratchet: "Sean Connery called, he wants his title back." Predaking: "But I ''am'' the last dragon!"]]
With the help of Decepticon engineering, Ratchet completed the formula, but rather than hand Megatron the power to recreate Cybertron, he attempted to destroy it and escape. Unfortunately he was stopped by Megatron, who handed him over to Predaking as a plaything. Though Predaking was keen to avenge his lost species, Ratchet revealed what he'd overheard—that Megatron had allowed the Autobots to find Shockwave's lab. During Predaking's resulting rampage, Ratchet dropped the warship's shields and made contact with the other Autobots to let them know Megatron was planning to cyberform Earth. {{storylink|Synthesis}} Ratchet made his way to the Omega Lock control room, where he did his best to keep Shockwave occupied. He and the others present witnessed Bumblebee kill Megatron, and he was overjoyed to discover that Bumblebee's voice box had been restored as the result of exposure to the Omega Lock. The Autobot took control of the warship and used the Omega Lock to restore Cybertron, however Ratchet opted to remain on Earth to help the humans. {{storylink|Deadlock}}

Ratchet was called to Cybertron to tend to Ultra Magnus, after the Wrecker was wrecked by some new Predacons. When Unicron arrived on the planet using Megatron's body, Ratchet was able to use the ship's sensors to pinpoint Unicron's location, and reveal that the dark god was raising an army of undead Predacons with which to destroy Primus. He was kept out of the battle to save Cybertron, but was present when Optimus sacrificed himself to restore the AllSpark to Cybertron. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

===Titan Magazines ''Prime'' comic===
[[File:Titan4.1 Ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Optimus! Check out my giant shoulder pads!!!]]
In the lower levels of Outpost Omega One, Ratchet constructed a training room he dubbed the [[Safe]], though the inferior Earth materials he was forced to use meant it wasn't as good as it could be. Indeed, Bulkhead began tearing his way merrily through it, only to uncover something Ratchet hadn't found—a nuclear missile while promptly activated. Ratchet and Raf were assigned to deal with the bomb, however as Raf was the expert on Earth technology, Ratchet deferred to him. Luckily Raf managed to reverse the bomb's timer, and Fowler arrived with some scientists to take care of the rest. After Bulkhead apologised to Ratchet for smashing up the room, Ratchet suggested he and Raf design a new Safe. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.1|The Safe and the Failsafe}}

Optimus took the Autobots and the kids on a trip to [[Valley of Fire State Park]]. When Raf impressed the others with his knowledge and worried it made himself sound geeky, Ratchet proclaimed himself Autobot geek and proud. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.2|War Story}}

Ratchet alerted the others to the fact that Fowler was about to arrive at the base, and indeed, Fowler walked in moments later with the news that the Decepticons had hijacked [[Yamal|a nuclear ship]] near [[Antarctica]]. When Optimus, Bumblebee and Ratchet arrived at the ship, they found the crew were unconscious. Ratchet wondered what could have done that, but he was answered moments later by [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], who knocked him out with a [[sonic lance]]. By the time Ratchet recovered, the fight was over, and as they returned to the base, he said he'd be fine so long as he stayed away from any ice. Unfortunately in their absence, the others had turned the base into an ice skating ring, and as soon as he stepped through the GroundBridge, Ratchet ended up flat on his back. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.3|Ice Breaker}}

[[File:Titan4.4 Ratchet.jpg|thumb|270px]]
Raf was playing ''[[Invasionauts II]]'' at the base, Ratchet observed that the alien robots he was fighting in the game looked a lot like Autobots. After the game hypnotised Raf into operating the GroundBridge and letting in Vehicons, Ratchet initially blamed Bulkhead, but helped hold off the Decepticons until Raf recovered and reconfigured the bridge to suck the Vehicons back in. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.4|Tinker, Tailor, Gamer, Spy!}} Ratchet approved of the way Jack was starting to sound as paranoid as him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.5|School Is... Out!}} After the [[President of the United States]] was kidnapped by Starscream, Ratchet and the Autobots tracked the Decepticon to the [[Grand Canyon]]. Ratchet and Bulkhead protected [[Air Force One]] while the others rescued the President. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.6|All the President's 'Bots!}}

When he lost contact with Optimus Prime while their leader was exploring a scrap-metal facility in [[Zhejiang Province]], [[China]], Ratchet dispatched Bulkhead and Arcee to help, but was forced to drop them ten kilometers from the target due to interference. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.8|The Mind Trap!}} Ratchet was forced to GroundBridge [[Novo|Agent Novo]] to China after the MECH operative took Miko hostage. To make up for it, he discovered a way to track [[Miko's phone]], pointing the other Autobots to the location of MECH's base. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.9|The Novo Incident}}

After deploying Optimus's team to the [[Deep Driller]] oil platform, Ratchet monitored the situation from base, and was amused by the sight of Prime and the others being defeated by a bunch of humans in [[robotic battle suit]]s. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.10|Mad Dogs & Autobots}} Ratchet operated the GroundBridge so the other Autobots could take the kids onto the ''Nemesis'' to search for Bulkhead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.11|The Battle for Bulkhead}} During a battle in [[The Wave]], Bumblebee was injured by a sniper, so Ratchet patched him up and sent him back to base with Raf. When the Autobots later returned to base, Ratchet was surprised to find the pair had trashed the place. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.12|The Evil Shred}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.13|Protecting the Lady}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.17|Collider Scope}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.18|Power Outage}}}}

====Ratchet's Joke Page====
At some point Ratchet got a medical degree and began treating human patients. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.8|Issue 4.8}}

===Eaglemoss ''Prime'' comic===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|On Thin Ice}} {{storylink|Sand Trap}} {{storylink|Friend or Foe?}} {{storylink|Horrible TV}} {{storylink|Cell}}}}

===''Rescue Bots'' cartoon===
When three of the [[Rescue Bot]]s were stricken down with a mysterious virus, Optimus consulted Ratchet, who suggested that one of the antidotes from the Rescue Bots' ship would cure it. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (RB)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}} Ratchet later gave the Rescue Bots energon transfusions after they used up their own supply powering the [[Mayor Luskey Dome]]. {{storylink|Today and Forever}}

===''Tales of the Beast Hunters''===
After [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] run into trouble in the [[asteroid belt]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] had Ratchet overload the GroundBridge. Despite protesting, Ratchet succeeded in bridging Optimus to the derelict ship the others were on. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 5}} Once the team successfully returned with mysterious Cybertronian weapons, Ratchet was put to work in his lab trying to make them function. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 7}} [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] managed to retrieve some [[data disc]]s from [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]'s lab, which Ratchet found contained information on Shockwave's cloning process and the weapons Bumblebee had retrieved. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 13}} He eventually managed to unlock the secrets of the weapons and power them up. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 17}} When Bumblebee recovered from the earlier mission, Ratchet assigned him to light duties patrolling with [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 23}}

===''Full of Fire!''===
Ratchet constructed a number of new Beast Hunters weapons for Team Prime, including a [[Dragonshredder Drill]] for himself. He, Bumblebee and Bulkhead went out into a [[New Mexico]] desert with Optimus Prime to test the weapons, and were attacked there by no less than six Predacons. Ratchet quickly brought all of the weapons online, and they proved capable of making the Autobots more than a match for the Predacons. {{storylink|Full of Fire!}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Pursuing the AllSpark after it had been launched into space, Ratchet was one of the many Autobots that found their way to Earth. There, he participated in a great battle within a human settlement against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}
===2015 Robots in Disguise cartoon===
{{spoiler|Decepticon Island (Part 1)|April 23}}
Ratchet remained on Cybertron after Prime's sacrifice and the rebirth of Cybertron. Although he tried to join the reconstruction efforts, he found that the new Cybertronian council blamed Optimus Prime and the Autobots for the planet's destruction. The Council assigned Ratchet the job of hunting down any remaining war criminals. Knowing that this was effectively a banishment -and knowing that protesting would only land him in prison- Ratchet reluctantly accepted. Partnered with the [[Mini-Con]] [[Undertone]], he tracked down and captured rogue Decepticons. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

Some years after Cybertron's rebirth, a statue of Ratchet was constructed in his honor. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}}

Ratchet eventually tracked a Decepticon to Earth, where he ran across [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]]. Shortly afterwards, he encountered Bumblebee and the rest of the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]], including a reborn Optimus Prime. Making his way back to the scrapyard base, he explained the circumstances of his mission to the team, only to be interrupted by the arrival of [[Toolbox]], an escaped Mini-Con. Along with the other Autobots, he decided to take part in the raid on the Decepticon base. He also privately counciled Optimus about whether or not the former Autobot leader should re-take command. The team slipped into the base by masquerading as [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]]'s captives, although they were eventually spotted and surrounded by [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]]'s new army of Decepticon fugitives. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

{{spoiler|Decepticon Island (Part 2)|April 23}}

The team had to split up, and Ratchet found himself fighting alongside [[Drift (RID)|Drift]] and his Mini-Con students against [[Overload (RID)|Overload]]. Ratchet was overpowered by the hulking Decepticon and thrown into a stasis pod, although [[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] and [[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]] released him and [[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]]. Ratchet and Undertone escaped with the other Autobots after Bumblebee and Optimus detonated a [[stasis bomb]] inside the ship. In the aftermath, Ratchet and Undertone decided to return to Cybertron with Windblade to confront Cybertron's government. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 2)}}

===IDW ''Robots in Disguise'' comic===
While struggling to get his team to work together, Bumblebee recalled happier times when he was part of Team Prime with Ratchet. {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 1|Robots in Disguise #1}}

==Commercial appearances==
*After having already been weirded out after Bulkhead broke into a scat in the middle of a carol, {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Carolers1|The Hub Carolers (First spot)}}Ratchet was dismayed as the [[Joker]], a criminal, stole the chorus of [[wikipedia:Jingle Bells|Jingle Bells]] as it was being performed by a group of carolers. This group included [[Bulkhead (Prime)|other]] [[Megatron (WFC)|Transformers]], [[My Little Pony|ponies]], and an [[wikipedia:Strawberry Shortcake|underage baker]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Carolers2|The Hub Carolers (Second spot)}}

*Fowler summoned the Autobots for a vague special mission. When Ratchet inquired if they were to receive back-up, Fowler informed them that [[Batman]] had agreed to team up with them. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Impossibly Awesome|Mission: Impossibly Awesome Marathon}}

*Ratchet presented Bumblebee and Optimus with new secret weapons that the two of them used to mow down legions of Vehicons. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Weaponizers|Weaponizers Commercial}}

*Ratchet took Bumblebee through a tour of the Autobots' armory which culminated in Ratchet presenting [[Optimus Maximus (Prime)|Optimus Maximus]]. The two of them then rode the mech into battle, plowing through ranks of Vehicons. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Optimus Maximus|Optimus Maximus commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
{{voiceactor|[[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)|[[Stefano Albertini]] (Italian)}}
[[File:RatchetWFCScreenshotAttack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Just let me patch you up with my [[Energon repair ray|ENORMOUS HEALING CANNON]]!"]]
During the [[Decepticon]]s' siege of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Ratchet was assigned to Optimus, and helped him rescue a courier named [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who informed Optimus that with the presumed death of [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Zeta Prime]], the Council was putting him in command. The three of them headed back to the command center, receiving a message from [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] that the [[Aerialbot (WFC)|Aerialbots]] were being overwhelmed and needed support. It was decided that the planetary guns, disabled earlier by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron's]] forces, needed to be brought back online. Informing Jetfire that he was taking temporary command, Optimus took Ratchet and Bumblebee with him on the mission, though when Ratchet questioned the "temporary" part, Optimus brushed it aside.

When that mission was completed, they decided their next stop was the [[Decagon]], in order to re-establish communications and coordinate Iacon's defense. Hitting serious resistance, including several [[Decepticon war machine]]s and more than a few damaged lifts which Ratchet puzzled out a way around, they nonetheless prevailed with help from Jetfire and [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]], before reaching the Decagon itself, where they encountered the former Autobot [[Air Commander|Sky Commander]], [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. They managed to defeat him as well and retook the Decagon. He boosted the signal of a message from the captive Zeta Prime and cautioned Optimus not to act as it was clearly a trap.

After Optimus was named the new [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], he went on a mission to free [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s core of Megatron's [[Dark Energon]] corruption. In order to do so, however, he needed to open the [[Omega Gate]], which would require freeing [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] from Decepticon captivity. Omega was still badly damaged from his battle with Megatron's forces, so Optimus called in Ratchet, whom Prime, [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]], and Ironhide protected during his operation to repair Omega Supreme. After the Omega Gate was opened, Ratchet returned to base with Omega, as field repairs could only do so much.

When [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] began destroying fleeing Autobot ships on Megatron's order, Ratchet declared the Decepticon leader completely insane. Once Trypticon fell to the surface from orbit, Ratchet organized the rescue effort. After Trypticon was defeated, he praised Optimus on his success, but the price paid was costly - many Autobots were lost, and those remaining were now forced to abandon Cybertron while the planetary [[Primus|Core]] repaired the damage. Ratchet was one of those who stayed behind with Optimus to resist Megatron's schemes, and to build an ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' to carry them from their home when the time came. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

[[File:WFC Ratchet.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Standing ''near'' ze point does nothing! Get ''on'' ze point, dummkopf!"]]

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron — Autobots''===
[[File:WFCDS Ratchet.jpg|thumb|124px|"Doctor, are you sure this will work?" 
"I HAVE NO IDEA!"]]
When the Decepticons started poking around an Autobot base, Ratchet tracked their search patterns and instructed a [[Autobot rookie|rookie]] on where to go to find whatever it was they were looking for. Ratchet was in the control room to greet the rookie on arrival, and hand him over to [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]] for basic training. Unfortunately the Decepticons destroyed the rookie and found the intel they were after. Following Zeta Prime's capture, the Autobot leader managed to contact Ironhide and Ratchet, but the data links powering the communications grid were severed. Ratchet greeted another rookie, who managed to repair the data links.

Ratchet would go on to become a member of Optimus' inner circle. Following the retaking of Iacon, he reported that the Data-net was back online and Zeta Prime could contact them again. He later worked with Jetfire to analyse core samples, and discovered that the core would be healing itself if it weren't for the influence of the Dark Energon corruptors. Optimus's team successfully freed the core, but the planet was no longer able to sustain them. When Ratchet asked what they'd do, Optimus responded that their new mission was to leave the planet. Ratchet was among the Autobots who defeated Megatron's secret weapon, the monstrous titan Trypticon. Upon Trypticon's defeat, Ratchet left the planet along with Optimus's team. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|War for Cybertron - Autobots/Decepticons}}

===''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures''===
Ratchet attempted to aid and evacuate survivors from an orbital blast form Megatron's new weapon, [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]], when the Decepticon leader tracked him down. After exchanging gunfire, Ratchet was forced onto a ledge, and Megatron tauntingly kicked him off. The Autobot survived the fall, but was pinned down by debris. Fortunately [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] was in the area and came to the rescue. As the two made their trek back to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Ratchet informed Sideswipe that he had information about the Decepticon superweapon that needed to get to Optimus right away... {{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}
{{note|Ratchet is not a playable character; he appears as a boss in the Decepticon campaign, and only in a single cutscene in the Autobot campaign.}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
{{voiceactor|[[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)}}
Ratchet was deeply hurt by the torment of having to watch his home planet power down around him. He recorded several audio logs in order to acknowledge and reflect on the cause of the planet's slow demise, hoping that a future generation would never have to endure such a sight. Ratchet came to fear the very likely reality that the Transformers' war would not end when "all were one" - but rather, due to their own extinction from lack of Energon. It was this need for Energon that forced the Autobots to begin to siphon power from [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]'s inert, but still alive body; a gruesome last resort that shook Ratchet to his core, praying that there was some justification to be found for the Autobots' desperate act.

During the preparations for the Ark's launch, Ratchet worked with Optimus Prime, [[Perceptor (Prime)|Perceptor]], and the other Autobots to recover the energon necessary for lift-off. Grimlock later identified a space bridge for the Autobots to use to escape Cybertron, but upon its' destruction, Ratchet reported that it was becoming unstable and they needed to launch as soon as possible. Thanks to the sacrifice of [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]], they were able to do so immediately, but they came under attack by the ''Nemesis''. When cornered while trying to treat Bumblebee during the initial assault, Ratchet slyly used a flashing beacon to disorient the Decepticons while feigning submission. Ratchet guided Bumblebee through the ''Ark'' until he found the dueling Optimus and Megatron.
{{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

{{note|Ratchet also appears as a playable character in the game's 'Escalation' mode, on the 'Ignition' map. Ratchet fights alongside [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]]. He is the team's [[Medic (FOC)|medic]].}}

=== ''Transformers: Prime - The Game'' ===
[[File:Transformers prime the game ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
{{voiceactor|[[Jeffrey Combs]] (English)}}

When Team Prime mobilized to untether the [[Dark Energon]] meteor that the Decepticons were towing into orbit via the ''Nemesis'', Ratchet per usual stayed behind to run the GroundBridge. When the meteor fell to Earth, taking Team Prime with it, Ratchet left the human allies to man the Bridge in order to retrieve [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], who was the only Autobot whose energy signature they were able to locate... ''before'' Ratchet teleported out, at least.

Ratchet found Prime next to the largest surviving chunk of the meteorite, which also contained the colossus [[Thunderwing (Prime)|Thunderwing]]. The giant awoke, and quickly swatted Ratchet away with its one free arm. Ratchet made his way bac kto the ruins where Optimus and Thunderwing had landed, but the ''Nemesis'' had also arrived and began raining plasma fire into the area to subdue Thunderwing. Optimus and Ratchet bolted for a GroundBridge portal opened by Arcee (as she had luckily fallen close to [[Jasper]] and was able to make it back to the base on-wheel), but stray cannon-fire sent Ratchet flying away once again. The timed portal closed without him, and left Ratchet to be captured by the Decepticons.

On board the ''Nemesis'', Ratchet was forced to repair the giant Thunderwing, as the Decepticons had also kidnapped Miko and Raf and used them as hostages. Ratchet, indignant as always, performed just enough work to look like he was doing what he was told, but spent more time seeking out a weak point in the monster. When Megatron returned with the final major component to bringing Thunderwing back to full power, Ratchet looked to be out of options... until the Decepticon leader was momentarily distracted by the return of Starscream, who himself was being held hostage by Bulkhead. Ratchet took the chance to bolt from his cell and lock Megatron in, making his way through the security system and hordes of Vehicons to free Miko and Raf.

Once the humans were free, they took a service elevator up to the main communications hub of the ''Nemesis'' in order to get word out to the other Autobots, and hopefully use the Decepticon SpaceBridge to escape. After taking out numerous Vehicons, the three made it to the main comm hub, only to find Soundwave at the controls. Raf patched into the room's defense systems to briefly drop energy shielding on four computer towers, allowing Ratchet to destroy them and drop the force field that surrounded the main comm console. Forced to fight one-on-one, Soundwave made clever use of the Space bridge to warp in and out of the control room, but eventually found himself bested by the veteran Autobot and was forced to retreat. Now in control, Ratchet was able to communicate with the other Autobots who had infiltrated the ''Nemesis'', and successfully warped them off the ship as it collapsed due to the damage Thunderwing had caused in his escape.

Back at the base, Ratchet informed the others that he could develop a siphon that could drain at least some of Thunderwing's Dark Energon, hopefully weakening the beast enough to allow them to destroy him. He stayed behind to work on the device as Bumblebee, Arcee and Bulkhead mobilized near a Dark Energon volcano that Thunderwing was headed towards. Ratchet was forced to bring the incomplete device with him to the volcano upon Thunderwing's arrival. He informed the other Autobots that due to the short amount of time he had to work on it, the siphon would only be truly effective if it was practically ''inside'' Thunderwing. Things looked hopeless until stowaways Miko and Jack piped up, Miko showing the Autobots a [[Miko's phone|cell phone picture]] of a break in Thunderwing's chest armor that Ratchet had never repaired... a break just big enough for a human to fit into. Though reluctant to put the humans at risk, Ratchet handed over the siphon to Jack, who rode Arcee to the beast, and successfully installed the siphon, allowing Optimus Prime to finish Thunderwing once and for all. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime - The Game}}

{{note|Ratchet is only playable in a single stage of Story Mode: "The Escape!". He is available as a playable character in the game's multi-player battle modes from the start, however. 
In this game, Ratchet oddly does not have his blades. Instead, when he enters his "upgrade" mode, he deploys a massive wrench from his left wrist socket (seriously, it's as big as his forearm!) which he uses to clobber opponents. This is also the only time we see Prime-cartoon-era Ratchet employ a blaster for combat.}}
{{--}}

===''Hunt the Beasts'' online game===
Ratchet enlisted [[you]] for a top secret mission; you were to infiltrate Shockwave's lab and retrieve data on Shockwave's experiments, the Predacons. Ratchet instructed you to scour the lab for the data, and report back to him immediately upon its discovery. Throughout your investigation, Ratchet would aid you to overcome many obstacles with his instructions, such as how to rewire the controls to a busted lift, or turn on the Energon stabilization protocols. Once the data on the Predacons has been gathered, Ratchet informed you that the Autobots would prepare for the looming threat of the Predacons with new weapons called "[[Beast Gear]]." He then uploaded data on the Autobots to keep you informed on their Predacon-battling capabilities, and thanked you for your service. {{storylink|Hunt the Beasts}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense''===
Ratchet discovered a way to send Autonomous Defense Turrets through the Ground Bridge. He shipped these out to the battle whenever other Autobots in combat situations requested them. He also walked through the other Autobots through their missions while he stayed behind at Autobot headquarters, coordinating their efforts. He would also occasionally send Energon to the Autobots in the field when he detected an incoming threat that was particularly imposing. {{Storylink|Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense|Terrorcon Defense}}

===''Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense''===
When the Decepticons constructed an [[Energon Drain]] in an asteroid field, Ratchet and the Autobots countered it by building a [[Pulsar Dish]] from debris. While the dish was under construction, Ratchet could help out by repairing damage dealt to the dish by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Universe''===
[[File:Tu-character-art ratchet.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Either he has an identity crisis, or he still doesn't know which medical center this vehicle form belongs to!]]
Prowl revealed that Ratchet built the groundbridge in [[High Grand]] {{storylink|Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe Autobot tutorial}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
====Console====
{{Charstubgames}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark (console)}}

===''Transformers: Robots in Disguise''===
{{charstubgames}}{{storylink|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|Robots in Disguise (mobile game)}}

==Games==
===''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game===
{{charstubgames}}{{storylink|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game}}

==Toys==
===Cyberverse===
[[File:Cyberverse legion ratchet.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Let's go practice medicine.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Cyberverse Legion, 2012)
**''Series / Number:'' '''2 / 004'''
**''Japanese Number:'' '''EZ-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Battle blade

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' [[Cyberverse#Series 2|Cyberverse]] Legion Class toys, "Autobot Ratchet" transforms into an emergency vehicle, and comes with a translucent battle blade weapon. It can peg via its numerous [[C joint|3mm post]]s onto his robot hands, arms/vehicle sides, and robot back/vehicle roof. Early versions of the mold oddly lacked an actual face but a [http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/cyberverse-prime-ratchet-receives-an-update-aka-hasbro-i-needed-that-t86206s400.php running change] finally gave him one.

:His blade, in the same color, is also used by Cyberverse [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#Cyberverse|Cliffjumper]] and ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Mirage (Movie)#Cyberverse|Mirage]], while a green version is used by [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#CyberverseQuickblade|Quickblade Bumblebee]], and a purple version is used by [[Knock Out (Prime)#CyberverseSingle|Knock Out]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/LegRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Cyberverse Legion Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EZ6pack}}
[[File:PrimeEZCollectionAutobotSet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Doctor is credit to team!]]
*'''Autobot Set''' (EZ Collection 6-pack, [[November 24|11-24]]-2012)
**''ID number'': '''EZ-SP1'''
**''Accessories'': Battle blade

: This version of Ratchet was only available in a TakaraTomy ''[[EZ Collection]]'' six-pack with [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#EZ6pack|Bumblebee]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)#EZ6pack|Bulkhead]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#EZ6pack|Optimus Prime]], [[Arcee (WFC)#EZ6pack|Arcee]], and [[Wheeljack (Prime)#EZ6pack|Wheeljack]].

: This release utilizes the version of the mold with a face.

{{-}}

===Prime===
{{anchor|Deluxe}}
[[File:PrimeRID-RatchetDeluxe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|And that's how he lost his medical license.]]
[[File:Prime-toy RatchetTakTom.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|With all those craters on him, he'll probably need to see a dermatologist.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2012)
**''Series / Number'': '''1 / 006'''
**''Japanese release date:'' '''[[March 31|3-31]]-2012'''
**''Japanese number:'' '''AM-04'''
**''Accessories:'' Dual Battle Blades (Hasbro only), "R.A." Arms Micron (TakaraTomy only)

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Robots in Disguise (2012)|Prime: Robots in Disguise]]'' Deluxe Class toys, this larger-scale version of Ratchet has a "dramatic head reveal" [[gimmick]], with his [[robot mode]] head being spring-loaded to pop up once his "backpack" is pulled down. He features [[5mm post|5mm peg-holes]] for his hands, a pair on his front bumpers/shins, and a pair on his vehicle roof.

:He comes with a pair of battle blades that can mount/be held via 5mm post, and his hands can be swung down at the wrist to give the appearance of the blades sprouting out of his wrists, as seen in the cartoon. The blades can mount into the peg-holes on his front bumper, creating a battle mode, and the blades can store on tabs underneath his vehicle.

:His [[instructions]] depict an alternate head apparently intended for an as-yet-unreleased Gears. The sculpt was used as the basis for ''Prime'' [[Swerve (Prime)|Swerve]].

: The Japanese release of Ratchet, part of the very first assortment of [[TakaraTomy]] ''Prime'' toys, omits an incredible number of [[paint operation]]s, replacing them with customer-applied foil [[sticker]]s. (On the other hand, this ''does'' give him his "lifeline" decoration missing from the [[Hasbro]] version.) As part of the "[[Arms Micron]]" gimmick, six 5mm peg-hole attachment points have been glued onto him (as opposed to having existing parts specifically [[retool]]ed to include them like many other toys in the line) on his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] roof, doors, and side-panels, which respectively end up on his legs, forearms, and shoulders. The Hasbro version's twin blades have been replaced by the Arms Micron, [[R.A.#Toys|R.A.]], who transforms into a considerably larger version of one of the blades, and can still work as a "wrist-mounted" weapon.

: Ratchet was redecoed into [[Transformers (2014 toyline)|2014 ''Transformers'']] [[First Aid (G1)#Transformers (2014)|Protectobot First Aid]] and retooled into [[BotCon 2014]] [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm More information on ''Robots in Disguise'' Ratchet at TFU.info]''

::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-1464.html Arms Micron Ratchet at Alfes's blog]''

{{-}}

===Beast Hunters===
{{anchor|BHDeluxe}}
[[File:BHtoy Deluxe Ratchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Alright, who's ready for some <s>precision</s> surgery?"]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2013)
**''Series / Number'': '''2 / 010'''
**''Accessories:'' Dragonshredder Drill

: Part of the third wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime:]] [[Beast Hunters]]'' Deluxe Class toys, "Autobot Ratchet" is a [[redeco]] and extensive retool of the "Robots in Disguise" Deluxe Class Autobot Ratchet toy, transforming into a heavily modified rescue vehicle that's covered with spikes, features an exposed engine block on its hood, and has a sculpted rocket booster at the back. He retains the peg-holes at the usual places, and gains additional peg-holes at the back and near the rear wheels. He now comes with the "[[Dragonshredder Drill]]", which spins when the plunger to the side is pushed, and mounts via 5mm post. The halves of the drill can be pulled open to reveal a quad-barreled cannon inside. His head and chest greatly resemble ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Dinobot II]], while his "Dragonshredder Drill" is reminiscent of the [[Dinobot (BW)#Beast Wars|original Dinobot toy's]] [[Cyber-slash tail weapon]].

: His instructions include the [[Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 13|thirteenth chapter]] of the ''[[Tales of the Beast Hunters]]'' series.

: This toy is also the basis for the fiction-only "[[Alone Together]]" version of [[Jawbreaker]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm More information on ''Beast Hunters'' Ratchet at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Go!===
[[File:Transformers-Go-G09-Hunter-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I healed ze man who vill kill you!]]
*'''Hunter Ratchet''' ([[August 31|08–31]]–13)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''G19'''
**''Accessories:'' Drill

:Part of the fourth wave of TakaraTomy ''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (toyline)|Go!]]'' toys, Hunter Ratchet is a green, black, and translucent-red redeco of the ''Beast Hunters'' Deluxe Class Ratchet toy. Unusually, he's identified as a Decepticon, complete with [[insignia]]! According to a translated version of the bio, Ratchet was captured by the Decepticons, and forcibly exposed to Dark Energon thus mutating him into a Decepticon.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/HunterRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Hunter Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Robots in Disguise (2015)===
{{note|Virtually every ''Robots in Disguise (2015)'' toy in this list has a scannable [[insignia]] sticker on it. For [[Hasbro]] releases, it temporarily unlocks that toy as a playable character in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game]], and can only be scanned once per day. It's honestly quicker and less redundant to say which toys '''don't''' have this feature.}}
[[File:RID2015-Legion-Class-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Guess they didn't teach you to duck in Doctor school!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Legion, 2016)
:Legion Class Ratchet is a retool of [[Strongarm (RID)#Legion Class|Legion Class Strongarm]], sporting a new head and torso. Curiously, these new parts are based on his ''Prime'' character model, rather than his new on-screen ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' design.

:His scannable Autobot insignia is on his drivers-side door in vehicle mode, becoming his left arm in robot mode.

{{-}}{{anchor|WarriorClass}}
[[File:RID2015-Warrior-Class-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I'm the first of the new RID do-it-yourself customization kits!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Warrior, 2016)
**''Accessories'': 2 pistols
:Warrior Class Ratchet is a retool of [[Strongarm (RID)#Warrior_Class|Warrior Class Strongarm]], giving him an entirely new ambulance alternate mode and a significantly altered robot mode. He includes a pair of [[5mm post|5mm]] pistol accessories. Ratchet also features a faux front window on his robot mode chest.

:His scannable Autobot insignia is on his robot-mode chestplate.

{{comingsoontoy}}{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Mcdonald's===
[[File:Primetoy-RatchetHappyMeal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|The stickers are good practice for the Arms Micron version.]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Happy Meal, 2012)
:*''McNumber:'' '''7'''
:Happy Meal Ratchet is a non-transformable emergency vehicle! Pushing on the back of his roof reveals the base of a cannon, and pressing the Autobot symbol on the roof causes the short barrel of the cannon to pop out. Ratchet (not "Autobot Ratchet", despite claim of trademark!) also comes with a sheet of stickers to complete his deco. Since the cannon gimmick and the "mCODE" coupon use up both sides of the usual instructions sheet, the sticker placement instructions are printed on the back of the sticker sheet itself. Efficient, but not terribly user-friendly!

===Eaglemoss cards===
{{charstubtoys}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:VectorSigmaBotBuilderRatchet.jpg|thumb|I'm feeling sad and blue.]]
*Ratchet's model is usable in ''War for Cybertron'' multiplayer as the Medic Rig-type chassis for [[Leader (WFC)|Leader]]-class characters. His parts are also available in ''Fall of Cybertron'', now classified as Mercenary-type components for [[Destroyer (FOC)|Destroyer]]-class characters.
*''Transformers'' alumnus [[Michael Bell]] originally auditioned for the part of Ratchet in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', but ultimately lost the role to [[Jeffrey Combs]].
*In a number of episodes, mostly written by [[Nicole Dubuc]], Ratchet's equipment gets damaged by a fellow Autobot, prompting him to utter ''"I NEEDED THAT!"'' each time.
*His license plate number in "[[Stronger, Faster]]" is '''449 EPQ'''.
*Ratchet's body parts are available to use in the Hub website's [[Vector Sigma Bot Builder]] online game. Normally, you cannot configure a generic 'bot using all Ratchet parts, but you can see what one would look like at right through the magic of Photoshop.
*With the exceptions of Optimus and Bumblebee, Ratchet was the only Autobot to make a reappearance in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'', from the previous show, ''[[Transformers Prime]]''.

{{-}}
===Arms Up Modes===
In the Japanese ''Prime'' toyline, Ratchet has several powered-up modes when given various [[Arms Micron]]s in certain configurations:

[[File:DarknessRising4 CybSat-RatchetAntiTerror.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"I am ze ÜBERMENSCH!"]]

*'''Destroy Mode''' (デストロイモード ''Desutoroi Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': B.2, C.L., O.P., R.A.
: Ratchet's rather uncharacteristically-named "Destroy Mode", as seen on his box-back photo, uses a combined-weapon made up of [[R.A.]] and [[B.2]] in his right hand, [[O.P.]] on his left arm, and [[C.L.]] on his left leg.

*'''''Sekkensenrenzan'' Mode''' (接近戦連斬モード ''Sekkensenrenzan Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': C.L., Gora, O.P. (x2), R.A. (x2)
:Meaning "Close-combat Multi-slash Mode", and revealed in the "[[From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division|Cybertron Satellite]]" segment from "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4|Infiltration Transformation! Battleship Nemesis]]", this "Anti-Terrorcon" mode is... just ''brutal''. He's got an R.A. on each forearm, with an O.P. attached to the back of each, with [[Gora]] (?) on his right leg, and C.L. on his left.

*'''Stealth Mode''' (ステルスモード ''Sterusu Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': R.A. (x4!), Zori (x2)
:''Four'' R.A.s are joined to create a super-large [[shuriken]]-like weapon that stores on Ratchet's back. A pair of [[Zori]]s hang from Ratchet's shoulders, with the claw-tails hanging down to create a "cloak of invisibility". This mode is for "stealthily backing up Optimus Prime and the others", according to the [http://youtu.be/QJUMhgggH-Q TakaraTomy developer video where it premiered], hosted by TakaraTomy designer [[Hironori Kobayashi]].
:There is also a variant configuration, '''Defense Mode''', which opens up the panels on Ratchet's arms and moves the Zoris to the "wrist-mounted blade" positions, which cross in an "X" in front of Ratchet as a stealth shield.
:Kobayashi also made custom carbon-black stickers for Ratchet's shoulders and chest, and in the video shows viewers how to customize their own stickers.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Ratchet''' (ラチェット ''Rachetto'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Jiùhùchē''' (救护车, "Ambulance")
*''Russian:'' '''Khrapovik''' (Храповик, "Ratchet")

[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Medics]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Universe game Autobots]]
[[Category:Rise of the Dark Spark Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2015) Autobots]]

Ratchet (WFC)

2016-04-19T21:24:10Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Notes */

{{faction|autobot|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Ratchet}}
:''Ratchet is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[File:PrimeRatcht.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|If we don't get Jeffrey Combs versus [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lance Henriksen]] before this series ends, there will be much, much sobbing.]]
The [[Autobot]]s' medical officer, '''Ratchet''' has a dry wit, often giving his wounded comrades a hard time for taking hits he somehow avoids. With the Energon supplies becoming less and less, he works to find new ways to make do, and he'd ''really'' prefer if the Autobots didn't risk injury (or worse) to protect [[human]]s. He'd also prefer the humans weren't brought back to [[Autobot Outpost Omega One]] but since ''he'' is unfamiliar with human tech, he needs [[Raf Esquivel]] to help him out. However, for all his views on humans, deep down Ratchet ''admires'' what the tiny fleshies bring to the fight. Maybe he'll even warm up to them.

[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s best friend, and ''de facto'' second-in-command, you'd be hard-pressed to find another Autobot who loves his leader as much as he does. Yet this is not to say Ratchet has blind faith in him; Ratchet resents Optimus' lack of action over the years regarding ending the war and many missed chances to kill [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. He's as flawed as any normal being would be, and a huge vice is his Cybertronian pride. At least once, it's nearly cost him the life of a friend. Furthermore, his grief for his destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|home world]] is what drives him. He didn't take the loss of Cybertron very well, and would do almost anything to get it back some day.

{{quote|In a contest between resources and ingenuity, never underestimate ingenuity.|Ratchet, [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]}}

==Fiction==
===''The Covenant of Primus''===
Ratchet emerged from the [[Well of All Sparks]] before the [[Age of Wrath]]. In his youth, Ratchet left his primitive village behind, and embarked on a pilgrimage to the newly-founded city of [[Iacon]]. There, he applied as a student to Iacon's medical units, and learned medical science from the then-current chief of surgery [[Remedy (COP)|Remedy]]. Over time, Ratchet slowly climbed the ranks, and eventually became a junior medic in one of Iacon's many medical clinics.

One day, Ratchet was interrupted from his studies by the arrival of [[Coldwelder]], a working-class [[Energon]] miner who claimed to have been abducted and experimented on by [[Quintesson|aliens]]. Ratchet was skeptical of his claims, but ordered his intern [[Crankhandle]] to help run a diagnostic on the frightened victim. While examining his patient with his colleague [[Cogwheel]], Ratchet discovered a probe of unknown origin had indeed been planted in Coldwelder's cranium. Ratchet was more than happy to let Cogwheel deal with the fallout of this strange discovery but felt guilty afterwords for passing the matter off to her to deal with.

Much later, the outbreak of the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]], Ratchet chose to join the Autobots under Optimus Prime. After the Autobot scout [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] was grievously wounded by Megatron, Ratchet attempted to patch up Bumblebee. Although the medic was able to repair Bumblebee's leg, he was unable to save his voice box, rendering Bumblebee mute.

After the great exodus from Cybertron, Ratchet was one of the handful of Autobots who travelled to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus}}

===Aligned novels===
Ratchet made his name during the [[Praxus|Praxian]] stalemate. He and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] fought in a few battles together, during which he taught the younger Autobot how to apply first aid. He repaired his throat after [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] destroyed it in revenge for ejecting the [[AllSpark]] into space, enabling Bumblebee to speak from time to time.

After Megatron invaded [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and took the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], Ratchet welded [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]]'s face and stabilized [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]]'s condition. When [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] asked Ratchet if Omega was ready to fight again, the offended medic responded that if Optimus wanted Omega to fight after the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] blew him out of the sky, [[Dark Energon]]-infused gladiators attacked him and Megatron tore out the Chamber out of his chest, then he wanted another surgeon. Optimus knew he had to apologize but was too preoccupied with rescuing [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]].

When the Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', Ratchet informed Optimus and [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] that Omega was repaired and ready to distract [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Uniend 610.23 Zeta]], {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}} Ratchet was present for a meeting amongst [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s most trusted lieutenants about [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]]'s plan to launch the [[AllSpark]] into space to keep it from [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], and then took part in the Battle at [[Tyger Pax]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee at Tyger Pax}}

===''Prime'' comic===
[[File:PrimeComicRatchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Don't worry, you won't see me as dirty later. Except [[Stronger, Faster|that one time]]...]]
Ratchet was stationed at the Autobot base on [[Earth]], opening the [[GroundBridge]] for Optimus to retrieve [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]. He reattached her arm after [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] had blown it off. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Jeffrey Combs]] (English), [[Nobuo Tobita]] (Japanese)|[[José María Carrero]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Seong-yong Ha]] (Korean), [[Claudio Moneta]] (Italian), [[Jan Spitzer]] (German), [[Mario Arvizu]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Jarosław Boberek]] (Polish), [[Luiz Antônio Lobue]] (Brazilian Portuguse), [[Jari Salo]] (Finnish)}}

Ratchet served during the war for Cybertron, where he "proved [his] mettle". {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}} After Bumblebee was captured at [[Tyger Pax]], Ratchet was the field medic who put him back together, but was unable to repair his voice box. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} At some point after Team Prime arrived on Earth, Ratchet modified [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]]'s jet, allowing him to fly without a flight suit. {{storylink|Grill}}

[[File:DarknessRising1-Ratchettragedy.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|You're drawn to his eccentric charm.]]
Ratchet was on patrol in a snowy region when news came in that [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was battling a platoon of Decepticons solo. Ratchet and the other Autobots returned to base to [[GroundBridge]] to his location, but they were too late: Cliffjumper was nowhere to be found, and Ratchet confirmed that his lifesigns had ceased. It was Ratchet's belief that continuing to operate on Earth and aid humans would only result in more tragedy, and as such, it was no surprise that he vehemently objected to the Autobots becoming protectors for [[Jack Darby]], [[Miko Nakadai]] and [[Raf Esquivel]] soon after—though the kids' incessant questions didn't help their case, either. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} Ratchet's mood was not improved when [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] accidentally crushed an important piece of lab equipment, and things got even worse when he was instructed to stay at base and watch the children while the other Autobots investigated the reappearance of Cliffjumper's lifesign. He did, however, start to see the value in the kids' presence when Raf helped him in his continuing struggle to master the inferior human computer systems the Autobot base ran on. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

[[File:Optimus Prime Ratchet Zombies Darkness Rising 4.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|He performs surgery with these. Carefully.]]

The other Autobots returned from their mission with the news that Cliffjumper had been revived by the Decepticons as a [[zombie]], and when [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] began feeling dizzy, Ratchet examined her and discovered a trace of the mysterious substance that had reanimated Cliffjumper. While examining it, Ratchet inadvertently dripped some on the equipment Bulkhead had broken, transforming it into a vicious little monster. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} Optimus Prime helped him destroy it, and both realized that they were dealing with [[Dark Energon]]. Realizing that [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] planned to raise an undead army, Optimus took Ratchet to the site of an ancient Transformer battle on Earth, but they arrived too late to prevent Megatron from using Dark Energon to raise the buried corpses of the warriors as a legion of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]]. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 3}} Ratchet quickly deduced that the best way to stop them was dismemberment, and he and Prime managed to cut down the entire army despite the debilitating effects of the Dark Energon. Ratchet sustained a wounded arm in the battle, and Megatron was able to escape. Returning to base, Ratchet examined some plans that Miko had obtained from the Decepticons in his absence, and speculated that the villains were building a [[space bridge]] so they could use Dark Energon to raise a zombie army on Cybertron and bring them to Earth. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}} Given his injuries, Ratchet stayed behind at the base to man the GroundBridge, sending the other Autobots to the orbiting space bridge for battle, and the kids to the [[Giant Sized Array]] radio telescope in [[Texas]] to cut off the Decepticons' targeting systems. While the kids failed in their endeavour, they did succeed in obtaining schematics for the space bridge, which Ratchet used to determine a means of destroying it. He instructed Arcee's team on sabotaging the space bridge, and bridged everyone back to base before the inevitable explosion. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}}

[[File:Masters&Students-Ratch-animator.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|I was busy pushing bodies around as you well know and what would a note say, Dan? "Cat dead, details later"?]]
Ratchet was initially dismayed to learn that the kids were working on their school science projects in the Autobot base, but changed his tune in short order and actually turned down combat duty to stay and help them. Unfortunately for the kids, he completely took over their projects, building a large volcano for Raf, a model of Cybertron for Miko, and an advanced engine for Jack. None of the projects went down well at school, much to Ratchet's disappointment. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

[[File:Scrapheap-Ratchetinfected.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|My kingdom for a [[Charlie Fong]]!]]
Ratchet found another reason to be grateful to have the kids around when a [[Scraplet]] infestation in the base left the GroundBridge disabled, and Ratchet at the mercy of the metal-eating monsters. Jack used a fire extinguisher to freeze the creatures, saving Ratchet's life, but the medic remained too badly wounded to effect repairs to the GroundBridge, and had to entrust the job to the humans. They succeeded, and Ratchet was able to patch up himself and his fellow Autobots. {{storylink|Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap}} Problems with the GroundBridge lingered, however, and Ratchet continued working on it during a visit by Bulkhead's old buddy [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], while trying to ignore the distractions caused by the other Autobots partying and Wheeljack and Bulkhead [[Cybertronian sport#Lobbing|Lobbing]]. The delays caused by Ratchet's repairs resulted in "Wheeljack" being exposed as [[Makeshift (Prime)|a Decepticon imposter]]. Unfortunately this also meant that when the real Wheeljack turned up, Ratchet was subjected to another round of partying. {{storylink|Con Job}}

Ratchet continued to play the role of tech support over the Autobots next few missions. He remained in the base to monitor the Autobot convoy as they transported the [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System]] across country, alerting them to an incoming Decepticon attack and—under protest—working with Raf to GroundBride Miko and Jack onto a moving track so they could stop the forces of [[MECH]] from stealing the device. [[File:SickMind-RatchetOP.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"I've heard that humans quite often wake up late with black eyes. They call the condition 'a hangover'."]]{{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}} The episode burnt Raf's laptop out, but Ratchet later helped fix it. {{storylink|Raf's Notes|Raf's Notes #5}} When the Decepticons stole an [[Energon Harvester]] from a human museum, Ratchet manufactured a replica to replace it, despite Bulkhead breaking his frame welder. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}}

When Ratchet and Optimus Prime investigated a [[Autobot plague ship|crashed Autobot vessel]], they discovered that it was a plague ship carrying deceased victims of [[Cybonic plague]], a pathogen created by Megatron himself. Optimus contracted the disease, which was beyond even Ratchet's ability to cure. In search of a treatment, he GroundBridged Arcee and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] to the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' so they could obtain the cure from Megatron's mind via [[cortical psychic patch]], a controversial procedure banned by Autobots but in which Ratchet was well-versed. While watching the link, Ratchet recorded the hologram of the plague antidote Megatron showed to Bumblebee, and was able later to produce a cure for Optimus. {{storylink|Sick Mind}}

[[File:OutHead-RatchetMegatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I hope you've been practicing "The Man Who Sold the World", Megatron, because you're about to be ''unplugged!'']] While Optimus was given a clean bill of health, Ratchet was more concerned about Bumblebee; learning that the scout was seeing visions of Megatron following their psychic link-up, Ratchet induced a shutdown to give his systems time to recover. The other Autobots soon left the base on a mission, and Ratchet was left with Raf, who was sitting by the unconscious Bumblebee's beside. Trying to explain to the boy that this was unnecessary only resulted in Ratchet being subjected to pictures of Raf's family. The discussion was cut off when Bumblebee suddenly reactivated, leading Ratchet to realize that Megatron had taken over his comrade's body. Unable to stop the Decepticon leader from escaped through the GroundBridge, Ratchet and Raf followed Bumblebee to the Decepticon ship. There, they tried fruitlessly to stop Bumblebee from restoring Megatron to life, and had to retreat under Vehicon fire after Megatron's resurrection. They found Optimus's team on the ground below and returned to base where Ratchet checked over Bumblebee's processor for any lingering traces of Megatron's influence. {{Storylink|Out of His Head}}

Due to his experience with Dark Energon, Ratchet—much to his own surprise—was tapped to take Arcee's place when the Autobots deployed to confront [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. He was attempting to use the evil substance to revive [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]. Discovering that the kids had followed them through the GroundBridge, Ratchet ordered them to head back through to base, only for a Decepticon GroundBridge to manifest at the same time, causing a disruption that hurled the children into a parallel dimension. Deducing what had happened, Ratchet was able to recreate the original feedback loop and create a portal the kids could escape through. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}} Ratchet also went into the field on the Autobots' next mission: After patching up Bulkhead following a skirmish with Breakdown in which the 'Con was captured by MECH, Ratchet joined the effort to rescue the Decepticon. Following an Energon signature but finding only Breakdown's plucked-out eye, Ratchet attempted to extract images from the eye to help in the Autobots' search, but it turned out to be a MECH booby-trap, and the team only narrowly avoided the bomb explosion that resulted. They later tracked down Bulkhead in time to rescue him from Starscream and Breakdown. {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}}

[[File:StrongerFaster-Ratchetvehicle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|A rare sighting.]]

Ratchet was at the Autobot base when Jack and Arcee brought Jack's mother [[June Darby]] in to introduce her to everyone. {{storylink|Crisscross}} When June next visited the base, the on-edge medic assumed her car was a Decepticon, though he didn't object to June, a nurse, respectfully calling him "doctor". While in conversation with June, Ratchet detected a magnetic anomaly and dispatched Bulkhead and Arcee to find it; when they returned magnetically stuck together, he realized they were dealing with a [[polarity gauntlet]]. Bulkhead and Arcee were eventually able to retrieve the device and present it to Ratchet back at base. {{storylink|Metal Attraction}} Ratchet's tech expertise came to the fore again when he detected the activation of a crashed [[Harbinger|Decepticon ship's]] computer system: when Bumblebee and Arcee returned from investigating with two frozen comrades and the pieces of the [[immobilizer|Decepticon weapon]] responsible, Ratchet was able to repair the weapon and use it to restore Prime and Bulkhead. {{storylink|Partners}}

[[File:StrongerFaster-crouchbehindrock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Stronger, faster, squatter]]

While most of the other Autobots went out to retrieve a [[Cybertronian data cylinder]], Ratchet stayed at base to monitor them and annoy Bulkhead and Miko by interrupting their monster truck footage. After Bulkhead was called out to the field, Ratchet assigned Miko cleaning duties, only for her to rush off to the battlefield and inadvertently cause the contents of the cylinder to be downloaded into Bulkhead's brain. Ratchet initially gave Bulkhead a clean bill of health, but when Bulkhead started painting complex formulae, Ratchet made two discoveries: one, that the formulae were for [[Synthetic Energon]], and two, that the data was slowly destroying Bulkhead's mind. After much of the formula had been transcribed, the data was beamed out of Bulkhead into space, leaving him comatose. Ratchet's suggestion that a familiar sound might rouse the Autobot led Miko to wake Bulkhead with her guitar playing. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} Working from Bulkhead's incomplete formula, Ratchet appeared to succeed in synthesizing a batch of the Synthetic Energon, and used himself as a guinea pig. Supercharged by the new substance at the expense of his mental stability, Ratchet was made strong enough to trash an entire squad of Vehicons on his own and to throw Bulkhead through a wall while sparring. When he went too far in interrogating a [[Decepticon Miner]] under the auspices of being more "proactive", Optimus was forced to confine him to base. Escaping, Ratchet went to confront Megatron on his own, infiltrating the Decepticons' Energon mine and making short work of Breakdown. Unfortunately, Megatron proved more formidable than expected, and Ratchet was seriously injured and left for Knock Out to extract a sample of Synthetic Energon from. Drained of the SynthEn and its effects, Ratchet managed to raise enough strength to fight back and destroy the sample, and was then rescued by the other Autobots and taken back to base for treatment. Ratchet apologized for his behavior, though at least they'd gained a supply of real energon from the mine out of it. {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}

[[File:OneShallRise2-Ratchethumans.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|Professionals never look directly into the camera, Ratchet]]

When Optimus became interested in a prophecy from the [[Covenant of Primus]], Ratchet worked out that the planetary alignment mentioned was mere days away. Shortly after, Raf was injured during a mission to stop the Decepticons from gathering space bridge components. Ratchet's lack of knowledge of human physiology left him unable to treat the boy, so June Darby was called in to help. Ratchet refused to allow Raf to be taken to a hospital, as human doctors wouldn't have any experience with Energon contamination, but it became apparent that this wasn't what was ailing Raf. He had been infected with ''Dark'' Energon. Ratchet took the risk of applying an infusion of regular Energon to neutralize the Dark, and Raf recovered. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}} Immediately thereafter, Ratchet joined Arcee and Bulkhead in rescuing Optimus from a battle with Megatron, then set about analyzing a series of natural disasters that began across the Earth, deducing that the tremors were the heartbeat of [[Unicron]], slumbering within the Earth and threatening to destroy it with his awakening. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} When Megatron approached the Autobots with the proposition of an alliance to stop Unicron from destroying the planet, Ratchet scoffed at the notion. He grew increasing incredulous to the idea that he would GroundBridge the others into the Earth's very core, following co-ordinates provided by Megatron, so the Optimus could use the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to deactivate Unicron, but was nonetheless forced to go along with the plan when Optimus accepted Megatron's offer. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}}

Remaining behind in the base with the kids and unable to contact the Autobots in the planet's depths, Ratchet passed the time telling the humans about the old days when Optimus was known as Orion Pax, and was shocked to discover that Optimus had entrusted Jack with the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] before departing. A final tremor that Ratchet shielded the kids from heralded Autobot victory within the planet, but when Ratchet GroundBridged the others back, they reported that Optimus had lost his memories and left with Megatron. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

Ratchet reasoned that Optimus's amnesia must have been a result of emptying the Matrix, and that the solution involved the Key to Vector Sigma. He started tinkering with the GroundBridge to try and find a way to reach Cybertron, though when frustrations boiled over at their lack of success in getting Optimus back, Jack suggested they might use the Decepticon space bridge instead. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Thought he continued his tinkering with the GroundBridge, Ratchet was demoralized after the first test with Raf's radio-controlled car resulted in the destruction of the toy. The real breakthrough came when Ratchet was able to trade Starscream medical attention for information on the location of the space bridge. Once Ratchet and the others secured the bridge, they sent Jack and Arcee through. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}} Ratchet, Bulkhead and Bumblebee monitored Jack's progress from the Earth end of the space bridge. When Megatron arrived to take back control, Ratchet and the others were tossed around like rag dolls by the Decepticon leader. Luckily for them their plan worked out, and Ratchet and the others returned to base with Optimus Prime restored. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}

[[File:OperationBumblebee2 delirious Ratchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"And if you think that's bad, you should see what I did to Injector!"]]
Optimus and Ratchet followed an ancient signal and tangled with Megatron in the process of retrieving the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]]. After another altercation, Ratchet discovered that Bumblebee's [[transformation cog|T-cog]] was missing. Ratchet was therefore forced to pick Raf up after school, and told the boy the story of how Bumblebee's voice box was damaged. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} Guilty at his inability to do anything, Ratchet offered his own T-cog and, after talking Optimus into letting him do it, selected Arcee to perform the procedure. When he woke up, it was to find that the operation had been aborted, and Bumblebee had gone after MECH. Bumblebee returned with his lost cog, though in a damaged state, and Ratchet was able to repair it enough to restore Bumblebee's ability to transform. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

Ratchet patched up Wheeljack after the Wrecker returned to Earth and was involved in a scrap with [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]. {{storylink|Loose Cannons}} Receiving another coded signal, Ratchet and Bulkhead again found Starscream in need of medical attention. They were able to get information from him about Airachnid's status and the presence of an [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]] on Earth. {{storylink|Crossfire}} When Fowler was attacked by a truck that resembled Optimus, Ratchet tracked Optimus's signal to confirm the offender wasn't their leader. They soon established that the truck in question was a MECH-created clone of Optimus, and Ratchet patched up the Autobots after they defeated Silas and [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]]. {{storylink|Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime}} Ratchet dispatched Optimus, Bumblebee and Arcee to investigate underground activity, and they returned with Airachnid in stasis lock. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}}

Optimus's attempt to attack the ''Nemesis'' with the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]] failed, Ratchet returned the stasis-locked team to base and GroundBridged Fowler and the kids aboard the ship. With his guidance, they were able to shut down the intelligence guiding the ship, and he even stepped aboard himself to retrieve Jack and the [[transfer drive]] full of [[Project Iacon]] data. {{storylink|Flying Mind}}

[[File:Prime-TriageRatchet&Wheeljack.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"Hey Wheeljack, do you think it looks weird when I cross my legs? I mean, I can't help if I have such girly legs."]]
When Optimus decided they would need to secure all four relics at once, Ratchet pointed out that they were short-manned as it was. {{storylink|Tunnel Vision}} He was unimpressed when Optimus decided that Wheeljack would be called in to help him on his part of the mission since he was a capable warrior. {{storylink|Triangulation}} Ratchet disapproved of Wheeljack's behavior as they set off in the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'', particularly being called "Doc". He also was far from impressed with his methods when attacking Soundwave and Laserbeak before they crashed landed. When they noticed the downed Laserbeak nearby, he struck on the idea of implanting a virus into the disabled Laserbeak, which would upload the Iacon database to the Autobots. With Raf's help, Ratchet managed to do so while Wheeljack kept Soundwave occupied, and managed to keep out of sight when Soundwave arrived to retrieve his pet. He attempted to convince Wheeljack to return to base for repairs, and thanked him for his back-up. When he returned to base, he found the virus was downloading the Iacon database into the Autobots' mainframe, but his joy was short-lived, as Bulkhead came flying through the GroundBridge with a smoking back {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}} after being shot by [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]] {{storylink|Toxicity}}

Ratchet worked frantically to stabilize Bulkhead and, with the help of the other Autobots, managed to succeed, though Bulkhead remained comatose. {{storylink|Hurt}} He continued to oversee Bulkhead's recovery, though when Miko started getting too rough with the patient, he insisted on Bulkhead taking a break. {{storylink|Out of the Past}} When Raf found a report of a Cybertronian escape pod, Optimus took a team including Ratchet to investigate. Ratchet was almost slagged by an Insecticon, but newcomer [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] arrived and helped them win. Back at base, Ratchet was left in charge when Optimus went out to retrieve some [[Red Energon]], and Smokescreen talked him into letting the new Autobot go to Optimus's aid with the [[phase shifter]]. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

Bulkhead continued to try to pressure Ratchet into letting him go back out on missions. Ratchet finally gave in during a mission to protect a military base, though rather than sending him to the base, Ratchet sent him to protect Raf, who was hacking into a [[Project Damocles]] satellite. {{storylink|The Human Factor}}

Ratchet chastised Smokescreen when the latter broke cover to scare a human driver. After Optimus Prime opined that Smokescreen needed a human to teach him local customs and rules, Ratchet grumbled in disgust at the idea of ''yet another'' human being included in their ranks, to the uncomfortable silence of the other Autobots. Shortly thereafter, Ratchet detected a homing beacon from an Iacon relic and a team led by Optimus was sent to investigate in [[China]]. However, a second signal was then detected elsewhere, and with Optimus's team unreachable, Smokescreen was sent in their steed. After discovering that the Decepticons have found the legendary [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], Smokescreen was captured and Jack was pursued by Insecticons, but not before he managed to notify Ratchet of their findings, who GroundBridges to Optimus' position to fill him in. After the Autobots returned to base with their new prize, Ratchet sent Jack home at the request of a very angry Arcee and witnessed Optimus Prime enter a trance while communing through the Star Saber with [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|Legacy (episode)|Legacy}}

Ratchet was happy at the news they would soon be able to return home to Cybertron, and when the other Autobots realized they would have to leave their human friends behind, Ratchet suggested they could sent texts. While he worked on a way for Optimus to properly wield the Star Saber, the weapon was later destroyed in battle against Megatron, though Ratchet reminded the other Autobots that Optimus didn't need a sword to be a great warrior. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}} Ratchet found himself busy repairing the other Autobots after a number of failed missions to retrieve Omega Keys and monitored Optimus's work decoding coordinates, though it turned out that the final set were a picture of Smokescreen. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}}

With Smokescreen a prisoner on the Decepticon warship, Ratchet was unable to track him, but once he freed himself, Ratchet provided a GroundBridge back to base. A short time later they were contacted by Starscream, who offered the final key they needed in exchange for the replacement of his T-Cog. Unfortunately it was a trap, and while Optimus, Ratchet and Bulkhead were examining the corpse of one of [[Starscream clone (Prime)|Starscream's clones]], the real Starscream made off with the Omega Keys. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

[[File:DarkestHour-Ratchetleaves.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"And Optimus, before you come back to life, be sure to tell Cliffjumper he still needs to pay his medical bills!"]]

Ratchet was surprised to learn that Optimus had kept the existence of the [[Omega Lock]] a secret from everyone. After Optimus modified the GroundBridge into a space bridge, he sent the other Autobots to Cybertron and monitored their progress, though he had to field a phone call from Jack asking why no one had picked the kids up. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}} He had to field a further call from June Darby, and a power surge that disrupted the base computers. When the Autobots finally returned, it was with the news that the Omega Lock had been destroyed, much to Ratchet's shock. When the Decepticons attacked the base, the Autobots were forced to abandon it, and Ratchet GroundBridged to a location elsewhere in the US. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

[[File:Scattered-Bigfoot.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"If I have to kill humans for beef jerky one more time..."]]
Despondent, Ratchet hid in a scrap yard outside Woodland Park. He was caught on camera, enabling Bumblebee and Raf to track him down, but they were at first unable to convince him to help them fight back. After experiencing a change of heart, he followed them to the ''Harbinger'' to help get the ship working. {{storylink|Scattered}}
He was able to get the ship's GroundBridge working and used the Decepticon frequencies to contact Fowler. The trio were shortly after joined by most of the other surviving Autobots, accompanied by the newly arrived [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}}

Ratchet utilized the GroundBridge and communications systems to lure the Decepticons away from [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]], with the help of the kids. He monitored the Autobot attack on the fortress from the ''Harbinger'', and was thus able to detect the incoming Optimus Prime, shortly before their leader turned up to save the day. The Autobots later assembled at a human military base, and Ratchet assured Smokescreen that he'd made the right choice in repairing Optimus with the Forge. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}} As the others salvaged technology from their old base, Ratchet set about getting it working in their new one and was able to make the GroundBridge functional again. He also restarted his work on Synthetic Energon, though he warned Optimus not to expect too much. {{storylink|Project Predacon}}

Upon Wheeljack’s return to base after a failed mission, Ratchet asked him to accompany Arcee on another errand, lest Ratchet be forced to abandon his work and venture out of his comfort zone. Though Ratchet was later willing to go out to fetch yet another Predacon bone from a museum (albeit grudgingly), agent Fowler informed him that this was unnecessary, as he was more than capable of retrieving it himself. Things went wrong once more, unfortunately, and the Decepticons acquired the fossil once more. {{storylink|Plus One (Prime)|Plus One}}

[[File:PersuasionFaceoff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Look, if you've kidnapped me to ask about Char Gar Gothikon, let me tell you, this is not the craziest thing the fandom has done!]]
While he continued his work, he also had to take time out to repair the other Autobots, such as when Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack came off second-best against [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]]. {{storylink|Evolution}} He did his best to replace Magnus's hand, but was only able to manage a claw. When the Decepticons began stealing technology, the Autobots captured Soundwave, but were unable to make him talk. Ratchet decided he would have to open the Decepticon up to examine his hard drives directly, but Soundwave merely erased the drives and crashed himself. A Decepticon attack on the [[Solaris particle collider]] led Ratchet to believe that the Decepticons intended to repair the Omega Lock, but while the ramifications were still sinking in, Laserbeak reactivated Soundwave with new orders to capture Ratchet. {{storylink|Minus One}} Ratchet awoke on the ''Nemesis'' and was subjected to a cortical psychic patch. Once the Decepticons realized that he had not completed the Synthetic Energon formula, Megatron revealed to him the reason why he had been captured. The threat of harm to the other Autobots was not enough, but when Megatron explained that the Synth-En was needed to restore Cybertron, and showed off the Omega Lock they'd restored, he reluctantly agreed to help. {{storylink|Persuasion}}

[[File:TFP-Synthesis-PredakingandRatchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|Ratchet: "Sean Connery called, he wants his title back." Predaking: "But I ''am'' the last dragon!"]]
With the help of Decepticon engineering, Ratchet completed the formula, but rather than hand Megatron the power to recreate Cybertron, he attempted to destroy it and escape. Unfortunately he was stopped by Megatron, who handed him over to Predaking as a plaything. Though Predaking was keen to avenge his lost species, Ratchet revealed what he'd overheard—that Megatron had allowed the Autobots to find Shockwave's lab. During Predaking's resulting rampage, Ratchet dropped the warship's shields and made contact with the other Autobots to let them know Megatron was planning to cyberform Earth. {{storylink|Synthesis}} Ratchet made his way to the Omega Lock control room, where he did his best to keep Shockwave occupied. He and the others present witnessed Bumblebee kill Megatron, and he was overjoyed to discover that Bumblebee's voice box had been restored as the result of exposure to the Omega Lock. The Autobot took control of the warship and used the Omega Lock to restore Cybertron, however Ratchet opted to remain on Earth to help the humans. {{storylink|Deadlock}}

Ratchet was called to Cybertron to tend to Ultra Magnus, after the Wrecker was wrecked by some new Predacons. When Unicron arrived on the planet using Megatron's body, Ratchet was able to use the ship's sensors to pinpoint Unicron's location, and reveal that the dark god was raising an army of undead Predacons with which to destroy Primus. He was kept out of the battle to save Cybertron, but was present when Optimus sacrificed himself to restore the AllSpark to Cybertron. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

===Titan Magazines ''Prime'' comic===
[[File:Titan4.1 Ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Optimus! Check out my giant shoulder pads!!!]]
In the lower levels of Outpost Omega One, Ratchet constructed a training room he dubbed the [[Safe]], though the inferior Earth materials he was forced to use meant it wasn't as good as it could be. Indeed, Bulkhead began tearing his way merrily through it, only to uncover something Ratchet hadn't found—a nuclear missile while promptly activated. Ratchet and Raf were assigned to deal with the bomb, however as Raf was the expert on Earth technology, Ratchet deferred to him. Luckily Raf managed to reverse the bomb's timer, and Fowler arrived with some scientists to take care of the rest. After Bulkhead apologised to Ratchet for smashing up the room, Ratchet suggested he and Raf design a new Safe. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.1|The Safe and the Failsafe}}

Optimus took the Autobots and the kids on a trip to [[Valley of Fire State Park]]. When Raf impressed the others with his knowledge and worried it made himself sound geeky, Ratchet proclaimed himself Autobot geek and proud. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.2|War Story}}

Ratchet alerted the others to the fact that Fowler was about to arrive at the base, and indeed, Fowler walked in moments later with the news that the Decepticons had hijacked [[Yamal|a nuclear ship]] near [[Antarctica]]. When Optimus, Bumblebee and Ratchet arrived at the ship, they found the crew were unconscious. Ratchet wondered what could have done that, but he was answered moments later by [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], who knocked him out with a [[sonic lance]]. By the time Ratchet recovered, the fight was over, and as they returned to the base, he said he'd be fine so long as he stayed away from any ice. Unfortunately in their absence, the others had turned the base into an ice skating ring, and as soon as he stepped through the GroundBridge, Ratchet ended up flat on his back. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.3|Ice Breaker}}

[[File:Titan4.4 Ratchet.jpg|thumb|270px]]
Raf was playing ''[[Invasionauts II]]'' at the base, Ratchet observed that the alien robots he was fighting in the game looked a lot like Autobots. After the game hypnotised Raf into operating the GroundBridge and letting in Vehicons, Ratchet initially blamed Bulkhead, but helped hold off the Decepticons until Raf recovered and reconfigured the bridge to suck the Vehicons back in. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.4|Tinker, Tailor, Gamer, Spy!}} Ratchet approved of the way Jack was starting to sound as paranoid as him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.5|School Is... Out!}} After the [[President of the United States]] was kidnapped by Starscream, Ratchet and the Autobots tracked the Decepticon to the [[Grand Canyon]]. Ratchet and Bulkhead protected [[Air Force One]] while the others rescued the President. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.6|All the President's 'Bots!}}

When he lost contact with Optimus Prime while their leader was exploring a scrap-metal facility in [[Zhejiang Province]], [[China]], Ratchet dispatched Bulkhead and Arcee to help, but was forced to drop them ten kilometers from the target due to interference. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.8|The Mind Trap!}} Ratchet was forced to GroundBridge [[Novo|Agent Novo]] to China after the MECH operative took Miko hostage. To make up for it, he discovered a way to track [[Miko's phone]], pointing the other Autobots to the location of MECH's base. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.9|The Novo Incident}}

After deploying Optimus's team to the [[Deep Driller]] oil platform, Ratchet monitored the situation from base, and was amused by the sight of Prime and the others being defeated by a bunch of humans in [[robotic battle suit]]s. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.10|Mad Dogs & Autobots}} Ratchet operated the GroundBridge so the other Autobots could take the kids onto the ''Nemesis'' to search for Bulkhead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.11|The Battle for Bulkhead}} During a battle in [[The Wave]], Bumblebee was injured by a sniper, so Ratchet patched him up and sent him back to base with Raf. When the Autobots later returned to base, Ratchet was surprised to find the pair had trashed the place. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.12|The Evil Shred}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.13|Protecting the Lady}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.17|Collider Scope}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.18|Power Outage}}}}

====Ratchet's Joke Page====
At some point Ratchet got a medical degree and began treating human patients. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.8|Issue 4.8}}

===Eaglemoss ''Prime'' comic===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|On Thin Ice}} {{storylink|Sand Trap}} {{storylink|Friend or Foe?}} {{storylink|Horrible TV}} {{storylink|Cell}}}}

===''Rescue Bots'' cartoon===
When three of the [[Rescue Bot]]s were stricken down with a mysterious virus, Optimus consulted Ratchet, who suggested that one of the antidotes from the Rescue Bots' ship would cure it. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (RB)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}} Ratchet later gave the Rescue Bots energon transfusions after they used up their own supply powering the [[Mayor Luskey Dome]]. {{storylink|Today and Forever}}

===''Tales of the Beast Hunters''===
After [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] run into trouble in the [[asteroid belt]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] had Ratchet overload the GroundBridge. Despite protesting, Ratchet succeeded in bridging Optimus to the derelict ship the others were on. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 5}} Once the team successfully returned with mysterious Cybertronian weapons, Ratchet was put to work in his lab trying to make them function. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 7}} [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] managed to retrieve some [[data disc]]s from [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]'s lab, which Ratchet found contained information on Shockwave's cloning process and the weapons Bumblebee had retrieved. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 13}} He eventually managed to unlock the secrets of the weapons and power them up. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 17}} When Bumblebee recovered from the earlier mission, Ratchet assigned him to light duties patrolling with [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 23}}

===''Full of Fire!''===
Ratchet constructed a number of new Beast Hunters weapons for Team Prime, including a [[Dragonshredder Drill]] for himself. He, Bumblebee and Bulkhead went out into a [[New Mexico]] desert with Optimus Prime to test the weapons, and were attacked there by no less than six Predacons. Ratchet quickly brought all of the weapons online, and they proved capable of making the Autobots more than a match for the Predacons. {{storylink|Full of Fire!}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Pursuing the AllSpark after it had been launched into space, Ratchet was one of the many Autobots that found their way to Earth. There, he participated in a great battle within a human settlement against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}
===2015 Robots in Disguise cartoon===
{{spoiler|Decepticon Island (Part 1)|April 23}}
Ratchet remained on Cybertron after Prime's sacrifice and the rebirth of Cybertron. Although he tried to join the reconstruction efforts, he found that the new Cybertronian council blamed Optimus Prime and the Autobots for the planet's destruction. The Council assigned Ratchet the job of hunting down any remaining war criminals. Knowing that this was effectively a banishment -and knowing that protesting would only land him in prison- Ratchet reluctantly accepted. Partnered with the [[Mini-Con]] [[Undertone]], he tracked down and captured rogue Decepticons. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

Some years after Cybertron's rebirth, a statue of Ratchet was constructed in his honor. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}}

Ratchet eventually tracked a Decepticon to Earth, where he ran across [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]]. Shortly afterwards, he encountered Bumblebee and the rest of the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]], including a reborn Optimus Prime. Making his way back to the scrapyard base, he explained the circumstances of his mission to the team, only to be interrupted by the arrival of [[Toolbox]], an escaped Mini-Con. Along with the other Autobots, he decided to take part in the raid on the Decepticon base. He also privately counciled Optimus about whether or not the former Autobot leader should re-take command. The team slipped into the base by masquerading as [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]]'s captives, although they were eventually spotted and surrounded by [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]]'s new army of Decepticon fugitives. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

{{spoiler|Decepticon Island (Part 2)|April 23}}

The team had to split up, and Ratchet found himself fighting alongside [[Drift (RID)|Drift]] and his Mini-Con students against [[Overload (RID)|Overload]]. Ratchet was overpowered by the hulking Decepticon and thrown into a stasis pod, although [[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] and [[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]] released him and [[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]]. Ratchet and Undertone escaped with the other Autobots after Bumblebee and Optimus detonated a [[stasis bomb]] inside the ship. In the aftermath, Ratchet and Undertone decided to return to Cybertron with Windblade to confront Cybertron's government. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 2)}}

===IDW ''Robots in Disguise'' comic===
While struggling to get his team to work together, Bumblebee recalled happier times when he was part of Team Prime with Ratchet. {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 1|Robots in Disguise #1}}

==Commercial appearances==
*After having already been weirded out after Bulkhead broke into a scat in the middle of a carol, {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Carolers1|The Hub Carolers (First spot)}}Ratchet was dismayed as the [[Joker]], a criminal, stole the chorus of [[wikipedia:Jingle Bells|Jingle Bells]] as it was being performed by a group of carolers. This group included [[Bulkhead (Prime)|other]] [[Megatron (WFC)|Transformers]], [[My Little Pony|ponies]], and an [[wikipedia:Strawberry Shortcake|underage baker]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Carolers2|The Hub Carolers (Second spot)}}

*Fowler summoned the Autobots for a vague special mission. When Ratchet inquired if they were to receive back-up, Fowler informed them that [[Batman]] had agreed to team up with them. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Impossibly Awesome|Mission: Impossibly Awesome Marathon}}

*Ratchet presented Bumblebee and Optimus with new secret weapons that the two of them used to mow down legions of Vehicons. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Weaponizers|Weaponizers Commercial}}

*Ratchet took Bumblebee through a tour of the Autobots' armory which culminated in Ratchet presenting [[Optimus Maximus (Prime)|Optimus Maximus]]. The two of them then rode the mech into battle, plowing through ranks of Vehicons. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Optimus Maximus|Optimus Maximus commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
{{voiceactor|[[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)|[[Stefano Albertini]] (Italian)}}
[[File:RatchetWFCScreenshotAttack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Just let me patch you up with my [[Energon repair ray|ENORMOUS HEALING CANNON]]!"]]
During the [[Decepticon]]s' siege of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Ratchet was assigned to Optimus, and helped him rescue a courier named [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who informed Optimus that with the presumed death of [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Zeta Prime]], the Council was putting him in command. The three of them headed back to the command center, receiving a message from [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] that the [[Aerialbot (WFC)|Aerialbots]] were being overwhelmed and needed support. It was decided that the planetary guns, disabled earlier by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron's]] forces, needed to be brought back online. Informing Jetfire that he was taking temporary command, Optimus took Ratchet and Bumblebee with him on the mission, though when Ratchet questioned the "temporary" part, Optimus brushed it aside.

When that mission was completed, they decided their next stop was the [[Decagon]], in order to re-establish communications and coordinate Iacon's defense. Hitting serious resistance, including several [[Decepticon war machine]]s and more than a few damaged lifts which Ratchet puzzled out a way around, they nonetheless prevailed with help from Jetfire and [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]], before reaching the Decagon itself, where they encountered the former Autobot [[Air Commander|Sky Commander]], [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. They managed to defeat him as well and retook the Decagon. He boosted the signal of a message from the captive Zeta Prime and cautioned Optimus not to act as it was clearly a trap.

After Optimus was named the new [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], he went on a mission to free [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s core of Megatron's [[Dark Energon]] corruption. In order to do so, however, he needed to open the [[Omega Gate]], which would require freeing [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] from Decepticon captivity. Omega was still badly damaged from his battle with Megatron's forces, so Optimus called in Ratchet, whom Prime, [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]], and Ironhide protected during his operation to repair Omega Supreme. After the Omega Gate was opened, Ratchet returned to base with Omega, as field repairs could only do so much.

When [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] began destroying fleeing Autobot ships on Megatron's order, Ratchet declared the Decepticon leader completely insane. Once Trypticon fell to the surface from orbit, Ratchet organized the rescue effort. After Trypticon was defeated, he praised Optimus on his success, but the price paid was costly - many Autobots were lost, and those remaining were now forced to abandon Cybertron while the planetary [[Primus|Core]] repaired the damage. Ratchet was one of those who stayed behind with Optimus to resist Megatron's schemes, and to build an ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' to carry them from their home when the time came. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

[[File:WFC Ratchet.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Standing ''near'' ze point does nothing! Get ''on'' ze point, dummkopf!"]]

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron — Autobots''===
[[File:WFCDS Ratchet.jpg|thumb|124px|"Doctor, are you sure this will work?" 
"I HAVE NO IDEA!"]]
When the Decepticons started poking around an Autobot base, Ratchet tracked their search patterns and instructed a [[Autobot rookie|rookie]] on where to go to find whatever it was they were looking for. Ratchet was in the control room to greet the rookie on arrival, and hand him over to [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]] for basic training. Unfortunately the Decepticons destroyed the rookie and found the intel they were after. Following Zeta Prime's capture, the Autobot leader managed to contact Ironhide and Ratchet, but the data links powering the communications grid were severed. Ratchet greeted another rookie, who managed to repair the data links.

Ratchet would go on to become a member of Optimus' inner circle. Following the retaking of Iacon, he reported that the Data-net was back online and Zeta Prime could contact them again. He later worked with Jetfire to analyse core samples, and discovered that the core would be healing itself if it weren't for the influence of the Dark Energon corruptors. Optimus's team successfully freed the core, but the planet was no longer able to sustain them. When Ratchet asked what they'd do, Optimus responded that their new mission was to leave the planet. Ratchet was among the Autobots who defeated Megatron's secret weapon, the monstrous titan Trypticon. Upon Trypticon's defeat, Ratchet left the planet along with Optimus's team. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|War for Cybertron - Autobots/Decepticons}}

===''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures''===
Ratchet attempted to aid and evacuate survivors from an orbital blast form Megatron's new weapon, [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]], when the Decepticon leader tracked him down. After exchanging gunfire, Ratchet was forced onto a ledge, and Megatron tauntingly kicked him off. The Autobot survived the fall, but was pinned down by debris. Fortunately [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] was in the area and came to the rescue. As the two made their trek back to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Ratchet informed Sideswipe that he had information about the Decepticon superweapon that needed to get to Optimus right away... {{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}
{{note|Ratchet is not a playable character; he appears as a boss in the Decepticon campaign, and only in a single cutscene in the Autobot campaign.}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
{{voiceactor|[[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)}}
Ratchet was deeply hurt by the torment of having to watch his home planet power down around him. He recorded several audio logs in order to acknowledge and reflect on the cause of the planet's slow demise, hoping that a future generation would never have to endure such a sight. Ratchet came to fear the very likely reality that the Transformers' war would not end when "all were one" - but rather, due to their own extinction from lack of Energon. It was this need for Energon that forced the Autobots to begin to siphon power from [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]'s inert, but still alive body; a gruesome last resort that shook Ratchet to his core, praying that there was some justification to be found for the Autobots' desperate act.

During the preparations for the Ark's launch, Ratchet worked with Optimus Prime, [[Perceptor (Prime)|Perceptor]], and the other Autobots to recover the energon necessary for lift-off. Grimlock later identified a space bridge for the Autobots to use to escape Cybertron, but upon its' destruction, Ratchet reported that it was becoming unstable and they needed to launch as soon as possible. Thanks to the sacrifice of [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]], they were able to do so immediately, but they came under attack by the ''Nemesis''. When cornered while trying to treat Bumblebee during the initial assault, Ratchet slyly used a flashing beacon to disorient the Decepticons while feigning submission. Ratchet guided Bumblebee through the ''Ark'' until he found the dueling Optimus and Megatron.
{{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

{{note|Ratchet also appears as a playable character in the game's 'Escalation' mode, on the 'Ignition' map. Ratchet fights alongside [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]]. He is the team's [[Medic (FOC)|medic]].}}

=== ''Transformers: Prime - The Game'' ===
[[File:Transformers prime the game ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
{{voiceactor|[[Jeffrey Combs]] (English)}}

When Team Prime mobilized to untether the [[Dark Energon]] meteor that the Decepticons were towing into orbit via the ''Nemesis'', Ratchet per usual stayed behind to run the GroundBridge. When the meteor fell to Earth, taking Team Prime with it, Ratchet left the human allies to man the Bridge in order to retrieve [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], who was the only Autobot whose energy signature they were able to locate... ''before'' Ratchet teleported out, at least.

Ratchet found Prime next to the largest surviving chunk of the meteorite, which also contained the colossus [[Thunderwing (Prime)|Thunderwing]]. The giant awoke, and quickly swatted Ratchet away with its one free arm. Ratchet made his way bac kto the ruins where Optimus and Thunderwing had landed, but the ''Nemesis'' had also arrived and began raining plasma fire into the area to subdue Thunderwing. Optimus and Ratchet bolted for a GroundBridge portal opened by Arcee (as she had luckily fallen close to [[Jasper]] and was able to make it back to the base on-wheel), but stray cannon-fire sent Ratchet flying away once again. The timed portal closed without him, and left Ratchet to be captured by the Decepticons.

On board the ''Nemesis'', Ratchet was forced to repair the giant Thunderwing, as the Decepticons had also kidnapped Miko and Raf and used them as hostages. Ratchet, indignant as always, performed just enough work to look like he was doing what he was told, but spent more time seeking out a weak point in the monster. When Megatron returned with the final major component to bringing Thunderwing back to full power, Ratchet looked to be out of options... until the Decepticon leader was momentarily distracted by the return of Starscream, who himself was being held hostage by Bulkhead. Ratchet took the chance to bolt from his cell and lock Megatron in, making his way through the security system and hordes of Vehicons to free Miko and Raf.

Once the humans were free, they took a service elevator up to the main communications hub of the ''Nemesis'' in order to get word out to the other Autobots, and hopefully use the Decepticon SpaceBridge to escape. After taking out numerous Vehicons, the three made it to the main comm hub, only to find Soundwave at the controls. Raf patched into the room's defense systems to briefly drop energy shielding on four computer towers, allowing Ratchet to destroy them and drop the force field that surrounded the main comm console. Forced to fight one-on-one, Soundwave made clever use of the Space bridge to warp in and out of the control room, but eventually found himself bested by the veteran Autobot and was forced to retreat. Now in control, Ratchet was able to communicate with the other Autobots who had infiltrated the ''Nemesis'', and successfully warped them off the ship as it collapsed due to the damage Thunderwing had caused in his escape.

Back at the base, Ratchet informed the others that he could develop a siphon that could drain at least some of Thunderwing's Dark Energon, hopefully weakening the beast enough to allow them to destroy him. He stayed behind to work on the device as Bumblebee, Arcee and Bulkhead mobilized near a Dark Energon volcano that Thunderwing was headed towards. Ratchet was forced to bring the incomplete device with him to the volcano upon Thunderwing's arrival. He informed the other Autobots that due to the short amount of time he had to work on it, the siphon would only be truly effective if it was practically ''inside'' Thunderwing. Things looked hopeless until stowaways Miko and Jack piped up, Miko showing the Autobots a [[Miko's phone|cell phone picture]] of a break in Thunderwing's chest armor that Ratchet had never repaired... a break just big enough for a human to fit into. Though reluctant to put the humans at risk, Ratchet handed over the siphon to Jack, who rode Arcee to the beast, and successfully installed the siphon, allowing Optimus Prime to finish Thunderwing once and for all. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime - The Game}}

{{note|Ratchet is only playable in a single stage of Story Mode: "The Escape!". He is available as a playable character in the game's multi-player battle modes from the start, however. 
In this game, Ratchet oddly does not have his blades. Instead, when he enters his "upgrade" mode, he deploys a massive wrench from his left wrist socket (seriously, it's as big as his forearm!) which he uses to clobber opponents. This is also the only time we see Prime-cartoon-era Ratchet employ a blaster for combat.}}
{{--}}

===''Hunt the Beasts'' online game===
Ratchet enlisted [[you]] for a top secret mission; you were to infiltrate Shockwave's lab and retrieve data on Shockwave's experiments, the Predacons. Ratchet instructed you to scour the lab for the data, and report back to him immediately upon its discovery. Throughout your investigation, Ratchet would aid you to overcome many obstacles with his instructions, such as how to rewire the controls to a busted lift, or turn on the Energon stabilization protocols. Once the data on the Predacons has been gathered, Ratchet informed you that the Autobots would prepare for the looming threat of the Predacons with new weapons called "[[Beast Gear]]." He then uploaded data on the Autobots to keep you informed on their Predacon-battling capabilities, and thanked you for your service. {{storylink|Hunt the Beasts}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense''===
Ratchet discovered a way to send Autonomous Defense Turrets through the Ground Bridge. He shipped these out to the battle whenever other Autobots in combat situations requested them. He also walked through the other Autobots through their missions while he stayed behind at Autobot headquarters, coordinating their efforts. He would also occasionally send Energon to the Autobots in the field when he detected an incoming threat that was particularly imposing. {{Storylink|Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense|Terrorcon Defense}}

===''Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense''===
When the Decepticons constructed an [[Energon Drain]] in an asteroid field, Ratchet and the Autobots countered it by building a [[Pulsar Dish]] from debris. While the dish was under construction, Ratchet could help out by repairing damage dealt to the dish by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Universe''===
[[File:Tu-character-art ratchet.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Either he has an identity crisis, or he still doesn't know which medical center this vehicle form belongs to!]]
Prowl revealed that Ratchet built the groundbridge in [[High Grand]] {{storylink|Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe Autobot tutorial}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
====Console====
{{Charstubgames}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark (console)}}

===''Transformers: Robots in Disguise''===
{{charstubgames}}{{storylink|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|Robots in Disguise (mobile game)}}

==Games==
===''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game===
{{charstubgames}}{{storylink|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game}}

==Toys==
===Cyberverse===
[[File:Cyberverse legion ratchet.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Let's go practice medicine.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Cyberverse Legion, 2012)
**''Series / Number:'' '''2 / 004'''
**''Japanese Number:'' '''EZ-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Battle blade

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' [[Cyberverse#Series 2|Cyberverse]] Legion Class toys, "Autobot Ratchet" transforms into an emergency vehicle, and comes with a translucent battle blade weapon. It can peg via its numerous [[C joint|3mm post]]s onto his robot hands, arms/vehicle sides, and robot back/vehicle roof. Early versions of the mold oddly lacked an actual face but a [http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/cyberverse-prime-ratchet-receives-an-update-aka-hasbro-i-needed-that-t86206s400.php running change] finally gave him one.

:His blade, in the same color, is also used by Cyberverse [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#Cyberverse|Cliffjumper]] and ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Mirage (Movie)#Cyberverse|Mirage]], while a green version is used by [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#CyberverseQuickblade|Quickblade Bumblebee]], and a purple version is used by [[Knock Out (Prime)#CyberverseSingle|Knock Out]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/LegRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Cyberverse Legion Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EZ6pack}}
[[File:PrimeEZCollectionAutobotSet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Doctor is credit to team!]]
*'''Autobot Set''' (EZ Collection 6-pack, [[November 24|11-24]]-2012)
**''ID number'': '''EZ-SP1'''
**''Accessories'': Battle blade

: This version of Ratchet was only available in a TakaraTomy ''[[EZ Collection]]'' six-pack with [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#EZ6pack|Bumblebee]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)#EZ6pack|Bulkhead]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#EZ6pack|Optimus Prime]], [[Arcee (WFC)#EZ6pack|Arcee]], and [[Wheeljack (Prime)#EZ6pack|Wheeljack]].

: This release utilizes the version of the mold with a face.

{{-}}

===Prime===
{{anchor|Deluxe}}
[[File:PrimeRID-RatchetDeluxe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|And that's how he lost his medical license.]]
[[File:Prime-toy RatchetTakTom.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|With all those craters on him, he'll probably need to see a dermatologist.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2012)
**''Series / Number'': '''1 / 006'''
**''Japanese release date:'' '''[[March 31|3-31]]-2012'''
**''Japanese number:'' '''AM-04'''
**''Accessories:'' Dual Battle Blades (Hasbro only), "R.A." Arms Micron (TakaraTomy only)

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Robots in Disguise (2012)|Prime: Robots in Disguise]]'' Deluxe Class toys, this larger-scale version of Ratchet has a "dramatic head reveal" [[gimmick]], with his [[robot mode]] head being spring-loaded to pop up once his "backpack" is pulled down. He features [[5mm post|5mm peg-holes]] for his hands, a pair on his front bumpers/shins, and a pair on his vehicle roof.

:He comes with a pair of battle blades that can mount/be held via 5mm post, and his hands can be swung down at the wrist to give the appearance of the blades sprouting out of his wrists, as seen in the cartoon. The blades can mount into the peg-holes on his front bumper, creating a battle mode, and the blades can store on tabs underneath his vehicle.

:His [[instructions]] depict an alternate head apparently intended for an as-yet-unreleased Gears. The sculpt was used as the basis for ''Prime'' [[Swerve (Prime)|Swerve]].

: The Japanese release of Ratchet, part of the very first assortment of [[TakaraTomy]] ''Prime'' toys, omits an incredible number of [[paint operation]]s, replacing them with customer-applied foil [[sticker]]s. (On the other hand, this ''does'' give him his "lifeline" decoration missing from the [[Hasbro]] version.) As part of the "[[Arms Micron]]" gimmick, six 5mm peg-hole attachment points have been glued onto him (as opposed to having existing parts specifically [[retool]]ed to include them like many other toys in the line) on his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] roof, doors, and side-panels, which respectively end up on his legs, forearms, and shoulders. The Hasbro version's twin blades have been replaced by the Arms Micron, [[R.A.#Toys|R.A.]], who transforms into a considerably larger version of one of the blades, and can still work as a "wrist-mounted" weapon.

: Ratchet was redecoed into [[Transformers (2014 toyline)|2014 ''Transformers'']] [[First Aid (G1)#Transformers (2014)|Protectobot First Aid]] and retooled into [[BotCon 2014]] [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm More information on ''Robots in Disguise'' Ratchet at TFU.info]''

::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-1464.html Arms Micron Ratchet at Alfes's blog]''

{{-}}

===Beast Hunters===
{{anchor|BHDeluxe}}
[[File:BHtoy Deluxe Ratchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Alright, who's ready for some <s>precision</s> surgery?"]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2013)
**''Series / Number'': '''2 / 010'''
**''Accessories:'' Dragonshredder Drill

: Part of the third wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime:]] [[Beast Hunters]]'' Deluxe Class toys, "Autobot Ratchet" is a [[redeco]] and extensive retool of the "Robots in Disguise" Deluxe Class Autobot Ratchet toy, transforming into a heavily modified rescue vehicle that's covered with spikes, features an exposed engine block on its hood, and has a sculpted rocket booster at the back. He retains the peg-holes at the usual places, and gains additional peg-holes at the back and near the rear wheels. He now comes with the "[[Dragonshredder Drill]]", which spins when the plunger to the side is pushed, and mounts via 5mm post. The halves of the drill can be pulled open to reveal a quad-barreled cannon inside. His head and chest greatly resemble ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Dinobot II]], while his "Dragonshredder Drill" is reminiscent of the [[Dinobot (BW)#Beast Wars|original Dinobot toy's]] [[Cyber-slash tail weapon]].

: His instructions include the [[Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 13|thirteenth chapter]] of the ''[[Tales of the Beast Hunters]]'' series.

: This toy is also the basis for the fiction-only "[[Alone Together]]" version of [[Jawbreaker]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm More information on ''Beast Hunters'' Ratchet at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Go!===
[[File:Transformers-Go-G09-Hunter-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I healed ze man who vill kill you!]]
*'''Hunter Ratchet''' ([[August 31|08–31]]–13)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''G19'''
**''Accessories:'' Drill

:Part of the fourth wave of TakaraTomy ''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (toyline)|Go!]]'' toys, Hunter Ratchet is a green, black, and translucent-red redeco of the ''Beast Hunters'' Deluxe Class Ratchet toy. Unusually, he's identified as a Decepticon, complete with [[insignia]]! According to a translated version of the bio, Ratchet was captured by the Decepticons, and forcibly exposed to Dark Energon thus mutating him into a Decepticon.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/HunterRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Hunter Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Robots in Disguise (2015)===
{{note|Virtually every ''Robots in Disguise (2015)'' toy in this list has a scannable [[insignia]] sticker on it. For [[Hasbro]] releases, it temporarily unlocks that toy as a playable character in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game]], and can only be scanned once per day. It's honestly quicker and less redundant to say which toys '''don't''' have this feature.}}
[[File:RID2015-Legion-Class-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Guess they didn't teach you to duck in Doctor school!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Legion, 2016)
:Legion Class Ratchet is a retool of [[Strongarm (RID)#Legion Class|Legion Class Strongarm]], sporting a new head and torso. Curiously, these new parts are based on his ''Prime'' character model, rather than his new on-screen ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' design.

:His scannable Autobot insignia is on his drivers-side door in vehicle mode, becoming his left arm in robot mode.

{{-}}{{anchor|WarriorClass}}
[[File:RID2015-Warrior-Class-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I'm the first of the new RID do-it-yourself customization kits!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Warrior, 2016)
**''Accessories'': 2 pistols
:Warrior Class Ratchet is a retool of [[Strongarm (RID)#Warrior_Class|Warrior Class Strongarm]], giving him an entirely new ambulance alternate mode and a significantly altered robot mode. He includes a pair of [[5mm post|5mm]] pistol accessories. Ratchet also features a faux front window on his robot mode chest.

:His scannable Autobot insignia is on his robot-mode chestplate.

{{comingsoontoy}}{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Mcdonald's===
[[File:Primetoy-RatchetHappyMeal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|The stickers are good practice for the Arms Micron version.]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Happy Meal, 2012)
:*''McNumber:'' '''7'''
:Happy Meal Ratchet is a non-transformable emergency vehicle! Pushing on the back of his roof reveals the base of a cannon, and pressing the Autobot symbol on the roof causes the short barrel of the cannon to pop out. Ratchet (not "Autobot Ratchet", despite claim of trademark!) also comes with a sheet of stickers to complete his deco. Since the cannon gimmick and the "mCODE" coupon use up both sides of the usual instructions sheet, the sticker placement instructions are printed on the back of the sticker sheet itself. Efficient, but not terribly user-friendly!

===Eaglemoss cards===
{{charstubtoys}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:VectorSigmaBotBuilderRatchet.jpg|thumb|I'm feeling sad and blue.]]
*Ratchet's model is usable in ''War for Cybertron'' multiplayer as the Medic Rig-type chassis for [[Leader (WFC)|Leader]]-class characters. His parts are also available in ''Fall of Cybertron'', now classified as Mercenary-type components for [[Destroyer (FOC)|Destroyer]]-class characters.
*''Transformers'' alumnus [[Michael Bell]] originally auditioned for the part of Ratchet in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', but ultimately lost the role to [[Jeffrey Combs]].
*In a number of episodes, mostly written by [[Nicole Dubuc]], Ratchet's equipment gets damaged by a fellow Autobot, prompting him to utter ''"I NEEDED THAT!"'' each time.
*His license plate number in "[[Stronger, Faster]]" is '''449 EPQ'''.
*Ratchet's body parts are available to use in the Hub website's [[Vector Sigma Bot Builder]] online game. Normally, you cannot configure a generic 'bot using all Ratchet parts, but you can see what one would look like at right through the magic of Photoshop.
*With the exceptions of Optimus and Bumblebee, Ratchet was the only Autobot to make a reappearance in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)]]'', from the previous show, ''[[Transformers Prime]]''.

{{-}}
===Arms Up Modes===
In the Japanese ''Prime'' toyline, Ratchet has several powered-up modes when given various [[Arms Micron]]s in certain configurations:

[[File:DarknessRising4 CybSat-RatchetAntiTerror.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"I am ze ÜBERMENSCH!"]]

*'''Destroy Mode''' (デストロイモード ''Desutoroi Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': B.2, C.L., O.P., R.A.
: Ratchet's rather uncharacteristically-named "Destroy Mode", as seen on his box-back photo, uses a combined-weapon made up of [[R.A.]] and [[B.2]] in his right hand, [[O.P.]] on his left arm, and [[C.L.]] on his left leg.

*'''''Sekkensenrenzan'' Mode''' (接近戦連斬モード ''Sekkensenrenzan Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': C.L., Gora, O.P. (x2), R.A. (x2)
:Meaning "Close-combat Multi-slash Mode", and revealed in the "[[From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division|Cybertron Satellite]]" segment from "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4|Infiltration Transformation! Battleship Nemesis]]", this "Anti-Terrorcon" mode is... just ''brutal''. He's got an R.A. on each forearm, with an O.P. attached to the back of each, with [[Gora]] (?) on his right leg, and C.L. on his left.

*'''Stealth Mode''' (ステルスモード ''Sterusu Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': R.A. (x4!), Zori (x2)
:''Four'' R.A.s are joined to create a super-large [[shuriken]]-like weapon that stores on Ratchet's back. A pair of [[Zori]]s hang from Ratchet's shoulders, with the claw-tails hanging down to create a "cloak of invisibility". This mode is for "stealthily backing up Optimus Prime and the others", according to the [http://youtu.be/QJUMhgggH-Q TakaraTomy developer video where it premiered], hosted by TakaraTomy designer [[Hironori Kobayashi]].
:There is also a variant configuration, '''Defense Mode''', which opens up the panels on Ratchet's arms and moves the Zoris to the "wrist-mounted blade" positions, which cross in an "X" in front of Ratchet as a stealth shield.
:Kobayashi also made custom carbon-black stickers for Ratchet's shoulders and chest, and in the video shows viewers how to customize their own stickers.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Ratchet''' (ラチェット ''Rachetto'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Jiùhùchē''' (救护车, "Ambulance")
*''Russian:'' '''Khrapovik''' (Храповик, "Ratchet")

[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Medics]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Universe game Autobots]]
[[Category:Rise of the Dark Spark Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2015) Autobots]]

Ratchet (WFC)

2016-04-19T21:23:08Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Notes */

{{faction|autobot|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Ratchet}}
:''Ratchet is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[File:PrimeRatcht.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|If we don't get Jeffrey Combs versus [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lance Henriksen]] before this series ends, there will be much, much sobbing.]]
The [[Autobot]]s' medical officer, '''Ratchet''' has a dry wit, often giving his wounded comrades a hard time for taking hits he somehow avoids. With the Energon supplies becoming less and less, he works to find new ways to make do, and he'd ''really'' prefer if the Autobots didn't risk injury (or worse) to protect [[human]]s. He'd also prefer the humans weren't brought back to [[Autobot Outpost Omega One]] but since ''he'' is unfamiliar with human tech, he needs [[Raf Esquivel]] to help him out. However, for all his views on humans, deep down Ratchet ''admires'' what the tiny fleshies bring to the fight. Maybe he'll even warm up to them.

[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s best friend, and ''de facto'' second-in-command, you'd be hard-pressed to find another Autobot who loves his leader as much as he does. Yet this is not to say Ratchet has blind faith in him; Ratchet resents Optimus' lack of action over the years regarding ending the war and many missed chances to kill [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. He's as flawed as any normal being would be, and a huge vice is his Cybertronian pride. At least once, it's nearly cost him the life of a friend. Furthermore, his grief for his destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|home world]] is what drives him. He didn't take the loss of Cybertron very well, and would do almost anything to get it back some day.

{{quote|In a contest between resources and ingenuity, never underestimate ingenuity.|Ratchet, [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]}}

==Fiction==
===''The Covenant of Primus''===
Ratchet emerged from the [[Well of All Sparks]] before the [[Age of Wrath]]. In his youth, Ratchet left his primitive village behind, and embarked on a pilgrimage to the newly-founded city of [[Iacon]]. There, he applied as a student to Iacon's medical units, and learned medical science from the then-current chief of surgery [[Remedy (COP)|Remedy]]. Over time, Ratchet slowly climbed the ranks, and eventually became a junior medic in one of Iacon's many medical clinics.

One day, Ratchet was interrupted from his studies by the arrival of [[Coldwelder]], a working-class [[Energon]] miner who claimed to have been abducted and experimented on by [[Quintesson|aliens]]. Ratchet was skeptical of his claims, but ordered his intern [[Crankhandle]] to help run a diagnostic on the frightened victim. While examining his patient with his colleague [[Cogwheel]], Ratchet discovered a probe of unknown origin had indeed been planted in Coldwelder's cranium. Ratchet was more than happy to let Cogwheel deal with the fallout of this strange discovery but felt guilty afterwords for passing the matter off to her to deal with.

Much later, the outbreak of the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]], Ratchet chose to join the Autobots under Optimus Prime. After the Autobot scout [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] was grievously wounded by Megatron, Ratchet attempted to patch up Bumblebee. Although the medic was able to repair Bumblebee's leg, he was unable to save his voice box, rendering Bumblebee mute.

After the great exodus from Cybertron, Ratchet was one of the handful of Autobots who travelled to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus}}

===Aligned novels===
Ratchet made his name during the [[Praxus|Praxian]] stalemate. He and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] fought in a few battles together, during which he taught the younger Autobot how to apply first aid. He repaired his throat after [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] destroyed it in revenge for ejecting the [[AllSpark]] into space, enabling Bumblebee to speak from time to time.

After Megatron invaded [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and took the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], Ratchet welded [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]]'s face and stabilized [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]]'s condition. When [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] asked Ratchet if Omega was ready to fight again, the offended medic responded that if Optimus wanted Omega to fight after the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] blew him out of the sky, [[Dark Energon]]-infused gladiators attacked him and Megatron tore out the Chamber out of his chest, then he wanted another surgeon. Optimus knew he had to apologize but was too preoccupied with rescuing [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]].

When the Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', Ratchet informed Optimus and [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] that Omega was repaired and ready to distract [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Uniend 610.23 Zeta]], {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}} Ratchet was present for a meeting amongst [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s most trusted lieutenants about [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]]'s plan to launch the [[AllSpark]] into space to keep it from [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], and then took part in the Battle at [[Tyger Pax]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee at Tyger Pax}}

===''Prime'' comic===
[[File:PrimeComicRatchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Don't worry, you won't see me as dirty later. Except [[Stronger, Faster|that one time]]...]]
Ratchet was stationed at the Autobot base on [[Earth]], opening the [[GroundBridge]] for Optimus to retrieve [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]. He reattached her arm after [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] had blown it off. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Jeffrey Combs]] (English), [[Nobuo Tobita]] (Japanese)|[[José María Carrero]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Seong-yong Ha]] (Korean), [[Claudio Moneta]] (Italian), [[Jan Spitzer]] (German), [[Mario Arvizu]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Jarosław Boberek]] (Polish), [[Luiz Antônio Lobue]] (Brazilian Portuguse), [[Jari Salo]] (Finnish)}}

Ratchet served during the war for Cybertron, where he "proved [his] mettle". {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}} After Bumblebee was captured at [[Tyger Pax]], Ratchet was the field medic who put him back together, but was unable to repair his voice box. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} At some point after Team Prime arrived on Earth, Ratchet modified [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]]'s jet, allowing him to fly without a flight suit. {{storylink|Grill}}

[[File:DarknessRising1-Ratchettragedy.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|You're drawn to his eccentric charm.]]
Ratchet was on patrol in a snowy region when news came in that [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was battling a platoon of Decepticons solo. Ratchet and the other Autobots returned to base to [[GroundBridge]] to his location, but they were too late: Cliffjumper was nowhere to be found, and Ratchet confirmed that his lifesigns had ceased. It was Ratchet's belief that continuing to operate on Earth and aid humans would only result in more tragedy, and as such, it was no surprise that he vehemently objected to the Autobots becoming protectors for [[Jack Darby]], [[Miko Nakadai]] and [[Raf Esquivel]] soon after—though the kids' incessant questions didn't help their case, either. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} Ratchet's mood was not improved when [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] accidentally crushed an important piece of lab equipment, and things got even worse when he was instructed to stay at base and watch the children while the other Autobots investigated the reappearance of Cliffjumper's lifesign. He did, however, start to see the value in the kids' presence when Raf helped him in his continuing struggle to master the inferior human computer systems the Autobot base ran on. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

[[File:Optimus Prime Ratchet Zombies Darkness Rising 4.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|He performs surgery with these. Carefully.]]

The other Autobots returned from their mission with the news that Cliffjumper had been revived by the Decepticons as a [[zombie]], and when [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] began feeling dizzy, Ratchet examined her and discovered a trace of the mysterious substance that had reanimated Cliffjumper. While examining it, Ratchet inadvertently dripped some on the equipment Bulkhead had broken, transforming it into a vicious little monster. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} Optimus Prime helped him destroy it, and both realized that they were dealing with [[Dark Energon]]. Realizing that [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] planned to raise an undead army, Optimus took Ratchet to the site of an ancient Transformer battle on Earth, but they arrived too late to prevent Megatron from using Dark Energon to raise the buried corpses of the warriors as a legion of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]]. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 3}} Ratchet quickly deduced that the best way to stop them was dismemberment, and he and Prime managed to cut down the entire army despite the debilitating effects of the Dark Energon. Ratchet sustained a wounded arm in the battle, and Megatron was able to escape. Returning to base, Ratchet examined some plans that Miko had obtained from the Decepticons in his absence, and speculated that the villains were building a [[space bridge]] so they could use Dark Energon to raise a zombie army on Cybertron and bring them to Earth. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}} Given his injuries, Ratchet stayed behind at the base to man the GroundBridge, sending the other Autobots to the orbiting space bridge for battle, and the kids to the [[Giant Sized Array]] radio telescope in [[Texas]] to cut off the Decepticons' targeting systems. While the kids failed in their endeavour, they did succeed in obtaining schematics for the space bridge, which Ratchet used to determine a means of destroying it. He instructed Arcee's team on sabotaging the space bridge, and bridged everyone back to base before the inevitable explosion. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}}

[[File:Masters&Students-Ratch-animator.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|I was busy pushing bodies around as you well know and what would a note say, Dan? "Cat dead, details later"?]]
Ratchet was initially dismayed to learn that the kids were working on their school science projects in the Autobot base, but changed his tune in short order and actually turned down combat duty to stay and help them. Unfortunately for the kids, he completely took over their projects, building a large volcano for Raf, a model of Cybertron for Miko, and an advanced engine for Jack. None of the projects went down well at school, much to Ratchet's disappointment. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

[[File:Scrapheap-Ratchetinfected.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|My kingdom for a [[Charlie Fong]]!]]
Ratchet found another reason to be grateful to have the kids around when a [[Scraplet]] infestation in the base left the GroundBridge disabled, and Ratchet at the mercy of the metal-eating monsters. Jack used a fire extinguisher to freeze the creatures, saving Ratchet's life, but the medic remained too badly wounded to effect repairs to the GroundBridge, and had to entrust the job to the humans. They succeeded, and Ratchet was able to patch up himself and his fellow Autobots. {{storylink|Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap}} Problems with the GroundBridge lingered, however, and Ratchet continued working on it during a visit by Bulkhead's old buddy [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], while trying to ignore the distractions caused by the other Autobots partying and Wheeljack and Bulkhead [[Cybertronian sport#Lobbing|Lobbing]]. The delays caused by Ratchet's repairs resulted in "Wheeljack" being exposed as [[Makeshift (Prime)|a Decepticon imposter]]. Unfortunately this also meant that when the real Wheeljack turned up, Ratchet was subjected to another round of partying. {{storylink|Con Job}}

Ratchet continued to play the role of tech support over the Autobots next few missions. He remained in the base to monitor the Autobot convoy as they transported the [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System]] across country, alerting them to an incoming Decepticon attack and—under protest—working with Raf to GroundBride Miko and Jack onto a moving track so they could stop the forces of [[MECH]] from stealing the device. [[File:SickMind-RatchetOP.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"I've heard that humans quite often wake up late with black eyes. They call the condition 'a hangover'."]]{{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}} The episode burnt Raf's laptop out, but Ratchet later helped fix it. {{storylink|Raf's Notes|Raf's Notes #5}} When the Decepticons stole an [[Energon Harvester]] from a human museum, Ratchet manufactured a replica to replace it, despite Bulkhead breaking his frame welder. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}}

When Ratchet and Optimus Prime investigated a [[Autobot plague ship|crashed Autobot vessel]], they discovered that it was a plague ship carrying deceased victims of [[Cybonic plague]], a pathogen created by Megatron himself. Optimus contracted the disease, which was beyond even Ratchet's ability to cure. In search of a treatment, he GroundBridged Arcee and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] to the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' so they could obtain the cure from Megatron's mind via [[cortical psychic patch]], a controversial procedure banned by Autobots but in which Ratchet was well-versed. While watching the link, Ratchet recorded the hologram of the plague antidote Megatron showed to Bumblebee, and was able later to produce a cure for Optimus. {{storylink|Sick Mind}}

[[File:OutHead-RatchetMegatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I hope you've been practicing "The Man Who Sold the World", Megatron, because you're about to be ''unplugged!'']] While Optimus was given a clean bill of health, Ratchet was more concerned about Bumblebee; learning that the scout was seeing visions of Megatron following their psychic link-up, Ratchet induced a shutdown to give his systems time to recover. The other Autobots soon left the base on a mission, and Ratchet was left with Raf, who was sitting by the unconscious Bumblebee's beside. Trying to explain to the boy that this was unnecessary only resulted in Ratchet being subjected to pictures of Raf's family. The discussion was cut off when Bumblebee suddenly reactivated, leading Ratchet to realize that Megatron had taken over his comrade's body. Unable to stop the Decepticon leader from escaped through the GroundBridge, Ratchet and Raf followed Bumblebee to the Decepticon ship. There, they tried fruitlessly to stop Bumblebee from restoring Megatron to life, and had to retreat under Vehicon fire after Megatron's resurrection. They found Optimus's team on the ground below and returned to base where Ratchet checked over Bumblebee's processor for any lingering traces of Megatron's influence. {{Storylink|Out of His Head}}

Due to his experience with Dark Energon, Ratchet—much to his own surprise—was tapped to take Arcee's place when the Autobots deployed to confront [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. He was attempting to use the evil substance to revive [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]. Discovering that the kids had followed them through the GroundBridge, Ratchet ordered them to head back through to base, only for a Decepticon GroundBridge to manifest at the same time, causing a disruption that hurled the children into a parallel dimension. Deducing what had happened, Ratchet was able to recreate the original feedback loop and create a portal the kids could escape through. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}} Ratchet also went into the field on the Autobots' next mission: After patching up Bulkhead following a skirmish with Breakdown in which the 'Con was captured by MECH, Ratchet joined the effort to rescue the Decepticon. Following an Energon signature but finding only Breakdown's plucked-out eye, Ratchet attempted to extract images from the eye to help in the Autobots' search, but it turned out to be a MECH booby-trap, and the team only narrowly avoided the bomb explosion that resulted. They later tracked down Bulkhead in time to rescue him from Starscream and Breakdown. {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}}

[[File:StrongerFaster-Ratchetvehicle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|A rare sighting.]]

Ratchet was at the Autobot base when Jack and Arcee brought Jack's mother [[June Darby]] in to introduce her to everyone. {{storylink|Crisscross}} When June next visited the base, the on-edge medic assumed her car was a Decepticon, though he didn't object to June, a nurse, respectfully calling him "doctor". While in conversation with June, Ratchet detected a magnetic anomaly and dispatched Bulkhead and Arcee to find it; when they returned magnetically stuck together, he realized they were dealing with a [[polarity gauntlet]]. Bulkhead and Arcee were eventually able to retrieve the device and present it to Ratchet back at base. {{storylink|Metal Attraction}} Ratchet's tech expertise came to the fore again when he detected the activation of a crashed [[Harbinger|Decepticon ship's]] computer system: when Bumblebee and Arcee returned from investigating with two frozen comrades and the pieces of the [[immobilizer|Decepticon weapon]] responsible, Ratchet was able to repair the weapon and use it to restore Prime and Bulkhead. {{storylink|Partners}}

[[File:StrongerFaster-crouchbehindrock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Stronger, faster, squatter]]

While most of the other Autobots went out to retrieve a [[Cybertronian data cylinder]], Ratchet stayed at base to monitor them and annoy Bulkhead and Miko by interrupting their monster truck footage. After Bulkhead was called out to the field, Ratchet assigned Miko cleaning duties, only for her to rush off to the battlefield and inadvertently cause the contents of the cylinder to be downloaded into Bulkhead's brain. Ratchet initially gave Bulkhead a clean bill of health, but when Bulkhead started painting complex formulae, Ratchet made two discoveries: one, that the formulae were for [[Synthetic Energon]], and two, that the data was slowly destroying Bulkhead's mind. After much of the formula had been transcribed, the data was beamed out of Bulkhead into space, leaving him comatose. Ratchet's suggestion that a familiar sound might rouse the Autobot led Miko to wake Bulkhead with her guitar playing. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} Working from Bulkhead's incomplete formula, Ratchet appeared to succeed in synthesizing a batch of the Synthetic Energon, and used himself as a guinea pig. Supercharged by the new substance at the expense of his mental stability, Ratchet was made strong enough to trash an entire squad of Vehicons on his own and to throw Bulkhead through a wall while sparring. When he went too far in interrogating a [[Decepticon Miner]] under the auspices of being more "proactive", Optimus was forced to confine him to base. Escaping, Ratchet went to confront Megatron on his own, infiltrating the Decepticons' Energon mine and making short work of Breakdown. Unfortunately, Megatron proved more formidable than expected, and Ratchet was seriously injured and left for Knock Out to extract a sample of Synthetic Energon from. Drained of the SynthEn and its effects, Ratchet managed to raise enough strength to fight back and destroy the sample, and was then rescued by the other Autobots and taken back to base for treatment. Ratchet apologized for his behavior, though at least they'd gained a supply of real energon from the mine out of it. {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}

[[File:OneShallRise2-Ratchethumans.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|Professionals never look directly into the camera, Ratchet]]

When Optimus became interested in a prophecy from the [[Covenant of Primus]], Ratchet worked out that the planetary alignment mentioned was mere days away. Shortly after, Raf was injured during a mission to stop the Decepticons from gathering space bridge components. Ratchet's lack of knowledge of human physiology left him unable to treat the boy, so June Darby was called in to help. Ratchet refused to allow Raf to be taken to a hospital, as human doctors wouldn't have any experience with Energon contamination, but it became apparent that this wasn't what was ailing Raf. He had been infected with ''Dark'' Energon. Ratchet took the risk of applying an infusion of regular Energon to neutralize the Dark, and Raf recovered. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}} Immediately thereafter, Ratchet joined Arcee and Bulkhead in rescuing Optimus from a battle with Megatron, then set about analyzing a series of natural disasters that began across the Earth, deducing that the tremors were the heartbeat of [[Unicron]], slumbering within the Earth and threatening to destroy it with his awakening. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} When Megatron approached the Autobots with the proposition of an alliance to stop Unicron from destroying the planet, Ratchet scoffed at the notion. He grew increasing incredulous to the idea that he would GroundBridge the others into the Earth's very core, following co-ordinates provided by Megatron, so the Optimus could use the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to deactivate Unicron, but was nonetheless forced to go along with the plan when Optimus accepted Megatron's offer. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}}

Remaining behind in the base with the kids and unable to contact the Autobots in the planet's depths, Ratchet passed the time telling the humans about the old days when Optimus was known as Orion Pax, and was shocked to discover that Optimus had entrusted Jack with the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] before departing. A final tremor that Ratchet shielded the kids from heralded Autobot victory within the planet, but when Ratchet GroundBridged the others back, they reported that Optimus had lost his memories and left with Megatron. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

Ratchet reasoned that Optimus's amnesia must have been a result of emptying the Matrix, and that the solution involved the Key to Vector Sigma. He started tinkering with the GroundBridge to try and find a way to reach Cybertron, though when frustrations boiled over at their lack of success in getting Optimus back, Jack suggested they might use the Decepticon space bridge instead. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Thought he continued his tinkering with the GroundBridge, Ratchet was demoralized after the first test with Raf's radio-controlled car resulted in the destruction of the toy. The real breakthrough came when Ratchet was able to trade Starscream medical attention for information on the location of the space bridge. Once Ratchet and the others secured the bridge, they sent Jack and Arcee through. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}} Ratchet, Bulkhead and Bumblebee monitored Jack's progress from the Earth end of the space bridge. When Megatron arrived to take back control, Ratchet and the others were tossed around like rag dolls by the Decepticon leader. Luckily for them their plan worked out, and Ratchet and the others returned to base with Optimus Prime restored. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}

[[File:OperationBumblebee2 delirious Ratchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"And if you think that's bad, you should see what I did to Injector!"]]
Optimus and Ratchet followed an ancient signal and tangled with Megatron in the process of retrieving the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]]. After another altercation, Ratchet discovered that Bumblebee's [[transformation cog|T-cog]] was missing. Ratchet was therefore forced to pick Raf up after school, and told the boy the story of how Bumblebee's voice box was damaged. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} Guilty at his inability to do anything, Ratchet offered his own T-cog and, after talking Optimus into letting him do it, selected Arcee to perform the procedure. When he woke up, it was to find that the operation had been aborted, and Bumblebee had gone after MECH. Bumblebee returned with his lost cog, though in a damaged state, and Ratchet was able to repair it enough to restore Bumblebee's ability to transform. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

Ratchet patched up Wheeljack after the Wrecker returned to Earth and was involved in a scrap with [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]. {{storylink|Loose Cannons}} Receiving another coded signal, Ratchet and Bulkhead again found Starscream in need of medical attention. They were able to get information from him about Airachnid's status and the presence of an [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]] on Earth. {{storylink|Crossfire}} When Fowler was attacked by a truck that resembled Optimus, Ratchet tracked Optimus's signal to confirm the offender wasn't their leader. They soon established that the truck in question was a MECH-created clone of Optimus, and Ratchet patched up the Autobots after they defeated Silas and [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]]. {{storylink|Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime}} Ratchet dispatched Optimus, Bumblebee and Arcee to investigate underground activity, and they returned with Airachnid in stasis lock. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}}

Optimus's attempt to attack the ''Nemesis'' with the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]] failed, Ratchet returned the stasis-locked team to base and GroundBridged Fowler and the kids aboard the ship. With his guidance, they were able to shut down the intelligence guiding the ship, and he even stepped aboard himself to retrieve Jack and the [[transfer drive]] full of [[Project Iacon]] data. {{storylink|Flying Mind}}

[[File:Prime-TriageRatchet&Wheeljack.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"Hey Wheeljack, do you think it looks weird when I cross my legs? I mean, I can't help if I have such girly legs."]]
When Optimus decided they would need to secure all four relics at once, Ratchet pointed out that they were short-manned as it was. {{storylink|Tunnel Vision}} He was unimpressed when Optimus decided that Wheeljack would be called in to help him on his part of the mission since he was a capable warrior. {{storylink|Triangulation}} Ratchet disapproved of Wheeljack's behavior as they set off in the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'', particularly being called "Doc". He also was far from impressed with his methods when attacking Soundwave and Laserbeak before they crashed landed. When they noticed the downed Laserbeak nearby, he struck on the idea of implanting a virus into the disabled Laserbeak, which would upload the Iacon database to the Autobots. With Raf's help, Ratchet managed to do so while Wheeljack kept Soundwave occupied, and managed to keep out of sight when Soundwave arrived to retrieve his pet. He attempted to convince Wheeljack to return to base for repairs, and thanked him for his back-up. When he returned to base, he found the virus was downloading the Iacon database into the Autobots' mainframe, but his joy was short-lived, as Bulkhead came flying through the GroundBridge with a smoking back {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}} after being shot by [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]] {{storylink|Toxicity}}

Ratchet worked frantically to stabilize Bulkhead and, with the help of the other Autobots, managed to succeed, though Bulkhead remained comatose. {{storylink|Hurt}} He continued to oversee Bulkhead's recovery, though when Miko started getting too rough with the patient, he insisted on Bulkhead taking a break. {{storylink|Out of the Past}} When Raf found a report of a Cybertronian escape pod, Optimus took a team including Ratchet to investigate. Ratchet was almost slagged by an Insecticon, but newcomer [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] arrived and helped them win. Back at base, Ratchet was left in charge when Optimus went out to retrieve some [[Red Energon]], and Smokescreen talked him into letting the new Autobot go to Optimus's aid with the [[phase shifter]]. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

Bulkhead continued to try to pressure Ratchet into letting him go back out on missions. Ratchet finally gave in during a mission to protect a military base, though rather than sending him to the base, Ratchet sent him to protect Raf, who was hacking into a [[Project Damocles]] satellite. {{storylink|The Human Factor}}

Ratchet chastised Smokescreen when the latter broke cover to scare a human driver. After Optimus Prime opined that Smokescreen needed a human to teach him local customs and rules, Ratchet grumbled in disgust at the idea of ''yet another'' human being included in their ranks, to the uncomfortable silence of the other Autobots. Shortly thereafter, Ratchet detected a homing beacon from an Iacon relic and a team led by Optimus was sent to investigate in [[China]]. However, a second signal was then detected elsewhere, and with Optimus's team unreachable, Smokescreen was sent in their steed. After discovering that the Decepticons have found the legendary [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], Smokescreen was captured and Jack was pursued by Insecticons, but not before he managed to notify Ratchet of their findings, who GroundBridges to Optimus' position to fill him in. After the Autobots returned to base with their new prize, Ratchet sent Jack home at the request of a very angry Arcee and witnessed Optimus Prime enter a trance while communing through the Star Saber with [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|Legacy (episode)|Legacy}}

Ratchet was happy at the news they would soon be able to return home to Cybertron, and when the other Autobots realized they would have to leave their human friends behind, Ratchet suggested they could sent texts. While he worked on a way for Optimus to properly wield the Star Saber, the weapon was later destroyed in battle against Megatron, though Ratchet reminded the other Autobots that Optimus didn't need a sword to be a great warrior. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}} Ratchet found himself busy repairing the other Autobots after a number of failed missions to retrieve Omega Keys and monitored Optimus's work decoding coordinates, though it turned out that the final set were a picture of Smokescreen. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}}

With Smokescreen a prisoner on the Decepticon warship, Ratchet was unable to track him, but once he freed himself, Ratchet provided a GroundBridge back to base. A short time later they were contacted by Starscream, who offered the final key they needed in exchange for the replacement of his T-Cog. Unfortunately it was a trap, and while Optimus, Ratchet and Bulkhead were examining the corpse of one of [[Starscream clone (Prime)|Starscream's clones]], the real Starscream made off with the Omega Keys. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

[[File:DarkestHour-Ratchetleaves.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"And Optimus, before you come back to life, be sure to tell Cliffjumper he still needs to pay his medical bills!"]]

Ratchet was surprised to learn that Optimus had kept the existence of the [[Omega Lock]] a secret from everyone. After Optimus modified the GroundBridge into a space bridge, he sent the other Autobots to Cybertron and monitored their progress, though he had to field a phone call from Jack asking why no one had picked the kids up. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}} He had to field a further call from June Darby, and a power surge that disrupted the base computers. When the Autobots finally returned, it was with the news that the Omega Lock had been destroyed, much to Ratchet's shock. When the Decepticons attacked the base, the Autobots were forced to abandon it, and Ratchet GroundBridged to a location elsewhere in the US. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

[[File:Scattered-Bigfoot.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"If I have to kill humans for beef jerky one more time..."]]
Despondent, Ratchet hid in a scrap yard outside Woodland Park. He was caught on camera, enabling Bumblebee and Raf to track him down, but they were at first unable to convince him to help them fight back. After experiencing a change of heart, he followed them to the ''Harbinger'' to help get the ship working. {{storylink|Scattered}}
He was able to get the ship's GroundBridge working and used the Decepticon frequencies to contact Fowler. The trio were shortly after joined by most of the other surviving Autobots, accompanied by the newly arrived [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}}

Ratchet utilized the GroundBridge and communications systems to lure the Decepticons away from [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]], with the help of the kids. He monitored the Autobot attack on the fortress from the ''Harbinger'', and was thus able to detect the incoming Optimus Prime, shortly before their leader turned up to save the day. The Autobots later assembled at a human military base, and Ratchet assured Smokescreen that he'd made the right choice in repairing Optimus with the Forge. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}} As the others salvaged technology from their old base, Ratchet set about getting it working in their new one and was able to make the GroundBridge functional again. He also restarted his work on Synthetic Energon, though he warned Optimus not to expect too much. {{storylink|Project Predacon}}

Upon Wheeljack’s return to base after a failed mission, Ratchet asked him to accompany Arcee on another errand, lest Ratchet be forced to abandon his work and venture out of his comfort zone. Though Ratchet was later willing to go out to fetch yet another Predacon bone from a museum (albeit grudgingly), agent Fowler informed him that this was unnecessary, as he was more than capable of retrieving it himself. Things went wrong once more, unfortunately, and the Decepticons acquired the fossil once more. {{storylink|Plus One (Prime)|Plus One}}

[[File:PersuasionFaceoff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Look, if you've kidnapped me to ask about Char Gar Gothikon, let me tell you, this is not the craziest thing the fandom has done!]]
While he continued his work, he also had to take time out to repair the other Autobots, such as when Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack came off second-best against [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]]. {{storylink|Evolution}} He did his best to replace Magnus's hand, but was only able to manage a claw. When the Decepticons began stealing technology, the Autobots captured Soundwave, but were unable to make him talk. Ratchet decided he would have to open the Decepticon up to examine his hard drives directly, but Soundwave merely erased the drives and crashed himself. A Decepticon attack on the [[Solaris particle collider]] led Ratchet to believe that the Decepticons intended to repair the Omega Lock, but while the ramifications were still sinking in, Laserbeak reactivated Soundwave with new orders to capture Ratchet. {{storylink|Minus One}} Ratchet awoke on the ''Nemesis'' and was subjected to a cortical psychic patch. Once the Decepticons realized that he had not completed the Synthetic Energon formula, Megatron revealed to him the reason why he had been captured. The threat of harm to the other Autobots was not enough, but when Megatron explained that the Synth-En was needed to restore Cybertron, and showed off the Omega Lock they'd restored, he reluctantly agreed to help. {{storylink|Persuasion}}

[[File:TFP-Synthesis-PredakingandRatchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|Ratchet: "Sean Connery called, he wants his title back." Predaking: "But I ''am'' the last dragon!"]]
With the help of Decepticon engineering, Ratchet completed the formula, but rather than hand Megatron the power to recreate Cybertron, he attempted to destroy it and escape. Unfortunately he was stopped by Megatron, who handed him over to Predaking as a plaything. Though Predaking was keen to avenge his lost species, Ratchet revealed what he'd overheard—that Megatron had allowed the Autobots to find Shockwave's lab. During Predaking's resulting rampage, Ratchet dropped the warship's shields and made contact with the other Autobots to let them know Megatron was planning to cyberform Earth. {{storylink|Synthesis}} Ratchet made his way to the Omega Lock control room, where he did his best to keep Shockwave occupied. He and the others present witnessed Bumblebee kill Megatron, and he was overjoyed to discover that Bumblebee's voice box had been restored as the result of exposure to the Omega Lock. The Autobot took control of the warship and used the Omega Lock to restore Cybertron, however Ratchet opted to remain on Earth to help the humans. {{storylink|Deadlock}}

Ratchet was called to Cybertron to tend to Ultra Magnus, after the Wrecker was wrecked by some new Predacons. When Unicron arrived on the planet using Megatron's body, Ratchet was able to use the ship's sensors to pinpoint Unicron's location, and reveal that the dark god was raising an army of undead Predacons with which to destroy Primus. He was kept out of the battle to save Cybertron, but was present when Optimus sacrificed himself to restore the AllSpark to Cybertron. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

===Titan Magazines ''Prime'' comic===
[[File:Titan4.1 Ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Optimus! Check out my giant shoulder pads!!!]]
In the lower levels of Outpost Omega One, Ratchet constructed a training room he dubbed the [[Safe]], though the inferior Earth materials he was forced to use meant it wasn't as good as it could be. Indeed, Bulkhead began tearing his way merrily through it, only to uncover something Ratchet hadn't found—a nuclear missile while promptly activated. Ratchet and Raf were assigned to deal with the bomb, however as Raf was the expert on Earth technology, Ratchet deferred to him. Luckily Raf managed to reverse the bomb's timer, and Fowler arrived with some scientists to take care of the rest. After Bulkhead apologised to Ratchet for smashing up the room, Ratchet suggested he and Raf design a new Safe. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.1|The Safe and the Failsafe}}

Optimus took the Autobots and the kids on a trip to [[Valley of Fire State Park]]. When Raf impressed the others with his knowledge and worried it made himself sound geeky, Ratchet proclaimed himself Autobot geek and proud. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.2|War Story}}

Ratchet alerted the others to the fact that Fowler was about to arrive at the base, and indeed, Fowler walked in moments later with the news that the Decepticons had hijacked [[Yamal|a nuclear ship]] near [[Antarctica]]. When Optimus, Bumblebee and Ratchet arrived at the ship, they found the crew were unconscious. Ratchet wondered what could have done that, but he was answered moments later by [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], who knocked him out with a [[sonic lance]]. By the time Ratchet recovered, the fight was over, and as they returned to the base, he said he'd be fine so long as he stayed away from any ice. Unfortunately in their absence, the others had turned the base into an ice skating ring, and as soon as he stepped through the GroundBridge, Ratchet ended up flat on his back. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.3|Ice Breaker}}

[[File:Titan4.4 Ratchet.jpg|thumb|270px]]
Raf was playing ''[[Invasionauts II]]'' at the base, Ratchet observed that the alien robots he was fighting in the game looked a lot like Autobots. After the game hypnotised Raf into operating the GroundBridge and letting in Vehicons, Ratchet initially blamed Bulkhead, but helped hold off the Decepticons until Raf recovered and reconfigured the bridge to suck the Vehicons back in. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.4|Tinker, Tailor, Gamer, Spy!}} Ratchet approved of the way Jack was starting to sound as paranoid as him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.5|School Is... Out!}} After the [[President of the United States]] was kidnapped by Starscream, Ratchet and the Autobots tracked the Decepticon to the [[Grand Canyon]]. Ratchet and Bulkhead protected [[Air Force One]] while the others rescued the President. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.6|All the President's 'Bots!}}

When he lost contact with Optimus Prime while their leader was exploring a scrap-metal facility in [[Zhejiang Province]], [[China]], Ratchet dispatched Bulkhead and Arcee to help, but was forced to drop them ten kilometers from the target due to interference. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.8|The Mind Trap!}} Ratchet was forced to GroundBridge [[Novo|Agent Novo]] to China after the MECH operative took Miko hostage. To make up for it, he discovered a way to track [[Miko's phone]], pointing the other Autobots to the location of MECH's base. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.9|The Novo Incident}}

After deploying Optimus's team to the [[Deep Driller]] oil platform, Ratchet monitored the situation from base, and was amused by the sight of Prime and the others being defeated by a bunch of humans in [[robotic battle suit]]s. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.10|Mad Dogs & Autobots}} Ratchet operated the GroundBridge so the other Autobots could take the kids onto the ''Nemesis'' to search for Bulkhead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.11|The Battle for Bulkhead}} During a battle in [[The Wave]], Bumblebee was injured by a sniper, so Ratchet patched him up and sent him back to base with Raf. When the Autobots later returned to base, Ratchet was surprised to find the pair had trashed the place. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.12|The Evil Shred}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.13|Protecting the Lady}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.17|Collider Scope}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.18|Power Outage}}}}

====Ratchet's Joke Page====
At some point Ratchet got a medical degree and began treating human patients. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.8|Issue 4.8}}

===Eaglemoss ''Prime'' comic===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|On Thin Ice}} {{storylink|Sand Trap}} {{storylink|Friend or Foe?}} {{storylink|Horrible TV}} {{storylink|Cell}}}}

===''Rescue Bots'' cartoon===
When three of the [[Rescue Bot]]s were stricken down with a mysterious virus, Optimus consulted Ratchet, who suggested that one of the antidotes from the Rescue Bots' ship would cure it. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (RB)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}} Ratchet later gave the Rescue Bots energon transfusions after they used up their own supply powering the [[Mayor Luskey Dome]]. {{storylink|Today and Forever}}

===''Tales of the Beast Hunters''===
After [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] run into trouble in the [[asteroid belt]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] had Ratchet overload the GroundBridge. Despite protesting, Ratchet succeeded in bridging Optimus to the derelict ship the others were on. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 5}} Once the team successfully returned with mysterious Cybertronian weapons, Ratchet was put to work in his lab trying to make them function. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 7}} [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] managed to retrieve some [[data disc]]s from [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]'s lab, which Ratchet found contained information on Shockwave's cloning process and the weapons Bumblebee had retrieved. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 13}} He eventually managed to unlock the secrets of the weapons and power them up. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 17}} When Bumblebee recovered from the earlier mission, Ratchet assigned him to light duties patrolling with [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 23}}

===''Full of Fire!''===
Ratchet constructed a number of new Beast Hunters weapons for Team Prime, including a [[Dragonshredder Drill]] for himself. He, Bumblebee and Bulkhead went out into a [[New Mexico]] desert with Optimus Prime to test the weapons, and were attacked there by no less than six Predacons. Ratchet quickly brought all of the weapons online, and they proved capable of making the Autobots more than a match for the Predacons. {{storylink|Full of Fire!}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Pursuing the AllSpark after it had been launched into space, Ratchet was one of the many Autobots that found their way to Earth. There, he participated in a great battle within a human settlement against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}
===2015 Robots in Disguise cartoon===
{{spoiler|Decepticon Island (Part 1)|April 23}}
Ratchet remained on Cybertron after Prime's sacrifice and the rebirth of Cybertron. Although he tried to join the reconstruction efforts, he found that the new Cybertronian council blamed Optimus Prime and the Autobots for the planet's destruction. The Council assigned Ratchet the job of hunting down any remaining war criminals. Knowing that this was effectively a banishment -and knowing that protesting would only land him in prison- Ratchet reluctantly accepted. Partnered with the [[Mini-Con]] [[Undertone]], he tracked down and captured rogue Decepticons. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

Some years after Cybertron's rebirth, a statue of Ratchet was constructed in his honor. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}}

Ratchet eventually tracked a Decepticon to Earth, where he ran across [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]]. Shortly afterwards, he encountered Bumblebee and the rest of the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]], including a reborn Optimus Prime. Making his way back to the scrapyard base, he explained the circumstances of his mission to the team, only to be interrupted by the arrival of [[Toolbox]], an escaped Mini-Con. Along with the other Autobots, he decided to take part in the raid on the Decepticon base. He also privately counciled Optimus about whether or not the former Autobot leader should re-take command. The team slipped into the base by masquerading as [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]]'s captives, although they were eventually spotted and surrounded by [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]]'s new army of Decepticon fugitives. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

{{spoiler|Decepticon Island (Part 2)|April 23}}

The team had to split up, and Ratchet found himself fighting alongside [[Drift (RID)|Drift]] and his Mini-Con students against [[Overload (RID)|Overload]]. Ratchet was overpowered by the hulking Decepticon and thrown into a stasis pod, although [[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] and [[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]] released him and [[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]]. Ratchet and Undertone escaped with the other Autobots after Bumblebee and Optimus detonated a [[stasis bomb]] inside the ship. In the aftermath, Ratchet and Undertone decided to return to Cybertron with Windblade to confront Cybertron's government. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 2)}}

===IDW ''Robots in Disguise'' comic===
While struggling to get his team to work together, Bumblebee recalled happier times when he was part of Team Prime with Ratchet. {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 1|Robots in Disguise #1}}

==Commercial appearances==
*After having already been weirded out after Bulkhead broke into a scat in the middle of a carol, {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Carolers1|The Hub Carolers (First spot)}}Ratchet was dismayed as the [[Joker]], a criminal, stole the chorus of [[wikipedia:Jingle Bells|Jingle Bells]] as it was being performed by a group of carolers. This group included [[Bulkhead (Prime)|other]] [[Megatron (WFC)|Transformers]], [[My Little Pony|ponies]], and an [[wikipedia:Strawberry Shortcake|underage baker]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Carolers2|The Hub Carolers (Second spot)}}

*Fowler summoned the Autobots for a vague special mission. When Ratchet inquired if they were to receive back-up, Fowler informed them that [[Batman]] had agreed to team up with them. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Impossibly Awesome|Mission: Impossibly Awesome Marathon}}

*Ratchet presented Bumblebee and Optimus with new secret weapons that the two of them used to mow down legions of Vehicons. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Weaponizers|Weaponizers Commercial}}

*Ratchet took Bumblebee through a tour of the Autobots' armory which culminated in Ratchet presenting [[Optimus Maximus (Prime)|Optimus Maximus]]. The two of them then rode the mech into battle, plowing through ranks of Vehicons. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Optimus Maximus|Optimus Maximus commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
{{voiceactor|[[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)|[[Stefano Albertini]] (Italian)}}
[[File:RatchetWFCScreenshotAttack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Just let me patch you up with my [[Energon repair ray|ENORMOUS HEALING CANNON]]!"]]
During the [[Decepticon]]s' siege of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Ratchet was assigned to Optimus, and helped him rescue a courier named [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who informed Optimus that with the presumed death of [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Zeta Prime]], the Council was putting him in command. The three of them headed back to the command center, receiving a message from [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] that the [[Aerialbot (WFC)|Aerialbots]] were being overwhelmed and needed support. It was decided that the planetary guns, disabled earlier by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron's]] forces, needed to be brought back online. Informing Jetfire that he was taking temporary command, Optimus took Ratchet and Bumblebee with him on the mission, though when Ratchet questioned the "temporary" part, Optimus brushed it aside.

When that mission was completed, they decided their next stop was the [[Decagon]], in order to re-establish communications and coordinate Iacon's defense. Hitting serious resistance, including several [[Decepticon war machine]]s and more than a few damaged lifts which Ratchet puzzled out a way around, they nonetheless prevailed with help from Jetfire and [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]], before reaching the Decagon itself, where they encountered the former Autobot [[Air Commander|Sky Commander]], [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. They managed to defeat him as well and retook the Decagon. He boosted the signal of a message from the captive Zeta Prime and cautioned Optimus not to act as it was clearly a trap.

After Optimus was named the new [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], he went on a mission to free [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s core of Megatron's [[Dark Energon]] corruption. In order to do so, however, he needed to open the [[Omega Gate]], which would require freeing [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] from Decepticon captivity. Omega was still badly damaged from his battle with Megatron's forces, so Optimus called in Ratchet, whom Prime, [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]], and Ironhide protected during his operation to repair Omega Supreme. After the Omega Gate was opened, Ratchet returned to base with Omega, as field repairs could only do so much.

When [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] began destroying fleeing Autobot ships on Megatron's order, Ratchet declared the Decepticon leader completely insane. Once Trypticon fell to the surface from orbit, Ratchet organized the rescue effort. After Trypticon was defeated, he praised Optimus on his success, but the price paid was costly - many Autobots were lost, and those remaining were now forced to abandon Cybertron while the planetary [[Primus|Core]] repaired the damage. Ratchet was one of those who stayed behind with Optimus to resist Megatron's schemes, and to build an ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' to carry them from their home when the time came. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

[[File:WFC Ratchet.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Standing ''near'' ze point does nothing! Get ''on'' ze point, dummkopf!"]]

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron — Autobots''===
[[File:WFCDS Ratchet.jpg|thumb|124px|"Doctor, are you sure this will work?" 
"I HAVE NO IDEA!"]]
When the Decepticons started poking around an Autobot base, Ratchet tracked their search patterns and instructed a [[Autobot rookie|rookie]] on where to go to find whatever it was they were looking for. Ratchet was in the control room to greet the rookie on arrival, and hand him over to [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]] for basic training. Unfortunately the Decepticons destroyed the rookie and found the intel they were after. Following Zeta Prime's capture, the Autobot leader managed to contact Ironhide and Ratchet, but the data links powering the communications grid were severed. Ratchet greeted another rookie, who managed to repair the data links.

Ratchet would go on to become a member of Optimus' inner circle. Following the retaking of Iacon, he reported that the Data-net was back online and Zeta Prime could contact them again. He later worked with Jetfire to analyse core samples, and discovered that the core would be healing itself if it weren't for the influence of the Dark Energon corruptors. Optimus's team successfully freed the core, but the planet was no longer able to sustain them. When Ratchet asked what they'd do, Optimus responded that their new mission was to leave the planet. Ratchet was among the Autobots who defeated Megatron's secret weapon, the monstrous titan Trypticon. Upon Trypticon's defeat, Ratchet left the planet along with Optimus's team. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|War for Cybertron - Autobots/Decepticons}}

===''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures''===
Ratchet attempted to aid and evacuate survivors from an orbital blast form Megatron's new weapon, [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]], when the Decepticon leader tracked him down. After exchanging gunfire, Ratchet was forced onto a ledge, and Megatron tauntingly kicked him off. The Autobot survived the fall, but was pinned down by debris. Fortunately [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] was in the area and came to the rescue. As the two made their trek back to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Ratchet informed Sideswipe that he had information about the Decepticon superweapon that needed to get to Optimus right away... {{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}
{{note|Ratchet is not a playable character; he appears as a boss in the Decepticon campaign, and only in a single cutscene in the Autobot campaign.}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
{{voiceactor|[[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)}}
Ratchet was deeply hurt by the torment of having to watch his home planet power down around him. He recorded several audio logs in order to acknowledge and reflect on the cause of the planet's slow demise, hoping that a future generation would never have to endure such a sight. Ratchet came to fear the very likely reality that the Transformers' war would not end when "all were one" - but rather, due to their own extinction from lack of Energon. It was this need for Energon that forced the Autobots to begin to siphon power from [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]'s inert, but still alive body; a gruesome last resort that shook Ratchet to his core, praying that there was some justification to be found for the Autobots' desperate act.

During the preparations for the Ark's launch, Ratchet worked with Optimus Prime, [[Perceptor (Prime)|Perceptor]], and the other Autobots to recover the energon necessary for lift-off. Grimlock later identified a space bridge for the Autobots to use to escape Cybertron, but upon its' destruction, Ratchet reported that it was becoming unstable and they needed to launch as soon as possible. Thanks to the sacrifice of [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]], they were able to do so immediately, but they came under attack by the ''Nemesis''. When cornered while trying to treat Bumblebee during the initial assault, Ratchet slyly used a flashing beacon to disorient the Decepticons while feigning submission. Ratchet guided Bumblebee through the ''Ark'' until he found the dueling Optimus and Megatron.
{{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

{{note|Ratchet also appears as a playable character in the game's 'Escalation' mode, on the 'Ignition' map. Ratchet fights alongside [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]]. He is the team's [[Medic (FOC)|medic]].}}

=== ''Transformers: Prime - The Game'' ===
[[File:Transformers prime the game ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
{{voiceactor|[[Jeffrey Combs]] (English)}}

When Team Prime mobilized to untether the [[Dark Energon]] meteor that the Decepticons were towing into orbit via the ''Nemesis'', Ratchet per usual stayed behind to run the GroundBridge. When the meteor fell to Earth, taking Team Prime with it, Ratchet left the human allies to man the Bridge in order to retrieve [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], who was the only Autobot whose energy signature they were able to locate... ''before'' Ratchet teleported out, at least.

Ratchet found Prime next to the largest surviving chunk of the meteorite, which also contained the colossus [[Thunderwing (Prime)|Thunderwing]]. The giant awoke, and quickly swatted Ratchet away with its one free arm. Ratchet made his way bac kto the ruins where Optimus and Thunderwing had landed, but the ''Nemesis'' had also arrived and began raining plasma fire into the area to subdue Thunderwing. Optimus and Ratchet bolted for a GroundBridge portal opened by Arcee (as she had luckily fallen close to [[Jasper]] and was able to make it back to the base on-wheel), but stray cannon-fire sent Ratchet flying away once again. The timed portal closed without him, and left Ratchet to be captured by the Decepticons.

On board the ''Nemesis'', Ratchet was forced to repair the giant Thunderwing, as the Decepticons had also kidnapped Miko and Raf and used them as hostages. Ratchet, indignant as always, performed just enough work to look like he was doing what he was told, but spent more time seeking out a weak point in the monster. When Megatron returned with the final major component to bringing Thunderwing back to full power, Ratchet looked to be out of options... until the Decepticon leader was momentarily distracted by the return of Starscream, who himself was being held hostage by Bulkhead. Ratchet took the chance to bolt from his cell and lock Megatron in, making his way through the security system and hordes of Vehicons to free Miko and Raf.

Once the humans were free, they took a service elevator up to the main communications hub of the ''Nemesis'' in order to get word out to the other Autobots, and hopefully use the Decepticon SpaceBridge to escape. After taking out numerous Vehicons, the three made it to the main comm hub, only to find Soundwave at the controls. Raf patched into the room's defense systems to briefly drop energy shielding on four computer towers, allowing Ratchet to destroy them and drop the force field that surrounded the main comm console. Forced to fight one-on-one, Soundwave made clever use of the Space bridge to warp in and out of the control room, but eventually found himself bested by the veteran Autobot and was forced to retreat. Now in control, Ratchet was able to communicate with the other Autobots who had infiltrated the ''Nemesis'', and successfully warped them off the ship as it collapsed due to the damage Thunderwing had caused in his escape.

Back at the base, Ratchet informed the others that he could develop a siphon that could drain at least some of Thunderwing's Dark Energon, hopefully weakening the beast enough to allow them to destroy him. He stayed behind to work on the device as Bumblebee, Arcee and Bulkhead mobilized near a Dark Energon volcano that Thunderwing was headed towards. Ratchet was forced to bring the incomplete device with him to the volcano upon Thunderwing's arrival. He informed the other Autobots that due to the short amount of time he had to work on it, the siphon would only be truly effective if it was practically ''inside'' Thunderwing. Things looked hopeless until stowaways Miko and Jack piped up, Miko showing the Autobots a [[Miko's phone|cell phone picture]] of a break in Thunderwing's chest armor that Ratchet had never repaired... a break just big enough for a human to fit into. Though reluctant to put the humans at risk, Ratchet handed over the siphon to Jack, who rode Arcee to the beast, and successfully installed the siphon, allowing Optimus Prime to finish Thunderwing once and for all. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime - The Game}}

{{note|Ratchet is only playable in a single stage of Story Mode: "The Escape!". He is available as a playable character in the game's multi-player battle modes from the start, however. 
In this game, Ratchet oddly does not have his blades. Instead, when he enters his "upgrade" mode, he deploys a massive wrench from his left wrist socket (seriously, it's as big as his forearm!) which he uses to clobber opponents. This is also the only time we see Prime-cartoon-era Ratchet employ a blaster for combat.}}
{{--}}

===''Hunt the Beasts'' online game===
Ratchet enlisted [[you]] for a top secret mission; you were to infiltrate Shockwave's lab and retrieve data on Shockwave's experiments, the Predacons. Ratchet instructed you to scour the lab for the data, and report back to him immediately upon its discovery. Throughout your investigation, Ratchet would aid you to overcome many obstacles with his instructions, such as how to rewire the controls to a busted lift, or turn on the Energon stabilization protocols. Once the data on the Predacons has been gathered, Ratchet informed you that the Autobots would prepare for the looming threat of the Predacons with new weapons called "[[Beast Gear]]." He then uploaded data on the Autobots to keep you informed on their Predacon-battling capabilities, and thanked you for your service. {{storylink|Hunt the Beasts}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense''===
Ratchet discovered a way to send Autonomous Defense Turrets through the Ground Bridge. He shipped these out to the battle whenever other Autobots in combat situations requested them. He also walked through the other Autobots through their missions while he stayed behind at Autobot headquarters, coordinating their efforts. He would also occasionally send Energon to the Autobots in the field when he detected an incoming threat that was particularly imposing. {{Storylink|Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense|Terrorcon Defense}}

===''Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense''===
When the Decepticons constructed an [[Energon Drain]] in an asteroid field, Ratchet and the Autobots countered it by building a [[Pulsar Dish]] from debris. While the dish was under construction, Ratchet could help out by repairing damage dealt to the dish by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Universe''===
[[File:Tu-character-art ratchet.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Either he has an identity crisis, or he still doesn't know which medical center this vehicle form belongs to!]]
Prowl revealed that Ratchet built the groundbridge in [[High Grand]] {{storylink|Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe Autobot tutorial}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
====Console====
{{Charstubgames}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark (console)}}

===''Transformers: Robots in Disguise''===
{{charstubgames}}{{storylink|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|Robots in Disguise (mobile game)}}

==Games==
===''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game===
{{charstubgames}}{{storylink|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game}}

==Toys==
===Cyberverse===
[[File:Cyberverse legion ratchet.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Let's go practice medicine.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Cyberverse Legion, 2012)
**''Series / Number:'' '''2 / 004'''
**''Japanese Number:'' '''EZ-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Battle blade

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' [[Cyberverse#Series 2|Cyberverse]] Legion Class toys, "Autobot Ratchet" transforms into an emergency vehicle, and comes with a translucent battle blade weapon. It can peg via its numerous [[C joint|3mm post]]s onto his robot hands, arms/vehicle sides, and robot back/vehicle roof. Early versions of the mold oddly lacked an actual face but a [http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/cyberverse-prime-ratchet-receives-an-update-aka-hasbro-i-needed-that-t86206s400.php running change] finally gave him one.

:His blade, in the same color, is also used by Cyberverse [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#Cyberverse|Cliffjumper]] and ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Mirage (Movie)#Cyberverse|Mirage]], while a green version is used by [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#CyberverseQuickblade|Quickblade Bumblebee]], and a purple version is used by [[Knock Out (Prime)#CyberverseSingle|Knock Out]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/LegRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Cyberverse Legion Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EZ6pack}}
[[File:PrimeEZCollectionAutobotSet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Doctor is credit to team!]]
*'''Autobot Set''' (EZ Collection 6-pack, [[November 24|11-24]]-2012)
**''ID number'': '''EZ-SP1'''
**''Accessories'': Battle blade

: This version of Ratchet was only available in a TakaraTomy ''[[EZ Collection]]'' six-pack with [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#EZ6pack|Bumblebee]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)#EZ6pack|Bulkhead]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#EZ6pack|Optimus Prime]], [[Arcee (WFC)#EZ6pack|Arcee]], and [[Wheeljack (Prime)#EZ6pack|Wheeljack]].

: This release utilizes the version of the mold with a face.

{{-}}

===Prime===
{{anchor|Deluxe}}
[[File:PrimeRID-RatchetDeluxe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|And that's how he lost his medical license.]]
[[File:Prime-toy RatchetTakTom.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|With all those craters on him, he'll probably need to see a dermatologist.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2012)
**''Series / Number'': '''1 / 006'''
**''Japanese release date:'' '''[[March 31|3-31]]-2012'''
**''Japanese number:'' '''AM-04'''
**''Accessories:'' Dual Battle Blades (Hasbro only), "R.A." Arms Micron (TakaraTomy only)

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Robots in Disguise (2012)|Prime: Robots in Disguise]]'' Deluxe Class toys, this larger-scale version of Ratchet has a "dramatic head reveal" [[gimmick]], with his [[robot mode]] head being spring-loaded to pop up once his "backpack" is pulled down. He features [[5mm post|5mm peg-holes]] for his hands, a pair on his front bumpers/shins, and a pair on his vehicle roof.

:He comes with a pair of battle blades that can mount/be held via 5mm post, and his hands can be swung down at the wrist to give the appearance of the blades sprouting out of his wrists, as seen in the cartoon. The blades can mount into the peg-holes on his front bumper, creating a battle mode, and the blades can store on tabs underneath his vehicle.

:His [[instructions]] depict an alternate head apparently intended for an as-yet-unreleased Gears. The sculpt was used as the basis for ''Prime'' [[Swerve (Prime)|Swerve]].

: The Japanese release of Ratchet, part of the very first assortment of [[TakaraTomy]] ''Prime'' toys, omits an incredible number of [[paint operation]]s, replacing them with customer-applied foil [[sticker]]s. (On the other hand, this ''does'' give him his "lifeline" decoration missing from the [[Hasbro]] version.) As part of the "[[Arms Micron]]" gimmick, six 5mm peg-hole attachment points have been glued onto him (as opposed to having existing parts specifically [[retool]]ed to include them like many other toys in the line) on his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] roof, doors, and side-panels, which respectively end up on his legs, forearms, and shoulders. The Hasbro version's twin blades have been replaced by the Arms Micron, [[R.A.#Toys|R.A.]], who transforms into a considerably larger version of one of the blades, and can still work as a "wrist-mounted" weapon.

: Ratchet was redecoed into [[Transformers (2014 toyline)|2014 ''Transformers'']] [[First Aid (G1)#Transformers (2014)|Protectobot First Aid]] and retooled into [[BotCon 2014]] [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm More information on ''Robots in Disguise'' Ratchet at TFU.info]''

::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-1464.html Arms Micron Ratchet at Alfes's blog]''

{{-}}

===Beast Hunters===
{{anchor|BHDeluxe}}
[[File:BHtoy Deluxe Ratchet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Alright, who's ready for some <s>precision</s> surgery?"]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2013)
**''Series / Number'': '''2 / 010'''
**''Accessories:'' Dragonshredder Drill

: Part of the third wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime:]] [[Beast Hunters]]'' Deluxe Class toys, "Autobot Ratchet" is a [[redeco]] and extensive retool of the "Robots in Disguise" Deluxe Class Autobot Ratchet toy, transforming into a heavily modified rescue vehicle that's covered with spikes, features an exposed engine block on its hood, and has a sculpted rocket booster at the back. He retains the peg-holes at the usual places, and gains additional peg-holes at the back and near the rear wheels. He now comes with the "[[Dragonshredder Drill]]", which spins when the plunger to the side is pushed, and mounts via 5mm post. The halves of the drill can be pulled open to reveal a quad-barreled cannon inside. His head and chest greatly resemble ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Dinobot II]], while his "Dragonshredder Drill" is reminiscent of the [[Dinobot (BW)#Beast Wars|original Dinobot toy's]] [[Cyber-slash tail weapon]].

: His instructions include the [[Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 13|thirteenth chapter]] of the ''[[Tales of the Beast Hunters]]'' series.

: This toy is also the basis for the fiction-only "[[Alone Together]]" version of [[Jawbreaker]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm More information on ''Beast Hunters'' Ratchet at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Go!===
[[File:Transformers-Go-G09-Hunter-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I healed ze man who vill kill you!]]
*'''Hunter Ratchet''' ([[August 31|08–31]]–13)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''G19'''
**''Accessories:'' Drill

:Part of the fourth wave of TakaraTomy ''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (toyline)|Go!]]'' toys, Hunter Ratchet is a green, black, and translucent-red redeco of the ''Beast Hunters'' Deluxe Class Ratchet toy. Unusually, he's identified as a Decepticon, complete with [[insignia]]! According to a translated version of the bio, Ratchet was captured by the Decepticons, and forcibly exposed to Dark Energon thus mutating him into a Decepticon.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/HunterRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Hunter Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Robots in Disguise (2015)===
{{note|Virtually every ''Robots in Disguise (2015)'' toy in this list has a scannable [[insignia]] sticker on it. For [[Hasbro]] releases, it temporarily unlocks that toy as a playable character in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game]], and can only be scanned once per day. It's honestly quicker and less redundant to say which toys '''don't''' have this feature.}}
[[File:RID2015-Legion-Class-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Guess they didn't teach you to duck in Doctor school!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Legion, 2016)
:Legion Class Ratchet is a retool of [[Strongarm (RID)#Legion Class|Legion Class Strongarm]], sporting a new head and torso. Curiously, these new parts are based on his ''Prime'' character model, rather than his new on-screen ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' design.

:His scannable Autobot insignia is on his drivers-side door in vehicle mode, becoming his left arm in robot mode.

{{-}}{{anchor|WarriorClass}}
[[File:RID2015-Warrior-Class-Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I'm the first of the new RID do-it-yourself customization kits!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Warrior, 2016)
**''Accessories'': 2 pistols
:Warrior Class Ratchet is a retool of [[Strongarm (RID)#Warrior_Class|Warrior Class Strongarm]], giving him an entirely new ambulance alternate mode and a significantly altered robot mode. He includes a pair of [[5mm post|5mm]] pistol accessories. Ratchet also features a faux front window on his robot mode chest.

:His scannable Autobot insignia is on his robot-mode chestplate.

{{comingsoontoy}}{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Mcdonald's===
[[File:Primetoy-RatchetHappyMeal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|The stickers are good practice for the Arms Micron version.]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Happy Meal, 2012)
:*''McNumber:'' '''7'''
:Happy Meal Ratchet is a non-transformable emergency vehicle! Pushing on the back of his roof reveals the base of a cannon, and pressing the Autobot symbol on the roof causes the short barrel of the cannon to pop out. Ratchet (not "Autobot Ratchet", despite claim of trademark!) also comes with a sheet of stickers to complete his deco. Since the cannon gimmick and the "mCODE" coupon use up both sides of the usual instructions sheet, the sticker placement instructions are printed on the back of the sticker sheet itself. Efficient, but not terribly user-friendly!

===Eaglemoss cards===
{{charstubtoys}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:VectorSigmaBotBuilderRatchet.jpg|thumb|I'm feeling sad and blue.]]
*Ratchet's model is usable in ''War for Cybertron'' multiplayer as the Medic Rig-type chassis for [[Leader (WFC)|Leader]]-class characters. His parts are also available in ''Fall of Cybertron'', now classified as Mercenary-type components for [[Destroyer (FOC)|Destroyer]]-class characters.
*''Transformers'' alumnus [[Michael Bell]] originally auditioned for the part of Ratchet in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', but ultimately lost the role to [[Jeffrey Combs]].
*In a number of episodes, mostly written by [[Nicole Dubuc]], Ratchet's equipment gets damaged by a fellow Autobot, prompting him to utter ''"I NEEDED THAT!"'' each time.
*His license plate number in "[[Stronger, Faster]]" is '''449 EPQ'''.
*Ratchet's body parts are available to use in the Hub website's [[Vector Sigma Bot Builder]] online game. Normally, you cannot configure a generic 'bot using all Ratchet parts, but you can see what one would look like at right through the magic of Photoshop.
*With the exceptions of Optimus and Bumblebee, Ratchet was the only Autobot to make a reappearance in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015)]]'', from the previous show, "Transformers Prime".

{{-}}
===Arms Up Modes===
In the Japanese ''Prime'' toyline, Ratchet has several powered-up modes when given various [[Arms Micron]]s in certain configurations:

[[File:DarknessRising4 CybSat-RatchetAntiTerror.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"I am ze ÜBERMENSCH!"]]

*'''Destroy Mode''' (デストロイモード ''Desutoroi Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': B.2, C.L., O.P., R.A.
: Ratchet's rather uncharacteristically-named "Destroy Mode", as seen on his box-back photo, uses a combined-weapon made up of [[R.A.]] and [[B.2]] in his right hand, [[O.P.]] on his left arm, and [[C.L.]] on his left leg.

*'''''Sekkensenrenzan'' Mode''' (接近戦連斬モード ''Sekkensenrenzan Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': C.L., Gora, O.P. (x2), R.A. (x2)
:Meaning "Close-combat Multi-slash Mode", and revealed in the "[[From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division|Cybertron Satellite]]" segment from "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4|Infiltration Transformation! Battleship Nemesis]]", this "Anti-Terrorcon" mode is... just ''brutal''. He's got an R.A. on each forearm, with an O.P. attached to the back of each, with [[Gora]] (?) on his right leg, and C.L. on his left.

*'''Stealth Mode''' (ステルスモード ''Sterusu Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': R.A. (x4!), Zori (x2)
:''Four'' R.A.s are joined to create a super-large [[shuriken]]-like weapon that stores on Ratchet's back. A pair of [[Zori]]s hang from Ratchet's shoulders, with the claw-tails hanging down to create a "cloak of invisibility". This mode is for "stealthily backing up Optimus Prime and the others", according to the [http://youtu.be/QJUMhgggH-Q TakaraTomy developer video where it premiered], hosted by TakaraTomy designer [[Hironori Kobayashi]].
:There is also a variant configuration, '''Defense Mode''', which opens up the panels on Ratchet's arms and moves the Zoris to the "wrist-mounted blade" positions, which cross in an "X" in front of Ratchet as a stealth shield.
:Kobayashi also made custom carbon-black stickers for Ratchet's shoulders and chest, and in the video shows viewers how to customize their own stickers.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Ratchet''' (ラチェット ''Rachetto'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Jiùhùchē''' (救护车, "Ambulance")
*''Russian:'' '''Khrapovik''' (Храповик, "Ratchet")

[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Medics]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Universe game Autobots]]
[[Category:Rise of the Dark Spark Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2015) Autobots]]

Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)

2016-01-29T04:08:39Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Cast */

{{disambig3.5|the 2015 cartoon|the 2001 cartoon|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise}}
{{Nav-Rid2015}}
[[File:TFRID2015promoposter.jpg|300px|thumb|Hopefully we won't be calling it "''Transformers: [[Cartoon Network|Cancelled]]''" within a year or two...]]
'''''Transformers: Robots in Disguise''''' is an animated television series that premiered on [[Cartoon Network]]<ref>[http://investor.hasbro.com/social/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=874978 Cartoon Network Becomes the Home of Hasbro Studios' Newest Series, Transformers: Robots in Disguise]</ref> in the United States on [[March 14]] 2015.<ref>[http://www.tvinsider.com/article/472/cartoon-network-gears-up-for-transformers-robots-in-disguise/ Cartoon Network Gears Up for Transformers: Robots in Disguise]</ref> Set years after ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', it will follow [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] as he leads a ragtag group of [[Autobot]]s back to [[Earth]], pursuing a [[Decepticon]] prison ship that has crash-landed on the planet.

Crew members returning from ''Prime'' include executive producer [[Jeff Kline]] and writer [[Steven Melching]], now story editor, and [[Mairghread Scott]], serving as Script Coordinator/Writer’s Assistant<ref>[http://mscottwrites.tumblr.com/post/93785539366/out-of-curiousity-are-you-going-to-be-part-of-the/ Mairghread's Tumblr Post]</ref>. [[Adam Beechen]] will serve as the producer. [[Kevin Manthei]] and [[Kevin Kiner]] are serving as series composers.<ref>[http://kevinmantheimusic.tumblr.com/post/93347443424/the-secret-project-i-announced-earlier-can-be Kevin Manthei's Tumblr post]</ref> Once again, [[Polygon Pictures]] are handling the animation.<ref>[https://twitter.com/da_shooz/statuses/477375126682341376 Tweet by Polygon Pictures CEO Shuzo Shiota]</ref>

The show made its worldwide debut in late December 2014, with the first 13 episodes released as pay-to-view content on Chinese video streaming website [http://www.1905.com M1905].

In September 2015, Hasbro announced a second season of the show. <ref> [http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/52681 MIPJunior Spotlight: Hasbro Studios] </ref> Some interviews have hinted that more characters from ''Prime'' will return in the show's second season.<ref name="SDCC 2014">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/san-diego-comic-con-33/sdcc-2014-hasbro-transformers-panel-pics-part-2-robots-in-disguise-180790/ SDCC 2014 Hasbro Transformers Panel Pics Part 2 - Robots in Disguise]</ref>

==Story==
When the Autobot prison ship ''[[Alchemor]]'' crashes on [[Earth]] near [[Crown City]], its cargo of [[stasis pod]]s carrying several hundred of the most-wanted [[Decepticon]]s is scattered around the countryside, releasing their contents. The [[Mini-Con]] [[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]] sends a mayday, however on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], now working as a street cop for the repopulated planet, is instead alerted by a vision of [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]. Optimus gives Bumblebee a new mission on Earth, sending the young Autobot to the nearest [[space bridge]]. Bumblebee unwillingly finds himself accompanied to Earth by his cop partner [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]] and the delinquent [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]]. Joined by the ex-Decepticon prisoner [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]], and two [[human]]s — [[Denny Clay]], owner of a [[Vintage Salvage Depot for the Discriminating Nostalgist]] (a scrapyard) and his son [[Russell Clay|Russell]], and later bounty hunter [[Drift (RID)|Drift]], his two Mini-Cons [[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] and [[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]] are added to the team — Bumblebee and his team must track down the escaped prisoners and prevent harm coming to Earth or its native population. Chief among the threats poised by the Decepticons is the charismatic [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]], who seeks to organize the escaped prisoners into an effective cabal to conquer the planet.

==Cast==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
'''The Bee Team'''
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] ([[Will Friedle]])
*[[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] ([[Darren Criss]])
*[[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]] ([[Mitchell Whitfield]])
*[[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]] ([[Constance Zimmer]])
*[[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] ([[Khary Payton]])
*[[Drift (RID)|Drift]] ([[Eric Bauza]])
**[[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] ([[Roger Craig Smith]])
**[[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]] (Roger Craig Smith)
*[[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]] ([[Kristy Wu]])
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
'''Others'''
*[[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] ([[Arif S. Kinchen]])
|c2=
'''Steeljaw's Pack'''
*[[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] ([[Troy Baker]])
*[[Underbite (RID)|Underbite]] ([[Liam O'Brien]])
*[[Thunderhoof]] ([[Frank Stallone]])
*[[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]] ([[Jim Cummings]])
*[[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]] ([[Kevin Pollak]])
**[[Airazor (RID)|Airazor]] (Roger Craig Smith)
**[[Divebomb (RID)|Divebomb]] (Khary Payton)
'''Others'''
*[[Hammerstrike (RID)|Hammerstrike]] ([[David Kaye]])
*[[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]] (Khary Payton)
*[[Chop Shop (RID)|Chop Shop]] ([[David Hunt]])
*[[Terrashock]] ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*[[Filch]] (Constance Zimmer)
*[[Minitron]]
*[[Springload (RID)|Springload]] ([[John Steven Rocha]])
*[[Ped (RID)|Ped]] ([[Eddie Deezen]])
*[[Quillfire]] ([[Andy Milder]])
*[[Malodor]] ([[Daniel Roebuck]])
**[[Skunkticon]]s
*[[Nightstrike]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Vertebreak (RID)|Vertebreak]] ([[Charlie Schlatter]])
*[[Octopunch (RID)|Octopunch]] ([[Ted Biaselli]])
*[[Groundpounder (RID)|Groundpounder]] ([[John DiMaggio]])
**[[Headlock (RID)|Headlock]] (Eric Bauza)
*[[Kickback (FOC)|Kickback]] (Liam O'Brien)
*[[Scowl (RID)|Scowl]] ([[Mark Hildreth]])
*[[Razorpaw]]
*[[Zizza]] ([[Jackée Harry]])
*[[Pseudo]] (Eric Bauza)
*[[Overload (RID)|Overload]]
**[[Ransack (RID Mini-Con)|Ransack]]
**[[Backtrack (RID)|Backtrack]]

|c3=
'''Main Cast'''
*[[Russell Clay]] ([[Stuart Allan]])
*[[Denny Clay]] ([[Ted McGinley]])
'''Others'''
*[[Butch (RID)|Butch]] (Will Friedle)
*[[Hank]] ([[Bailey Gambertoglio]])
*[[Arnold]] (Troy Baker)
*[[Morton]]
*[[Larry LaRue]] ([[John Katovsich]])
*[[Bob (RID)|Bob]] (Will Friedle)
*[[Tour boat captain]] (Kevin Pollak)
*[[Ziegler]] (Eric Bauza)
*[[Casey (RID)|Casey]] ([[Kate Bond]])
*[[Farnum]] (John DiMaggio)

|h4=[[Thirteen]]|c4=
*[[Micronus Prime|Micronus]] ([[Adrian Pasdar]])
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus / The Fallen]] ([[Gil Gerard]])
*[[Vector Prime]] (Troy Baker)
|nonumbering=true}}

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Robots in Disguise (2015) episodes}}
{{collist|2|
#"[[Pilot (Part 1)]]"
#"[[Pilot (Part 2)]]"
#"[[Trust Exercises]]"
#"[[More than Meets the Eye (RID)|More than Meets the Eye]]"
#"[[W.W.O.D.?]]"
#"[[As the Kospego Commands!]]"
#"[[Collect 'Em All]]"
#"[[True Colors]]"
#"[[Rumble in the Jungle]]"
#"[[Can You Dig It?]]"
#"[[Adventures in Bumblebee-Sitting!]]"
#"[[Hunting Season]]"
#"[[Out of Focus]]"
#"[[Sideways (episode)|Sideways]]"
#"[[Even Robots Have Nightmares]]"
#"[[Some Body, Any Body]]"
#"[[One of Our Mini-Cons Is Missing]]"
#"[[Deep Trouble (RID)|Deep Trouble]]"
#"[[The Champ]]"
#"[[The Trouble with Fixit]]"
#"[[Lockout]]"
#"[[Similarly Different]]"
#"[[The Buzz on Windblade]]"
#"[[Ghosts and Impostors]]"
#"[[Battlegrounds, Part 1]]"
#"[[Battlegrounds, Part 2]]"
}}
===Shorts===
*"[[Fixit Jam]]"
*"[[To Catch a Phrase]]"
*"[[Sticky Situation]]"
*"[[Carjacked]]"
*"[[Perfect]]"
*[[Cyclone]]s shorts:
**"[[Knock Knock]]"
**"[[The Power of Dibs]]"
**"[[Back and Forth]]"
**"[[The Tragedy of Slipstream]]"
**"[[A Level Playing Field]]"
**"[[Two Plus Two Equals More]]"

==Japanese release==
[[Image:TransformersAdventureJapaneseLogo.jpg|center|300px|]]

Re-titled '''''Transformers Adventure''''' (トランスフォーマーアドベンチャー, ''Toransufōmā Adobenchā''), the series airs on the satellite network [[Animax]] with a Sunday, 9am timeslot. ''Adventure'' is the first Transformers cartoon to be relegated directly to satellite since ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)#Japanese release|Beast Wars Returns]]''. It premiered on [[March 15]], 2015... only a ''day'' after the US premiere.

The localization for the series is headed by [[Kei'ichirō Miyoshi]], who headed the localization of the [[live-action film series|live-action ''Transformers'' films]] for Japanese markets. This also makes ''Adventure'' the first American ''Transformers'' cartoon to be released in Japan ''without'' the oversight of [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]] since [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1]]. While an effort is made to emulate the dubbing style of Iwanami, which has become synonymous with Transformers cartoons in Japan, the adlibbing is not nearly as extensive and fourth wall-breaking humor is non-existent.

Since ''Adventure'' airs on a satellite network and not a broadcast network, it is not edited for time like previous ''Transformers'' cartoons. The episodes are fully uncut and feature extended opening and ending sequences. The [[title sequence]] is comprised mostly of clips from episodes, but new animation (mostly group shots) is provided by [[LandQ Studio]]. The end credits sequence features a newly animated "stage performance" from the cast ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZE2jqYoTTc which really must be seen to be believed]), animated by [[Nakano Design]].

As is rather well-known, ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)#Japanese release|Transformers: Prime]]'' did not complete its run in Japan, ending at 52 episodes. To date, Japanese audiences have not received the ''[[Beast Hunters]]'' episodes or the ''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]'' film. Thus far, the series has not altered the scripts to account for this, although ''Adventure'' is mostly being played as a separate entity from ''Prime''.

Animax airs the episodes using the Australian broadcast order rather than the US order, which is actually the incorrect continuity sequence. As a result, "[[Sideways (episode)|Sideways]]" aired before "[[Out of Focus]]".

The [[theme song]] for the series is "[[Save the Future!!]]" by [[Mitsuhiro Oikawa]] and the ending theme is "[[Try☆Transformers Adventure↑↑↑]]" performed by the primary cast of the show (Bumblebee, Strongarm, Sideswipe, Fixit, Grimlock and Optimus Prime).

==Notes==
*The first 13 episodes were released with Mandarin Chinese dubs on [[December 31]], [[2014]] in mainland China, but not Hong Kong. The episodes were made available on website 1905.com, with five-minute previews being free and the whole episodes available until [[January 15]] for CNY/RMB ¥19.5, which is around USD$3-4. [[You]] could even win a "fabulous" assortment of Hasbro toys (legion class) and a RMB¥30 digital coupon if you paid for the episodes!
*The show would go on to premiere on Canal J in France, Cartoon Network in Australia and New Zealand, Biggs in Portugal, and Cartoon Network in Hungary before the USA airings began.
*While it's possibly a coincidence, this series features [[Decepticon|antagonists]] with animal-like forms for the [[Autobot]]s to fight, much like the series' [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|2001 namesake predecessor]] and its featured [[Predacon (RID)|villains]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers Adventure''''' (トランスフォーマーアドベンチャー ''Toransufōmā Adobenchā'')
*''Czech:'' '''''Transformers: Roboti v utajení''''' ("Transformers: Robots in Disguise")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers Robots in Disguise : Mission Secrète''''' ("Transformers Robots in Disguise: Secret Mission")
*''German:'' '''''Transformers: Getarnte Roboter''''' ("Transformers: Disguised Robots")
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Lǐngxiù De Tiǎozhàn''''' (变形金刚：领袖的挑战, "Transformers: Leader's Challenge")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Roboty pod prikrytiyem''''' (Трансформеры: Роботы под прикрытием, "Transformers: Robots in Disguise")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/hasbro-to-launch-transformers-robots-in-disguise-series-in-spring-2015-exclusive-1201219103/ ''Variety: Hasbro to Launch ‘Transformers: Robots in Disguise’ Show in Spring 2015'']
*[https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=683133768423487 SDCC footage]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)}}
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2015) media| ]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)

2015-12-04T04:08:27Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Main cast */

{{nav-rotf}}
[[File:ROTFteaserposter.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me.]]
{{quote|We had three weeks to get our story and, really, we were going into the movie without a script. It’s tough to do that.|[[Michael Bay]], [http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/01/14/michael-bay-ready-to-make-you-forget-transformers-2-it-was-kind-of-a-mess/ LA Times interview]}}

'''''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen''''' is the second film in the [[live-action film series]], a sequel to ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''. It was released in North America on [[June 24]], [[2009]].

The film is set two years after the events of ''Transformers''. The Autobots have found a home in "NEST", a secret military unit created to eliminate the remaining Decepticons, and Sam is starting college and trying to leave his Transformer-laden past behind. The Decepticons are regrouping, however. Megatron is restored to life, and his master, The Fallen, schemes to activate an energon-producing Star Harvester on Earth, which will destroy the planet and provide the Decepticons with enough energon to raise an army. The Harvester's location, and the means to activate it, are hidden within Sam's mind, leading the Decepticons to wage war across the Earth as they hunt down the human. Witwicky turns to some unlikely allies to escape and survive. Ultimately, the last of the Primes defeats The Fallen, destroys the Harvester, and proves the Autobots' greatest power is found in their unexpectedly-ancient alliance with the humans.

Director [[Michael Bay]] set out to greatly expand the film's scope with settings ranging across the globe, and a much larger cast of Transformers, with over 40 robots in all.

::::::::::::::::::::{{bigquote|Revenge is mine!|The Fallen}}

==Synopsis==
In 17,000 B.C., a group of human hunters discover Transformers already on Earth, building [[Star Harvester|a machine]]. [[The Fallen|One of the Transformers]] notices the humans, and his reaction is less than friendly.

Two years after the battle of [[Mission City]], the Autobots have teamed up with the American soldiers, including [[William Lennox|Lennox]] and [[Robert Epps|Epps]], in a secret team named [[NEST]] under the command of the [[United States military|US military]], but also incorporating soldiers from other countries such as the United Kingdom. Officially, the US government still keeps the Transformers' existence a secret.

[[File:ROTF-Arceethree.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Well, I guess you don't know everything about women yet.]]

NEST is hunting down the Decepticons on Earth. A region of [[Shanghai]], [[China]] is evacuated to allow NEST to deploy with a cover-up of a toxic chemical spill occurring. As soldiers probe the region, they find the heat signature of the Decepticon [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]], who transforms and wreaks havoc on the roadways. His discovery prompts his partner, [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]], to escape as well. Sideways is pursued by [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], Skids, and Mudflap, although Sideswipe, waiting for the Decepticon, eventually slices him lengthwise in half. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] is airlifted to Shanghai and chases Demolishor through the city with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. Optimus shoots Demolishor several times in the head, while Ironhide shoots out his wheels, causing him to crash and fall off a bypass, badly injuring himself in the process. Before Optimus kills him, Demolishor delivers the cryptic message: "The Fallen shall rise again."

[[File:ROTF Sam Cube fragment.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|You will go to the Dagobah system. There you will learn from Yoda.]]

Meanwhile, [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam Witwicky]] is preparing for his move to college and dealing with his bipolar mother. His father is looking forward to enjoying a holiday in Paris, and [[Mojo]] has a new canine companion named [[Frankie]]. Sam is on the phone to his rather snarky girlfriend, when he finds a splinter of the [[AllSpark]] lodged in his "D-Day shirt". He experiences a brief flash of images before the splinter burns him. Dropping it, Sam sees the floor catch fire as the splinter burns its way down to the kitchen, where it brings numerous kitchen devices to life. These [[appliancebot]]s make their way to Sam's room and attack. He escapes to the garden, where the bots pin Sam and his father behind the water fountain. After [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] has destroyed the kitchen robots (and part of the Witwickys' house with them), Sam hands the AllSpark shard to [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]]. His mother demands Bumblebee leaves. Sam then tells Bumblebee to join the other Autobots, as both of them need to move on. Sam and Mikaela have a slight scuffle over who should say the words "I love you" first, but they kiss and move on. Sam leaves for college, and no one notices a [[Wheelie (ROTF)|toy car]] in the lawn. It detects the splinter and signals [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], who is stationed in orbit around Earth, disguised as a satellite, and Soundwave orders the truck to follow the girl.

Meanwhile, NEST is in a video briefing with [[Morshower|General Morshower]], Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when they are visited by National Security Adviser [[Theodore Galloway]], who has been dispatched to relay the President's concerns over the casualties in Shanghai. As Optimus relays the warning of "The Fallen", Soundwave takes control of the satellite transmitting the message. Galloway dismisses the threat, convinced that the only reason the Decepticons are interested in Earth is because of the presence of the Autobots. Therefore, he suggests that they may leave the planet. Optimus says that, yes, they will, but also warns Galloway that he may be wrong. During the conversation, Galloway reveals the location of the AllSpark shard Optimus Prime had picked up after killing [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], and the location of Megatron's remains in the [[Laurentian Abyss]].

Sam arrives at college with his parents and meets his roommate, [[Leo Spitz]], who operates a [[The Real Effing Deal|conspiracy website]] and is convinced that alien robots are hiding on Earth. Sam feigns ignorance and goes to see if he can get another room, but his hunt is interrupted by his father and mother, the latter of whom has unwittingly purchased some marijuana-laced brownies. In the corridor, Leo points out [[Alice]], another student he has the hots for. Sam is more concerned with tracking down his mother, who by now is roaming the school, informing random people about the state of Sam's virginity.

Soundwave dispatches his minion [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] to Earth, where he infiltrates the NEST base on [[Diego Garcia]]. Ravage horks a swarm of [[Microcon (ROTF)|microcons]] into an ventilation outlet, and they swarm down to the chamber where the AllSpark shard is being held. There they combine into [[Reedman]], who steals the shard and joins Ravage in a rapid escape.

Although he's due to have a webcam date with Mikaela, Sam is dragged to at a frat party by Leo. He suffers some sort of attack, seeing [[Cyberglyphics|alien symbols]] which he is trying to write on a table with cake icing when he's approached by Alice, who attempts to seduce him. When Bumblebee shows up, she takes a ride with Sam, but Bumblebee does everything he can to convince her to leave, up to and including spraying her with an [[lubricant|unidentifiable yellow liquid]]. Bumblebee then takes Sam to Optimus Prime, who tells him of the theft of the AllSpark shard and asks Sam to speak with the government on their behalf. Sam refuses, saying that he has his own problems and does not believe that he is the right person for this task.

[[File:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|What is thy bidding, my master?]]

At the Laurentian Abyss, Ravage meets up with several [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]], who have placed themselves aboard a cargo ship, then dives with them to the bottom of the ocean, where the US military has dumped Megatron's remains. Using the shard and spare parts from [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|one of the Constructicons]] (who is presumably killed), [[Scalpel (ROTF)|"The Doctor"]] is able to revive Megatron, who promptly travels to one of Saturn's moons, where the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' is being used as a base by the Decepticons. He is awaited by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], who is overseeing the spawning of a new army of Decepticons. After beating Starscream for leaving him to die, Megatron presents himself to his master, The Fallen. Although Megatron believes he has failed, The Fallen reveals that when the Cube was destroyed, the knowledge within the AllSpark was instead transferred to Sam, and with it the means to locate a device capable of creating vast amounts of Energon. The Fallen commands Megatron to capture Sam and kill Optimus, who is the last [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and the only transformer who can defeat The Fallen.

As he sits in [[Colan|Professor Colan]]'s astronomy class, Sam suddenly reads through the entire reference book in a matter of seconds, before interrupting the Professor's lecture to scrawl more of the strange symbols on a blackboard and deliver a speed lecture on higher physics. After the Professor throws him out, he realises that the effects he's been experiencing may be linked to touching the AllSpark shard. When he calls Mikaela to warn her not to touch it, the [[Wheelie (ROTF)|toy-truck Decepticon]] tries to steal the shard, but Mikaela captures the tiny Decepticon. Mikaela promptly boards a plane to see Sam.

Alerted to multiple Decepticon contacts, NEST mobilises, but the Autobots are already on their way somewhere, and refusing to answer calls from their human comrades.

[[File:ROTF Optimus death.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|You are beaten. It is useless to resist.]]

Leo and Alice find Sam in the dorm room, freaking out and covering the walls with glyphs. Alice pushes Leo outside, and when Mikaela arrives, she finds Sam and Alice in what appears to be an intimate moment. It soon turns out, however, that Alice is a Decepticon as well. Mikaela, Sam and Leo flee as Alice hunts them, devastating the campus library; Mikaela eventually defeats her by slamming her into a tree with a hotwired car. The three humans try to get away but are captured by [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] and delivered to the waiting Megatron in an abandoned building. Megatron orders "The Doctor" to remove Sam's brain in order to access the information from the AllSpark shard, but Optimus Prime and Bumblebee arrive to free the three humans. Prime takes Sam and flees, but is soon overtaken by Megatron, Starscream and Grindor. In the subsequent battle, Prime injures Starscream and kills Grindor by tearing his head apart. However, Optimus is eventually impaled by Megatron and dies. The other Autobots arrive, saving Sam and causing Megatron and Starscream to retreat.

With the Decepticons unable to locate Sam on their own, Megatron decides that a show of force is in order to compel the humans to turn Sam over to him. Soundwave relays the mobilization order to the ''Nemesis'' and then tracks down [[Ron Witwicky|Ron]] and [[Judy Witwicky]] in Paris. Decepticons, joined by The Fallen, enter Earth and cause massive damage in their transition forms, destroying a [[United States Navy|naval carrier]] in the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and attacking Paris, kidnapping Sam's parents. In a hijacked TV broadcast around the world, The Fallen reveals his existence to the world's public and demands Sam be surrendered to him or else the Decepticons will destroy the world. As a result manhunt for Sam is launched.

[[File:Rotf t2 simmonsclassified.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Ready are you? What know you of ready?]]

Sam, meanwhile, is hiding out with Mikaela, Leo, Bumblebee and the Autobot twins, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. Leo complains loudly about the strange turn his life has taken of late, and Sam rightly tells him to shut the hell up.

The Autobots return to the NEST base, where they are surrounded by the military. Galloway tells them that he has placed in charge of NEST, which is to cease all activities relating to the Decepticons. NEST is being stood down, and they are all to return to Diego Garcia, while the military draws up a coordinated multinational strategy, buying time by negotiating with the Decepticons. Though Lennox tries to argue, it's futile as Galloway pulls rank. Ratchet says the Autobots should leave Earth altogether, but Ironhide points out that it's not what Optimus would want.

Feeling guilty for Prime's death, Sam decides to solve the mystery of the symbols he's been seeing. The Autobots identify the symbols as Cybertronian, but since the language predates their existence, they cannot translate them. Leo eventually suggests they may ask his rival, "[[Robo-Warrior]]", owner of a [[GiantEffingRobots.com|competing website]], for help. To everyone's surprise, Robo-Warrior turns out to be none other than [[Seymour Simmons]], former agent of [[Sector Seven]]. Simmons reveals that the Transformers were on Earth some time ago, as symbols similar to those Sam is obsessed with have been found on numerous excavation sites around the world, and that Sector Seven discovered evidence that several Transformers stayed on Earth for some time. However, in order to read the symbols, they may need a Decepticon. Mikaela then interrogates Wheelie, who identifies the symbols as the Language of the Primes, and suggests they may track down one of the ancient [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seekers]], the Transformers believed to be on Earth. Wheelie identifies one as being nearby, in [[Washington, D.C.]]

[[File:ROTF behold Jetfire.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Looking? Found someone you have, I would say, hmmm?]]

At the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, they discover an old Decepticon named [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], disguised as an SR-71 Blackbird. After some initial confusion on his part, Jetfire explains he has defected to the Autobots, inspiring Wheelie to follow suit. When Sam finishes writing down the symbols, Jetfire says that they were part of the Seekers' mission, and he opens a [[space bridge]] and teleports himself as well as Sam, Mikaela, Leo, Simmons, Bumblebee and the Twins to [[Egypt]]. He explains that thousands of years ago, the Transformers arrived on Earth on an exploratory mission under their original leaders, the [[Dynasty of Primes|Primes]]. The Primes had come to build a Star Harvester, a device which can create [[Energon]], the Transformers fuel, by destroying suns. The Primes had a single rule of never destroying a star with a living bearing world, but one of the Primes, forever known as The Fallen, despised the humans and tried to activate the machine. The Primes were unable to defeat their brother, but instead stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]], the key needed to activate the harvester, and gave their lives to seal it in a tomb made of their own bodies. Jetfire further explains that only a Prime can hope to defeat The Fallen, and with the death of Optimus, they are doomed. Sam suggests that they may use the Matrix to revive Optimus Prime, which is backed up by Jetfire. They head towards Giza, dodging Egyptian police on the way.

In New Jersey, NEST are loading up to return to Diego Garcia when Simmons contacts Lennox to relay information about the new quest, and co-ordinates where they can drop Optimus's body. Lennox and Epps decide to trust the new information and go against their orders. Sam's group passes through a checkpoint, allowing Soundwave to pinpoint their location, but they reach the Pyramids of Giza, where they pick up the next clue, pointing to [[Jordan]].

On the NEST aircraft, Lennox tricks Galloway into bailing out of the plane. Back in the US, General Morshower receives a communique from Lennox, and arranges to have assets in the target area.

In Petra, Sam's group discovers the [[Tomb of the Primes]]. Inside, Sam finds the Matrix, which instantly crumbles into dust into his hands. Sam collects the dust regardless, and he and Mikaela return outside where Simmons and Leo have spotted the NEST team parachuting into Egypt to begin preparing for battle near the pyramids.

[[File:ROTF movie BumblebeevsRampage.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|This baby's got a few surprises in her.]]

Before Sam and the others can get back to Lennox and his people, the Decepticons start their attack. Bumblebee, Simmons, Leo, and the Twins draw their fire while Sam and Mikaela make a break for the soldiers. The Constructicons merge into [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]], who proceeds to swallow Mudflap. Mudflap, however, is able to free himself, together with Skids, they try to slow Devastator down. While the Autobots and NEST fight the Decepticons, Starscream leads several other Constructicons in a search for Sam, and intending to use Sam's parents to lure him into a trap. Falling into the trap, Sam offers to hand over the Matrix dust to the Constructicon [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]], but only to stall for time until Bumblebee is able to attack and destroy the Decepticon. Ravage attacks Bumblebee from behind, but is killed as well. Sam then orders Bumblebee to get his parents to safety while he and Mikaela try to reach Optimus Prime's body. A remote drone relays pictures back to Morshower, who launches [[Operation: Firestorm]], ordering an immediate launch of pretty much everything they can muster.

[[File:ROTF Devastator Mudflap swallow.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|How you get so big eating food of this kind?]]

In the meantime, Devastator has begun to take apart the pyramid that has been built around the Harvester. Simmons calls a navy ship off the coast of Egypt and orders the use of a railgun. Meanwhile, Sam finally meets up with Lennox and Epps, but they're pinned down by [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]]. Jetfire arrives and kills Mixmaster and [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]], but is mortally wounded by the smaller Decepticon. Simmons relays Devastator's coordinates to the Navy, who score a direct hit on the giant with their railgun. Devastator is torn to pieces and topples from the pyramid. After an air strike takes out most of the other Decepticons, Sam makes a dash for Prime's body, but is caught in the blast of a shot fired by Megatron. While paramedics try to reanimate him, the Matrix dust gets spilled across his hand, and Sam encounters the dead Primes in a vision. The Primes tell him that he was destined to find the Matrix and save the life of the last Prime. Sam returns to life, which is enough to get him and Mikaela to admit that they love each other, and the dust in his hand turns back into the Matrix, which he is able to revive Optimus Prime.

[[File:TheFallen-ROTFfacegotten.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Perhaps you are not as strong as the Emperor thought.]]
Just then, The Fallen arrives by teleportation, steals the Matrix, and teleports himself to the pyramid, where he uses the Matrix to activate the Harvester. The soldiers and armored vehicles begin firing on the pyramid, but The Fallen raises the heavy weaponry with his telekinetic powers and destroys it all. Dying, Jetfire offers his parts to Optimus Prime, and then rips out his own Spark. [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] and [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] then proceed to fuse Jetfire's remains with Optimus Prime, making him extremely powerful with flight capabilities. Optimus Prime is then able to destroy the Harvester, then faces the Fallen and Megatron. After a short, but fierce battle, Optimus defeats Megatron and kills The Fallen. Horrified at the demise of his master, the severely injured Megatron follows Starscream's suggestion and retreats, but vows that the war isn't over.

[[File:ROTF Optimus Sam ship.JPG|thumb|200px|Take care, you two. May the Force be with you.]]

With the battle won, the Autobots, NEST, Sam and his friends return to the USA on board an aircraft carrier. Upon his return, Sam continues to attend college, while Optimus Prime sends another message detailing recent events, so the shared past of Humanity and the Autobots will not be forgotten as it was before.
{{-}}

==Quotes==





"Gotta wonder... if God made us in his image, who made ''him?''"
:—'''Epps''', as Galloway first witnesses Optimus's transformation.

"We've shed blood, sweat, and precious metal together." 
"Soldier, you're paid to shoot, not talk." 
[muttering] "Don't tempt me."
:—'''Epps''' is not really happy with '''Galloway'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s plan to get rid of the Autobots.

"So let me ask: If we ultimately conclude that our national security is best served by denying you further asylum on our planet, will you leave peacefully?" 
"Freedom is your right. If you make that request, we will honor it. But before your President decides, please ask him this: What if we leave, and you're ''wrong''?"
:—'''Galloway''' makes the U.S. government's position on the Autobot refugees clear, while '''Optimus Prime''' counters with a pointed argument of his own

"No, uh, it's just this friend of mine went to get you a tighter shirt." 
"There isn't a [[tightest shirt|tighter shirt]]! We ''checked''!"
:—'''Sam''' tries to deflect a pair of '''frat boys'''

"Sam, fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', trying to convince Sam Witwicky to become involved in the conflict once again

"I know you’re pissed. I know you’re pissed because I tried to kill you and it's completely understandable. If somebody tried to kill me, I’d be upset, too."
:—'''Sam Witwicky''' tries to relate with Megatron, to no avail.

"Is the future of our race not worth a single human life?" 
"You'll never stop at ''one''. ''[Unsheathes his left blade]'' '''I'll take you all on!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' tries to justify killing Sam, but '''Optimus Prime''' disapproves based on the potato chip theory. The most epic beatdown of the film ensues.

'''Sam''': "These symbols gotta mean something. Like a message... or a map. A map to an energon source. Can you guys read this?" 
'''Skids''': "''Read?''" 
'''Mudflap''': "Nu-uh, w-no. We don't really do much reading."
:—Literacy with '''Skids''' and '''Mudflap'''.

"Beginning. Middle. End. Facts. Details. Condense. Plot. Tell it."
:—'''Simmons''' demands more coherent exposition from Jetfire.

"One man, alone..." 
"Stop saying that!" 
"...Betrayed by the country he loves." 
"Oh, my goodness, I'm in the car with you. You're not alone!"
:—'''Simmons''' being, well, himself, much to '''Leo Spitz'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s distress.

"Now I claim your sun!"
:—'''The Fallen''' does the standard "I claim victory before I have actually won" bit.

"You picked the wrong planet! Give me your ''face!''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' warns The Fallen of his violent fetish.

"Not to call you a coward, master, but, sometimes, cowards do survive."
:—'''Starscream''' pitches his usual battle plan to an unusually receptive Megatron.

"Our races united by a history long forgotten and a future we shall face together. I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message so that our pasts will always be remembered. For in those memories, we live on."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s closing narration.

==Main cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] ([[Mark Ryan]])*
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] ([[Mark Ryan]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]])
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] ([[André Sogliuzzo]])
*[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] ([[Grey DeLisle]])
*[[Chromia (ROTF)|Chromia]] ([[Grey DeLisle]])
*[[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] ([[Grey DeLisle]])
*[[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]]
|c2=
*[[The Fallen]] ([[Tony Todd]])
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charlie Adler]])
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Reedman]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]] ([[John Di Crosta]])
*[[Alice]] ([[Isabel Lucas]])
*[[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] ([[Calvin Wimmer]])
*[[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]]
*[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]]
*[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]]
*[[Hightower (ROTF)|Hightower]]
*[[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]]
*[[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]]
*[[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]
*[[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]]
*[[Protoform]] army
*An [[Buffalo MPV Decepticon|unnamed Decepticon]]
*[[Scalpel's assistant]]s
*An [[Insecticon (Movie)|Insecticon]]
*[[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]
|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])
*[[Mikaela Banes]] ([[Megan Fox]])
*[[Leo Spitz]] ([[Ramon Rodriguez]])
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[William Lennox|Major William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Robert Epps|Master Sergeant Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])
*[[Morshower|General Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]])
*[[Theodore Galloway]] ([[John Benjamin Hickey]])
*[[Graham|SASF Agent Graham]] ([[Matthew Marsden]])
*[[Colan|Professor Colan]] ([[Rainn Wilson]])
*[[Fassbinder]] ([[Jonathon Trent]])
*[[Sharsky]] ([[Walker Howard]])
*[[Tova Simmons]] ([[Annie Korzen]])
|c4=
*[[Mojo]] ([[Chester the Chihuahua]])
*[[Frankie]] ([[Paris (dog)|Paris]])
*[[Bonecrusher (dog)|Bonecrusher]] (himself)
'''[[Appliancebot]]s'''
*[[Dickbot the blender guy]]
*[[Ejector]]
*[[Dyson vacuum cleaner]]
*[[Microwave bot]]
*[[Waffle iron]]
*[[Cappuccino bot]]
*[[Garbage disposal bot]]
*[[Hand mixer]]
*[[Stand mixer]]
*[[CISCO Aironet]]
'''[[Dynasty of Primes|Seven Primes]]'''
*Prime #1 ([[Michael York]])
*Prime #2 ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*Prime #3 ([[Robin Atkin Downes]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Bumblebee's lines as spoken by Ryan were cut from the final movie, but one scene where his voice could be heard was in a promotional video created for ShoWest 2009.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRIfbFpe_sg Preview footage] from ShoWest 2009 showing Bumblebee "speaking" a line not used in the final cut.</ref>

==Errors==
===Filming / editing / technical errors===
[[File:ROTF filmcrewinsideplane.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Goddamn papparazi get ''everywhere!'']]

*When the Twins crash during their pursuit of Sideways, the pairs' voices are switched, with Tom Kenny's voice coming from Mudflap as he announces he is okay, and Reno Wilson delivering the admonishments as Skids punches him.

*During the Shanghai battle, when the ramp on the NEST C-17 transport is lowering to reveal Optimus Prime in the cargo bay, a filming crew (including director Michael Bay) can be seen inside the plane on the left side of screen.

*The vehicle modes the Twins scan already have personalized [[license plate]]s on them, though this could theoretically just be NEST personnel customizing the cars on the Twins' behalf beforehand.
**Furthermore, despite sporting a "SKIDS" license plate in vehicle mode most of the time, Skids sports a license plate stating his vehicle model, "BEAT", in an establishing shot during the scene in New York City.
**This would also make the Twin's fighting over which car they get pointless, as they have already been assigned a specific car determined by the plate.

*Despite the minor cosmetic changes to his Camaro vehicle mode (i.e. new car prop) and the corresponding changes to his robot mode (i.e. modified CG model), Bumblebee still sports the same license plate''s'' as in the previous film. That is, his license plate is ''still'' inconsistent between both modes, alternating between "900 STRA" in vehicle mode and "4NZZ454" in robot mode.

*Similarly, despite still sporting his license plate from the previous movie, "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, Ironhide no longer ''has'' a license plate in vehicle mode.

*When Sam jumps from the second story of his house to escape the kitchen robots, a stuntperson who does not look much like Shia LaBeouf performs the stunt.

[[File:ROTF Optimus missing cheek glyph.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Cybertronian tattoo removal is expensive.]]
*Optimus Prime is missing the [[Cyberglyphics|Cyberglyph]] on his cheek during the scene in the hanger.

*During the scene in which Alice meets Sam at the party Sam gets a drink and the glass is full, then the camera angle changes and the glass is half full/empty, then the angle changes again and the glass is full again.

*Bumblebee picks up Sam at the frat party in the evening. He then takes him to a graveyard where it's dawn. In real life, the graveyard is located in [[Philadelphia]], while the frat party is set a hundred miles north, in Princeton. Still, even in [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] traffic, the trip wouldn't take ''all night.''

*During Sam's campus freak-out, when he drops his notes on the steps, a blonde woman in a suit can be seen coming down the steps to his left, nearly reaching him. However, when the camera angle shifts, the woman is suddenly at the top of the stairs again.

*As Alice attacks Sam, part of the window behind them is taken up by a fan. When Mikaela throws the tool box, it smashes through a glass pane where the fan had been moments before, with the fan itself now resting against the wall under the ''Bad Boys II'' poster.

*When the Autobots are driving to Sam's college shortly before the Decepticons attack him, Arcee is completely absent from the group, while previously-unseen Jolt shows up in one shot ''in front'' of the others, then when the camera angle changes, he disappears.

*In the flyover shot of the barge on which the four Constructicons sit, a red bulldozer, a concrete mixer, a green dump truck and a yellow front-end loader are visible. After the flyover shot, the yellow loader disappears and is replaced with a yellow Volvo excavator.

*During the North Atlantic sequence, on the submarine [[United States Navy#U.S.S. Topeka (SSN-754)|U.S.S. Topeka]]'s sonar, there are "five contacts" diving down to Megatron's body's location, and "six contacts" coming up after his resurrection. Although this is dramatic, since [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|one Constructicon]] was killed to repair Megatron, shouldn't there be only five contacts going up as well? Keep in mind, Scalpel is too small to register on sonar, but Ravage is just large enough.

*When the [[United States Navy#U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71|U.S.S. ''Theodore Roosevelt'']] is sunk by Decepticon [[transition form]]s, its hull number of 71 can be seen on the bridge island. However, when it sinks, a hull number of 7'''4''' can clearly be seen on the bow of the landing deck. CVN-74 belongs to the [[United States Navy#U.S.S. John C. Stennis (CVN-74)|U.S.S. ''John C. Stennis'']], a carrier that shows up later in the film and was also the carrier used for filming.

*Tasers do not cause those tased to go into convulsions. Even if they get tased in the nuts.

*There is a spiderweb in a tomb that explosively decompressed after being opened to the air for the first time in millions of years.

*While the NEST team and Director Galloway are on the C-17 headed to Egypt, Prime's body appears and disappears from shot to shot.

*When an aide to Morshower shows him a map indicating that Lennox's NEST team have airdropped in Egypt, the location marked is actually on the eastern side of the Red Sea, in Jordan. ''Oops.''

*In the quarry when Devastator forms, the Twins go from grimy and dust covered to showroom floor clean within two shots.

*When Sam and Mikaela are running at the same moment Megatron spots them, you can see Sam is holding Mikaela's arm, but his jacket is nowhere to be seen. In the next shot, he has his jacket on his arm.

*Once again, the [[wikipedia:MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9 Reaper]] drone is referred to as the more well-known [[wikipedia:MQ-1 Predator|MQ-1 Predator]]. The drone is powered by a propeller, which can be seen when the (real) drone takes off. However, due to the usage of footage from the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie, when the (CGI) drone approaches the battlefield, the propeller is absent, replaced by a jet engine. Also unfortunate is the fact the real drone with the propeller is white, while the CGI drone is black. ''Oy.''

*Ravage tears off Bumblebee's back kibble... but in the next shot it's back.

*As the humans and Autobots run from the bombs being dropped on the Decepticons, a damaged Ironhide ejects the cannon on his left arm. In later shots, the cannon is back on his arm.

===Story / continuity errors===
*Most of the [[NEST]] and [[United States military|American]] soldiers are seen using small-calibre arms such as assault rifles, machine guns, and sniper rifles against the Decepticons, despite the previous film establishing very clearly that such weapons were useless against Cybertronians, and that "high-heat" sabot rounds were the only Human weapons capable of penetrating Decepticon armour. Even if they somehow figured out how to make small calibre ammunition achieve the "high heat" required to damage Decepticon armour, it is ''extremely'' unlikely that such low-powered weapons would do any meaningful damage that warrants such widespread usage. After all, in real life, you can't kill a tank with a machine gun. Well, unless you're in [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]... ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' offers up the explanation that small-arms fire hitting Decepticon armor "scrambles their circuits" and disorients them.

*The notion that a big metal box (containing a complex electronic mechanism shouting to be released) would ''ever'' make it through post-9/11 airport luggage screening is a bit on the implausible side. The novelization of the film attributes this to Mikaela's Epic Hotness distracting the guard into just letting her through; she also claims that the box contains expensive mechanic's tools which might look strange in an x-ray. Neither explanation is present in the film itself, however.

*When Alice attacks Sam and his friends, the box Wheelie is imprisoned within is taken along, and the box is not seen when Mikaela and Leo escape from the foundry in Bumblebee. The box ''should'' still be inside the wreckage of the car Mikaela hotwired at the college, but Wheelie nonetheless continues to appear in the film, despite there being no indication that anyone returned to the foundry after the battle.

*Given that the Autobots are part of NEST, and are dependent on the US Air Force for transportation around the world, it is not clear why Major Lennox had to be alerted to the fact that the Autobots were on the east coast of the United States. Do the Autobots normally go on unexplained joyrides?

*Where does Mikaela get the padding and gauze to bandage up Sam's hand? They were in the middle of a desert!

*When Jetfire teleports to Egypt, Wheelie is seen landing by him, but disappears until the group reaches the border guards. After they arrive at the pyramids, Wheelie is seen rolling in with the quartet of humans, but is never seen again.

*While running to get to Optimus' corpse, Sam meets a lot of Autobots: Bumblebee, Ironhide, the Arcee sisters... so why doesn't he simply get in one of them and ''drive'' all the way to Lennox's team instead of running?

*There's no rational reason for Simmons to climb the pyramid after Devastator. It looks like he's enabling the Navy ship to "fire on his position", which is useful when the firer can't see the target. However, as we find out just before the railgun is fired, the ship ''can'' see the pyramid. (And railguns are line-of-sight weapons, anyway.) So, Simmons didn't need to climb; he could have stayed someplace safe, called the ship, and told them, "Take a look at the pyramid, and shoot the giant robot tearing it up." It's also hard to believe he wasn't crushed by the flood of pyramid stones, which at one point are raining down on all four sides of the structure.

===Geographic discontinuities===
{{note|The on-film splicing together of disparate filming locations is a common movie phenomena; however, we wouldn't be good pedants if we didn't point out a few of the more glaring disconnects.}}
* The [[Shanghai]] "industrial district" is... interesting, to say the least. There's a company sign that translates as "Empire Import and Export" (which would be the Chinese equivalent of a US company named "Soviet Import and Export") right next to a huge steel mill, dozens of civilians are being evacuated... and at least [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] thought that a giant mining excavator wouldn't be terribly out of place there.

* The aerial view of [[Princeton University]] is immediately followed by a ground shot of the dormitories at the University of Pennsylvania.

[[File:ROTFcap-closestone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"The closest one's in Washington." Washington... New Jersey?]]
* After Lennox is alerted to the Autobot operation on the US east coast, he orders NEST to move out. By the time Optimus Prime is killed in battle with Megatron, it appears Lennox's transport planes are already over the United States, and by the end of the day, the NEST troops are at a US air base. Given the great distance between [[Diego Garcia]] and the United States, the short time it took them to arrive is implausible.

* [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] drops the car with [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam]], [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] and [[Leo Spitz|Leo]] inside into a factory just outside a huge city. Yet when [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] rescue them and flee, they almost immediately reach a huge forest that was nowhere to be seen in the aerial shot of the factory.

* In the basement of Simmons' deli, in New York City, Wheelie projects laser dots onto a map of the United States to indicate where the Seekers are located. One dot hovers over Syracuse, New York. Another hovers over Trenton, New Jersey. Yet Simmons inexplicably says the closest one is in Washington.
** There ''is'' no dot over Washington.

*When Jetfire is activated at the [[Wikipedia:National Air and Space Museum|Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum]] (actually the [[Wikipedia:Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center|Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]], an annex of the Smithsonian) in Washington, he leaves the exhibition center and exits into the desert location of the [[Wikipedia:309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group|309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group]] (aka "the Boneyard"), which is in Tucson, Arizona. When Jetfire breaks out of the building, we can see a composited image of the Boneyard's rows of planes, so it's arguable that in this universe, the middle of Washington DC happens to be a desert full of old planes, and no buildings and... you get the point. Michael Bay actually admits this to be a deliberate choice in his audio commentary for the movie, and suggests that "most people in Taiwan" would probably never notice the error.

[[File:ROTFcap-Pyramidsocean.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The foreshortening is amazing.]]
* The movie gives the impression that Giza in Egypt and Petra in Jordan are in close proximity to each other — within eyeshot, even. In reality, the two locations are about 416 kilometres (258 miles) apart. What makes this even more problematic is the fact that Egypt and Jordan don't share a common border — the country of Israel is in-between them, whose existence isn't even mentioned in the movie...

*Optimus, Megatron, Starscream and The Fallen take their fight from the Pyramids of Giza to the Temple of Luxor, which are ''more than 300 miles away''.

*Considering both the Pyramids and the temple are famous tourist attractions, they’re both pretty devoid of, y’know, tourists.

* Furthermore, the movie gives the impression that the Pyramids of Giza are located near the coast — the soldiers and tanks deployed from hovercraft arrive at the battle site almost immediately. In reality, the closest sea shore, the tip of the Red Sea, is still over 70 miles away from the Pyramids. Worse, when the [[rail gun]] is fired, a monitor screen on board the ''U.S.S. Kidd'' shows footage of the pyramids with the ''ocean in the foreground'', making it appear like they're no more than a mile or two away from the shore. Worse still, this is ''immediately'' followed by a shot of the pyramids that shows ''nothing but desert'' in the direction the rail gun shot is coming from.

==Transformers references==
In addition to carryovers from the previous film, various concepts and characters are derived from previous iterations of Transformers:
* The whole concept of "Transformers disguised as a human" used for [[Alice]] is inspired by the [[Pretender]]s. Roberto Orci even used the term "Pretender" during an interview before the movie's release.<ref name="pretender">[http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/14/transformers-2-rumor-confirmed IGN interview with Roberto Orci]</ref> However, a Transformer with an "organic" alt-mode instead of an external shell is a concept more reminiscent of the [[Beast Era]].
* The Generation 1 iteration of [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] is frequently portrayed as switching from Decepticon to Autobot (he's usually a young and technologically up-to-the-minute 'bot, however.)
* [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] and his ejectible minion [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] both have [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1]] [[Ravage (G1)|counterparts]]. Movie Soundwave even has the same voice actor as 1984 cartoon Soundwave, using the same voice, though without the synthetic vocal processing that made the cartoon voice so distinctive.
* [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] bears little physical resemblance to his [[Sideswipe (G1)|Generation 1 namesake]], but is a vaguely similar character archetype, and he ''does'' have that characteristic door armor hanging from his elbows.
* Generation 1 [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] was the first [[female Transformer]] with a starring role, and was likewise a pink-colored girlbot. The idea of Arcee the pink girlbot as a motorcycle dates back to ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]''.
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], the combined form of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], was the first [[combiner]] robot in Generation 1 (unless you count [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]).
* The characters are new, but the names "[[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]]", "[[Demolishor (disambiguation)|Demolishor]]", "[[Mudflap (disambiguation)|Mudflap]]", "[[Skids (disambiguation)|Skids]]", "[[Jolt (disambiguation)|Jolt]]", "[[Rampage (disambiguation)|Rampage]]" and "[[Wheelie (disambiguation)|Wheelie]]" are not. Likewise for the concept of "[[Seeker (disambiguation)|Seekers]]".
* [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] dying and coming back to life has been done [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|times beyond counting]].
* Prime combining with another 'bot to form a [[Super Mode]] which increases his power (and often gives him flight capabilities) is a trope that has occurred in many recent Transformers series (''Robots in Disguise'', ''Armada'', ''Energon'', ''Cybertron''.) In ''Armada'', a different [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] was his most frequent combination partner. This is the first time the other 'bot had to die for it to happen, though.
* [[The Fallen]] is based on a comic book character that made his debut in the 2004 miniseries [[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages]]. In fact, according to Hasbro, he is ''exactly the'' same iteration of the [[character]]! ([[Multiversal singularity|It's needlessly complicated]].)
* The [[Matrix of Leadership]] is one of the franchise's oldest MacGuffins.
* [[Energon]] (mentioned though never seen) is the Transformers' power source in numerous incarnations, beginning with the original cartoon.
* The concept of a [[protoform]] as the first stage of a Transformer is a reference to the same concept introduced on the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon.
* Though it is almost certainly not an actual ''reference'' (it's a pretty generic and predictable sci-fi trope), the [[Star Harvester]] is quite similar in function to the [[Solar Needle]] from the Generation 1 episode "[[Changing Gears]]", sucking energy from the [[Sun]] to produce energon. Both devices would have destroyed the Sun if allowed to fulfill their function.
* The same is true for Sam having Cybertronian knowledge pumped directly into his brain via a sacred Transformer talisman, which is reminiscent of [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]'s similar situation in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] G1 comics.
* A newspaper is sucked into Devastator that headlines a photograph and accompanying article about a mysterious appearance by [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]].
* When Mudflap and Skids first appear in their Ice-Cream Wagon disguise, they play the Transformers [[theme song]] in a very "ice-creamish" way.

==Other editions==
*A slightly longer edit was shown in IMAX theaters, which featured some brief additional scenes filmed with special IMAX cameras.<ref name="bayimax">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5003 Michael Bay's own announcement of the IMAX version]</ref> An exclusive deal with [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] resulted in ''[[Wikipedia:Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' not being shown in IMAX theaters until two weeks after the movie's regular theatrical launch.<ref name="imaxpotter">[http://www.collider.com/2009/06/08/transformers-will-keep-harry-potter-off-imax-for-two-weeks/ Collider reporting on the Paramount/IMAX/Harry Pottter deal]</ref>
*It has been suggested that some international versions of the movie had the words "suck my" in the "Decepticons suck my popsicle" slogan on [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap's]] ice cream truck mode blanked out, hence only reading as "(Decepticon logo) [blank space] popsicle". This was not done across the board, however–theaters in those very same countries also showed uncensored versions of the movie. Another explanation for this would be that different theaters simply used different lightings settings, which effectively rendered the words "suck my" (which were written in dark red on a black backdrop to begin with) invisible, with no actual intention of "censorship" behind it.

==Prequel material==
===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
While the Decepticons were disgusted with the pro-Autobot propaganda of Bay's first documentary {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|#13's Star Screams}}, they were quite optimistic about the second film. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] took a strong interest in it, going to the trouble of personally convincing [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to be in the film {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|15's Star Screams}}.

The Decepticons promised this new documentary would show a glorious Decepticon victory {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|#10's Star Screams}}—whether it was in the script or not. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|#18's Star Screams}}

Shockingly, even ''they'' were under a non-disclosure agreement regarding the script; Starscream fearfully referred to a greater power keeping him quiet. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|#22's Star Screams}} Talking about it could even undermine the Decepticon war effort! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|#23's Star Screams}}

In the same week the film came out, the Decepticons suddenly became unhappy with it and the detente period ended. Bay, Kurtzman, and Orci are once again marked for extermination for their propaganda films. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|#1's Law and Disorder}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{stub}}

===Titan Comics ''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie comics===

The sinister, unseen figure of the Fallen is secretly gathering a Decepticon army on Cybertron. Skids and Mudflap, slacking off there at the time, accidentally discover this and flee to Earth to warn the other Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|Training Day}} An attempt to kill them fails {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.2|Dogfight!}}, but due to their rep of telling tall tales, no one believes them. It doesn't help when they accidentally help Grindor escape capture. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|Learning Curve}} The Fallen's agent Soundwave decides to use this, and first frames the twins as turncoats {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.5|Reversal of Fortune}}, then has them freed by their 'Decepticon allies' so they'll be hunted down.

After a few days of this, the twins began to regret ever getting involved, and Soundwave offered them sanctuary in the Decepticon army and the embrace of the Fallen: an offer they were eager to accept... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.6|Outlaw Blues}}

==Adaptations==
{{main|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)}}
'''Children's adaptations'''
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: The Junior Novel}}
{{main|The Last Prime}}
{{main|Operation Autobot}}
{{main|When Robots Attack!}}
{{main|I Am Optimus Prime (ROTF)}}
{{main|Rise of the Decepticons}}
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: Sound Like the Transformers}}

==Sequels==
Two sequels to the first ''Transformers'' movie were greenlit in the wake of its success, with ''Revenge'' being the first. Although Michael Bay had previously stated that he might need a break from giant space robots before tackling a third film, he confirmed a [[July 1]], [[2011]] release date on his blog.<ref>[http://michaelbay.com/2009/10/01/transformers-3-july-1st-2011/ Official confirmation of third movie release date from michaelbay.com]</ref>

IDW published a comic sequel, ''[[Transformers: Nefarious|Nefarious]]'', which was lead into by [[Tales of the Fallen issue 5]].

==Soundtrack==
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: The Album}}

==Score==
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: The Score}}

==Home video releases==
{{main|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)/home video}}
''Revenge of the Fallen'' was released by [[Paramount Pictures]] on DVD (as both a 2-disc special edition and a regular single disc version) and Blu-ray on [[October 20]]th in the United States,<ref name="comingsoon">[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=58245 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Hits Blu-ray and DVD Oct. 20!]</ref> and [[November 30]]th in the UK.

==Theatrical posters==
<center><gallery perrow="3">
File:ROTFteaserposter.jpg|Teaser poster
File:ROTF Theatrical poster.jpg|Theatrical poster
File:ROTF International poster.jpg|International poster
File:ROTF Prime poster.jpg|Prime poster
File:ROTF bumblebee poster.jpg|Bumblebee poster
File:ROTF Starscream poster.jpg|Wait...Starscream gets a poster but Megatron doesn't? That's just wrong.
</gallery></center>

==Reception==
{{quote|Transformers: ROTF has mostly gotten pretty hideous reviews, but that's because people don't understand that this isn't a movie, in the conventional sense.|[http://io9.com/5301898/michael-bay-finally-made-an-art-movie Michael Bay Finally Made An Art Movie], Charlie Jane Anders|[http://i09.com i09.com,] [[June 24]], [[2009]]}}
{{quote|[The critics] never seem to understand that I make movies for people to take a ride and escape.|[http://tinyurl.com/nyscnv forum post] by Michael Bay|[http://shootfortheedit.com shootfortheedit.com,] [[June 25]], [[2009]]}}
{{quote|Rarely have critics been more disconnected from what audiences want and love.|John Horn, [http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-bay29-2009jun29,0,6806652.story The Los Angeles Times], [[June 29]], 2009}}
{{quote|I'll take some of the criticism... They're [the Twins] basically gone.|Michael Bay, [http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm USA Today], [[June 11]], 2010}}

''Revenge of the Fallen'' had its world premiere on [[June 8]]th, 2009, in Tokyo, Japan. Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Isabel Lucas and Ramon Rodriguez attended.<ref>[http://michaelbay.com/2009/06/08/revenge-of-the-fallen-japan-premiere-photos/ Japanese Premiere photos at Michael Bay.com, June 8, 2009]</ref> Other countries such as South Korea,<ref>[http://michaelbay.com/2009/06/09/bay-and-co-invade-seoul/ Korean Premiere photos at Michael Bay.com, June 9, 2009]</ref> the United Kingdom and Germany followed over the course of the next few days. The United States premiere was held on [[June 22]]nd, 2009, in Westwood, California, during the [[Wikipedia:Los Angeles Film Festival|Los Angeles Film Festival]] for the second time.

In the week leading up to the United States release, while the film had been released in Japan and the United Kingdom, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was ranking 38% fresh on [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_revenge_of_the_fallen/ Rotten Tomatoes.com]. As American reviews were added into the ranking on June 24, the movie's freshness slipped slowly to 22%. RottenTomatoes.com's consensus was that "''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' is a noisy, underplotted, and overlong special effects extravaganza that lacks a human touch." Roger Ebert, who had given the ''first'' Transformers film three stars,<ref>[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070705/REVIEWS/70620006/1023 Roger Ebert's ''Transformers'' review]</ref> gave Revenge one star, and remarked that "if you want to save yourself the ticket price, go into the kitchen, cue up a male choir singing the music of hell, and get a kid to start banging pots and pans together." <ref>[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090623/REVIEWS/906239997 Roger Ebert's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' review] on RogerEbert.com</ref> Todd Gilchrist of Cinematical.com said Michael Bay "has exceeded even the possibilities of sequel-driven 'moreness,' combining his own muscular, high-gloss sensibility with the conventions of blockbusters past, present, and probably future to create a monolithic action masterpiece that feels destined to be the biggest movie of all time." <ref>[http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/22/review-transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen/ Review: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen] on Cinematical.com</ref> Michael Phillips from the Chicago Tribune said "the first, comparatively lucid ''Transformers'' was a headache, but I sort of enjoyed it....''Revenge of the Fallen'' is more like listening to rocks in a clothes dryer for 2½ hours." <ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-tc-mov-transformers-0623-0624jun23,0,7350387.story 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel] on chicagotribune.com</ref> Roger Ebert went back for more in a second article, declaring not only that ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was awful, but that it'd [[Ruined FOREVER|ruined action films FOREVER]].<ref>[http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/06/the_fall_of_the_revengers.html "The Fall of the Revengers"] on suntimes.com</ref> In the face of many harsh responses to his own critique, Mr. Ebert went back a third time, not just deconstructing the film but also declaring that fans who claimed to perceive it as "great" were simply wrong.<ref>[http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/07/i_am_a_brainiac.html I am a Braniac]</ref>

Despite the overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' poised itself quickly as a blockbuster maelstrom. It grossed $16 million in its opening midnight showings alone, an all-time record for Wednesday openings and a second-best for openings on any day of the week behind ''The Dark Knight''. After the full Wednesday was over, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had grossed $55 million in domestic ticket sales, surpassing the previous Wednesday release record, held by ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', by over $10 million.<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1614673/story.jhtml 'Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen' Breaks Wednesday Box-Office Record] on MTV.com</ref> By the end of the first five days, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had taken an estimated $201.2 million in the United States, just shy of ''The Dark Knight's'' record $203.8 million 5-day US total. In the same period, international markets took in $186.1 million, bringing the 5-day worldwide total to $387.3 million.<ref name="bomjdebut">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2601&p=.htm BoxOfficeMojo.com - Weekend Report: ‘Revenge of the Fallen' Rises with Optimal Debut, June 28, 2009]</ref>

Paramount's U.S. exit polling revealed several intriguing facts: While the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie viewership skewed 60-40% toward men over women, the split for the new film was more even at 54% male, 46% female. More than 90% of those surveyed stated that ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was as good as or better than the first ''Transformers'' movie. Surprisingly, about 67% said the film was "excellent", an even better score than for Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman's critically acclaimed 2009 ''Star Trek'' movie.<ref name="exitp">[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-bay29-2009jun29,0,6806652.story "'Transformers' director Michael Bay as audience darling" by John Horn, Los Angeles Times, June 29, 2009]</ref>

After two weeks in most markets, ''Revenge'' continued to defy critics and dominate the U.S. box office, narrowly defeating ''Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs'' on the Fourth of July weekend, finishing with upwards of $300 million in the U.S. and a similar figure in international markets.<ref name="reutjul7">[http://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSTRE5671DB20090708 Reuters reporting on Revenge of the Fallen's success around the world, July 7, 2009]</ref> Ultimately, ''Revenge'' grossed more than $836 million worldwide (versus $708 million for ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''), including $402 million from US box offices alone (versus $319 million for the first movie).<ref name="bomjrotf">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers2.htm ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' at Box Office Mojo]</ref>

On [[October 20]], ''Revenge'' sold 2 million copies of its DVD/Blu-Ray release in the first 24 hours.<ref>[http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/business/Transformers-Sequel-Transforms-Hollywood-Revenues-65589247.html Transformers Sequel Transforms Hollywood Revenues]</ref>

On April 3rd, 2010, Shia LaBeouf stated that he was confused about many things in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and in fact, hated the movie. However, he noted that one of the major problems the film faced was working during the writer's strike without a script, and that he had faith that the third film would be an improvement.<ref>[http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/shia-labeouf-confused-by-transformers_1137755 Shia LaBeouf comments on ''Revenge of the Fallen'' at contactmusic.com, April 3, 2010]</ref>

In a June 11th 2010 article about the third Transformers film, Bay and producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] now said they'd taken onboard some of the criticism, and cited the writer's strike and the rushed production as a problem; Bonaventura said "we tried to do too many things in the second movie, which didn't give enough time in any one of them". Bay also said he was getting rid of the "dorky comedy", like the Twins, for the third film, and called the Fallen "kind of a (expletive) character".<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me USA Today, "Next 'Transformers' is due for a switch"]</ref> And later, in the April 2011 dated issue of ''Empire'', Bay would again blame the strike and also cite the inclusion of "mystical" plots as a flaw in the film.<ref>''Empire'' April 2011, page 64 - released end of February</ref>

===Awards and recognition===
On February 1, 2009 it was announced that ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' was nominated for seven [[Wikipedia:Golden Raspberry Award|Golden Raspberry Award]]s.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/01/razzie.award.nominations/index.html 'Transformers,' 'Lost' lead worst movie nominees], cnn.com (February 1, 2009) retrieved 02-01-2009</ref> It was awarded three of them, for Worst Picture, Worst Director, and Worst Screenplay.<ref>[http://enewsi.com/movies/190-16933.html 30th Annual Golden Raspberry Award Winners @ENI]</ref> This presumably represents an improvement from the 2007 film, which received only one nomination ([[Jon Voight]] in the Supporting Actor category) and no wins.

On February 2, 2009, it was announced that ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' was nominated for an [[Wikipedia:Academy Award|Academy Award]] for Sound Mixing.<ref>[http://oscar.go.com/ Oscar.com]</ref> On March 7, it lost to ''The Hurt Locker''.

==Controversies==
* A huge flap revolved around the characters of the "Twins", [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. Many critics and viewers believed them to be racist stereotypes of poorly educated black American teenagers. Much evidence points to the pair actually being stereotypes of poorly educated ''white'' American teenagers, trying their best to sound like hardcore black urban gangsters... though it's ''still'' a racist stereotype of dubious taste. Director Michael Bay, when confronted with those accusations, claimed that the personalities of the two characters had been primarily created in the recording studio by voice actors [[Tom Kenny]] and [[Reno Wilson]]. Wilson (who is African-American himself) was sad to learn his way of speaking was apparently offensive to himself.<ref name="jive"/> Screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci confirmed that this portrayal of the characters hadn't been in the script, and admitted that they could understand the controversy.<ref name="racism">[http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/orci-and-kurtzman-respond-to-claims-of-racism-in-transformers-2.php Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman respond to accusations of racism]</ref>

* At least one reviewer claimed to find a repellent "anti-Arab subtext" to the movie's climactic scenes, which involved the damage or destruction of various Middle Eastern landmarks.<ref name="antiarab">[http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/MovieTimes?oid=978078 Chicago Reader review by Andrea Gronvall]</ref> The editors of this wiki are somewhat less than convinced.

* Along the same lines, Chinese viewers reportedly criticized the depiction of Shanghai in the opening scene of the movie. Apparently, depicting an ''industrial area'' as "very shabby" is an "insult" to an entire country, as is the destruction of parts of the city during a battle between alien robots.<ref name="insultchina">[http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/6686502.html English-language article from People's Daily Online reporting on the alleged criticism against the movie in China, including rebuttals]</ref> Regardless, ''Revenge'' topped the box office in China, dethroning 1997's ''Titanic'' as the most successful movie of all times there.<ref name="recordchina">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118006144.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 Variety reporting on the success of ''Revenge'' in China.]</ref>

* Both professional critics and amateur bloggers noted that the film presents the [[Barack Obama|Obama]] administration as endangering Earth by being wussy, bureacratic, and ignoring the Brave Soldiers.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1906689,00.html Time's review of "Revenge of the Fallen"]</ref><ref>[http://hubpages.com/hub/Transformers-2-Revenge-of-the-Fallen--A-Political-Message A blogger's specific focus on the politics]</ref><ref>[http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/screen/reviews/Transformers-Revenge-of-the-Fallen-49559047.html Philadelphia Weekly's review of ''Revenge of the Fallen'']</ref><ref>[http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/06/24/turnabout-transformers-2-takes-a-shot-at-president-obama/ Big Hollywood: Turnabout]</ref> Some right-wing bloggers and critics were quite happy about this, natch. As Bay had added Obama's name and image to the film as a ''tribute'' to the President, after the two of them met and had a mutually-complimentary conversation,<ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a160272/michael-bay-obama-likes-my-movies.html Michael Bay: 'Obama likes my movies'] at Digital Spy, and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfT7ZF_AUk8 Bay telling the story at a press conference.]</ref> and the writers are known Democrats,<ref>[http://www.wilshireandwashington.com/2009/06/transformers-a-swipe-at-obama.html Variety: "Transformers, a Swipe at Obama?"]</ref> the implications are probably unintentional and meant to be a [[Autobot High Council|genre trope]] rather than a deliberate dig.

* The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, a lobbyist group that already complained about the [[Transformers (film)|first film]], is currently trying to lobby the Federal Communications Commission into tightening regulations for marketing movies rated "PG-13" and associated merchandise to children. The basic reasoning behind their complaints is that ''Revenge'' contains "intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language" and "would have been rated R fifteen years ago", and yet Hasbro's [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|associated toys]] are advertised during TV programs aimed at children.<ref name="fccfilter">[http://arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/08/transformers-movies-get-caught-in-fcc-content-filtering-inquiry.ars Ars Technica article on the CCFC/FCC story.]</ref> Hasbro themselves appear to be still undecided about their official position regarding the more "mature" tone of the movies and its ramifications for the [[Transformers brand|brand's]] public image, having left several questions to this effect unanswered.<ref name="allsparkqa">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=61539 July/August 2009 edition] of the Allspark [[Hasbro Q&A]]</ref><ref name="tformersqa">[http://tformers.com/transformers-hasbro-answers-your-burning-questions-part-v/12149/news.html July/August 2009 edition] of the TFormers Hasbro Q&A</ref>

==Technical details==
'''Length:''' 150 minutes
'''Audio:''' Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS 
'''Content Rating:'''
{{collist|4|
* PG-13 (USA/MPAA)
* G (Japan)
* 12A (United Kingdom)
* PG (Canada; British Columbia)<ref>''Transformers'' received a "14A" rating in British Columbia, but an appeal by the studio successfully reduced it to PG.</ref>
* G (Canada; Quebec)
* PG-12 (Taiwan)
* PG13 (Singapore)
* PG-13 (Philippines/MTRCB)
* IIA (China)
* PG-13 (Malaysia)
* M (Australia)
* M (New Zealand)
* 10 (Brazil)
* K-11 (Finland)
* 11 (Sweden)
* 12 (Germany)
* 12A (Ireland)
* 12 (Netherlands)
* M/12 (Portugal)
* 12 (South Korea)
* B (Mexico)
* 12+ (Russia)}}

==Production staff==
* Writers [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] recruited [[Ehren Kruger]] to help them write the screenplay. [[Michael Bay]] and producers [[Don Murphy]], [[Tom DeSanto]], and [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] also returned.<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6372 Transformers 2 Writers Confirmed]</ref>
{{stub}}

===Visual effects===
{{stub}}

===Locations department===
{{stub}}

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'', [[DreamWorks]] announced that two sequels were already being planned.<ref name="spy">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a58430/two-transformers-sequels-in-pipeline.html Digital Spy article from May 2007, confirming that two sequels were being planned]</ref> [[Megan Fox]] had already been confirmed for the first of those sequels twelve days earlier,<ref name="foxcon">[http://www.mtvmoviesblog.com/2007/05/18/megan-fox-confirmed-for-transformers-sequel/ MTV confirming Megan Fox for the sequel]</ref> while [[Shia LaBeouf]] had already confirmed his participation in an—at that time still theoretical—sequel in November 2006.<ref name="shias">Rebecca Murray: [http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Interview with Shia LaBeouf from 2006, confirming his participation in a theoretical sequel]</ref> Director [[Michael Bay]], meanwhile, only once briefly questioned his involvement in a sequel in August 2007, when [[Paramount Pictures]] announced that ''Transformers'' would be released on HD DVD, but not on Blu-ray Disc.<ref name="bayhd">[http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/21/michael-bay-responds-to-paramounts-abandonment-of-blu-ray-no/ One of many sites reporting Michael Bay's announcement that he would not direct the sequel if the first movie wouldn't be released on Blu-ray]. Bay deleted his original post after changing his mind.</ref> Bay quickly changed his mind, however, and Paramount would later release the first movie on Blu-ray anyway, after the HD DVD had been abandoned.

In September of 2007, Paramount officially announced the first sequel for June 2009.<ref name="reldat">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972852.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety reporting Paramount's official announcement of the first sequel]</ref> Bay was given a budget of $200 million, and ultimately managed to come in $4 million below that.<ref name="showest">[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/11461/tcid/1 Michael Bay talking the ''Transformers'' sequel at ShoWest“]</ref>

The ''Transformers'' screenwriters, [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], initially hesitated writing the sequel, but ultimately had a change of mind.<ref name="sciforc">[http://scifiwire.com/2009/03/orci-kurtzman-reveal-tran.php Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman talking to Sci Fi Wire.]</ref> In October 2007, [[Ehren Kruger]] was confirmed as a third writer, who, according to Kurtzman, brought in a "fresh perspective",<ref name="kickoff">[http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/01/14/kicking-off-2009-with-writers-alex-kurtzman-and-roberto-orci-part-two-transformers-2/ Another interview with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci]</ref> and who reportedly impressed both director Michael Bay and [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] with his knowledge of ''Transformers'' mythology.<ref name="writersr">[http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/zap-transformers2writers,0,1938976.story Zap2it story about the ROTF writers]</ref>

In April 2009, Roberto Orci confirmed that cartoon voice actor [[Frank Welker]] would voice Soundwave.<ref name="welkers">[http://www.cinemablend.com/new.php?id=12917 Roberto Orci confirming Welker as Soundwave]</ref> Welker had previously been considered as [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron's]] voice actor in the first movie, but ultimately Michael Bay had given that part to [[Hugo Weaving]] instead. Both Bay and the writers were also hoping that [[Leonard Nimoy]] could voice a character in the movie.<ref name="sciforc">Bay later stated that he was nervous of asking his relative Nimoy to voice The Fallen for fear of offending him with the relatively low pay allotted to voice actors.<ref name="nimoy1">[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/04/21/michael-bay-afraid-to-offend-leonard-nimoy-with-transformers-family-reunion-offer/ ''Michael Bay Afraid To Offend Leonard Nimoy With ‘Transformers’ Family Reunion Offer'', MTV.com Movies blog, April 21, 2009]</ref> Even though Nimoy openly asked Bay to simply give him a call,<ref name="nimoy2">[http://www.latinoreview.com/news/leonard-nimoy-to-michael-bay-call-me-6682 Leonard Nimoy To Michael Bay: "Call Me!"], Latino Review</ref> it ultimately never worked out: after watching his guest appearance on ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman:_The_Brave_and_the_Bold Batman: The Brave and the Bold]'', Bay selected [[Tony Todd]] - whom he worked with on ''The Rock'' - for the voice of The Fallen instead.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaN2g5i2k2E Interview with The Fallen himself - Tony Todd]</ref>

===Writing and production===
For the movie, Orci and Kurtzman searched the various ''Transformers'' comics and cartoons for "the most elemental bad guy", and eventually found one in [[The Fallen]].<ref name="sciforc"/>

In addition to that, they wanted to include many things in the sequel that hadn't made it into the first movie, including the Decepticon [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. Likewise, the [[Matrix of Leadership]] had initially been intended to be used in the first movie, but for fear of confusion with the ''Matrix'' movies, the cube had been renamed into the [[AllSpark]]. In return, the Matrix in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' bears more resemblance to the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] Matrix.

In late 2007, during pre-production for the then-untitled ''Transformers'' sequel, the [[wikipedia:2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike|Writers Guild of America went on strike]], but according to all parties involved, this didn't slow down preparations of the movie much in the long run. Screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci turned in their first outline of the script the night before the strike officially began. During the strike, director Michael Bay used the script as a basis for preparing the movie. After the strike had ended, Kurtzman, Orci and Ehren Kruger continued their work on the script, based on Bay's changes.<ref name="kickoff"/> One consequence of this development was that Michael Bay and Hasbro had selected some of the new Transformers characters that were to appear in the movie during the strike, because of the long production run of the toys, while they had legally not been allowed to consult with the screenwriters.<ref name="sciforc"/> The "Twins", [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], are Bay's creation.<ref name="jive">[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/24/transformers-jivetalking-_n_220005.html Huffington Post article on accusations of racism with the "Twins", and Michael Bay and Reno Wilson's response.]</ref>

In early June of 2008, DreamWorks, Paramount, and Hasbro officially confirmed the movie's title to be ''Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen''.<ref name="titleann">[http://www.reserveresult.com/2008/06/transformers-2-revenge-of-fallen.html One of the first announcements of the title, still with a "2" in it]</ref> A few weeks later, Roberto Orci confirmed that there would be no "2" in the title.<ref name="no2orci">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180738-no-2-transformers-2-a.html#post2173364 Roberto Orci confirming that there will be no "2" in the movie's title]</ref>

Principal shooting began in June 2008 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.<ref name="pennlive">[http://blog.pennlive.com/lvbreakingnews/2008/06/shooting_starts_today_on_trans_1.html Pennlive story about the beginning of ROTF's principal shooting in Bethlehem]</ref> Other shooting sites were Philadelphia, the campus of Princeton University, Long Beach, the Holloman Air Force Base and the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Some scenes were also shot in other countries, at the [[Wikipedia:Egyptian pyramids|Pyramids of Giza]] and in Luxor, Egypt, in Jordan and in Paris.

According to director Michael Bay, ''Revenge'' is the first movie in about 30 years to be given permission to shoot at the Pyramids of Giza, and the first movie ''ever'' to film on top of [[Wikipedia:Petra|Petra]].<ref name="bayclub">[http://www.transformersclub.com/tfrof-intv09.cfm Transformers Collectors' Club interview with Michael Bay]</ref> He obtained permission to film in Egypt by contacting Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt's council of antiquities, who turned out to be a fan of the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie.<ref>[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/10866/tcid/1 The Collider article and video interview with Michael Bay, February 9, 2009]</ref>

During the time of shooting, actor Shia LaBeouf suffered a severe injury of his left hand in a car accident. Ultimately, however, filming was only briefly halted, and his injury worked into the film, thereby not adversely affecting the filming schedule.<ref name="TheList2008">[http://www.list.co.uk/article/10788-shia-labeoufs-transformers-hand/ The List 1 August 2008]</ref> For the movie, director Michael Bay earned himself an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the "biggest explosion on film with actors present".<ref name="guiness">[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10579085 New Zealand Herald article mentioning Bay' Guinness Book entry]</ref>

===Sponsors and partners===
====Hasbro====
[[Hasbro]] once again acted both as a licensor and actively participated in the development of the movie. Together with the first ''Transformers'' movie, the ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' movie ''Rise of the Cobra'' and several other planned movie projects such as ''Monopoly'', ''Stretch Armstrong'' and ''Battleships'', ''Revenge of the Fallen'' marks the beginning of a new company policy for Hasbro, believing that the new "the movie of the toy" strategy will be more lucrative than the old "the toy of the movie" concept, which involves hefty licensing fees.<ref name="brandweek">[http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jun2009/db20090611_333306.htm Brandweek article on Hasbro's new movie-related business strategy]</ref> Still, director [[Michael Bay]] receives an 8% cut of all toy sales from the ''Transformers'' movies.<ref name="forbesbay">[http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0622/celebrity-09-transformers-michael-bay-making-movies-enemies-money.html Michael Bay article on Forbes.com June 4, 2009]</ref> During the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, when nobody was legally allowed to consult with the screenwriters, Hasbro and Bay selected several of the new Transformers characters that were to appear in the movie.<ref name="sciforc"/>

====US military====
The [[United States military]] also supported the movie again, providing vehicles, shooting locations and military personnel that appear as extras in the movie.<ref name="milit">[http://www.military.com/entertainment/movies/movie-news/military-unites-with-hollywood-on-transformers?wh=entertainment American Forces Press Service press release about the US military's contribution to ROTF]</ref> Due to scheduling coincidences, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was given a larger support by the [[United States Department of Defense]] than ''G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra'', which was produced at the same time.<ref name="dod">Jeff Schogol: [http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=62955 Stars and Stripes article about DOD support for ''revenge of the Fallen'' and ''G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra'']</ref> Initially, Bay had intended to include German Bundeswehr soldiers in the movie (presumably as members of [[NEST]] or on board the AWACS plane), but even though the soldiers were eager to participate, the German government denied the request.<ref name="szpremiere">[http://newsticker.sueddeutsche.de/list/id/657558 Report from the German press conference (in German language)]</ref>

====General Motors and other car manufacturers====
American car manufacturer General Motors once again provided vehicles that were used by the Autobots as their [[alternate mode]]s. Returning from the first movie were the GMC Topkick ([[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]), the Hummer H2 ([[ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]) and the new Chevrolet Camaro ([[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]), the latter this time as a slightly updated Z/28 model as compared to the first movie's concept car model. Newcomers for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' are all from the Chevrolet brand, namely the Chevrolet Beat ([[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]), the Chevrolet Trax ([[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]), a new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray concept car ([[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]]) and, as a last minute addition, the new Chevrolet Volt electric car ([[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]]).

In total, General Motors provided 67 vehicles, 52 of them being prototypes not intended for sale.<ref name="chevytroubles">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-06-15-gm-transformers_N.htm USA Today story on Chevrolet's participation in the movie]</ref> As a consequence of the 2007-onwards financial crisis, however, General Motors reduced their financial support for ''Revenge'' in April of 2009.<ref name="horsep">[http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cotown-transformers6-2009apr06,0,5419006.story LA Times story on General Motors cutting their support for ''Revenge of the Fallen'']</ref>

Director Michael Bay estimates that, without the support of General Motors and the military, production of the movie would have cost $10 million more than the $195 million ultimately spent.<ref name="forbesbay"/> Coinciding with the release of ''Revenge of the Fallen'', General Motors reported that sales of the new Chevrolet Camaro were so strong that orders were outrunning the supply, even though the car was being sold above MSRP in many places. A direct connection to the movie, however, could not be proven.<ref name="camarosells">[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aZCnXEtqqTcc Bloomberg reporting on strong sales for the new Chevrolet Camaro]</ref>

As the only car manufacturer besides General Motors, Audi was able to place its R8 in the movie, as the Decepticon [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways's]] alternate mode. The cooperation was arranged by Propaganda Global Entertainment Marketing.<ref name="propaganda">[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_28/b4139068367113.htm "Hollywood's Blockbuster Role for Product Placement"], Bloomberg Businessweek, July 2009.</ref>

====Product placement====
As in the first movie, numerous companies signed a deal with the filmmakers which allowed for their product being featured in prominent places in the movie. A Mountain Dew vending machine can be seen in [[Leo Spitz|Leo's]] room, computer screens feature visible Cisco logos, [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam]] and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] intend to communicate via iChat, a huge HSBC logo is seen at Times Square in New York City, a Budweiser bottle is prominently featured in one of the Paris scenes, CNN is everyone's preferred news channel, and a giant IMAX logo is seen inside the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. In return, Mars heavily advertised ''Revenge of the Fallen'' with their chocolate candy brand [[M&M's]].

===Changes before, during and after production===
*The three Autobot motorcycles were at one point meant to combine into a larger robot, but this was ultimately abandoned for unknown reasons. Concept artwork for this combined mode has surfaced, and this feature was mentioned in the novelization and appears to remain in the toys.

*According to comic book writer [[Simon Furman]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] had been in an early draft of the movie's plot, but were dropped from the cast very early in development.<ref>[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/01/29/no-dinobots-in-transformers-2-revenge-of-the-fallen-original-film-consultant-explains-why/ MTV Movie Blog interview with Simon Furman, January 29, 2009.]</ref>

*Due to licensing issues with Audi and the writers' strike, Sideways' role was dramatically altered and he was early taken out of the script entirely. Originally, Sideways was going to escape the first wave of his Autobot pursuers by using Demolishor as a distraction. After Demolishor's death, Sideways would have been cornered and engaged by Sideswipe in robot mode. At this point, it would have been Sideways, not Demolishor, who would have dropped the Fallen's name when he threatened Sideswipe during the fight. Ultimately, the scene was never finished. Audi backed out of the licensing agreement and the scene was rewritten to focus on Demolishor. Audi later decided that they DID want their product featured, so a pre-visualization animation of Sideswipe bisecting a Lamborghini (included in the movie DVD's and Blu-ray Disc's bonus material) was reworked to feature an Audi R8 being sliced in half instead. Interestingly, some toys still referenced the deleted fight. Most of Sideways' toys feature a chainsaw weapon that he did not have in the film, and Human Alliance Sideswipe's box art depicts a diorama scene of Sideways attacking him in robot mode.

*[[Springer (ROTF)|Springer]], an Autobot who transforms into a V-22 Osprey, was to be a character in the movie, but was dropped from the cast during production.<ref name="procterdesigns">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=2772 Ben Procter's movie designs for ROTF]</ref> However, he was dropped so late during production that Hasbro still released [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends]] and [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]] versions of the character based on the abandoned movie design–in the first waves of their respective assortments, no less.

*Likewise, the Deluxe Class [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] and Scout Class [[Depthcharge]] and [[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]] toys are based on designs [[Ben Procter]] had originally created for the movie. Breakaway had the early working name "Firestorm", while Ransack was originally conceived as a [[Ford Model T Seeker|Ford Model T]].<ref name="procterdesigns"/>

*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was originally intended to come to Earth and scan a black Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck as his new [[alternate mode]]. The Deluxe Class Soundwave toy still retains some elements of this abandoned concept in robot mode, particularly a Cybertronian version of the Chevy grill and small headlights on the lower torso.

*Several plot points about the [[Dynasty of Primes]] were dropped from the final version of the film, but feature prominently in the adaptations. In the original version, the Dynasty was founded by [[Thirteen|Thirteen Primes]], eleven of whom were killed by The Fallen, with [[Prima (G1)|the sole survivor]] sealing the Matrix in the Tomb of the Primes by himself. The Fallen returned to Cybertron and killed all the Primes' descendants, save the one hidden from him who had no knowledge of his ancestry: Optimus. Additionally, The Fallen would have been revealed to have promised Megatron the powers of a Prime, which Optimus would expose as impossible during the final battle around the harvester, causing Megatron and Starscream to leave The Fallen to his death.

*The Fallen was originally supposed to be trapped inside a triangular sarcophagus as seen in ''[[Transformers: Defiance|Defiance]]''. ''Defiance'' writer [[Chris Mowry]] reportedly nearly spilled his coffee when he watched the movie for the first time and saw The Fallen just sitting in a chair inside the [[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]].<ref name="mowryallsp">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=64301&view=findpost&p=1387145 Comments by Chris Mowry at the Allspark], November 2009</ref> Exactly how this was supposed to inter-connect with The Fallen surviving his battle with the Primes and returning to Cybertron is unclear. Further, if he ''had'' been sealed in a sarcophagus, then, uh, who would have sent the Seekers to Earth to look for the Matrix?

*One scene that didn't make it into the final movie would have explained [[Alice]]'s sorta-human disguise: In it, [[Leo Spitz|Leo]] watches a TV ad featuring an Alice in Wonderland animatronic from an amusement park, which heavily resembles Alice. The scene was featured in the [[Revenge of the Fallen issue 2|comic adaptation]] and the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]]. It's unclear if the scene has actually been filmed; however, the movie still features the follow-up scene in which Leo shows up to tell Sam ''something'' about Alice, only to see her robot tongue strangle him.

*Sam was to have been established as a new vessel for the AllSpark, absorbing its knowledge, which would have explained how he managed to get a scholarship to Princeton. When he was dying in Egypt, the knowledge of the AllSpark would then have transferred to the dust within the Matrix of Leadership, which was created by the AllSpark. The movie would have ended with Optimus showing Sam that he'd recovered the Matrix, which now replaced the Cube as the AllSpark's physical form.

*Another possibly dropped plot point involved an explanation for the government's cover-up of the [[Mission City]] battle in the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]]. The robots would have been declared the creations of a company either named [[McClaren Robotics]] or [[McClaren Robotics|Massive Dynamics]], which allegedly had gone rogue by accident. This is referenced in [[Alan Dean Foster]]'s [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] of the movie (where the company is named "Massive Dynamics"), the junior novelization ''[[The Last Prime]]'' and [[IDW Publishing]]'s [[Revenge of the Fallen issue 1|comic adaptation]] (where the company is named "McClaren Robotics"). A McClaren sign is also briefly seen in IDW's [[Transformers: Alliance|''Alliance'' issue 4]]. An extensive casting call list leaked to the internet in April 2008 listed a "Massive Dynamics CEO" as one of the new characters.<ref name="iesbcall">[http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4663&Itemid=99 Casting call at IESB, April 2008]</ref> Presumably, actor Steve Tom was originally intended to play the character in the movie. His official website is listing him as appearing in ''Revenge'' ever since July 2008,<ref name="stevetom">[http://stevetom.com/picsandresume.html Resume of actor Steve Tom]</ref> even though he isn't actually listed in the film's credits. Back in July 2008, IMDB also listed Tom as playing the role of McClaren Robotics' CEO,<ref name="tfwimdbtom">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen-casting-steve-tom-as-robotics-ceo-katie-lowes-as-ra-165438/ TFW2005 referencing an (unarchived) IMDB entry for Steve Tom and his alleged role in ''Revenge'']</ref> whereas Theiapolis Cinema listed him as the CEO of Massive Dynamics at the same time.<ref name="theiarotf">[http://cinema.theiapolis.com/movie-2RLF/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen/cast.html Theiapolis Cinema entry for ''Revenge'']</ref> It's unclear if the scenes featuring Tom were cut or dropped from the script before they were even filmed.

* [[Robert Epps|Epps]]'s wife, [[Monique Epps|Monique]], was also supposed to appear in the movie together with [[William Lennox|Lennox's]] wife [[Sarah Lennox|Sarah]]. The casting call from April 2008 lists her under the working name "Theresa".<ref name="iesbcall"/> The original plan was that [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam]] would contact Epps and Lennox by calling their wives and asking them to pass on information to their husbands. This scene appears in the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] and in IDW's [[Revenge of the Fallen issue 3|comic adaptation]]; in the movie, the wives are never seen, and instead of Sam, it is [[Seymour Simmons|Simmons]] who contacts Epps and Lennox directly.

* [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] was originally intended to appear in this film but was cut for unknown reasons.<ref>http://massiveblack.com/mbwp/?p=1368</ref>

===Disinformation===
====Persistent fake IMDB synopsis====
In July 2007, only a week after after ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' had premiered in the USA, nearly two years before ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was to premiere and half a year before a ''script'' would actually be written, a "synopsis" for the (at that point still untitled) sequel to ''Transformers'' was posted on IMDB,<ref name="imdbsum">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1055369/synopsis Fake "synopsis" for ROTF on IMDB]</ref> containing vague guesses for a potential plot direction based on the first movie ([[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] returning to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and taking command of the remaining Decepticons–which would actually happen in [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] ''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'' comic–and "[[Scorponok (Movie)|Skorpinox]]" [sic] stealing [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron's]] body from a military base, in contrast to the first film's actual ending), including several glaring spelling and grammar errors. The "synopsis" was eventually exposed as the work of ''Next'' and ''xXx: State of the Union'' director Lee Tamahori, who wanted to use it as a pitch to offer himself to [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] as a cheaper alternative for [[Michael Bay]].<ref name="tamahori">[http://defamer.gawker.com/hollywood/a-more-personal-kind-of-transformation/breaking-transformers-2-plot-synopsis-revealed-278307.php Gawker's Defamer reporting on the fake "synopsis" from IMDB, and updating with information about its true origins]</ref> Regardless, the "synopsis" was still heavily featured by other websites, including foreign theaters and media,<ref name="prosieben">[http://www.prosieben.de/kino_dvd/previews/film/ German TV station feature about ROTF using the fake IMDB "synopsis"]</ref> despite multiple evidence (trailers, official information provided by Paramount, leaked information about the involvement of a character named "[[The Fallen]]") suggesting that the alleged "plot" was pretty much bunk. The fake synopsis ''still'' persisted in some places long after ''Revenge'' had already hit theaters, despite being directly refuted by the film itself.<ref name="dvdlisting">[http://www.comicsandcardsupplies.com/jul091794.html Premature preorder for the ROTF DVD featuring the fake IMDB "synopsis"]</ref>

====Fake treatment====
In October 2007, an alleged treatment for the (at that point still unnamed) ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' sequel surfaced on the internet.<ref name="treat">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2007/10/transfomers-2-leaked-script.html The Transformers Live Action Movie Blog reporting on the alleged treatment], October 2007.</ref> While producer [[Don Murphy]] soon claimed that it wasn't real,<ref name="murphyfake">[http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showpost.php?p=1052166&postcount=52 Don Murphy denies the authenticity of the leaked treatment], October 2007.</ref> [[Michael Bay]]'s website administrator Nelson Lauren countered by suggesting that it wasn't a fan creation,<ref name="nelsonfake1">Nelson's deliberately misleading comments regarding the alleged treatment at the [http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=435346&postcount=26 official Live Action Movie boards] and at [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?&showtopic=37905&st=20&p=759450&#entry759450 The Allspark], October 2007.</ref> then referred to an ambiguous post he had made a few days earlier, in which he had hinted that information might be spread that would not be entirely reliable.<ref name="nelsonfake2">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1590&postcount=1 Nelson's ambiguous "telling the truth in a false way" post] at the official Michael bay forums, October 2007.</ref> What followed was a brief back-and-forth with Murphy accusing Nelson of "stirring shit up",<ref name="murphynelson">[http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?t=22721 Don Murphy's response to Nelson's statements], October 2007.</ref> which prompted Nelson to counter that he had better sources than Murphy.<ref name="nelsonsources">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=37905&st=60&p=761181&#entry761181 Nelson's counter to Don Murphy...] No, we stop here. You get the idea.</ref>

====Michael Bay's alleged disinformation campaign====
In April 2008, director Michael Bay claimed he had initiated a huge disinformation campaign in order to prevent content details from the movie being revealed to the public before he wanted them to.<ref name="misinf">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a94406/bay-tries-to-fool-transformers-fans.html Mirrored copy of Michael Bay's original claims about his alleged "disinformation campaign"]. Bay apparently deleted his original post from his official message board.</ref> Ultimately, Bay himself turned out to be the main source of genuine disinformation, despite claiming that ''only'' what he said was 100% true. Therefore, the disinformation campaign mostly hinged on fans believing in its existence, and rejecting any genuinely "leaked" information, including set photos, statements by third parties such as [[Hasbro]] or [[IDW Publishing]] and stolen toy [[prototype]]s, as "disinformation". Screenwriter Roberto Orci eventually admitted that the disinformation campaign wasn't really working.<ref name="orcicampaign">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-150.html#post2437185 Roberto Orci confirming Michael Bay's biggest fear: The disinformation campaign doesn't work!]</ref>

In June 2008, when principal shooting had just begun, a call sheet was leaked to the internet,<ref name="bethcall">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/06/bethlehem-call-sheet-cast-tf-and-next.html Leaked call sheet at the Transformers Live Action Movie Blog], June 5, 2008</ref> which revealed the casting of [[Ramon Rodriguez]] as a character named "[[Leo Spitz|Leo]]", the appearance of an [[Sideways (ROTF)|Audi R8]] and [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] as well as a character with the working name "[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Stinger]]". Furthermore, an ice cream truck that had just been spotted on the Bethlehem set a day earlier<ref name="bethfirst">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-2-bethlehem-images---update---ironhide-on-set-165046/ Set photos from the Bethlehem shoot at TFW2005], June 4, 2008</ref> was hinted to be two characters only referred to as "[[The Twins]]". Lastly, the call sheet revealed that the next shooting location would be the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where an SR-71 Blackbird would be revealed to be a Decepticon named [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. A character named "[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheels]]" was also supposed to appear in that scene. In July 2008, Bay then claimed that fake scripts, treatments, "wrong schedules and call sheets with fake scenes on them" had been deliberately leaked to the internet.<ref name="bayfakescript">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=44729&postcount=2 Michael Bay's forum post claiming that only he and the writers had seen the script]</ref>

For the longest time, Bay upheld the position that [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] would ''not'' return in ''Revenge of the Fallen''. After concept designs of Megatron's new [[alternate mode]] had surfaced (some of which would later turn out to be designs for the [[Robot Powered Machines|RPM]] Megatron toy, while the first ones that surfaced were far too advanced for mere "toy" designs<ref name="megsleak">Various leaks of the new Megatron design for ROTF mirrored at the Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, September 2008: [http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/09/tf2-megatron-image.html Robot mode design], [http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/09/megatrons-alt-mode.html concept art for the alternate mode], [http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/09/megatron-toy-pictures.html control drawings for Megatron's RPM vehicle toy]</ref>), Bay insisted that this was "just Hasbro coming up with a new toy", and Megatron would not appear in the movie.<ref name="EmpireFeb2009">''Empire'' magazine issue 236, dated February 2009, pages 68 and 69, article entitled "20 to watch in 2009", written by Nick de Semelyn</ref> Following ''officially released'' evidence to the contrary (including Megatron's brief appearance in the February 1 Super Bowl TV spot and the February teaser trailer), screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]] confirmed that Megatron would indeed return.<ref name="mreturns">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-211.html#post3333713 Roberto Orci confirming Megatron's return on TFW2005.com - February 22, 2009]</ref> Shortly afterwards, Bay retracted his claims, but not entirely, suggesting that Megatron would only appear in a flashback scene "from the long lost past", despite the fact Megatron could be seen pinning [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam Witwicky]] to the ground in the aforementioned TV spot and teaser trailer. He also denied that Megatron would transform into a tank.<ref name="catoutbag">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=66825&postcount=4 Bay retracting from his claims about Megatron on his forum - March 6, 2009]</ref>

====General Motors and the Chevrolet Volt====
In August 2008, after a Chevrolet Volt vehicle had been spotted on the set of ''Revenge'', General Motors reluctantly admitted having provided the car to the production crew, and that the car would indeed appear in the film, but claimed that it was no production vehicle (i.e. some details may differ from the final car, similar to Bumblebee's Concept Camaro in the first movie). Chevrolet also claimed that the Volt was only used for one or two days of shooting, and that it would only "appear in the movie very briefly", and "not as a Decepticon or Autobot", so it would "not have a Transformer nickname".<ref name="edmundsjolt">[http://web.archive.org/web/20090129105851/http://edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=131426 Edmunds Inside Line article on the Chevrolet Volt spotted on the set], August 2008</ref> (While it's true that [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] was a last-minute addition to the movie, the car was spotted again later at a different set.<ref name="joltwhite">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/09/chevy-volt-at-white-sands-set.html Set photos from White Sands Missile Range] including the Chevrolet Volt, September 2008.</ref>)

====Edited IDW interviews====
Bay and/or Paramount also tried to have information prematurely revealed by third parties contained after the fact: During [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2008, in an interview on July 25th, comic book writer [[Simon Furman]] revealed that the film would feature a character named [[The Fallen]], which was a character they had created for [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages]]''.<ref name="furmancbr">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17412Simon Furman interview with Comic Book Resources], edited version.</ref> Three days later, [[IDW Publishing]] writer [[Chris Mowry]] corroborated the claim in an interview with MTV Splash Page, calling "The Fallen" the main villain of ''Revenge''. [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] was also confirmed in the same interview.<ref name="mowrymtv">[http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/07/28/exclusive-transformers-2-prequel-comic-gives-inside-scoop-on-2009-movie/ MTV Splash Page interviews Chris Mowry], edited version.</ref> Less than a week after this, however, Michael Bay reiterated that everything leaked thus far was part of his alleged disinformation campaign, and that only a handful of people involved with the production of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had actually seen the script, contradicting IDW's interviews where their representatives confirmed that they had the script. Additionally, Bay claimed the only truth about the film revealed up to that point was Sam going to college.<ref name="bayfakescript"/> Curiously, on August 5th 2008, after a fan had pointed out the contradiction to Bay, all references to The Fallen (and Arcee) were removed from the aforementioned interviews, as well as any references to IDW Publishing having the script.<ref name="interviewsoriginal">[http://tfwiki.net/~fortmax/movie/index.html Mirrored copies of the unedited versions of the interviews.]</ref>

====Other (minor) instances of disinformation and misconceptions====
Other (in)famous instances of disinformation included an alleged sighting of both [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz's]] Pontiac Solstice vehicle mode and voice actor [[Darius McCrary]] on the Bethlehem set<ref name="jazzrumor">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/autobot-jazz-is-back-for-transformers-movie-sequel-165008/ TFW reporting on the alleged sightings of the Jazz Pontiac Solstice and voice actor Darius McCrary], May 2008</ref> (it's ''possible'' that someone mistook an [[Sideways (ROTF)|Audi R8]] or the [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Chevrolet Corvette concept car]] for a Pontiac Solstice, and McCrary ''might'' have genuinely visited the set out of sheer curiosity) and an "update" to a (legitimate) casting call that contained nothing but fake character names and descriptions,<ref name="fakecall">[http://spoilertv-movies.blogspot.com/2008/04/transformers-2.html Fake casting call at Spoiler TV], April 2008. Note: Everything up until "CNN Reporter" originates from another, legitimate casting call; everything from "Head of Sector 7" onward is made up.</ref> including a funeral director who would allegedly bury [[Seymour Simmons|Simmons]]. It's unclear whether any of these were instances of deliberate disinformation on behalf of Bay, or just attention-seeking fans coming up with made-up "scoops" on their own. Furthermore, three of [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade's]] Saleen Mustang prop vehicles were spotted on a truck bed in Culver City, California, in March 2008, more than two months before principal shooting for ''Revenge'' started.<ref name="vehspotted">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/transformersnews.php?id=6980 Superhero Hype reporting on the spotting of Barricade vehicles in March 2008]</ref> It's unclear if this was an instance of deliberate disinformation, or just a genuine move of the vehicles with no further intention behind it.

==Notes==
*The official title of the film is ''Revenge of the Fallen'' (with a lower-case "t" in "the") even though it is apparently referring to [[The Fallen]] (with a capital "T" in "The").
*Marketing for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' briefly used the tagline "Our World. Our War.", a play on the primary marketing tagline from the first live-action film, "Our World. Their War.".
*Leo's room features posters for [[Wikipedia:Naruto|Naruto]], [[Wikipedia:Cloverfield|Cloverfield]] (whose infamous first teaser debuted at screenings of the first Transformers film), and [[Wikipedia:Bad Boys 2|Bad Boys 2]] (another of Michael Bay's movies).
*During the scenes set in and around the deli in NYC, posters for the bands [[Wikipedia:Catch 22 (band)|Catch Twenty-Two]] and [[wikipedia:Voodoo Glow Skulls|Voodoo Glow Skulls]] are prominently featured.
*Even though ''Revenge'' features mostly domestic voice actors for the foreign market dubs, [[Frank Welker]] voiced [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] not only in English, but also in a large number of foreign dubs, including the Italian and French versions. As a result, in the Italian dub of the movie, Soundwave speaks with a strange, foreign accent. Welker is also credited for an unspecified voice role in the Latin Spanish dub, most likely Soundwave again. Furthermore, Welker is ''incorrectly'' credited for voicing Soundwave in the German dub, even though German dubbing insiders insist that the voice heard in the actual movie has been provided by someone else ([[Horst Lampe]], who also dubbed ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]), presumably as a last-minute decision because Welker's "German" performance was considered sub-standard.<ref name="germandub">[http://215072.homepagemodules.de/t511643f11775323-Transformers-Die-Rache-Transformers-Revenge-of-the-Fallen-7.html German dubbing board thread about ROTF, with a discussion about Soundwave's voice]</ref> Welker described the entire process of dubbing Soundwave in different languages as "very hard".<ref name="welkernewsarama">[http://www.newsarama.com/tv/090915-Animated-Shorts-Welker.html Newsarama interview with Frank Welker], September 2009.</ref>
*The prequel novel introduced other Autobots into the ranks of [[NEST]]—[[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]], [[Salvage (Movie)|Salvage]], and [[Knock Out (ROTF)|Knockout]]. They were present up until the events directly leading into the Shanghai incident, but were not present for any of the events featured in the film or adaptations. {{storylink|Transformers: The Veiled Threat|The Veiled Threat}}
* While ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' used 20 terabytes of disk space for visual effects, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' used 154 terabytes.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2009). Weighty Matters. Computer Graphics World, 32(7), 20-29</ref>
* The Chinese name for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was "[[wikia:c:starwars:Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back|Decepticon Strikes Back]]" for a while before the title was changed into "The War of Revenge" in theaters and media in Taiwan around mid to late 2008.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Revenge''''' (トランスフォーマー/リベンジ ''Toransufōmā/Ribenji'')
*''Cantonese:'' (變形金剛: 狂派再起, "Transformers: The Return of the Decepticons")
*''Finnish:'' '''''Transformers: Kaatuneiden kosto''''' ("Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers: La Revanche''''' ("Transformers: The Revenge")
*''German:'' '''''Transformers: Die Rache''''' ("Transformers: The Revenge")
*''Italian:'' '''''Transformers 2: La Vendetta del Caduto''''' ("Transformers 2: The Revenge Of The Fallen")
*''Polish:'' '''''Transformers: Zemsta Upadłych''''' ("Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: Retaliação''''' (Portugal, "Transformers: Retaliation"), '''''Transformers: A Vingança dos Derrotados''''' (Brazil, "Transformers: The Vengeance of the Defeated")
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Pièn-hsíng Chīn-kāng: Fùch'óu chīh chàn''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛: 復仇之戰, "Transformers: The War of Revenge"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Duòluòzhě dē Fùchóu''''' (China, 变形金刚：堕落者的复仇, "Transformers: The Revenge of the Fallen")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Mest' Padshikh''''' (Трансформеры: Месть падших, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones")
*''Serbian:'' '''''Transformersi: Osveta Poraženog''''' (''Transformers: The Revenge Of The Fallen'')
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: La Venganza de los Caídos''''' (''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones'')
*''Swedish:'' '''''Transformers: De Besegrades Hämnd''''' (''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones'')
*''Turkish:'' '''''Transformers: Yenilenlerin İntikamı''''' (''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones'')

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersmovie.com Dreamworks/Paramount's ''Transformers'' Movie website]
*[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/ Hasbro's ''Transformers'' homepage]
*Designer portfolios: [http://www.joshnizzi.com/ Josh Nizzi], [http://www.ryanchurch.com/images/tf2/04PRO_TF2.htm Ryan Church], [http://skulboyfilmwork.blogspot.com/2009/07/transformers-revenge-of-fallen.html Duncan Crawford], [http://www.paulozzimo.com/ Paul Ozzimo], [http://www.stevejung.net/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=4 Steve Jung], [http://conceptartworld.com/?p=2772 Ben Procter], [http://www.seanhaworth.com/SH_Design/Portfolio/Portfolio.html Sean Haworth]
*[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/10866/tcid/1 Interview with Michael Bay 02/09/2009] — Collider.com

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

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[[Category:Real world films]]
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Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)

2015-12-04T04:07:13Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Main cast */

{{nav-rotf}}
[[File:ROTFteaserposter.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me.]]
{{quote|We had three weeks to get our story and, really, we were going into the movie without a script. It’s tough to do that.|[[Michael Bay]], [http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/01/14/michael-bay-ready-to-make-you-forget-transformers-2-it-was-kind-of-a-mess/ LA Times interview]}}

'''''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen''''' is the second film in the [[live-action film series]], a sequel to ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''. It was released in North America on [[June 24]], [[2009]].

The film is set two years after the events of ''Transformers''. The Autobots have found a home in "NEST", a secret military unit created to eliminate the remaining Decepticons, and Sam is starting college and trying to leave his Transformer-laden past behind. The Decepticons are regrouping, however. Megatron is restored to life, and his master, The Fallen, schemes to activate an energon-producing Star Harvester on Earth, which will destroy the planet and provide the Decepticons with enough energon to raise an army. The Harvester's location, and the means to activate it, are hidden within Sam's mind, leading the Decepticons to wage war across the Earth as they hunt down the human. Witwicky turns to some unlikely allies to escape and survive. Ultimately, the last of the Primes defeats The Fallen, destroys the Harvester, and proves the Autobots' greatest power is found in their unexpectedly-ancient alliance with the humans.

Director [[Michael Bay]] set out to greatly expand the film's scope with settings ranging across the globe, and a much larger cast of Transformers, with over 40 robots in all.

::::::::::::::::::::{{bigquote|Revenge is mine!|The Fallen}}

==Synopsis==
In 17,000 B.C., a group of human hunters discover Transformers already on Earth, building [[Star Harvester|a machine]]. [[The Fallen|One of the Transformers]] notices the humans, and his reaction is less than friendly.

Two years after the battle of [[Mission City]], the Autobots have teamed up with the American soldiers, including [[William Lennox|Lennox]] and [[Robert Epps|Epps]], in a secret team named [[NEST]] under the command of the [[United States military|US military]], but also incorporating soldiers from other countries such as the United Kingdom. Officially, the US government still keeps the Transformers' existence a secret.

[[File:ROTF-Arceethree.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Well, I guess you don't know everything about women yet.]]

NEST is hunting down the Decepticons on Earth. A region of [[Shanghai]], [[China]] is evacuated to allow NEST to deploy with a cover-up of a toxic chemical spill occurring. As soldiers probe the region, they find the heat signature of the Decepticon [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]], who transforms and wreaks havoc on the roadways. His discovery prompts his partner, [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]], to escape as well. Sideways is pursued by [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], Skids, and Mudflap, although Sideswipe, waiting for the Decepticon, eventually slices him lengthwise in half. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] is airlifted to Shanghai and chases Demolishor through the city with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. Optimus shoots Demolishor several times in the head, while Ironhide shoots out his wheels, causing him to crash and fall off a bypass, badly injuring himself in the process. Before Optimus kills him, Demolishor delivers the cryptic message: "The Fallen shall rise again."

[[File:ROTF Sam Cube fragment.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|You will go to the Dagobah system. There you will learn from Yoda.]]

Meanwhile, [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam Witwicky]] is preparing for his move to college and dealing with his bipolar mother. His father is looking forward to enjoying a holiday in Paris, and [[Mojo]] has a new canine companion named [[Frankie]]. Sam is on the phone to his rather snarky girlfriend, when he finds a splinter of the [[AllSpark]] lodged in his "D-Day shirt". He experiences a brief flash of images before the splinter burns him. Dropping it, Sam sees the floor catch fire as the splinter burns its way down to the kitchen, where it brings numerous kitchen devices to life. These [[appliancebot]]s make their way to Sam's room and attack. He escapes to the garden, where the bots pin Sam and his father behind the water fountain. After [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] has destroyed the kitchen robots (and part of the Witwickys' house with them), Sam hands the AllSpark shard to [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]]. His mother demands Bumblebee leaves. Sam then tells Bumblebee to join the other Autobots, as both of them need to move on. Sam and Mikaela have a slight scuffle over who should say the words "I love you" first, but they kiss and move on. Sam leaves for college, and no one notices a [[Wheelie (ROTF)|toy car]] in the lawn. It detects the splinter and signals [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], who is stationed in orbit around Earth, disguised as a satellite, and Soundwave orders the truck to follow the girl.

Meanwhile, NEST is in a video briefing with [[Morshower|General Morshower]], Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when they are visited by National Security Adviser [[Theodore Galloway]], who has been dispatched to relay the President's concerns over the casualties in Shanghai. As Optimus relays the warning of "The Fallen", Soundwave takes control of the satellite transmitting the message. Galloway dismisses the threat, convinced that the only reason the Decepticons are interested in Earth is because of the presence of the Autobots. Therefore, he suggests that they may leave the planet. Optimus says that, yes, they will, but also warns Galloway that he may be wrong. During the conversation, Galloway reveals the location of the AllSpark shard Optimus Prime had picked up after killing [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], and the location of Megatron's remains in the [[Laurentian Abyss]].

Sam arrives at college with his parents and meets his roommate, [[Leo Spitz]], who operates a [[The Real Effing Deal|conspiracy website]] and is convinced that alien robots are hiding on Earth. Sam feigns ignorance and goes to see if he can get another room, but his hunt is interrupted by his father and mother, the latter of whom has unwittingly purchased some marijuana-laced brownies. In the corridor, Leo points out [[Alice]], another student he has the hots for. Sam is more concerned with tracking down his mother, who by now is roaming the school, informing random people about the state of Sam's virginity.

Soundwave dispatches his minion [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] to Earth, where he infiltrates the NEST base on [[Diego Garcia]]. Ravage horks a swarm of [[Microcon (ROTF)|microcons]] into an ventilation outlet, and they swarm down to the chamber where the AllSpark shard is being held. There they combine into [[Reedman]], who steals the shard and joins Ravage in a rapid escape.

Although he's due to have a webcam date with Mikaela, Sam is dragged to at a frat party by Leo. He suffers some sort of attack, seeing [[Cyberglyphics|alien symbols]] which he is trying to write on a table with cake icing when he's approached by Alice, who attempts to seduce him. When Bumblebee shows up, she takes a ride with Sam, but Bumblebee does everything he can to convince her to leave, up to and including spraying her with an [[lubricant|unidentifiable yellow liquid]]. Bumblebee then takes Sam to Optimus Prime, who tells him of the theft of the AllSpark shard and asks Sam to speak with the government on their behalf. Sam refuses, saying that he has his own problems and does not believe that he is the right person for this task.

[[File:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|What is thy bidding, my master?]]

At the Laurentian Abyss, Ravage meets up with several [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]], who have placed themselves aboard a cargo ship, then dives with them to the bottom of the ocean, where the US military has dumped Megatron's remains. Using the shard and spare parts from [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|one of the Constructicons]] (who is presumably killed), [[Scalpel (ROTF)|"The Doctor"]] is able to revive Megatron, who promptly travels to one of Saturn's moons, where the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' is being used as a base by the Decepticons. He is awaited by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], who is overseeing the spawning of a new army of Decepticons. After beating Starscream for leaving him to die, Megatron presents himself to his master, The Fallen. Although Megatron believes he has failed, The Fallen reveals that when the Cube was destroyed, the knowledge within the AllSpark was instead transferred to Sam, and with it the means to locate a device capable of creating vast amounts of Energon. The Fallen commands Megatron to capture Sam and kill Optimus, who is the last [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and the only transformer who can defeat The Fallen.

As he sits in [[Colan|Professor Colan]]'s astronomy class, Sam suddenly reads through the entire reference book in a matter of seconds, before interrupting the Professor's lecture to scrawl more of the strange symbols on a blackboard and deliver a speed lecture on higher physics. After the Professor throws him out, he realises that the effects he's been experiencing may be linked to touching the AllSpark shard. When he calls Mikaela to warn her not to touch it, the [[Wheelie (ROTF)|toy-truck Decepticon]] tries to steal the shard, but Mikaela captures the tiny Decepticon. Mikaela promptly boards a plane to see Sam.

Alerted to multiple Decepticon contacts, NEST mobilises, but the Autobots are already on their way somewhere, and refusing to answer calls from their human comrades.

[[File:ROTF Optimus death.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|You are beaten. It is useless to resist.]]

Leo and Alice find Sam in the dorm room, freaking out and covering the walls with glyphs. Alice pushes Leo outside, and when Mikaela arrives, she finds Sam and Alice in what appears to be an intimate moment. It soon turns out, however, that Alice is a Decepticon as well. Mikaela, Sam and Leo flee as Alice hunts them, devastating the campus library; Mikaela eventually defeats her by slamming her into a tree with a hotwired car. The three humans try to get away but are captured by [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] and delivered to the waiting Megatron in an abandoned building. Megatron orders "The Doctor" to remove Sam's brain in order to access the information from the AllSpark shard, but Optimus Prime and Bumblebee arrive to free the three humans. Prime takes Sam and flees, but is soon overtaken by Megatron, Starscream and Grindor. In the subsequent battle, Prime injures Starscream and kills Grindor by tearing his head apart. However, Optimus is eventually impaled by Megatron and dies. The other Autobots arrive, saving Sam and causing Megatron and Starscream to retreat.

With the Decepticons unable to locate Sam on their own, Megatron decides that a show of force is in order to compel the humans to turn Sam over to him. Soundwave relays the mobilization order to the ''Nemesis'' and then tracks down [[Ron Witwicky|Ron]] and [[Judy Witwicky]] in Paris. Decepticons, joined by The Fallen, enter Earth and cause massive damage in their transition forms, destroying a [[United States Navy|naval carrier]] in the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and attacking Paris, kidnapping Sam's parents. In a hijacked TV broadcast around the world, The Fallen reveals his existence to the world's public and demands Sam be surrendered to him or else the Decepticons will destroy the world. As a result manhunt for Sam is launched.

[[File:Rotf t2 simmonsclassified.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Ready are you? What know you of ready?]]

Sam, meanwhile, is hiding out with Mikaela, Leo, Bumblebee and the Autobot twins, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. Leo complains loudly about the strange turn his life has taken of late, and Sam rightly tells him to shut the hell up.

The Autobots return to the NEST base, where they are surrounded by the military. Galloway tells them that he has placed in charge of NEST, which is to cease all activities relating to the Decepticons. NEST is being stood down, and they are all to return to Diego Garcia, while the military draws up a coordinated multinational strategy, buying time by negotiating with the Decepticons. Though Lennox tries to argue, it's futile as Galloway pulls rank. Ratchet says the Autobots should leave Earth altogether, but Ironhide points out that it's not what Optimus would want.

Feeling guilty for Prime's death, Sam decides to solve the mystery of the symbols he's been seeing. The Autobots identify the symbols as Cybertronian, but since the language predates their existence, they cannot translate them. Leo eventually suggests they may ask his rival, "[[Robo-Warrior]]", owner of a [[GiantEffingRobots.com|competing website]], for help. To everyone's surprise, Robo-Warrior turns out to be none other than [[Seymour Simmons]], former agent of [[Sector Seven]]. Simmons reveals that the Transformers were on Earth some time ago, as symbols similar to those Sam is obsessed with have been found on numerous excavation sites around the world, and that Sector Seven discovered evidence that several Transformers stayed on Earth for some time. However, in order to read the symbols, they may need a Decepticon. Mikaela then interrogates Wheelie, who identifies the symbols as the Language of the Primes, and suggests they may track down one of the ancient [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seekers]], the Transformers believed to be on Earth. Wheelie identifies one as being nearby, in [[Washington, D.C.]]

[[File:ROTF behold Jetfire.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Looking? Found someone you have, I would say, hmmm?]]

At the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, they discover an old Decepticon named [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], disguised as an SR-71 Blackbird. After some initial confusion on his part, Jetfire explains he has defected to the Autobots, inspiring Wheelie to follow suit. When Sam finishes writing down the symbols, Jetfire says that they were part of the Seekers' mission, and he opens a [[space bridge]] and teleports himself as well as Sam, Mikaela, Leo, Simmons, Bumblebee and the Twins to [[Egypt]]. He explains that thousands of years ago, the Transformers arrived on Earth on an exploratory mission under their original leaders, the [[Dynasty of Primes|Primes]]. The Primes had come to build a Star Harvester, a device which can create [[Energon]], the Transformers fuel, by destroying suns. The Primes had a single rule of never destroying a star with a living bearing world, but one of the Primes, forever known as The Fallen, despised the humans and tried to activate the machine. The Primes were unable to defeat their brother, but instead stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]], the key needed to activate the harvester, and gave their lives to seal it in a tomb made of their own bodies. Jetfire further explains that only a Prime can hope to defeat The Fallen, and with the death of Optimus, they are doomed. Sam suggests that they may use the Matrix to revive Optimus Prime, which is backed up by Jetfire. They head towards Giza, dodging Egyptian police on the way.

In New Jersey, NEST are loading up to return to Diego Garcia when Simmons contacts Lennox to relay information about the new quest, and co-ordinates where they can drop Optimus's body. Lennox and Epps decide to trust the new information and go against their orders. Sam's group passes through a checkpoint, allowing Soundwave to pinpoint their location, but they reach the Pyramids of Giza, where they pick up the next clue, pointing to [[Jordan]].

On the NEST aircraft, Lennox tricks Galloway into bailing out of the plane. Back in the US, General Morshower receives a communique from Lennox, and arranges to have assets in the target area.

In Petra, Sam's group discovers the [[Tomb of the Primes]]. Inside, Sam finds the Matrix, which instantly crumbles into dust into his hands. Sam collects the dust regardless, and he and Mikaela return outside where Simmons and Leo have spotted the NEST team parachuting into Egypt to begin preparing for battle near the pyramids.

[[File:ROTF movie BumblebeevsRampage.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|This baby's got a few surprises in her.]]

Before Sam and the others can get back to Lennox and his people, the Decepticons start their attack. Bumblebee, Simmons, Leo, and the Twins draw their fire while Sam and Mikaela make a break for the soldiers. The Constructicons merge into [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]], who proceeds to swallow Mudflap. Mudflap, however, is able to free himself, together with Skids, they try to slow Devastator down. While the Autobots and NEST fight the Decepticons, Starscream leads several other Constructicons in a search for Sam, and intending to use Sam's parents to lure him into a trap. Falling into the trap, Sam offers to hand over the Matrix dust to the Constructicon [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]], but only to stall for time until Bumblebee is able to attack and destroy the Decepticon. Ravage attacks Bumblebee from behind, but is killed as well. Sam then orders Bumblebee to get his parents to safety while he and Mikaela try to reach Optimus Prime's body. A remote drone relays pictures back to Morshower, who launches [[Operation: Firestorm]], ordering an immediate launch of pretty much everything they can muster.

[[File:ROTF Devastator Mudflap swallow.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|How you get so big eating food of this kind?]]

In the meantime, Devastator has begun to take apart the pyramid that has been built around the Harvester. Simmons calls a navy ship off the coast of Egypt and orders the use of a railgun. Meanwhile, Sam finally meets up with Lennox and Epps, but they're pinned down by [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]]. Jetfire arrives and kills Mixmaster and [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]], but is mortally wounded by the smaller Decepticon. Simmons relays Devastator's coordinates to the Navy, who score a direct hit on the giant with their railgun. Devastator is torn to pieces and topples from the pyramid. After an air strike takes out most of the other Decepticons, Sam makes a dash for Prime's body, but is caught in the blast of a shot fired by Megatron. While paramedics try to reanimate him, the Matrix dust gets spilled across his hand, and Sam encounters the dead Primes in a vision. The Primes tell him that he was destined to find the Matrix and save the life of the last Prime. Sam returns to life, which is enough to get him and Mikaela to admit that they love each other, and the dust in his hand turns back into the Matrix, which he is able to revive Optimus Prime.

[[File:TheFallen-ROTFfacegotten.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Perhaps you are not as strong as the Emperor thought.]]
Just then, The Fallen arrives by teleportation, steals the Matrix, and teleports himself to the pyramid, where he uses the Matrix to activate the Harvester. The soldiers and armored vehicles begin firing on the pyramid, but The Fallen raises the heavy weaponry with his telekinetic powers and destroys it all. Dying, Jetfire offers his parts to Optimus Prime, and then rips out his own Spark. [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] and [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] then proceed to fuse Jetfire's remains with Optimus Prime, making him extremely powerful with flight capabilities. Optimus Prime is then able to destroy the Harvester, then faces the Fallen and Megatron. After a short, but fierce battle, Optimus defeats Megatron and kills The Fallen. Horrified at the demise of his master, the severely injured Megatron follows Starscream's suggestion and retreats, but vows that the war isn't over.

[[File:ROTF Optimus Sam ship.JPG|thumb|200px|Take care, you two. May the Force be with you.]]

With the battle won, the Autobots, NEST, Sam and his friends return to the USA on board an aircraft carrier. Upon his return, Sam continues to attend college, while Optimus Prime sends another message detailing recent events, so the shared past of Humanity and the Autobots will not be forgotten as it was before.
{{-}}

==Quotes==





"Gotta wonder... if God made us in his image, who made ''him?''"
:—'''Epps''', as Galloway first witnesses Optimus's transformation.

"We've shed blood, sweat, and precious metal together." 
"Soldier, you're paid to shoot, not talk." 
[muttering] "Don't tempt me."
:—'''Epps''' is not really happy with '''Galloway'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s plan to get rid of the Autobots.

"So let me ask: If we ultimately conclude that our national security is best served by denying you further asylum on our planet, will you leave peacefully?" 
"Freedom is your right. If you make that request, we will honor it. But before your President decides, please ask him this: What if we leave, and you're ''wrong''?"
:—'''Galloway''' makes the U.S. government's position on the Autobot refugees clear, while '''Optimus Prime''' counters with a pointed argument of his own

"No, uh, it's just this friend of mine went to get you a tighter shirt." 
"There isn't a [[tightest shirt|tighter shirt]]! We ''checked''!"
:—'''Sam''' tries to deflect a pair of '''frat boys'''

"Sam, fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', trying to convince Sam Witwicky to become involved in the conflict once again

"I know you’re pissed. I know you’re pissed because I tried to kill you and it's completely understandable. If somebody tried to kill me, I’d be upset, too."
:—'''Sam Witwicky''' tries to relate with Megatron, to no avail.

"Is the future of our race not worth a single human life?" 
"You'll never stop at ''one''. ''[Unsheathes his left blade]'' '''I'll take you all on!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' tries to justify killing Sam, but '''Optimus Prime''' disapproves based on the potato chip theory. The most epic beatdown of the film ensues.

'''Sam''': "These symbols gotta mean something. Like a message... or a map. A map to an energon source. Can you guys read this?" 
'''Skids''': "''Read?''" 
'''Mudflap''': "Nu-uh, w-no. We don't really do much reading."
:—Literacy with '''Skids''' and '''Mudflap'''.

"Beginning. Middle. End. Facts. Details. Condense. Plot. Tell it."
:—'''Simmons''' demands more coherent exposition from Jetfire.

"One man, alone..." 
"Stop saying that!" 
"...Betrayed by the country he loves." 
"Oh, my goodness, I'm in the car with you. You're not alone!"
:—'''Simmons''' being, well, himself, much to '''Leo Spitz'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s distress.

"Now I claim your sun!"
:—'''The Fallen''' does the standard "I claim victory before I have actually won" bit.

"You picked the wrong planet! Give me your ''face!''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' warns The Fallen of his violent fetish.

"Not to call you a coward, master, but, sometimes, cowards do survive."
:—'''Starscream''' pitches his usual battle plan to an unusually receptive Megatron.

"Our races united by a history long forgotten and a future we shall face together. I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message so that our pasts will always be remembered. For in those memories, we live on."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s closing narration.

==Main cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] ([[Mark Ryan]])*
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] ([[Mark Ryan]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]])
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] ([[André Sogliuzzo]])
*[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] ([[Grey DeLisle]])
*[[Chromia (Movie)|Chromia]] ([[Grey DeLisle]])
*[[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] ([[Grey DeLisle]])
*[[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]]
|c2=
*[[The Fallen]] ([[Tony Todd]])
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charlie Adler]])
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Reedman]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]] ([[John Di Crosta]])
*[[Alice]] ([[Isabel Lucas]])
*[[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] ([[Calvin Wimmer]])
*[[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]]
*[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]]
*[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]]
*[[Hightower (ROTF)|Hightower]]
*[[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]]
*[[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]]
*[[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]
*[[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]]
*[[Protoform]] army
*An [[Buffalo MPV Decepticon|unnamed Decepticon]]
*[[Scalpel's assistant]]s
*An [[Insecticon (Movie)|Insecticon]]
*[[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]
|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])
*[[Mikaela Banes]] ([[Megan Fox]])
*[[Leo Spitz]] ([[Ramon Rodriguez]])
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[William Lennox|Major William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Robert Epps|Master Sergeant Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])
*[[Morshower|General Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]])
*[[Theodore Galloway]] ([[John Benjamin Hickey]])
*[[Graham|SASF Agent Graham]] ([[Matthew Marsden]])
*[[Colan|Professor Colan]] ([[Rainn Wilson]])
*[[Fassbinder]] ([[Jonathon Trent]])
*[[Sharsky]] ([[Walker Howard]])
*[[Tova Simmons]] ([[Annie Korzen]])
|c4=
*[[Mojo]] ([[Chester the Chihuahua]])
*[[Frankie]] ([[Paris (dog)|Paris]])
*[[Bonecrusher (dog)|Bonecrusher]] (himself)
'''[[Appliancebot]]s'''
*[[Dickbot the blender guy]]
*[[Ejector]]
*[[Dyson vacuum cleaner]]
*[[Microwave bot]]
*[[Waffle iron]]
*[[Cappuccino bot]]
*[[Garbage disposal bot]]
*[[Hand mixer]]
*[[Stand mixer]]
*[[CISCO Aironet]]
'''[[Dynasty of Primes|Seven Primes]]'''
*Prime #1 ([[Michael York]])
*Prime #2 ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*Prime #3 ([[Robin Atkin Downes]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Bumblebee's lines as spoken by Ryan were cut from the final movie, but one scene where his voice could be heard was in a promotional video created for ShoWest 2009.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRIfbFpe_sg Preview footage] from ShoWest 2009 showing Bumblebee "speaking" a line not used in the final cut.</ref>

==Errors==
===Filming / editing / technical errors===
[[File:ROTF filmcrewinsideplane.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Goddamn papparazi get ''everywhere!'']]

*When the Twins crash during their pursuit of Sideways, the pairs' voices are switched, with Tom Kenny's voice coming from Mudflap as he announces he is okay, and Reno Wilson delivering the admonishments as Skids punches him.

*During the Shanghai battle, when the ramp on the NEST C-17 transport is lowering to reveal Optimus Prime in the cargo bay, a filming crew (including director Michael Bay) can be seen inside the plane on the left side of screen.

*The vehicle modes the Twins scan already have personalized [[license plate]]s on them, though this could theoretically just be NEST personnel customizing the cars on the Twins' behalf beforehand.
**Furthermore, despite sporting a "SKIDS" license plate in vehicle mode most of the time, Skids sports a license plate stating his vehicle model, "BEAT", in an establishing shot during the scene in New York City.
**This would also make the Twin's fighting over which car they get pointless, as they have already been assigned a specific car determined by the plate.

*Despite the minor cosmetic changes to his Camaro vehicle mode (i.e. new car prop) and the corresponding changes to his robot mode (i.e. modified CG model), Bumblebee still sports the same license plate''s'' as in the previous film. That is, his license plate is ''still'' inconsistent between both modes, alternating between "900 STRA" in vehicle mode and "4NZZ454" in robot mode.

*Similarly, despite still sporting his license plate from the previous movie, "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, Ironhide no longer ''has'' a license plate in vehicle mode.

*When Sam jumps from the second story of his house to escape the kitchen robots, a stuntperson who does not look much like Shia LaBeouf performs the stunt.

[[File:ROTF Optimus missing cheek glyph.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Cybertronian tattoo removal is expensive.]]
*Optimus Prime is missing the [[Cyberglyphics|Cyberglyph]] on his cheek during the scene in the hanger.

*During the scene in which Alice meets Sam at the party Sam gets a drink and the glass is full, then the camera angle changes and the glass is half full/empty, then the angle changes again and the glass is full again.

*Bumblebee picks up Sam at the frat party in the evening. He then takes him to a graveyard where it's dawn. In real life, the graveyard is located in [[Philadelphia]], while the frat party is set a hundred miles north, in Princeton. Still, even in [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] traffic, the trip wouldn't take ''all night.''

*During Sam's campus freak-out, when he drops his notes on the steps, a blonde woman in a suit can be seen coming down the steps to his left, nearly reaching him. However, when the camera angle shifts, the woman is suddenly at the top of the stairs again.

*As Alice attacks Sam, part of the window behind them is taken up by a fan. When Mikaela throws the tool box, it smashes through a glass pane where the fan had been moments before, with the fan itself now resting against the wall under the ''Bad Boys II'' poster.

*When the Autobots are driving to Sam's college shortly before the Decepticons attack him, Arcee is completely absent from the group, while previously-unseen Jolt shows up in one shot ''in front'' of the others, then when the camera angle changes, he disappears.

*In the flyover shot of the barge on which the four Constructicons sit, a red bulldozer, a concrete mixer, a green dump truck and a yellow front-end loader are visible. After the flyover shot, the yellow loader disappears and is replaced with a yellow Volvo excavator.

*During the North Atlantic sequence, on the submarine [[United States Navy#U.S.S. Topeka (SSN-754)|U.S.S. Topeka]]'s sonar, there are "five contacts" diving down to Megatron's body's location, and "six contacts" coming up after his resurrection. Although this is dramatic, since [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|one Constructicon]] was killed to repair Megatron, shouldn't there be only five contacts going up as well? Keep in mind, Scalpel is too small to register on sonar, but Ravage is just large enough.

*When the [[United States Navy#U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71|U.S.S. ''Theodore Roosevelt'']] is sunk by Decepticon [[transition form]]s, its hull number of 71 can be seen on the bridge island. However, when it sinks, a hull number of 7'''4''' can clearly be seen on the bow of the landing deck. CVN-74 belongs to the [[United States Navy#U.S.S. John C. Stennis (CVN-74)|U.S.S. ''John C. Stennis'']], a carrier that shows up later in the film and was also the carrier used for filming.

*Tasers do not cause those tased to go into convulsions. Even if they get tased in the nuts.

*There is a spiderweb in a tomb that explosively decompressed after being opened to the air for the first time in millions of years.

*While the NEST team and Director Galloway are on the C-17 headed to Egypt, Prime's body appears and disappears from shot to shot.

*When an aide to Morshower shows him a map indicating that Lennox's NEST team have airdropped in Egypt, the location marked is actually on the eastern side of the Red Sea, in Jordan. ''Oops.''

*In the quarry when Devastator forms, the Twins go from grimy and dust covered to showroom floor clean within two shots.

*When Sam and Mikaela are running at the same moment Megatron spots them, you can see Sam is holding Mikaela's arm, but his jacket is nowhere to be seen. In the next shot, he has his jacket on his arm.

*Once again, the [[wikipedia:MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9 Reaper]] drone is referred to as the more well-known [[wikipedia:MQ-1 Predator|MQ-1 Predator]]. The drone is powered by a propeller, which can be seen when the (real) drone takes off. However, due to the usage of footage from the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie, when the (CGI) drone approaches the battlefield, the propeller is absent, replaced by a jet engine. Also unfortunate is the fact the real drone with the propeller is white, while the CGI drone is black. ''Oy.''

*Ravage tears off Bumblebee's back kibble... but in the next shot it's back.

*As the humans and Autobots run from the bombs being dropped on the Decepticons, a damaged Ironhide ejects the cannon on his left arm. In later shots, the cannon is back on his arm.

===Story / continuity errors===
*Most of the [[NEST]] and [[United States military|American]] soldiers are seen using small-calibre arms such as assault rifles, machine guns, and sniper rifles against the Decepticons, despite the previous film establishing very clearly that such weapons were useless against Cybertronians, and that "high-heat" sabot rounds were the only Human weapons capable of penetrating Decepticon armour. Even if they somehow figured out how to make small calibre ammunition achieve the "high heat" required to damage Decepticon armour, it is ''extremely'' unlikely that such low-powered weapons would do any meaningful damage that warrants such widespread usage. After all, in real life, you can't kill a tank with a machine gun. Well, unless you're in [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]... ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' offers up the explanation that small-arms fire hitting Decepticon armor "scrambles their circuits" and disorients them.

*The notion that a big metal box (containing a complex electronic mechanism shouting to be released) would ''ever'' make it through post-9/11 airport luggage screening is a bit on the implausible side. The novelization of the film attributes this to Mikaela's Epic Hotness distracting the guard into just letting her through; she also claims that the box contains expensive mechanic's tools which might look strange in an x-ray. Neither explanation is present in the film itself, however.

*When Alice attacks Sam and his friends, the box Wheelie is imprisoned within is taken along, and the box is not seen when Mikaela and Leo escape from the foundry in Bumblebee. The box ''should'' still be inside the wreckage of the car Mikaela hotwired at the college, but Wheelie nonetheless continues to appear in the film, despite there being no indication that anyone returned to the foundry after the battle.

*Given that the Autobots are part of NEST, and are dependent on the US Air Force for transportation around the world, it is not clear why Major Lennox had to be alerted to the fact that the Autobots were on the east coast of the United States. Do the Autobots normally go on unexplained joyrides?

*Where does Mikaela get the padding and gauze to bandage up Sam's hand? They were in the middle of a desert!

*When Jetfire teleports to Egypt, Wheelie is seen landing by him, but disappears until the group reaches the border guards. After they arrive at the pyramids, Wheelie is seen rolling in with the quartet of humans, but is never seen again.

*While running to get to Optimus' corpse, Sam meets a lot of Autobots: Bumblebee, Ironhide, the Arcee sisters... so why doesn't he simply get in one of them and ''drive'' all the way to Lennox's team instead of running?

*There's no rational reason for Simmons to climb the pyramid after Devastator. It looks like he's enabling the Navy ship to "fire on his position", which is useful when the firer can't see the target. However, as we find out just before the railgun is fired, the ship ''can'' see the pyramid. (And railguns are line-of-sight weapons, anyway.) So, Simmons didn't need to climb; he could have stayed someplace safe, called the ship, and told them, "Take a look at the pyramid, and shoot the giant robot tearing it up." It's also hard to believe he wasn't crushed by the flood of pyramid stones, which at one point are raining down on all four sides of the structure.

===Geographic discontinuities===
{{note|The on-film splicing together of disparate filming locations is a common movie phenomena; however, we wouldn't be good pedants if we didn't point out a few of the more glaring disconnects.}}
* The [[Shanghai]] "industrial district" is... interesting, to say the least. There's a company sign that translates as "Empire Import and Export" (which would be the Chinese equivalent of a US company named "Soviet Import and Export") right next to a huge steel mill, dozens of civilians are being evacuated... and at least [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] thought that a giant mining excavator wouldn't be terribly out of place there.

* The aerial view of [[Princeton University]] is immediately followed by a ground shot of the dormitories at the University of Pennsylvania.

[[File:ROTFcap-closestone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"The closest one's in Washington." Washington... New Jersey?]]
* After Lennox is alerted to the Autobot operation on the US east coast, he orders NEST to move out. By the time Optimus Prime is killed in battle with Megatron, it appears Lennox's transport planes are already over the United States, and by the end of the day, the NEST troops are at a US air base. Given the great distance between [[Diego Garcia]] and the United States, the short time it took them to arrive is implausible.

* [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] drops the car with [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam]], [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] and [[Leo Spitz|Leo]] inside into a factory just outside a huge city. Yet when [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] rescue them and flee, they almost immediately reach a huge forest that was nowhere to be seen in the aerial shot of the factory.

* In the basement of Simmons' deli, in New York City, Wheelie projects laser dots onto a map of the United States to indicate where the Seekers are located. One dot hovers over Syracuse, New York. Another hovers over Trenton, New Jersey. Yet Simmons inexplicably says the closest one is in Washington.
** There ''is'' no dot over Washington.

*When Jetfire is activated at the [[Wikipedia:National Air and Space Museum|Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum]] (actually the [[Wikipedia:Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center|Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]], an annex of the Smithsonian) in Washington, he leaves the exhibition center and exits into the desert location of the [[Wikipedia:309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group|309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group]] (aka "the Boneyard"), which is in Tucson, Arizona. When Jetfire breaks out of the building, we can see a composited image of the Boneyard's rows of planes, so it's arguable that in this universe, the middle of Washington DC happens to be a desert full of old planes, and no buildings and... you get the point. Michael Bay actually admits this to be a deliberate choice in his audio commentary for the movie, and suggests that "most people in Taiwan" would probably never notice the error.

[[File:ROTFcap-Pyramidsocean.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The foreshortening is amazing.]]
* The movie gives the impression that Giza in Egypt and Petra in Jordan are in close proximity to each other — within eyeshot, even. In reality, the two locations are about 416 kilometres (258 miles) apart. What makes this even more problematic is the fact that Egypt and Jordan don't share a common border — the country of Israel is in-between them, whose existence isn't even mentioned in the movie...

*Optimus, Megatron, Starscream and The Fallen take their fight from the Pyramids of Giza to the Temple of Luxor, which are ''more than 300 miles away''.

*Considering both the Pyramids and the temple are famous tourist attractions, they’re both pretty devoid of, y’know, tourists.

* Furthermore, the movie gives the impression that the Pyramids of Giza are located near the coast — the soldiers and tanks deployed from hovercraft arrive at the battle site almost immediately. In reality, the closest sea shore, the tip of the Red Sea, is still over 70 miles away from the Pyramids. Worse, when the [[rail gun]] is fired, a monitor screen on board the ''U.S.S. Kidd'' shows footage of the pyramids with the ''ocean in the foreground'', making it appear like they're no more than a mile or two away from the shore. Worse still, this is ''immediately'' followed by a shot of the pyramids that shows ''nothing but desert'' in the direction the rail gun shot is coming from.

==Transformers references==
In addition to carryovers from the previous film, various concepts and characters are derived from previous iterations of Transformers:
* The whole concept of "Transformers disguised as a human" used for [[Alice]] is inspired by the [[Pretender]]s. Roberto Orci even used the term "Pretender" during an interview before the movie's release.<ref name="pretender">[http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/14/transformers-2-rumor-confirmed IGN interview with Roberto Orci]</ref> However, a Transformer with an "organic" alt-mode instead of an external shell is a concept more reminiscent of the [[Beast Era]].
* The Generation 1 iteration of [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] is frequently portrayed as switching from Decepticon to Autobot (he's usually a young and technologically up-to-the-minute 'bot, however.)
* [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] and his ejectible minion [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] both have [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1]] [[Ravage (G1)|counterparts]]. Movie Soundwave even has the same voice actor as 1984 cartoon Soundwave, using the same voice, though without the synthetic vocal processing that made the cartoon voice so distinctive.
* [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] bears little physical resemblance to his [[Sideswipe (G1)|Generation 1 namesake]], but is a vaguely similar character archetype, and he ''does'' have that characteristic door armor hanging from his elbows.
* Generation 1 [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] was the first [[female Transformer]] with a starring role, and was likewise a pink-colored girlbot. The idea of Arcee the pink girlbot as a motorcycle dates back to ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]''.
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], the combined form of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], was the first [[combiner]] robot in Generation 1 (unless you count [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]).
* The characters are new, but the names "[[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]]", "[[Demolishor (disambiguation)|Demolishor]]", "[[Mudflap (disambiguation)|Mudflap]]", "[[Skids (disambiguation)|Skids]]", "[[Jolt (disambiguation)|Jolt]]", "[[Rampage (disambiguation)|Rampage]]" and "[[Wheelie (disambiguation)|Wheelie]]" are not. Likewise for the concept of "[[Seeker (disambiguation)|Seekers]]".
* [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] dying and coming back to life has been done [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|times beyond counting]].
* Prime combining with another 'bot to form a [[Super Mode]] which increases his power (and often gives him flight capabilities) is a trope that has occurred in many recent Transformers series (''Robots in Disguise'', ''Armada'', ''Energon'', ''Cybertron''.) In ''Armada'', a different [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] was his most frequent combination partner. This is the first time the other 'bot had to die for it to happen, though.
* [[The Fallen]] is based on a comic book character that made his debut in the 2004 miniseries [[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages]]. In fact, according to Hasbro, he is ''exactly the'' same iteration of the [[character]]! ([[Multiversal singularity|It's needlessly complicated]].)
* The [[Matrix of Leadership]] is one of the franchise's oldest MacGuffins.
* [[Energon]] (mentioned though never seen) is the Transformers' power source in numerous incarnations, beginning with the original cartoon.
* The concept of a [[protoform]] as the first stage of a Transformer is a reference to the same concept introduced on the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon.
* Though it is almost certainly not an actual ''reference'' (it's a pretty generic and predictable sci-fi trope), the [[Star Harvester]] is quite similar in function to the [[Solar Needle]] from the Generation 1 episode "[[Changing Gears]]", sucking energy from the [[Sun]] to produce energon. Both devices would have destroyed the Sun if allowed to fulfill their function.
* The same is true for Sam having Cybertronian knowledge pumped directly into his brain via a sacred Transformer talisman, which is reminiscent of [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]'s similar situation in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] G1 comics.
* A newspaper is sucked into Devastator that headlines a photograph and accompanying article about a mysterious appearance by [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]].
* When Mudflap and Skids first appear in their Ice-Cream Wagon disguise, they play the Transformers [[theme song]] in a very "ice-creamish" way.

==Other editions==
*A slightly longer edit was shown in IMAX theaters, which featured some brief additional scenes filmed with special IMAX cameras.<ref name="bayimax">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5003 Michael Bay's own announcement of the IMAX version]</ref> An exclusive deal with [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] resulted in ''[[Wikipedia:Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' not being shown in IMAX theaters until two weeks after the movie's regular theatrical launch.<ref name="imaxpotter">[http://www.collider.com/2009/06/08/transformers-will-keep-harry-potter-off-imax-for-two-weeks/ Collider reporting on the Paramount/IMAX/Harry Pottter deal]</ref>
*It has been suggested that some international versions of the movie had the words "suck my" in the "Decepticons suck my popsicle" slogan on [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap's]] ice cream truck mode blanked out, hence only reading as "(Decepticon logo) [blank space] popsicle". This was not done across the board, however–theaters in those very same countries also showed uncensored versions of the movie. Another explanation for this would be that different theaters simply used different lightings settings, which effectively rendered the words "suck my" (which were written in dark red on a black backdrop to begin with) invisible, with no actual intention of "censorship" behind it.

==Prequel material==
===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
While the Decepticons were disgusted with the pro-Autobot propaganda of Bay's first documentary {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|#13's Star Screams}}, they were quite optimistic about the second film. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] took a strong interest in it, going to the trouble of personally convincing [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to be in the film {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|15's Star Screams}}.

The Decepticons promised this new documentary would show a glorious Decepticon victory {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|#10's Star Screams}}—whether it was in the script or not. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|#18's Star Screams}}

Shockingly, even ''they'' were under a non-disclosure agreement regarding the script; Starscream fearfully referred to a greater power keeping him quiet. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|#22's Star Screams}} Talking about it could even undermine the Decepticon war effort! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|#23's Star Screams}}

In the same week the film came out, the Decepticons suddenly became unhappy with it and the detente period ended. Bay, Kurtzman, and Orci are once again marked for extermination for their propaganda films. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|#1's Law and Disorder}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{stub}}

===Titan Comics ''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie comics===

The sinister, unseen figure of the Fallen is secretly gathering a Decepticon army on Cybertron. Skids and Mudflap, slacking off there at the time, accidentally discover this and flee to Earth to warn the other Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|Training Day}} An attempt to kill them fails {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.2|Dogfight!}}, but due to their rep of telling tall tales, no one believes them. It doesn't help when they accidentally help Grindor escape capture. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|Learning Curve}} The Fallen's agent Soundwave decides to use this, and first frames the twins as turncoats {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.5|Reversal of Fortune}}, then has them freed by their 'Decepticon allies' so they'll be hunted down.

After a few days of this, the twins began to regret ever getting involved, and Soundwave offered them sanctuary in the Decepticon army and the embrace of the Fallen: an offer they were eager to accept... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.6|Outlaw Blues}}

==Adaptations==
{{main|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)}}
'''Children's adaptations'''
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: The Junior Novel}}
{{main|The Last Prime}}
{{main|Operation Autobot}}
{{main|When Robots Attack!}}
{{main|I Am Optimus Prime (ROTF)}}
{{main|Rise of the Decepticons}}
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: Sound Like the Transformers}}

==Sequels==
Two sequels to the first ''Transformers'' movie were greenlit in the wake of its success, with ''Revenge'' being the first. Although Michael Bay had previously stated that he might need a break from giant space robots before tackling a third film, he confirmed a [[July 1]], [[2011]] release date on his blog.<ref>[http://michaelbay.com/2009/10/01/transformers-3-july-1st-2011/ Official confirmation of third movie release date from michaelbay.com]</ref>

IDW published a comic sequel, ''[[Transformers: Nefarious|Nefarious]]'', which was lead into by [[Tales of the Fallen issue 5]].

==Soundtrack==
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: The Album}}

==Score==
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: The Score}}

==Home video releases==
{{main|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)/home video}}
''Revenge of the Fallen'' was released by [[Paramount Pictures]] on DVD (as both a 2-disc special edition and a regular single disc version) and Blu-ray on [[October 20]]th in the United States,<ref name="comingsoon">[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=58245 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Hits Blu-ray and DVD Oct. 20!]</ref> and [[November 30]]th in the UK.

==Theatrical posters==
<center><gallery perrow="3">
File:ROTFteaserposter.jpg|Teaser poster
File:ROTF Theatrical poster.jpg|Theatrical poster
File:ROTF International poster.jpg|International poster
File:ROTF Prime poster.jpg|Prime poster
File:ROTF bumblebee poster.jpg|Bumblebee poster
File:ROTF Starscream poster.jpg|Wait...Starscream gets a poster but Megatron doesn't? That's just wrong.
</gallery></center>

==Reception==
{{quote|Transformers: ROTF has mostly gotten pretty hideous reviews, but that's because people don't understand that this isn't a movie, in the conventional sense.|[http://io9.com/5301898/michael-bay-finally-made-an-art-movie Michael Bay Finally Made An Art Movie], Charlie Jane Anders|[http://i09.com i09.com,] [[June 24]], [[2009]]}}
{{quote|[The critics] never seem to understand that I make movies for people to take a ride and escape.|[http://tinyurl.com/nyscnv forum post] by Michael Bay|[http://shootfortheedit.com shootfortheedit.com,] [[June 25]], [[2009]]}}
{{quote|Rarely have critics been more disconnected from what audiences want and love.|John Horn, [http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-bay29-2009jun29,0,6806652.story The Los Angeles Times], [[June 29]], 2009}}
{{quote|I'll take some of the criticism... They're [the Twins] basically gone.|Michael Bay, [http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm USA Today], [[June 11]], 2010}}

''Revenge of the Fallen'' had its world premiere on [[June 8]]th, 2009, in Tokyo, Japan. Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Isabel Lucas and Ramon Rodriguez attended.<ref>[http://michaelbay.com/2009/06/08/revenge-of-the-fallen-japan-premiere-photos/ Japanese Premiere photos at Michael Bay.com, June 8, 2009]</ref> Other countries such as South Korea,<ref>[http://michaelbay.com/2009/06/09/bay-and-co-invade-seoul/ Korean Premiere photos at Michael Bay.com, June 9, 2009]</ref> the United Kingdom and Germany followed over the course of the next few days. The United States premiere was held on [[June 22]]nd, 2009, in Westwood, California, during the [[Wikipedia:Los Angeles Film Festival|Los Angeles Film Festival]] for the second time.

In the week leading up to the United States release, while the film had been released in Japan and the United Kingdom, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was ranking 38% fresh on [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_revenge_of_the_fallen/ Rotten Tomatoes.com]. As American reviews were added into the ranking on June 24, the movie's freshness slipped slowly to 22%. RottenTomatoes.com's consensus was that "''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' is a noisy, underplotted, and overlong special effects extravaganza that lacks a human touch." Roger Ebert, who had given the ''first'' Transformers film three stars,<ref>[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070705/REVIEWS/70620006/1023 Roger Ebert's ''Transformers'' review]</ref> gave Revenge one star, and remarked that "if you want to save yourself the ticket price, go into the kitchen, cue up a male choir singing the music of hell, and get a kid to start banging pots and pans together." <ref>[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090623/REVIEWS/906239997 Roger Ebert's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' review] on RogerEbert.com</ref> Todd Gilchrist of Cinematical.com said Michael Bay "has exceeded even the possibilities of sequel-driven 'moreness,' combining his own muscular, high-gloss sensibility with the conventions of blockbusters past, present, and probably future to create a monolithic action masterpiece that feels destined to be the biggest movie of all time." <ref>[http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/22/review-transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen/ Review: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen] on Cinematical.com</ref> Michael Phillips from the Chicago Tribune said "the first, comparatively lucid ''Transformers'' was a headache, but I sort of enjoyed it....''Revenge of the Fallen'' is more like listening to rocks in a clothes dryer for 2½ hours." <ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-tc-mov-transformers-0623-0624jun23,0,7350387.story 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel] on chicagotribune.com</ref> Roger Ebert went back for more in a second article, declaring not only that ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was awful, but that it'd [[Ruined FOREVER|ruined action films FOREVER]].<ref>[http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/06/the_fall_of_the_revengers.html "The Fall of the Revengers"] on suntimes.com</ref> In the face of many harsh responses to his own critique, Mr. Ebert went back a third time, not just deconstructing the film but also declaring that fans who claimed to perceive it as "great" were simply wrong.<ref>[http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/07/i_am_a_brainiac.html I am a Braniac]</ref>

Despite the overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' poised itself quickly as a blockbuster maelstrom. It grossed $16 million in its opening midnight showings alone, an all-time record for Wednesday openings and a second-best for openings on any day of the week behind ''The Dark Knight''. After the full Wednesday was over, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had grossed $55 million in domestic ticket sales, surpassing the previous Wednesday release record, held by ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', by over $10 million.<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1614673/story.jhtml 'Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen' Breaks Wednesday Box-Office Record] on MTV.com</ref> By the end of the first five days, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had taken an estimated $201.2 million in the United States, just shy of ''The Dark Knight's'' record $203.8 million 5-day US total. In the same period, international markets took in $186.1 million, bringing the 5-day worldwide total to $387.3 million.<ref name="bomjdebut">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2601&p=.htm BoxOfficeMojo.com - Weekend Report: ‘Revenge of the Fallen' Rises with Optimal Debut, June 28, 2009]</ref>

Paramount's U.S. exit polling revealed several intriguing facts: While the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie viewership skewed 60-40% toward men over women, the split for the new film was more even at 54% male, 46% female. More than 90% of those surveyed stated that ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was as good as or better than the first ''Transformers'' movie. Surprisingly, about 67% said the film was "excellent", an even better score than for Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman's critically acclaimed 2009 ''Star Trek'' movie.<ref name="exitp">[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-bay29-2009jun29,0,6806652.story "'Transformers' director Michael Bay as audience darling" by John Horn, Los Angeles Times, June 29, 2009]</ref>

After two weeks in most markets, ''Revenge'' continued to defy critics and dominate the U.S. box office, narrowly defeating ''Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs'' on the Fourth of July weekend, finishing with upwards of $300 million in the U.S. and a similar figure in international markets.<ref name="reutjul7">[http://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSTRE5671DB20090708 Reuters reporting on Revenge of the Fallen's success around the world, July 7, 2009]</ref> Ultimately, ''Revenge'' grossed more than $836 million worldwide (versus $708 million for ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''), including $402 million from US box offices alone (versus $319 million for the first movie).<ref name="bomjrotf">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers2.htm ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' at Box Office Mojo]</ref>

On [[October 20]], ''Revenge'' sold 2 million copies of its DVD/Blu-Ray release in the first 24 hours.<ref>[http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/business/Transformers-Sequel-Transforms-Hollywood-Revenues-65589247.html Transformers Sequel Transforms Hollywood Revenues]</ref>

On April 3rd, 2010, Shia LaBeouf stated that he was confused about many things in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and in fact, hated the movie. However, he noted that one of the major problems the film faced was working during the writer's strike without a script, and that he had faith that the third film would be an improvement.<ref>[http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/shia-labeouf-confused-by-transformers_1137755 Shia LaBeouf comments on ''Revenge of the Fallen'' at contactmusic.com, April 3, 2010]</ref>

In a June 11th 2010 article about the third Transformers film, Bay and producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] now said they'd taken onboard some of the criticism, and cited the writer's strike and the rushed production as a problem; Bonaventura said "we tried to do too many things in the second movie, which didn't give enough time in any one of them". Bay also said he was getting rid of the "dorky comedy", like the Twins, for the third film, and called the Fallen "kind of a (expletive) character".<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me USA Today, "Next 'Transformers' is due for a switch"]</ref> And later, in the April 2011 dated issue of ''Empire'', Bay would again blame the strike and also cite the inclusion of "mystical" plots as a flaw in the film.<ref>''Empire'' April 2011, page 64 - released end of February</ref>

===Awards and recognition===
On February 1, 2009 it was announced that ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' was nominated for seven [[Wikipedia:Golden Raspberry Award|Golden Raspberry Award]]s.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/01/razzie.award.nominations/index.html 'Transformers,' 'Lost' lead worst movie nominees], cnn.com (February 1, 2009) retrieved 02-01-2009</ref> It was awarded three of them, for Worst Picture, Worst Director, and Worst Screenplay.<ref>[http://enewsi.com/movies/190-16933.html 30th Annual Golden Raspberry Award Winners @ENI]</ref> This presumably represents an improvement from the 2007 film, which received only one nomination ([[Jon Voight]] in the Supporting Actor category) and no wins.

On February 2, 2009, it was announced that ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' was nominated for an [[Wikipedia:Academy Award|Academy Award]] for Sound Mixing.<ref>[http://oscar.go.com/ Oscar.com]</ref> On March 7, it lost to ''The Hurt Locker''.

==Controversies==
* A huge flap revolved around the characters of the "Twins", [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. Many critics and viewers believed them to be racist stereotypes of poorly educated black American teenagers. Much evidence points to the pair actually being stereotypes of poorly educated ''white'' American teenagers, trying their best to sound like hardcore black urban gangsters... though it's ''still'' a racist stereotype of dubious taste. Director Michael Bay, when confronted with those accusations, claimed that the personalities of the two characters had been primarily created in the recording studio by voice actors [[Tom Kenny]] and [[Reno Wilson]]. Wilson (who is African-American himself) was sad to learn his way of speaking was apparently offensive to himself.<ref name="jive"/> Screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci confirmed that this portrayal of the characters hadn't been in the script, and admitted that they could understand the controversy.<ref name="racism">[http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/orci-and-kurtzman-respond-to-claims-of-racism-in-transformers-2.php Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman respond to accusations of racism]</ref>

* At least one reviewer claimed to find a repellent "anti-Arab subtext" to the movie's climactic scenes, which involved the damage or destruction of various Middle Eastern landmarks.<ref name="antiarab">[http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/MovieTimes?oid=978078 Chicago Reader review by Andrea Gronvall]</ref> The editors of this wiki are somewhat less than convinced.

* Along the same lines, Chinese viewers reportedly criticized the depiction of Shanghai in the opening scene of the movie. Apparently, depicting an ''industrial area'' as "very shabby" is an "insult" to an entire country, as is the destruction of parts of the city during a battle between alien robots.<ref name="insultchina">[http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/6686502.html English-language article from People's Daily Online reporting on the alleged criticism against the movie in China, including rebuttals]</ref> Regardless, ''Revenge'' topped the box office in China, dethroning 1997's ''Titanic'' as the most successful movie of all times there.<ref name="recordchina">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118006144.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 Variety reporting on the success of ''Revenge'' in China.]</ref>

* Both professional critics and amateur bloggers noted that the film presents the [[Barack Obama|Obama]] administration as endangering Earth by being wussy, bureacratic, and ignoring the Brave Soldiers.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1906689,00.html Time's review of "Revenge of the Fallen"]</ref><ref>[http://hubpages.com/hub/Transformers-2-Revenge-of-the-Fallen--A-Political-Message A blogger's specific focus on the politics]</ref><ref>[http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/screen/reviews/Transformers-Revenge-of-the-Fallen-49559047.html Philadelphia Weekly's review of ''Revenge of the Fallen'']</ref><ref>[http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/06/24/turnabout-transformers-2-takes-a-shot-at-president-obama/ Big Hollywood: Turnabout]</ref> Some right-wing bloggers and critics were quite happy about this, natch. As Bay had added Obama's name and image to the film as a ''tribute'' to the President, after the two of them met and had a mutually-complimentary conversation,<ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a160272/michael-bay-obama-likes-my-movies.html Michael Bay: 'Obama likes my movies'] at Digital Spy, and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfT7ZF_AUk8 Bay telling the story at a press conference.]</ref> and the writers are known Democrats,<ref>[http://www.wilshireandwashington.com/2009/06/transformers-a-swipe-at-obama.html Variety: "Transformers, a Swipe at Obama?"]</ref> the implications are probably unintentional and meant to be a [[Autobot High Council|genre trope]] rather than a deliberate dig.

* The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, a lobbyist group that already complained about the [[Transformers (film)|first film]], is currently trying to lobby the Federal Communications Commission into tightening regulations for marketing movies rated "PG-13" and associated merchandise to children. The basic reasoning behind their complaints is that ''Revenge'' contains "intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language" and "would have been rated R fifteen years ago", and yet Hasbro's [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|associated toys]] are advertised during TV programs aimed at children.<ref name="fccfilter">[http://arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/08/transformers-movies-get-caught-in-fcc-content-filtering-inquiry.ars Ars Technica article on the CCFC/FCC story.]</ref> Hasbro themselves appear to be still undecided about their official position regarding the more "mature" tone of the movies and its ramifications for the [[Transformers brand|brand's]] public image, having left several questions to this effect unanswered.<ref name="allsparkqa">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=61539 July/August 2009 edition] of the Allspark [[Hasbro Q&A]]</ref><ref name="tformersqa">[http://tformers.com/transformers-hasbro-answers-your-burning-questions-part-v/12149/news.html July/August 2009 edition] of the TFormers Hasbro Q&A</ref>

==Technical details==
'''Length:''' 150 minutes
'''Audio:''' Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS 
'''Content Rating:'''
{{collist|4|
* PG-13 (USA/MPAA)
* G (Japan)
* 12A (United Kingdom)
* PG (Canada; British Columbia)<ref>''Transformers'' received a "14A" rating in British Columbia, but an appeal by the studio successfully reduced it to PG.</ref>
* G (Canada; Quebec)
* PG-12 (Taiwan)
* PG13 (Singapore)
* PG-13 (Philippines/MTRCB)
* IIA (China)
* PG-13 (Malaysia)
* M (Australia)
* M (New Zealand)
* 10 (Brazil)
* K-11 (Finland)
* 11 (Sweden)
* 12 (Germany)
* 12A (Ireland)
* 12 (Netherlands)
* M/12 (Portugal)
* 12 (South Korea)
* B (Mexico)
* 12+ (Russia)}}

==Production staff==
* Writers [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] recruited [[Ehren Kruger]] to help them write the screenplay. [[Michael Bay]] and producers [[Don Murphy]], [[Tom DeSanto]], and [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] also returned.<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6372 Transformers 2 Writers Confirmed]</ref>
{{stub}}

===Visual effects===
{{stub}}

===Locations department===
{{stub}}

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'', [[DreamWorks]] announced that two sequels were already being planned.<ref name="spy">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a58430/two-transformers-sequels-in-pipeline.html Digital Spy article from May 2007, confirming that two sequels were being planned]</ref> [[Megan Fox]] had already been confirmed for the first of those sequels twelve days earlier,<ref name="foxcon">[http://www.mtvmoviesblog.com/2007/05/18/megan-fox-confirmed-for-transformers-sequel/ MTV confirming Megan Fox for the sequel]</ref> while [[Shia LaBeouf]] had already confirmed his participation in an—at that time still theoretical—sequel in November 2006.<ref name="shias">Rebecca Murray: [http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Interview with Shia LaBeouf from 2006, confirming his participation in a theoretical sequel]</ref> Director [[Michael Bay]], meanwhile, only once briefly questioned his involvement in a sequel in August 2007, when [[Paramount Pictures]] announced that ''Transformers'' would be released on HD DVD, but not on Blu-ray Disc.<ref name="bayhd">[http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/21/michael-bay-responds-to-paramounts-abandonment-of-blu-ray-no/ One of many sites reporting Michael Bay's announcement that he would not direct the sequel if the first movie wouldn't be released on Blu-ray]. Bay deleted his original post after changing his mind.</ref> Bay quickly changed his mind, however, and Paramount would later release the first movie on Blu-ray anyway, after the HD DVD had been abandoned.

In September of 2007, Paramount officially announced the first sequel for June 2009.<ref name="reldat">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972852.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety reporting Paramount's official announcement of the first sequel]</ref> Bay was given a budget of $200 million, and ultimately managed to come in $4 million below that.<ref name="showest">[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/11461/tcid/1 Michael Bay talking the ''Transformers'' sequel at ShoWest“]</ref>

The ''Transformers'' screenwriters, [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], initially hesitated writing the sequel, but ultimately had a change of mind.<ref name="sciforc">[http://scifiwire.com/2009/03/orci-kurtzman-reveal-tran.php Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman talking to Sci Fi Wire.]</ref> In October 2007, [[Ehren Kruger]] was confirmed as a third writer, who, according to Kurtzman, brought in a "fresh perspective",<ref name="kickoff">[http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/01/14/kicking-off-2009-with-writers-alex-kurtzman-and-roberto-orci-part-two-transformers-2/ Another interview with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci]</ref> and who reportedly impressed both director Michael Bay and [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] with his knowledge of ''Transformers'' mythology.<ref name="writersr">[http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/zap-transformers2writers,0,1938976.story Zap2it story about the ROTF writers]</ref>

In April 2009, Roberto Orci confirmed that cartoon voice actor [[Frank Welker]] would voice Soundwave.<ref name="welkers">[http://www.cinemablend.com/new.php?id=12917 Roberto Orci confirming Welker as Soundwave]</ref> Welker had previously been considered as [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron's]] voice actor in the first movie, but ultimately Michael Bay had given that part to [[Hugo Weaving]] instead. Both Bay and the writers were also hoping that [[Leonard Nimoy]] could voice a character in the movie.<ref name="sciforc">Bay later stated that he was nervous of asking his relative Nimoy to voice The Fallen for fear of offending him with the relatively low pay allotted to voice actors.<ref name="nimoy1">[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/04/21/michael-bay-afraid-to-offend-leonard-nimoy-with-transformers-family-reunion-offer/ ''Michael Bay Afraid To Offend Leonard Nimoy With ‘Transformers’ Family Reunion Offer'', MTV.com Movies blog, April 21, 2009]</ref> Even though Nimoy openly asked Bay to simply give him a call,<ref name="nimoy2">[http://www.latinoreview.com/news/leonard-nimoy-to-michael-bay-call-me-6682 Leonard Nimoy To Michael Bay: "Call Me!"], Latino Review</ref> it ultimately never worked out: after watching his guest appearance on ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman:_The_Brave_and_the_Bold Batman: The Brave and the Bold]'', Bay selected [[Tony Todd]] - whom he worked with on ''The Rock'' - for the voice of The Fallen instead.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaN2g5i2k2E Interview with The Fallen himself - Tony Todd]</ref>

===Writing and production===
For the movie, Orci and Kurtzman searched the various ''Transformers'' comics and cartoons for "the most elemental bad guy", and eventually found one in [[The Fallen]].<ref name="sciforc"/>

In addition to that, they wanted to include many things in the sequel that hadn't made it into the first movie, including the Decepticon [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. Likewise, the [[Matrix of Leadership]] had initially been intended to be used in the first movie, but for fear of confusion with the ''Matrix'' movies, the cube had been renamed into the [[AllSpark]]. In return, the Matrix in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' bears more resemblance to the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] Matrix.

In late 2007, during pre-production for the then-untitled ''Transformers'' sequel, the [[wikipedia:2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike|Writers Guild of America went on strike]], but according to all parties involved, this didn't slow down preparations of the movie much in the long run. Screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci turned in their first outline of the script the night before the strike officially began. During the strike, director Michael Bay used the script as a basis for preparing the movie. After the strike had ended, Kurtzman, Orci and Ehren Kruger continued their work on the script, based on Bay's changes.<ref name="kickoff"/> One consequence of this development was that Michael Bay and Hasbro had selected some of the new Transformers characters that were to appear in the movie during the strike, because of the long production run of the toys, while they had legally not been allowed to consult with the screenwriters.<ref name="sciforc"/> The "Twins", [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], are Bay's creation.<ref name="jive">[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/24/transformers-jivetalking-_n_220005.html Huffington Post article on accusations of racism with the "Twins", and Michael Bay and Reno Wilson's response.]</ref>

In early June of 2008, DreamWorks, Paramount, and Hasbro officially confirmed the movie's title to be ''Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen''.<ref name="titleann">[http://www.reserveresult.com/2008/06/transformers-2-revenge-of-fallen.html One of the first announcements of the title, still with a "2" in it]</ref> A few weeks later, Roberto Orci confirmed that there would be no "2" in the title.<ref name="no2orci">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180738-no-2-transformers-2-a.html#post2173364 Roberto Orci confirming that there will be no "2" in the movie's title]</ref>

Principal shooting began in June 2008 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.<ref name="pennlive">[http://blog.pennlive.com/lvbreakingnews/2008/06/shooting_starts_today_on_trans_1.html Pennlive story about the beginning of ROTF's principal shooting in Bethlehem]</ref> Other shooting sites were Philadelphia, the campus of Princeton University, Long Beach, the Holloman Air Force Base and the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Some scenes were also shot in other countries, at the [[Wikipedia:Egyptian pyramids|Pyramids of Giza]] and in Luxor, Egypt, in Jordan and in Paris.

According to director Michael Bay, ''Revenge'' is the first movie in about 30 years to be given permission to shoot at the Pyramids of Giza, and the first movie ''ever'' to film on top of [[Wikipedia:Petra|Petra]].<ref name="bayclub">[http://www.transformersclub.com/tfrof-intv09.cfm Transformers Collectors' Club interview with Michael Bay]</ref> He obtained permission to film in Egypt by contacting Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt's council of antiquities, who turned out to be a fan of the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie.<ref>[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/10866/tcid/1 The Collider article and video interview with Michael Bay, February 9, 2009]</ref>

During the time of shooting, actor Shia LaBeouf suffered a severe injury of his left hand in a car accident. Ultimately, however, filming was only briefly halted, and his injury worked into the film, thereby not adversely affecting the filming schedule.<ref name="TheList2008">[http://www.list.co.uk/article/10788-shia-labeoufs-transformers-hand/ The List 1 August 2008]</ref> For the movie, director Michael Bay earned himself an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the "biggest explosion on film with actors present".<ref name="guiness">[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10579085 New Zealand Herald article mentioning Bay' Guinness Book entry]</ref>

===Sponsors and partners===
====Hasbro====
[[Hasbro]] once again acted both as a licensor and actively participated in the development of the movie. Together with the first ''Transformers'' movie, the ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' movie ''Rise of the Cobra'' and several other planned movie projects such as ''Monopoly'', ''Stretch Armstrong'' and ''Battleships'', ''Revenge of the Fallen'' marks the beginning of a new company policy for Hasbro, believing that the new "the movie of the toy" strategy will be more lucrative than the old "the toy of the movie" concept, which involves hefty licensing fees.<ref name="brandweek">[http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jun2009/db20090611_333306.htm Brandweek article on Hasbro's new movie-related business strategy]</ref> Still, director [[Michael Bay]] receives an 8% cut of all toy sales from the ''Transformers'' movies.<ref name="forbesbay">[http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0622/celebrity-09-transformers-michael-bay-making-movies-enemies-money.html Michael Bay article on Forbes.com June 4, 2009]</ref> During the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, when nobody was legally allowed to consult with the screenwriters, Hasbro and Bay selected several of the new Transformers characters that were to appear in the movie.<ref name="sciforc"/>

====US military====
The [[United States military]] also supported the movie again, providing vehicles, shooting locations and military personnel that appear as extras in the movie.<ref name="milit">[http://www.military.com/entertainment/movies/movie-news/military-unites-with-hollywood-on-transformers?wh=entertainment American Forces Press Service press release about the US military's contribution to ROTF]</ref> Due to scheduling coincidences, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was given a larger support by the [[United States Department of Defense]] than ''G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra'', which was produced at the same time.<ref name="dod">Jeff Schogol: [http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=62955 Stars and Stripes article about DOD support for ''revenge of the Fallen'' and ''G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra'']</ref> Initially, Bay had intended to include German Bundeswehr soldiers in the movie (presumably as members of [[NEST]] or on board the AWACS plane), but even though the soldiers were eager to participate, the German government denied the request.<ref name="szpremiere">[http://newsticker.sueddeutsche.de/list/id/657558 Report from the German press conference (in German language)]</ref>

====General Motors and other car manufacturers====
American car manufacturer General Motors once again provided vehicles that were used by the Autobots as their [[alternate mode]]s. Returning from the first movie were the GMC Topkick ([[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]), the Hummer H2 ([[ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]) and the new Chevrolet Camaro ([[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]), the latter this time as a slightly updated Z/28 model as compared to the first movie's concept car model. Newcomers for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' are all from the Chevrolet brand, namely the Chevrolet Beat ([[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]), the Chevrolet Trax ([[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]), a new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray concept car ([[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]]) and, as a last minute addition, the new Chevrolet Volt electric car ([[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]]).

In total, General Motors provided 67 vehicles, 52 of them being prototypes not intended for sale.<ref name="chevytroubles">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-06-15-gm-transformers_N.htm USA Today story on Chevrolet's participation in the movie]</ref> As a consequence of the 2007-onwards financial crisis, however, General Motors reduced their financial support for ''Revenge'' in April of 2009.<ref name="horsep">[http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cotown-transformers6-2009apr06,0,5419006.story LA Times story on General Motors cutting their support for ''Revenge of the Fallen'']</ref>

Director Michael Bay estimates that, without the support of General Motors and the military, production of the movie would have cost $10 million more than the $195 million ultimately spent.<ref name="forbesbay"/> Coinciding with the release of ''Revenge of the Fallen'', General Motors reported that sales of the new Chevrolet Camaro were so strong that orders were outrunning the supply, even though the car was being sold above MSRP in many places. A direct connection to the movie, however, could not be proven.<ref name="camarosells">[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aZCnXEtqqTcc Bloomberg reporting on strong sales for the new Chevrolet Camaro]</ref>

As the only car manufacturer besides General Motors, Audi was able to place its R8 in the movie, as the Decepticon [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways's]] alternate mode. The cooperation was arranged by Propaganda Global Entertainment Marketing.<ref name="propaganda">[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_28/b4139068367113.htm "Hollywood's Blockbuster Role for Product Placement"], Bloomberg Businessweek, July 2009.</ref>

====Product placement====
As in the first movie, numerous companies signed a deal with the filmmakers which allowed for their product being featured in prominent places in the movie. A Mountain Dew vending machine can be seen in [[Leo Spitz|Leo's]] room, computer screens feature visible Cisco logos, [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam]] and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] intend to communicate via iChat, a huge HSBC logo is seen at Times Square in New York City, a Budweiser bottle is prominently featured in one of the Paris scenes, CNN is everyone's preferred news channel, and a giant IMAX logo is seen inside the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. In return, Mars heavily advertised ''Revenge of the Fallen'' with their chocolate candy brand [[M&M's]].

===Changes before, during and after production===
*The three Autobot motorcycles were at one point meant to combine into a larger robot, but this was ultimately abandoned for unknown reasons. Concept artwork for this combined mode has surfaced, and this feature was mentioned in the novelization and appears to remain in the toys.

*According to comic book writer [[Simon Furman]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] had been in an early draft of the movie's plot, but were dropped from the cast very early in development.<ref>[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/01/29/no-dinobots-in-transformers-2-revenge-of-the-fallen-original-film-consultant-explains-why/ MTV Movie Blog interview with Simon Furman, January 29, 2009.]</ref>

*Due to licensing issues with Audi and the writers' strike, Sideways' role was dramatically altered and he was early taken out of the script entirely. Originally, Sideways was going to escape the first wave of his Autobot pursuers by using Demolishor as a distraction. After Demolishor's death, Sideways would have been cornered and engaged by Sideswipe in robot mode. At this point, it would have been Sideways, not Demolishor, who would have dropped the Fallen's name when he threatened Sideswipe during the fight. Ultimately, the scene was never finished. Audi backed out of the licensing agreement and the scene was rewritten to focus on Demolishor. Audi later decided that they DID want their product featured, so a pre-visualization animation of Sideswipe bisecting a Lamborghini (included in the movie DVD's and Blu-ray Disc's bonus material) was reworked to feature an Audi R8 being sliced in half instead. Interestingly, some toys still referenced the deleted fight. Most of Sideways' toys feature a chainsaw weapon that he did not have in the film, and Human Alliance Sideswipe's box art depicts a diorama scene of Sideways attacking him in robot mode.

*[[Springer (ROTF)|Springer]], an Autobot who transforms into a V-22 Osprey, was to be a character in the movie, but was dropped from the cast during production.<ref name="procterdesigns">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=2772 Ben Procter's movie designs for ROTF]</ref> However, he was dropped so late during production that Hasbro still released [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends]] and [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]] versions of the character based on the abandoned movie design–in the first waves of their respective assortments, no less.

*Likewise, the Deluxe Class [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] and Scout Class [[Depthcharge]] and [[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]] toys are based on designs [[Ben Procter]] had originally created for the movie. Breakaway had the early working name "Firestorm", while Ransack was originally conceived as a [[Ford Model T Seeker|Ford Model T]].<ref name="procterdesigns"/>

*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was originally intended to come to Earth and scan a black Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck as his new [[alternate mode]]. The Deluxe Class Soundwave toy still retains some elements of this abandoned concept in robot mode, particularly a Cybertronian version of the Chevy grill and small headlights on the lower torso.

*Several plot points about the [[Dynasty of Primes]] were dropped from the final version of the film, but feature prominently in the adaptations. In the original version, the Dynasty was founded by [[Thirteen|Thirteen Primes]], eleven of whom were killed by The Fallen, with [[Prima (G1)|the sole survivor]] sealing the Matrix in the Tomb of the Primes by himself. The Fallen returned to Cybertron and killed all the Primes' descendants, save the one hidden from him who had no knowledge of his ancestry: Optimus. Additionally, The Fallen would have been revealed to have promised Megatron the powers of a Prime, which Optimus would expose as impossible during the final battle around the harvester, causing Megatron and Starscream to leave The Fallen to his death.

*The Fallen was originally supposed to be trapped inside a triangular sarcophagus as seen in ''[[Transformers: Defiance|Defiance]]''. ''Defiance'' writer [[Chris Mowry]] reportedly nearly spilled his coffee when he watched the movie for the first time and saw The Fallen just sitting in a chair inside the [[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]].<ref name="mowryallsp">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=64301&view=findpost&p=1387145 Comments by Chris Mowry at the Allspark], November 2009</ref> Exactly how this was supposed to inter-connect with The Fallen surviving his battle with the Primes and returning to Cybertron is unclear. Further, if he ''had'' been sealed in a sarcophagus, then, uh, who would have sent the Seekers to Earth to look for the Matrix?

*One scene that didn't make it into the final movie would have explained [[Alice]]'s sorta-human disguise: In it, [[Leo Spitz|Leo]] watches a TV ad featuring an Alice in Wonderland animatronic from an amusement park, which heavily resembles Alice. The scene was featured in the [[Revenge of the Fallen issue 2|comic adaptation]] and the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]]. It's unclear if the scene has actually been filmed; however, the movie still features the follow-up scene in which Leo shows up to tell Sam ''something'' about Alice, only to see her robot tongue strangle him.

*Sam was to have been established as a new vessel for the AllSpark, absorbing its knowledge, which would have explained how he managed to get a scholarship to Princeton. When he was dying in Egypt, the knowledge of the AllSpark would then have transferred to the dust within the Matrix of Leadership, which was created by the AllSpark. The movie would have ended with Optimus showing Sam that he'd recovered the Matrix, which now replaced the Cube as the AllSpark's physical form.

*Another possibly dropped plot point involved an explanation for the government's cover-up of the [[Mission City]] battle in the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]]. The robots would have been declared the creations of a company either named [[McClaren Robotics]] or [[McClaren Robotics|Massive Dynamics]], which allegedly had gone rogue by accident. This is referenced in [[Alan Dean Foster]]'s [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] of the movie (where the company is named "Massive Dynamics"), the junior novelization ''[[The Last Prime]]'' and [[IDW Publishing]]'s [[Revenge of the Fallen issue 1|comic adaptation]] (where the company is named "McClaren Robotics"). A McClaren sign is also briefly seen in IDW's [[Transformers: Alliance|''Alliance'' issue 4]]. An extensive casting call list leaked to the internet in April 2008 listed a "Massive Dynamics CEO" as one of the new characters.<ref name="iesbcall">[http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4663&Itemid=99 Casting call at IESB, April 2008]</ref> Presumably, actor Steve Tom was originally intended to play the character in the movie. His official website is listing him as appearing in ''Revenge'' ever since July 2008,<ref name="stevetom">[http://stevetom.com/picsandresume.html Resume of actor Steve Tom]</ref> even though he isn't actually listed in the film's credits. Back in July 2008, IMDB also listed Tom as playing the role of McClaren Robotics' CEO,<ref name="tfwimdbtom">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen-casting-steve-tom-as-robotics-ceo-katie-lowes-as-ra-165438/ TFW2005 referencing an (unarchived) IMDB entry for Steve Tom and his alleged role in ''Revenge'']</ref> whereas Theiapolis Cinema listed him as the CEO of Massive Dynamics at the same time.<ref name="theiarotf">[http://cinema.theiapolis.com/movie-2RLF/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen/cast.html Theiapolis Cinema entry for ''Revenge'']</ref> It's unclear if the scenes featuring Tom were cut or dropped from the script before they were even filmed.

* [[Robert Epps|Epps]]'s wife, [[Monique Epps|Monique]], was also supposed to appear in the movie together with [[William Lennox|Lennox's]] wife [[Sarah Lennox|Sarah]]. The casting call from April 2008 lists her under the working name "Theresa".<ref name="iesbcall"/> The original plan was that [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam]] would contact Epps and Lennox by calling their wives and asking them to pass on information to their husbands. This scene appears in the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] and in IDW's [[Revenge of the Fallen issue 3|comic adaptation]]; in the movie, the wives are never seen, and instead of Sam, it is [[Seymour Simmons|Simmons]] who contacts Epps and Lennox directly.

* [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] was originally intended to appear in this film but was cut for unknown reasons.<ref>http://massiveblack.com/mbwp/?p=1368</ref>

===Disinformation===
====Persistent fake IMDB synopsis====
In July 2007, only a week after after ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' had premiered in the USA, nearly two years before ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was to premiere and half a year before a ''script'' would actually be written, a "synopsis" for the (at that point still untitled) sequel to ''Transformers'' was posted on IMDB,<ref name="imdbsum">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1055369/synopsis Fake "synopsis" for ROTF on IMDB]</ref> containing vague guesses for a potential plot direction based on the first movie ([[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] returning to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and taking command of the remaining Decepticons–which would actually happen in [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] ''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'' comic–and "[[Scorponok (Movie)|Skorpinox]]" [sic] stealing [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron's]] body from a military base, in contrast to the first film's actual ending), including several glaring spelling and grammar errors. The "synopsis" was eventually exposed as the work of ''Next'' and ''xXx: State of the Union'' director Lee Tamahori, who wanted to use it as a pitch to offer himself to [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] as a cheaper alternative for [[Michael Bay]].<ref name="tamahori">[http://defamer.gawker.com/hollywood/a-more-personal-kind-of-transformation/breaking-transformers-2-plot-synopsis-revealed-278307.php Gawker's Defamer reporting on the fake "synopsis" from IMDB, and updating with information about its true origins]</ref> Regardless, the "synopsis" was still heavily featured by other websites, including foreign theaters and media,<ref name="prosieben">[http://www.prosieben.de/kino_dvd/previews/film/ German TV station feature about ROTF using the fake IMDB "synopsis"]</ref> despite multiple evidence (trailers, official information provided by Paramount, leaked information about the involvement of a character named "[[The Fallen]]") suggesting that the alleged "plot" was pretty much bunk. The fake synopsis ''still'' persisted in some places long after ''Revenge'' had already hit theaters, despite being directly refuted by the film itself.<ref name="dvdlisting">[http://www.comicsandcardsupplies.com/jul091794.html Premature preorder for the ROTF DVD featuring the fake IMDB "synopsis"]</ref>

====Fake treatment====
In October 2007, an alleged treatment for the (at that point still unnamed) ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' sequel surfaced on the internet.<ref name="treat">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2007/10/transfomers-2-leaked-script.html The Transformers Live Action Movie Blog reporting on the alleged treatment], October 2007.</ref> While producer [[Don Murphy]] soon claimed that it wasn't real,<ref name="murphyfake">[http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showpost.php?p=1052166&postcount=52 Don Murphy denies the authenticity of the leaked treatment], October 2007.</ref> [[Michael Bay]]'s website administrator Nelson Lauren countered by suggesting that it wasn't a fan creation,<ref name="nelsonfake1">Nelson's deliberately misleading comments regarding the alleged treatment at the [http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=435346&postcount=26 official Live Action Movie boards] and at [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?&showtopic=37905&st=20&p=759450&#entry759450 The Allspark], October 2007.</ref> then referred to an ambiguous post he had made a few days earlier, in which he had hinted that information might be spread that would not be entirely reliable.<ref name="nelsonfake2">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1590&postcount=1 Nelson's ambiguous "telling the truth in a false way" post] at the official Michael bay forums, October 2007.</ref> What followed was a brief back-and-forth with Murphy accusing Nelson of "stirring shit up",<ref name="murphynelson">[http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?t=22721 Don Murphy's response to Nelson's statements], October 2007.</ref> which prompted Nelson to counter that he had better sources than Murphy.<ref name="nelsonsources">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=37905&st=60&p=761181&#entry761181 Nelson's counter to Don Murphy...] No, we stop here. You get the idea.</ref>

====Michael Bay's alleged disinformation campaign====
In April 2008, director Michael Bay claimed he had initiated a huge disinformation campaign in order to prevent content details from the movie being revealed to the public before he wanted them to.<ref name="misinf">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a94406/bay-tries-to-fool-transformers-fans.html Mirrored copy of Michael Bay's original claims about his alleged "disinformation campaign"]. Bay apparently deleted his original post from his official message board.</ref> Ultimately, Bay himself turned out to be the main source of genuine disinformation, despite claiming that ''only'' what he said was 100% true. Therefore, the disinformation campaign mostly hinged on fans believing in its existence, and rejecting any genuinely "leaked" information, including set photos, statements by third parties such as [[Hasbro]] or [[IDW Publishing]] and stolen toy [[prototype]]s, as "disinformation". Screenwriter Roberto Orci eventually admitted that the disinformation campaign wasn't really working.<ref name="orcicampaign">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-150.html#post2437185 Roberto Orci confirming Michael Bay's biggest fear: The disinformation campaign doesn't work!]</ref>

In June 2008, when principal shooting had just begun, a call sheet was leaked to the internet,<ref name="bethcall">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/06/bethlehem-call-sheet-cast-tf-and-next.html Leaked call sheet at the Transformers Live Action Movie Blog], June 5, 2008</ref> which revealed the casting of [[Ramon Rodriguez]] as a character named "[[Leo Spitz|Leo]]", the appearance of an [[Sideways (ROTF)|Audi R8]] and [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] as well as a character with the working name "[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Stinger]]". Furthermore, an ice cream truck that had just been spotted on the Bethlehem set a day earlier<ref name="bethfirst">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-2-bethlehem-images---update---ironhide-on-set-165046/ Set photos from the Bethlehem shoot at TFW2005], June 4, 2008</ref> was hinted to be two characters only referred to as "[[The Twins]]". Lastly, the call sheet revealed that the next shooting location would be the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where an SR-71 Blackbird would be revealed to be a Decepticon named [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. A character named "[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheels]]" was also supposed to appear in that scene. In July 2008, Bay then claimed that fake scripts, treatments, "wrong schedules and call sheets with fake scenes on them" had been deliberately leaked to the internet.<ref name="bayfakescript">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=44729&postcount=2 Michael Bay's forum post claiming that only he and the writers had seen the script]</ref>

For the longest time, Bay upheld the position that [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] would ''not'' return in ''Revenge of the Fallen''. After concept designs of Megatron's new [[alternate mode]] had surfaced (some of which would later turn out to be designs for the [[Robot Powered Machines|RPM]] Megatron toy, while the first ones that surfaced were far too advanced for mere "toy" designs<ref name="megsleak">Various leaks of the new Megatron design for ROTF mirrored at the Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, September 2008: [http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/09/tf2-megatron-image.html Robot mode design], [http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/09/megatrons-alt-mode.html concept art for the alternate mode], [http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/09/megatron-toy-pictures.html control drawings for Megatron's RPM vehicle toy]</ref>), Bay insisted that this was "just Hasbro coming up with a new toy", and Megatron would not appear in the movie.<ref name="EmpireFeb2009">''Empire'' magazine issue 236, dated February 2009, pages 68 and 69, article entitled "20 to watch in 2009", written by Nick de Semelyn</ref> Following ''officially released'' evidence to the contrary (including Megatron's brief appearance in the February 1 Super Bowl TV spot and the February teaser trailer), screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]] confirmed that Megatron would indeed return.<ref name="mreturns">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-211.html#post3333713 Roberto Orci confirming Megatron's return on TFW2005.com - February 22, 2009]</ref> Shortly afterwards, Bay retracted his claims, but not entirely, suggesting that Megatron would only appear in a flashback scene "from the long lost past", despite the fact Megatron could be seen pinning [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam Witwicky]] to the ground in the aforementioned TV spot and teaser trailer. He also denied that Megatron would transform into a tank.<ref name="catoutbag">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=66825&postcount=4 Bay retracting from his claims about Megatron on his forum - March 6, 2009]</ref>

====General Motors and the Chevrolet Volt====
In August 2008, after a Chevrolet Volt vehicle had been spotted on the set of ''Revenge'', General Motors reluctantly admitted having provided the car to the production crew, and that the car would indeed appear in the film, but claimed that it was no production vehicle (i.e. some details may differ from the final car, similar to Bumblebee's Concept Camaro in the first movie). Chevrolet also claimed that the Volt was only used for one or two days of shooting, and that it would only "appear in the movie very briefly", and "not as a Decepticon or Autobot", so it would "not have a Transformer nickname".<ref name="edmundsjolt">[http://web.archive.org/web/20090129105851/http://edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=131426 Edmunds Inside Line article on the Chevrolet Volt spotted on the set], August 2008</ref> (While it's true that [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] was a last-minute addition to the movie, the car was spotted again later at a different set.<ref name="joltwhite">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/09/chevy-volt-at-white-sands-set.html Set photos from White Sands Missile Range] including the Chevrolet Volt, September 2008.</ref>)

====Edited IDW interviews====
Bay and/or Paramount also tried to have information prematurely revealed by third parties contained after the fact: During [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2008, in an interview on July 25th, comic book writer [[Simon Furman]] revealed that the film would feature a character named [[The Fallen]], which was a character they had created for [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages]]''.<ref name="furmancbr">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17412Simon Furman interview with Comic Book Resources], edited version.</ref> Three days later, [[IDW Publishing]] writer [[Chris Mowry]] corroborated the claim in an interview with MTV Splash Page, calling "The Fallen" the main villain of ''Revenge''. [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] was also confirmed in the same interview.<ref name="mowrymtv">[http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/07/28/exclusive-transformers-2-prequel-comic-gives-inside-scoop-on-2009-movie/ MTV Splash Page interviews Chris Mowry], edited version.</ref> Less than a week after this, however, Michael Bay reiterated that everything leaked thus far was part of his alleged disinformation campaign, and that only a handful of people involved with the production of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had actually seen the script, contradicting IDW's interviews where their representatives confirmed that they had the script. Additionally, Bay claimed the only truth about the film revealed up to that point was Sam going to college.<ref name="bayfakescript"/> Curiously, on August 5th 2008, after a fan had pointed out the contradiction to Bay, all references to The Fallen (and Arcee) were removed from the aforementioned interviews, as well as any references to IDW Publishing having the script.<ref name="interviewsoriginal">[http://tfwiki.net/~fortmax/movie/index.html Mirrored copies of the unedited versions of the interviews.]</ref>

====Other (minor) instances of disinformation and misconceptions====
Other (in)famous instances of disinformation included an alleged sighting of both [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz's]] Pontiac Solstice vehicle mode and voice actor [[Darius McCrary]] on the Bethlehem set<ref name="jazzrumor">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/autobot-jazz-is-back-for-transformers-movie-sequel-165008/ TFW reporting on the alleged sightings of the Jazz Pontiac Solstice and voice actor Darius McCrary], May 2008</ref> (it's ''possible'' that someone mistook an [[Sideways (ROTF)|Audi R8]] or the [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Chevrolet Corvette concept car]] for a Pontiac Solstice, and McCrary ''might'' have genuinely visited the set out of sheer curiosity) and an "update" to a (legitimate) casting call that contained nothing but fake character names and descriptions,<ref name="fakecall">[http://spoilertv-movies.blogspot.com/2008/04/transformers-2.html Fake casting call at Spoiler TV], April 2008. Note: Everything up until "CNN Reporter" originates from another, legitimate casting call; everything from "Head of Sector 7" onward is made up.</ref> including a funeral director who would allegedly bury [[Seymour Simmons|Simmons]]. It's unclear whether any of these were instances of deliberate disinformation on behalf of Bay, or just attention-seeking fans coming up with made-up "scoops" on their own. Furthermore, three of [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade's]] Saleen Mustang prop vehicles were spotted on a truck bed in Culver City, California, in March 2008, more than two months before principal shooting for ''Revenge'' started.<ref name="vehspotted">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/transformersnews.php?id=6980 Superhero Hype reporting on the spotting of Barricade vehicles in March 2008]</ref> It's unclear if this was an instance of deliberate disinformation, or just a genuine move of the vehicles with no further intention behind it.

==Notes==
*The official title of the film is ''Revenge of the Fallen'' (with a lower-case "t" in "the") even though it is apparently referring to [[The Fallen]] (with a capital "T" in "The").
*Marketing for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' briefly used the tagline "Our World. Our War.", a play on the primary marketing tagline from the first live-action film, "Our World. Their War.".
*Leo's room features posters for [[Wikipedia:Naruto|Naruto]], [[Wikipedia:Cloverfield|Cloverfield]] (whose infamous first teaser debuted at screenings of the first Transformers film), and [[Wikipedia:Bad Boys 2|Bad Boys 2]] (another of Michael Bay's movies).
*During the scenes set in and around the deli in NYC, posters for the bands [[Wikipedia:Catch 22 (band)|Catch Twenty-Two]] and [[wikipedia:Voodoo Glow Skulls|Voodoo Glow Skulls]] are prominently featured.
*Even though ''Revenge'' features mostly domestic voice actors for the foreign market dubs, [[Frank Welker]] voiced [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] not only in English, but also in a large number of foreign dubs, including the Italian and French versions. As a result, in the Italian dub of the movie, Soundwave speaks with a strange, foreign accent. Welker is also credited for an unspecified voice role in the Latin Spanish dub, most likely Soundwave again. Furthermore, Welker is ''incorrectly'' credited for voicing Soundwave in the German dub, even though German dubbing insiders insist that the voice heard in the actual movie has been provided by someone else ([[Horst Lampe]], who also dubbed ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]), presumably as a last-minute decision because Welker's "German" performance was considered sub-standard.<ref name="germandub">[http://215072.homepagemodules.de/t511643f11775323-Transformers-Die-Rache-Transformers-Revenge-of-the-Fallen-7.html German dubbing board thread about ROTF, with a discussion about Soundwave's voice]</ref> Welker described the entire process of dubbing Soundwave in different languages as "very hard".<ref name="welkernewsarama">[http://www.newsarama.com/tv/090915-Animated-Shorts-Welker.html Newsarama interview with Frank Welker], September 2009.</ref>
*The prequel novel introduced other Autobots into the ranks of [[NEST]]—[[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]], [[Salvage (Movie)|Salvage]], and [[Knock Out (ROTF)|Knockout]]. They were present up until the events directly leading into the Shanghai incident, but were not present for any of the events featured in the film or adaptations. {{storylink|Transformers: The Veiled Threat|The Veiled Threat}}
* While ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' used 20 terabytes of disk space for visual effects, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' used 154 terabytes.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2009). Weighty Matters. Computer Graphics World, 32(7), 20-29</ref>
* The Chinese name for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was "[[wikia:c:starwars:Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back|Decepticon Strikes Back]]" for a while before the title was changed into "The War of Revenge" in theaters and media in Taiwan around mid to late 2008.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Revenge''''' (トランスフォーマー/リベンジ ''Toransufōmā/Ribenji'')
*''Cantonese:'' (變形金剛: 狂派再起, "Transformers: The Return of the Decepticons")
*''Finnish:'' '''''Transformers: Kaatuneiden kosto''''' ("Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers: La Revanche''''' ("Transformers: The Revenge")
*''German:'' '''''Transformers: Die Rache''''' ("Transformers: The Revenge")
*''Italian:'' '''''Transformers 2: La Vendetta del Caduto''''' ("Transformers 2: The Revenge Of The Fallen")
*''Polish:'' '''''Transformers: Zemsta Upadłych''''' ("Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: Retaliação''''' (Portugal, "Transformers: Retaliation"), '''''Transformers: A Vingança dos Derrotados''''' (Brazil, "Transformers: The Vengeance of the Defeated")
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Pièn-hsíng Chīn-kāng: Fùch'óu chīh chàn''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛: 復仇之戰, "Transformers: The War of Revenge"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Duòluòzhě dē Fùchóu''''' (China, 变形金刚：堕落者的复仇, "Transformers: The Revenge of the Fallen")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Mest' Padshikh''''' (Трансформеры: Месть падших, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones")
*''Serbian:'' '''''Transformersi: Osveta Poraženog''''' (''Transformers: The Revenge Of The Fallen'')
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: La Venganza de los Caídos''''' (''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones'')
*''Swedish:'' '''''Transformers: De Besegrades Hämnd''''' (''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones'')
*''Turkish:'' '''''Transformers: Yenilenlerin İntikamı''''' (''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones'')

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersmovie.com Dreamworks/Paramount's ''Transformers'' Movie website]
*[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/ Hasbro's ''Transformers'' homepage]
*Designer portfolios: [http://www.joshnizzi.com/ Josh Nizzi], [http://www.ryanchurch.com/images/tf2/04PRO_TF2.htm Ryan Church], [http://skulboyfilmwork.blogspot.com/2009/07/transformers-revenge-of-fallen.html Duncan Crawford], [http://www.paulozzimo.com/ Paul Ozzimo], [http://www.stevejung.net/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=4 Steve Jung], [http://conceptartworld.com/?p=2772 Ben Procter], [http://www.seanhaworth.com/SH_Design/Portfolio/Portfolio.html Sean Haworth]
*[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/10866/tcid/1 Interview with Michael Bay 02/09/2009] — Collider.com

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}
[[Category:Real world films]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen| ]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen media| ]]

Sentinel Prime (ROTF)

2015-10-31T18:46:23Z

OptimusPrimeRID: Undo revision 1019386 by Grum (talk)

{{disambig3|Sentinel Prime}}
{{featured}}
{{factions|autobotfilm|decepticon|{{factions/icons|custom=Cyberglyphics Prime Symbol.png|cLink=Dynasty of Primes|cPretty=Prime}}}}

:''Sentinel Prime is an former [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]] ally from the [[live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:DOTM-Sentinel-Heatscramble.jpg|300px|thumb|What does [[Spock]] need with a [[Ark (DOTM)|starship]]?]]

'''Sentinel Prime''' hails from an older time, when [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was the galaxy's crown jewel, and the [[Transformer]] race was full of promise and potential. The only known remaining [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], he personified what a leader should be: wise, compassionate, and a more than worthy warrior. Revered by both Autobot and Decepticon, few would dare stand against his shield and [[Primax Blade]].

But when Sentinel was presumably lost forever on board the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], his hand-picked successor, was left to fill his void. The loss of Sentinel signaled the end of Cybertron's golden age, and the planet spiraled deeper into war. Some who recall Sentinel's reign bitterly remember when Transformers were masters of their fate, rather than scattered to the stars and living as exiles. Above all, Sentinel Prime is a staunch nationalist. He loves his home planet with all of his [[Spark]] and will do anything —even go to extremes— to protect it.

{{bigquote|You simply fail to understand that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.|Sentinel Prime|''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''. No, seriously.}}

==Fiction==
===Movies===
{{note|The four movies are the primary component of the live-action movie continuity family. Their events should be taken as canon for all other pieces of fiction listed below, unless otherwise specified.}}
====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====
When [[Sam Witwicky]] launched into a rambling lecture on the nature of space and time while in a trance brought on by the knowledge of the AllSpark entering his mind, he recalled Sentinel Prime's "expedition" to find Cybertron a new sun, commenting that it took "fourteen galactic convergences" to get an echo. {{Storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

====''Dark of the Moon'' film====
{{voiceactor|[[Leonard Nimoy]] (English), [[Nobuyuki Katsube]] (Japanese)|[[Arturo Casanova]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Dario Penne]] (Italian)}}

{{bigquote|So lost are you, Optimus. On Cybertron we were gods. And here... they call us "machines."}}

[[Image:DOTM-Sentinelsleeps.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Sentinel just can't get to sleep without his security [[pillar]].]]

Long ago, during the war on Cybertron, a heated battle erupted around the [[Ark (DOTM)|''Ark'']], a shuttle commandeered by Sentinel Prime and a small crew, which carried a special, secret cargo that Sentinel claimed would end the war. However, the shuttle was hit in battle, disappeared, and presumed lost forever. In [[1961]], the ''Ark'' hit [[Earth]]'s [[moon (moon)|moon]], crashing there, and its impact was detected by [[NASA]]. This event inspired the [[United States of America]]'s eventual first trip to the moon in [[1969]], which was secretly an attempt to inspect the crashed alien ship. However before Apollo 11 got there, approximately two hundred Decepticons and [[Orbital Assault Carrier]]s raided the Ark, stole the ship's cargo and concealed themselves under the Moon's surface. A Space Bridge Technology called a [[Pillar]]. However they left five Pillars along with Sentinel in the crash vault. When Apollo reached the moon, the crew cut communication with every NASA worker apart from the highest command. They searched the ship and returned to Earth. Though NASA astronauts would make a handful of trips to the moon in the next few years, none would stumble upon the ''Ark''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> crash vault, which contained Sentinel Prime's comatose body and a small fraction of his secret cargo.

In 1972 the moon program was [[Soundwave (ROTF)|mysteriously]] [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|shut down]], thereby preventing the Soviets from landing on the Moon and discovering Sentinel and the Pillars.

The United States government had classified the moon missions' real purpose, even from the Autobots, but a human associate of Col. [[William Lennox]] told him about a detected alien signature. Optimus Prime and a [[NEST]] team travelled to the ruins of [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant|Chernobyl]] where Optimus located and identified a piece of technology from the missing ''Ark''. After retrieving the ''Ark'' piece, he confronted the US government for hiding this information from him, and subsequently travelled to the moon with [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] to find and retrieve Sentinel Prime.

[[Image:DOTM-Sentinelendofyourworld.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"You look ridiculous." ''...Except for that glorious mustache...'']]

With Sentinel Prime's comatose body returned successfully to NEST's headquarters, along with five "pillars," Optimus Prime used his [[Matrix of Leadership]] to return Sentinel Prime to operational status. Disoriented, Sentinel attacked Optimus, pushing him to the ground and shoving his [[Primax Blade]] near his face, and after some worried protests from Optimus, Sentinel finally realized his surroundings and disengaged. Although he had to admit that the war for Cybertron had been lost, Optimus tried to console his predecessor with news that they had also recovered the five pillars that were in the crash vault with him, but Sentinel grew further frustrated, as there should have been ''hundreds'' of them. Sentinel explained that the pillars were the anchors of a new [[space bridge]] technology that he had intended to use to bring resources back to Cybertron to replenish it. National Security Director [[Charlotte Mearing]] did not like this idea at all, and announced her intent to take possession of these pillars, as they could be used to bring an army to Earth to destroy it. Sentinel did not like being condescended to by the human. The technology was his, and the humans had no right to it.

[[Image:DOTM-SentinelOptimusMatrix.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"Sorry Optimus, I don't want it. Because when I kill someone, I want them to ''stay'' dead."]]

Optimus gave Sentinel a tour of Earth, culminating in a view of a sunset. Sentinel marvelled at the beauty and the liveliness of the planet as it reminded him of Cybertron in its prime. Optimus took this moment to offer Sentinel back the Matrix of Leadership, believing Sentinel to deserve it more. But Sentinel refused it, stating that he was only more experienced long ago on Cybertron, while this new world of Earth was unfamiliar to him.

The Autobots' young human ally, [[Sam Witwicky]] found evidence that led him to believe that the Decepticons possessed the missing pillars and would be coming after Sentinel Prime since they needed him to activate the technology. In an attempt to shield Sentinel from the Decepticons, several Autobots escorted Sentinel Prime back to NEST headquarters. [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and the others successfully fended off a [[Dread (DOTM)|team of Decepticons]], but once Sentinel reached their destination, he unveiled a terrible truth. He had been secretly (and reluctantly) working with Megatron for centuries, and the space bridge was technology Sentinel had created so that he and the Decepticons could bring Earth's resources back to Cybertron so that they could rebuild their dead homeworld. But as both Megatron and Sentinel Prime had ended up in stasis for centuries, this secret plan had gone waylaid... until now, after the Autobots came into control of the Matrix, which could re-activate dead Transformers, and so the Decepticons and their human allies had created a plan to lead Optimus Prime to the Moon where he could retrieve and revive his predecessor for them.

Sentinel punctuated this bombshell by shooting Ironhide repeatedly in the back with his [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] weapon.

{{note|In the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation|comic book adaptation]], Sentinel kills [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] and [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] too. However this was not seen in the film as they were removed from the final cut.}}

As Ironhide crumbled away and died, Sentinel fired at Bumblebee as well, though the scout was able to dodge his blasts. Sentinel then dove into NEST headquarters, tore the place apart, and retrieved the five pillars from the compound's vault. An angered Charlotte Mearing barged in and confronted Sentinel head on and demanded an explanation for his actions. Sentinel simply stated that he was a Prime and did not take orders from the humans.

[[Image:DOTMSentinelOptimus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Give me ''your'' face!]]

As Megatron arrived in truck mode from his exile in [[Africa]], Sentinel Prime set up a small space bridge portal on the Reflecting Pool facing the [[Lincoln Memorial]]. As Decepticon troops hidden on the Moon began to burst through the portal and scan local vehicle forms, Optimus Prime interrupted Sentinel's work with an angry tackle, but Sentinel overpowered him. Optimus demanded an explanation for Sentinel's betrayal, and Sentinel responded that Optimus never had the resolve to make the tough choices, and that Earth must be sacrificed for Cybertron to be reborn. Sentinel left Optimus to stew in his anger, telling his former pupil that he was lucky Sentinel left him alive and that he would understand one day.

Speaking to the [[United Nations]], Sentinel demanded that the "Autobot rebels" be expelled from Earth and that he and the Decepticons be able to take what resources from Earth they required. The humans wasted no time in agreeing, and the [[Xantium (DOTM)|''Xantium'']] was launched with Earth's remaining eleven Autobots inside... though [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was waiting in orbit to blast the shuttle to bits.

[[Image:DOTM-SentinelandMegatron.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Sentinel and his new hobo friend.]]

Decepticons around the world began positioning the pillars precisely according to Sentinel's instructions as the first brunt of the Decepticons' assault began in [[Chicago]]. Sentinel had chosen a tall, domed building in Chicago's downtown as the focal point of the space bridge. Megatron joined him on the roof of this building, and the Decepticon leader began to gloat about the success of their partnership. Sentinel, however, felt his partner was getting too chummy, and violently reminded Megatron of his place; Sentinel worked ''with'' Megatron, not ''for'' him.

Sentinel and the Decepticons succeeded in occupying Chicago, but the Autobots, who had managed to survive their apparent destruction through subterfuge, arrived in the city to take it back and destroy the space bridge technology. Sentinel activated the space bridge, and a large portal opened in space above Earth, through which the massive planet Cybertron began to materialize. After the Autobots defeated most of the Decepticon forces, Optimus Prime caught Sentinel Prime's attention by shooting down the Control Pillar, temporarily deactivating the space bridge. Enraged, Sentinel descended from his building perch to battle his former apprentice. When Optimus began to gain the upper hand in their duel, Sentinel called upon Decepticon fighter ships to fire at his former apprentice and attempted to escape in fire engine mode. However, Optimus and the NEST soldiers defeated the ships; Optimus then intercepted Sentinel and re-engaged him. After a prolonged fight, Sentinel got the upper hand and severed one of Optimus's arms, proving that Sentinel was the more powerful of the two.

[[Image:DOTM-allIeverwanted.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Do you really want to hurt me? Do you really want to make me cry?]]

Before Sentinel could deliver the killing blow, however, he came under attack by Megatron, who had been goaded back into action by Sam's girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]]. Megatron realized how far he had fallen in power within the past few years, and had decided to once again take his rightful place at the top of the command chain. Sentinel was taken by surprise and amassed critical damage. At the same time, Ratchet and Bumblebee destroyed the reactivated control pillar, thus destroying the space bridge and presumably Cybertron with it. Though Megatron's attack on Sentinel saved Optimus's life, the Autobot leader refused Megatron's offer of a truce (knowing his true intentions) and killed his seemingly eternal foe. Seeing his plans in ruins, the crippled and mutilated Sentinel claimed all he ever wanted was the survival of the Cybertronian race and begged Optimus to see why he had to betray him. However, Optimus refused and told Sentinel that he hadn't betrayed Optimus, he'd betrayed ''himself''. Optimus Prime then unceremoniously executed Sentinel Prime with Megatron's fusion shotgun. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

{{note|In an earlier draft of the movie's script, Optimus would have turned the tables on Sentinel by killing him with his own Cosmic Rust cannon, as opposed to using Megatron's Fusion shotgun in the actual film.}}
{{note|Sentinel Prime's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]” and “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]],” the comic mini-series “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation]],” and the storybooks “[[Autobots Versus Decepticons]],” "[[Optimus Prime's Friends and Foes]]," "[[The Lost Autobot]]," "[[Dark of the Moon: Action Pop-ups!]]" and "[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Mix & Match]]."}}

====''Age of Extinction'' film====
[[Image:Sentinel head at KSI.jpg|right|thumb|300px|He didn't get to live long and prosper ''quite'' as much as Leonard, but we'll give him points for trying..]]
After the battle of Chicago, Sentinel's head was recovered by [[Joshua Joyce]]'s [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]] to be used to help manufacture their own Transformers. [[Brains]] personally worked on it along with the remains of other fallen Transformers. {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}}
{{--}}

===IDW live-action film comics===
[[Image:Foundation1-SentinelPrimeaword.jpg|left|thumb|225px|"That word is ''fart''."]]
Sentinel Prime was a direct descendant of the first Cybertronian, [[Primus]], and was believed to be the last of the [[Prime (rank)|Primes]]. He told tales to his much younger Cybertronian brethren of how the [[Dynasty of Primes]] had called upon a legendary artifact, the star-powered [[AllSpark]], to give life to their world. But the AllSpark had been lost to history, and their world had tumbled through the cosmos without a star to orbit for eons. Sentinel Prime had plans to rectify this, and he gathered followers who believed in his path to a new age of life on Cybertron. With the help of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], and their legions, they searched the planet for the legendary artifact and a way to power it. However, there were the [[Thetacon (tribe)|Thetacons]], a tribe of separatist Transformers who disbelieved in Sentinel Prime's vision, and warred against him and his followers. This conflict ended when, with the help of [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]], a sun to orbit was brought to Cybertron, and the AllSpark discovered and energized.

[[Image:Foundation1 freedom.jpg|right|225px|thumb|"Hey, a body! Buff, tanned... yeah, this is mine alright."]]

Though Sentinel Prime had finally returned the forgotten concept of "freedom" back to Cybertron, he felt he no longer had a part in its path to the future. He was old and tired, and spoke in confidence to Optimus, believing that young Autobot was also part of the Prime lineage and requesting that he take on the mantle of leadership. Though Optimus was too humble to accept, not believing Sentinel's claims about his heritage, Megatron overheard their conversation and became jealous of his "brother." {{storylink|Foundation issue 1|Foundation #1}} Sentinel formulated another plan for Cybertron's future: it would be governed by Optimus's [[Science Division]] and Megatron's [[Defense Force]]. By having Optimus investigate the remains of the Primes' civilization, it would encourage him to believe in his lineage. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

Alas, after two generations of successful shared leadership, Megatron fell under the sway of [[The Fallen]], and reshaped his Defense Force as the [[Decepticon]]s, declaring war on Cybertron. Sentinel Prime was at the archaeological dig in Simfur when the first strike took place, and was quick to opt for a technique of self-preservation, rather than attempting to save the Science Division's work. Optimus soon arrived to fend the Decepticons off, and revealed that his studies had proven the truth of Sentinel's words: he was indeed a descendant of the Primes. He did not believe that this made him a born leader, but Sentinel impressed upon Optimus the necessity that he take up command of the [[Autobot]]s, that Cybertron might be saved from Megatron's destructive ambitions.

[[Image:Foundation3 sentinels torch.jpg|left|thumb|"Jim... I am, and forever shall be, your friend."]]

As time passed, and the war rolled on with no signs of stopping, Sentinel Prime was forced to make a deal with Megatron to seek out another planet whose resources they can exploit to restore their homeworld. The chosen planet was the resting place of the Primes' Star Harvester. Sentinel recreated the Primes' lost [[space bridge]] technology, fashioning hundreds of pillars that would form a bridge large enough to teleport Cybertron itself across the cosmos {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}{{storylink|Dark of the Moon issue 3}} Sentinel then invented a mysterious "torch" that he promised would end the war. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} The torch had to be brought into contact with the AllSpark to be activated, so the Autobots launched an attack on the Simfur temple to carry out this action while Sentinel stood by with a spacecraft, the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]], to await delivery of the active torch. [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita One]] soon returned with the torch, at which point Sentinel instructed Wheeljack to take the [[Ark (Movie)|second Ark]] and collect the remaining Autobots from [[Tyger Pax]], while he himself headed to Simfur to collect Optimus's forces. Upon arrival at Simfur, however, Sentinel's Ark was attacked by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and was consumed by a huge explosion, leaving all present to believe it, Sentinel, and all aboard had been destroyed. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}}

In actuality, Sentinel's Ark had not been vaporized as believed: it had been teleported away by the [[space bridge]] technology it was outfitted with. With all hands knocked into stasis by the explosion, the ship automatically jinked through space and time on a series of random space bridge jumps, until at last, its sensors locked on to the energy of the AllSpark, which had since been ejected from Cybertron and had crash-landed on the planet [[Earth]]. On its penultimate jump, the Ark crossed paths with the Decepticon ship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', which had departed Cybertron just as the war was beginning, and was now also following the AllSpark's trail. The Ark materialized from its jump into the same physical space as the ''Nemesis'', crippling both ships beyond repair; the Ark made one final bridge jump, reappearing in the immediate vicinity of Earth in 1962, where it crashed violently onto Earth's [[moon (moon)|Moon]]. All the Autobots aboard perished save for Sentinel himself, who was in the crash vault and remained slumbering in stasis. {{storylink|Convergence chapter 1|Convergence chapter 1}}
{{-}}

===Titan Magazines ''Dark of the Moon'' prequels===

Sentinel is a direct descendant of [[Primus]], the first Cybertronian, and one of the last surviving Primes. With a firm but just hand, he ruled the Autobots before the war. During the war, he named Optimus his successor before departing on a mission into deep space, only for his ship to be shot down by enemy fire...

But his Ark merely crashed somewhere near Earth in 1962, a fragment of it landing in Fiesole, [[Italy]]. When a human discovered it in 2011, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tried to prevent the Autobots from getting that fragment and finding their way to the lost Ark. The Autobots finding Sentinel was ''not'' an option for Starscream and the concept unnerved him, while an ominous narrator told us the fragment had the power to make martyrs of the good and bad alike... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 3.1|Fight for Fiesole}}

===Mega-Mouth===
A [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron that hails from another universe]] claims that ''he'' attacked Sentinel. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.1#Mega-Mouth|Mega-Mouth #1}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Tyran 609.23-PX Kappa]], Megatron, rather than Optimus Prime, defeated [[The Fallen]]. Megatron went on to gather his army and wage a successful campaign against the Autobots and [[NEST]] on Earth. Falling for baited clues that [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] left for [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam Witwicky]], Optimus Prime took the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'' to the Moon. Backed into a desperate corner by the Decepticon offensive, Optimus revived Sentinel right on the lunar surface. With Sentinel's aid, Megatron defeated and captured Optimus. With the aid of collaborationist humans, Megatron used space bridge technology to bring Cybertron to Earth orbit, and under [[Dylan Gould]]'s leadership, humans were put to work strip-mining Earth for resources to rebuild Cybertron.

All of this changed when [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] arrived. The bounty hunter demanded that Optimus be handed over to him. Megatron and Sentinel both refused, the former out of pride and the latter out of loyalty. Lockdown then offered a protomatter [[seed]] to Sentinel in exchange for Optimus. While Sentinel was sorely tempted, Optimus used the opportunity to reignite Sentinel's sense of justice. Sentinel proceeded to pretend to hand over Optimus, ambush and defeat Lockdown, and capture Lockdown's [[Knight Ship|ship]]. Allying themselves with the legendary [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]]s, Optimus and Sentinel waged a long guerilla campaign against Megatron and the Decepticons, eventually restoring freedom to Earth and revitalizing Cybertron with the seed. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' (mobile game)===
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (mobile game)}}

===''Cyberverse Battle Builder''===
Sentinel Prime joined the rest of the Autobots in combating the Decepticons on battlefields on Earth, the Earth's Moon and on Cybertron. Sometimes there were many of him! {{storylink|Cyberverse Battle Builder}}

===''Bot Shots Battle Game!''===
[[Image:Bsbg-sentinelprime.jpg|thumb|219px]]
Sentinel Prime participated in numerous one-on-one matches against other Autobots and Decepticons, using his fists, his sword, or his gun to defeat his opponents. Sometimes, he even faced off against himself! {{storylink|Bot Shots Battle Game!}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Dark of the Moon===
====Cyberverse====
[[Image:DOTM_CyberverseCommander_SentinelPrime_toy.jpg|thumb|300px|Prime 3:16!]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2011)
**''Series'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''002'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''CV05'''
**''Accessories:'' Primax blade, shield

: Sentinel Prime was released as part of the first [[wave]] of [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|''Dark of the Moon'']] ''[[Cyberverse]]'' Commander Class toys. He transforms from a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck to robot and back. He comes with his sword and shield, both of which he can wield in either hand. The sword stores underneath his vehicle mode, whereas the shield folds in half and becomes part of the fire truck roof (including the boom arm). Because the boom arm has a grip at the middle that allows Sentinel to hold it in shield mode, the grip can be used as a [[C joint]] bar in vehicle mode.

: Because of clearance issues, bringing and folding his arms to his back for vehicle mode can be rather difficult. The shoulders are more likely to pop off the plastic swivels they're on.

: On some (early?) releases, the Rosenbauer logo on the right side of the truck is reversed.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/CommanderSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Cyberverse Commander Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]
{{-}}

{{anchor|DarkSentinel}}
[[Image:DOTM_Cyberverse_Commander_DarkSentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|300px|Welcome to Sunnyside!]]
*'''Dark Sentinel Prime''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2011)
**''Series'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''010'''
**''Japanese ID number:''
**''Accessories:'' Primax blade, shield

: Dark Sentinel Prime is a redeco of the previous ''Cyberverse'' Sentinel Prime. He's... lighter, but has some ''evil''-looking red eyes.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/DarkSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Dark Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]
{{-}}

{{anchor|TargetBonusValue}}
*'''Autobot Ark with Roller and Bonus Value Sentinel Prime''' (Cyberverse Playset, 2011)
**''Accessories'': Primax blade, shield

: This [[Target]]-[[exclusive]] release includes otherwise unchanged [[Ark (DOTM)#TargetBonusValue|Ark]] and [[Roller (DOTM)#TargetBonusValue|Roller]] toys, along with a free and equally unchanged figure of the first Cyberverse Sentinel Prime toy. Good luck getting him into the cockpit.
{{-}}

====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:DOTMtoy-SentinelPrimeVoyager.jpg|right|thumb|300px|There's no fire? There ''will'' be!]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (MechTech Voyager, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DA20'''
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Boom Lift/[[Fusion Cannon]]

:Sentinel Prime is in the third wave of ''Dark of the Moon'' ''[[MechTech]]'' Voyagers. He converts from a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck to robot and back. He features an itty-bitty flip out nozzle on his front. His rotating and extending MechTech Boom Lift (which looks like a giant cannon due to the [[5mm post|peg]] at the tip) becomes a Fusion Cannon when a large button is pushed, but only if the button (which is rotatable) has its underside tabs aligned with its respective sockets on the weapon housing. The weapon can be locked in this mode if the button is rotated while pressed. The weapon itself features a MechTech port on each side panel, with the aforementioned peg at the tip of the Boom Lift.

:While his firetruck roof [[kibble]] is intentionally used as wings/a cape, he's still a pretty significant [[shellformer]], flopping nearly his entire firetruck side panels and front (along with his roof) onto his back, with only his wheels, leg panels, and feet being integrated in any way with his vehicle mode.

:Like the Cyberverse Dark Sentinel Prime, this figure's Autobot symbols are deliberately scratched out. However, his box bio remains coy about his true nature.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/VoyagerSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Voyager Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]
{{-}}

{{anchor|Tritanium}}
*'''Tritanium Sentinel Prime''' (MechTech Voyager, 2012)
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Boom Lift/[[Fusion Cannon]]

:This gold [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] version of Voyager Class ''Dark of the Moon'' Sentinel Prime is a prize in [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''Dark of the Moon'' MechTech campaign in 2012. This toy is limited to 10 pieces.

{{-}}

====Leader Class toys====
[[Image:DOTMtoy-SentinelPrimeMechtechLeader.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Live-action hyper goldfish!]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (MechTech Leader, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DA02'''
**''Accessories:'' Primax Blade, MechTech Shield/Bladed Blaster

:''MechTech'' Leader Class Sentinel Prime converts from a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck to robot and back! In vehicle mode, he features a rotating, extending firefighting boom arm, a small flip-up nozzle on the front fender, and siren lights and sounds, activated by a small grey button on the roof of the cabin. There are two [[5mm post]] hole MechTech ports in this mode; the one on the right hand side of the vehicle has a button inside, that when pushed in (by plugging in a MechTech weapon), activates a weapon deploying sound effect. Pressing the cabin roof button in this mode activates a weapon firing sound. Removing the MechTech weapon activates the [[Transformation#The noise|transformation sound effect]].

:A [[Stealth Force]]-style attack vehicle mode can be formed by opening panels on the rearward sides of the vehicle to expose hidden weapons (that look like missiles) and two more MechTech ports, activating the MechTech Shield's Bladed Blaster mode (by pressing the large button on it marked by the [[Cyberglyphics]]) and attaching that to the vehicle MechTech ports, and clipping the Primax Blade's handle into the two tabs on top of the Shield/Bladed Blaster's turret. In a reversal of his Cyberverse toy, Sentinel's double-bladed Primax Blade folds in half and stores underneath the grey panels forming the roof of much of the vehicle, while the MechTech shield is stored under the truck.

:In robot mode, when the button on Sentinel Prime's chest is pushed, his eyes light up, his chin moves and he says "I am Sentinel Prime!" Two more phrases, "Good to see you alive, Optimus." and "What has happened to the [[AllSpark]]?" are heard when a weapon is inserted into the MechTech port with the button inside of it and the chest button pushed. Unfortunately, the [[Canada|Canadian]] release only says "Sentinel Prime" because of language laws. The siren lights and sounds can still be activated by pressing the grey button back and to the left of Sentinel Prime's head.

:In this mode, Sentinel has four more 5mm MechTech ports: one each on either shoulder and one each on either forearm. If that's still not enough, the screw holes under his wrists can accommodate 5mm weapons as well, for a total of eight weapons beyond those included with the figure. The Primax Blade and Shield can both be held via their respective handles in either of Sentinel's articulated hands; the shield can also be plugged into the MechTech port in Sentinel's forearms.

:The red detailing on the shield as seen in the stock photography is not present on the final product.

:The Japanese release comes packed with a character card and an accompanying transparent plastic card of his MechTech weapon for the MechTech Wars online game.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/SentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Leader Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]
{{-}}

{{anchor|LeaderSentinelDeluxeNitroBee}}
*'''Leader Class Sentinel Prime and Bonus Value Deluxe Class Nitro Bumblebee''' (Two-pack, 2012?)
**''Accessories:'' Primax Blade, MechTech Shield/Bladed Blaster

: As the name implies, this [[Walmart]]-exclusive [[giftset]] would have contained a ''Dark of the Moon'' Leader Class Sentinel Prime figure and a ''Dark of the Moon'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#LeaderSentinelDeluxeNitroBee|Nitro Bumblebee figure]]. They would have been unchanged from their individual releases. The existence of this unreleased set was revealed by an eBay auction after the DOTM toyline was effectively over.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Bot Shots===
[[Image:Bot Shots S1 Super Bot 001 Sentinel Prime.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''Super Bot 001'''
***''Fist strength'': '''980'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''630'''
***''Sword strength'': '''190'''

:Part of the first wave of ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'', Sentinel Prime is a teeny little fire truck with a spring-loaded automatic transformation to robot mode triggered when his front bumper is pressed. He has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. He is heavily based on the [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|live-action movie sentinel Prime]], with his head based on the Sentinel [[Sentinel Prime (Kre-O)|''Kre-O'' figure]] (which is in turn inspired by ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]]'s head).

:As this "Super Bot" of this wave, Sentinel is mostly unpainted clear-plastic, has different power ratings (Including a much higher "Fist" score) than his (later) normal release, and is [[shortpacking|shortpacked]] to boot.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BSSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Super Bot Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShot3Pack}}
[[Image:Bot Shots S1 BP002 Sentinel Prime.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Sentinel Prime / Prowl / Bumblebee''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''BP002'''
***''Fist strength'': '''360'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''485'''
***''Sword strength'': '''775'''

: A [[redeco]] of his individually-carded toy, this opaque-plastic version of Sentinel was only available in a three-pack with [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Bot Shots|Prowl]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#BotShot3Pack|Bumblebee]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BS3pkSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on three-pack Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===BeCool===
*'''Firetruck (Sentinel Prime) ''' (2012)
**''ID number'': '''B07'''

:''[[Bot Shots (toyline)#BeCool|BeCool]]'' "Firetruck" is a redeco of Sentinel Prime very similar to his ''Bot Shots'' three-pack toy, but with a completely red back/roof section. He also features metallic blue paint on his windshield and chest details as well as orange-painted lightbars, and instead of power levels his stickers display pictures of a fireman's uniform, a water hose and an eeevil ball of flame.

==Merchandise==
===Speed Stars===
====Mini Changers====
[[Image:SpeedStars_StealthForce_MiniChangers_Bumblebee&SentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|300px|"''You'' were trying eat the last cheesy puff!"]]
*'''Stealth Force Bumblebee & Sentinel Prime''' (2011)

:This non-transforming toy of Sentinel Prime is packed with a non-transforming Stealth Force Bumblebee.

{{-}}

[[Image:SpeedStars_StealthForce_MiniChangers_Sideswipe&SentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|300px|Well, that's not how I remember it.]]
*'''Stealth Force Sideswipe & Sentinel Prime''' (2011)

:This non-transforming toy of Sentinel Prime comes with a non-transforming Stealth Force Sideswipe.

{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Jim, you left me on Genesis. Why did you do that?]]

{{quote|Sentinel Prime is great. He's great...I can't tell you anything else, other than he's great.|Michael Bay<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657670/michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.jhtml Interview at MTV]</ref>}}

*In an early draft of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'', time stops as [[Sam Witwicky]] falls down the building [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] smashed, and Sentinel appears to him via the [[AllSpark]]. Sentinel would've clarified the history of the war and the relationship between Optimus and Megatron (expanding on their history as siblings) and given him a clue to defeating Megatron with the Cube.<ref>[http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/tf1-amblin.html Blog post] from [[Ken Christiansen]].</ref>
*An early working name for Sentinel Prime for ''Dark of the Moon'' was '''Ultra Magnus'''.<ref>[http://tilallaremine.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/dark-of-the-moon-call-sheets/ Dark of the Moon Call Sheets! at Til All Are Mine blog.]</ref><ref>[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm joshnizzi.com]</ref>
*In the debut trailer for the film ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'', Sentinel Prime is seen in a gold and silver color scheme. This shot was redone for the movie proper, and he consistently appears red throughout the film.
*The Rosenbauer Panther fire truck cast as Sentinel Prime was entirely repainted specifically for the film, at a cost of thousands of dollars; real-world aircraft fire-fighting vehicles are required by FAA regulations to have a much lighter color scheme.<ref>[http://www.rosenbaueramerica.com/press/2011/06/rosenbauer-panther-6x6-to-be-f/ Rosenbauer America press release, June 28, 2011]</ref>
*In ''Dark of the Moon'', Sentinel Prime says "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Leonard Nimoy said the same line in the 1982 film ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' as [[Spock]], in one of several Star Trek references in the movie.
*Sentinel Prime was physically modelled after [[Wikipedia:Sean Connery|Sean Connery]].<ref>[http://www.awn.com/articles/3d/colossal-transformers-sequel/page/2%2C1 VFXWorld article on ''Dark of the Moon''.]</ref>

*[[Walmart]] had exclusive retailer rights to use Sentinel Prime in their signage and marketing as part of their "Power of the Primes" campaign. <ref>"The Power of Partnership." Walmart World Jun. 2011: 13</ref>
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Sentinel Prime''' (センチネル・プライム ''Senchineru Puraimu'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Őrszem Fővezér''' ("Prime Leader Sentinel")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Yùtiāndí''' (御天敌)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Age of Extinction Autobots]]
[[Category:Bot Shots Autobots]]
[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Autobots]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)

2015-10-31T18:05:25Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Characters */

{{Nav-dotm-game}}
[[File:Transformers-Dark-of-the-Moon US ESRB PS3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|right]]
'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Game''''' was released on [[June 14|June 14,]] [[2011]] for Xbox 360 and PS3 platforms. The game is a prequel to the film ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''. Unlike ''[[Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', ''Dark of the Moon'' features a single campaign mode, rather than separate Autobot and Decepticon campaigns. The game features a multiplayer mode with gameplay very similar to ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]''. The game was developed by [[High Moon Studios]], fresh off the success of that game.

==Plot==

===Chapter One===
It is three years since the Decepticons were last seen and, humanity believes they have fled Earth. However, Optimus Prime knows better and is constantly searching for Megatron and his forces. Bumblebee is sent to South America to find and investigate a Soviet relay facility being used by the Decepticons to monitor NEST-Autobot communications. He succeeds, and plants a virus prepared by Wheeljack into the transmitter that will allow them to monitor the Decepticons. However, he is discovered by a Decepticon party who flee in an attempt to alert their leader Megatron. Bumblebee tracks the Decepticons down to a small village where he destroys all the long-range transmitters trying to contact Megatron. Waves of Decepticons land in the city hoping to destroy him, but Optimus and Sideswipe, who have been searching other villages, show up and help Bumblebee fight off the attackers.

===Chapter Two===
The virus allows the Autobots to track down and eliminate Decepticons across the globe. When the Decepticons attack the city of Detroit, Ratchet is ordered to help civilians evacuate while Ironhide goes off to wipe out the attackers in the city. Ironhide makes his way into the city's main construction zone where he receives word that Ratchet has been captured by Mixmaster. Ironhide battles his way to find Mixmaster who has knocked out and injured Ratchet. Ironhide's normal weapons are not strong enough to pierce Mixmaster's shields, so he uses his "Heavy Iron" rifle to cause a large metal platform to land on Mixmaster trapping him underground. Realizing that Mixmaster would probably try to escape them, Ratchet reveals he placed a tracker on the Decepticon when he was captured. Ironhide continues his search for Mixmaster and receives the "Heavy Iron 2.0" from Wheeljack--a new rifle that can destroy Mixmaster's shields. Mixmaster is powerless against Ironhide's new weapon, defeated, and is killed by a fatal headshot from Ironhide.

===Chapter Three===
Sideswipe is captured by Decepticon forces whilst investigating suspicious activity in Central America and Mirage is sent to find him. Along the way to a rendezvous with Bumblebee, Starscream tries to destroy Mirage with proximity mines, then grabs the Autobot and throws him through a bridge into a deep ravine down below, believing he has killed the Autobot. Mirage's internal systems have been extensively damaged disabling his weapons and transformation system. He is only able to use his Active Camoflauge to sneak past patrols of Decepticons. He discovers the entrance to an ancient Mayan temple which has Decepticon markings all over it, suggesting the Mayans built their temples on top of Decepticon technology. The NEST team sends weapons and repairs for Mirage deep within the jungle where he eventually meets up with Bumblebee. The two Autobots make their way through the ruins and battle a Decepticon Enforcer on top of a temple. After dispatching the enemy, the two discover and free Sideswipe, who informs them that the temples are built over an ancient Cybertronian spaceport. The three Autobots hold off enemy forces until NEST reinforcements are able to arrive to help ward off the attack. The Autobots then make their way deeper into the ruins where Starscream is trying to launch a Decepticon ship into space. They battle Starscream, but are unable to prevent the launch and the Decepticon second-in-command retreats.

===Chapter Four===
As the Autobots attempt to track the launched ship's heading, Megatron realises Decepticon communications have been compromised and has Soundwave detached from his satellite. He then sends the communications officer to destroy an abandoned [[Sector Seven]] data archive on a Pacific island, which stores information which could jeopardize Decepticon plans. Soundwave lands on the island and takes on an alternate form of a SUV. He soon discovers that NEST has repurposed the old base, which is located inside an active volcano, as a research facility. Soundwave fights his way through the jungle and into the volcano. He arrives at the entrance of the NEST base and is unable to enter, so sends Laserbeak to sneak inside. Laserbeak goes throughout the base scanning hard drives, and Soundwave learns the facility is being used by Wheeljack to develop MechTech weaponry. He also realises that the base can be destroyed by disabling its volcanic stabilizers. Laserbeak alters the harmonics of the three stabilizers, making them vulnerable to his master's ultrasonics, and then activates the main doors so Soundwave can enter. Despite briefly becoming trapped in a laser grid prison, the communications officer destroys all three stabilizers, and the coolant system, triggering an eruption of the volcano. Soundwave escapes the collapsing tunnels in vehicle mode, then regroups with Laserbeak on the island surface.

===Chapter Five===
The Decepticons learn that Autobots are about to transport some of the MechTech weapons that were not destroyed on the island base to human armies in the Middle East, and Starscream is dispatched by Megatron to destroy it. He heads to a mountain NEST base in Nepal, but is ambushed and crash lands. Starscream then chases Air Raid through a canyon only to discover the Aerialbots are already escaping onboard Stratosphere with the MechTech weapons. The Decepticon is able to pursue and injure Stratosphere, forcing the Aerialbots to deploy and try to destroy Starscream. However, he proves to be too strong for them and, despite Stratosphere activating his Stealth Force mode, continues to shoot out the large Autobot's engines. Starscream boards Stratosphere, steals one MechTech 'boomstick', and detonates the other to finally send the Autobot crashing down.

===Chapter Six===
Soundwave begins preparations to cryo-thaw Shockwave, who is frozen in the Siberian Soviet facility the Decepticons have taken as a base. Starscream then returns to Megatron, hoping to please his master with news that they can use the Autobots' technology against them. Megatron, however, is furious as he knows the Autobots will have placed tracking devices in all their weapons. As he prepares to drain Starscream's energon as punishment, the Autobots arrive, their attack spearheaded by Ironhide. After Soundwave brings Megatron's weaponry online, he fights off the initial attack, before being blasted into the bowels of the base by Ironhide. The Decepticon leader retrieves plutonium from an old human stockpile, which he uses to create energon to awaken the [[hatchling]]s throughout the base, but structural collapse forces him to use ventilation tunnels to progress. Meanwhile, Starscream gets to the surface and begins bombing the Autobots, but this causes further damage to the base. After acquiring more plutonium, Megatron decides to begin Shockwave's cryo-thaw, but Soundwave has lost his connection, so the process must be done manually. The leader rallies his Decepticon forces to hold off the Autobot attack while he makes his way through the tunnels to Shockwave's cryochamber, scanning a truck to get there faster. As he nears the cryochamber, he encounters Warpath who, despite his boasts, Megatron easily finishes off. The Decepticon leader destroys the intense cryo systems that have kept Shockwave frozen for so many years and waits for his assassin to awake. However, Optimus Prime arrives, using weapons and an impenetrable energon shield from his [[Armored Weapons Platform|trailer]] to battle Megatron. Soundwave informs Megatron that the freezing spray from the cryo generators can weaken the shields, and the Decepticon leader destroys the generators in the room until the shields on Prime can be destroyed. Although Optimus activates a jetpack and heavy weaponry, he is still defeated, and Megatron kicks him down into the cryochamber. The Decepticon then flees the base, sneaking past Ironhide and Ratchet using his new vehicle mode.

===Chapter Seven===
Optimus awakens at the bottom of the cryochamber, and realises that Megatron's plan was to awaken Shockwave from his imprisonment by the Soviets. Ratchet is able to activate backup cryo systems, but Shockwave's [[Driller]] has already begun thawing, and destroys the backups. Shockwave soons awakens, and engages Prime in combat. Ratchet identifies the assassin's back-mounted power core as a weak spot, and thanks to Shockwave's sluggishness, Prime is able to exploit this vulnerability. As Optimus begins to gain the edge, the Decepticon fully frees the Driller, which attacks ferociously. Prime utilises his shoulder launcher to injure the creature until it retreats, leaving Shockwave to fight alone. As the room thaws out, Autobot reinforcements begin to arrive, but each wave is swiftly dealt with by the Decepticon. Optimus continues to attack Shockwave's power core, and activates his jetpack to deal the final blow. However, the Driller re-appears at the last moment, and whisks its master away to safety. Optimus reports his victory to Ratchet, but laments that Megatron is still at large, and must be found.

===Epilogue===
In [[Namibia]], Starscream joins Megatron and Soundwave just in time to hear Shockwave greeted back into the Decepticons. The Decepticon leader immediately sets his assassin a mission, travel [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]] and retrieve an [[Pillar|object]]. Megatron then proceeds to gloat that Optimus Prime has no idea of his plans, and that the Earth and its resources will soon belong to him.

==Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Playable|c1=
'''[[Autobot]]s'''
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/games|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)/games|Bumblebee]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]])
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] ([[Dave Wittenberg]])

'''[[Decepticon]]s'''
*[[Megatron (Movie)/games|Megatron]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)/games|Starscream]] ([[Steve Blum]])
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]

|h2=Non-Playable|c2=
'''[[Autobot]]s'''
*[[Stratosphere]] ([[Travis Willingham]])
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] ([[Jamie Alcroft]])
*[[Aerialbot (ROTF)|Aerialbots]]
**[[Air Raid (Movie)|Air Raid]] ([[Rick Wasserman]])
**[[Silverbolt (ROTF)|Silverbolt]] ([[Bob Dunsworth]])
*[[Combaticon Warrior]]
*[[Aerialbot Scout 1]]
*[[Aerialbot Scout 2]]
*[[Protectobot Sniper]]
'''[[Decepticon]]s'''

*[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]] ([[Dave Boat]])
*[[Driller]]
*[[Dread (DOTM)|Dreads]]
**[[Assaulter]]s

|h3=Multiplayer|c3=

*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]]) <ref>Amazon.com preorder Multiplayer exclusive, Early character unlock</ref>
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]]) <ref>GameStop preorder Multiplayer exclusive, Downloadable content character</ref>**
*[[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] ([[Christian Lanz]])
*[[Warpath (Movie)|Warpath]] ([[Dave Fennoy]])
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]
**[[Enforcer]]

|c4=
*[[Reynolds]] ([[Nolan North]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Quotes==
"Looks like they gave up telling on us and just decided to finish us off!" 
"They are welcome to ''try.''" 
:—'''Sideswipe''' and '''Optimus Prime''' discuss the Decepticons' change in tactics.

"…And Ironhide, keep collateral damage to a minimum." 
"That's not exactly playing to my strengths, Prime." 
:—'''Ironhide''' just can't have any fun.

"Well. Detroit's seen better days."
:—'''Ironhide'''

"''That'' was for Ratchet. And ''this'' is for ME!"
:—'''Ironhide''' executing Mixmaster. Hardcore.

"Hey, guys! You see these markings? Stuff is ancient! Even by our standards!" 
"Can you read it?" 
"Something about your leaking problem!" 
"Seriously?" 
"No, but you really should get that checked out!"
:—Look, work for a '''Decepticon drone''' gets boring sometimes, okay?

"One Boomstick for me, one Boomstick for you!"
:—'''Starscream''' kills '''Stratosphere'''.

"''Starscream''… You IMBECILE! The Autobots have surely planted a homing beacon in their own device! ''YOU HAVE LED THEM STRAIGHT TO ME!!!'' 
"But… I… Megatron…" 
"At least your life won't have been a total waste. I shall enjoy draining your Energon to replenish my own!" 
"Megatron! No! No! Please!"
:—'''Starscream''' finds out how much his life sucks with a boss like '''Megatron'''.

"Megatron, catch!" 
(''Ironhide fires a missile at Megatron, who is sent hurtling down a long pit and is buried under rubble'') 
"He will pay ''dearly'' for that…"
:—'''Megatron''' responds to '''Ironhide's''' attack with some [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|foreshadowing]].

==Multiplayer==
This broad option is where you will be spending most of your hours after you beat Shockwave. Here, players can create their own Cybertronian combatant and pit them against the multitude of online [[Fandom|transfans]] and [[Coby Hansen|12-year-olds]] that will more than likely slaughter you. Custom characters can be leveled up by killing dudes in matches, with specific bonuses being given for specific actions. As they level up, more abilities become available.

;Characters
Characters are created from four different bases, each of which feature different weapons, abilities and alternate forms. They are:
*[[Scout (DOTM)|Scout]] - Cars. Fast, usually cloakers.
**Bumblebee Chassis (Autobot)
**Mirage Chassis (Autobot)
**Sideswipe Chassis (Autobot, Gamestop pre-order bonus and DLC #1)
**Enforcer Chassis (Decepticon)
*[[Hunter (DOTM)|Hunter]] - Jets. Also fast, specializing at long range.
**Breakaway Chassis (Autobot)
**Starscream Chassis (Decepticon)
*[[Commander (DOTM)|Commander]] - Trucks. Balanced, with emphasis on defense and ally-aid.
**Optimus Prime Chasis (Autobot)
**Ratchet Chassis (Autobot, Amazon.com pre-order bonus, campaign completion bonus)
**Ironhide Chassis (Autobot)
**Soundwave Chassis (Decepticon)
**Megatron Chassis (Decepticon)
*[[Warrior (DOTM)|Warrior]] - Tanks. Slow and powerful, with strong offensive abilities.
**Warpath Chassis (Autobot)
**Megatron Tank (Decepticon)
**Shockwave (Decepticon, campaign completion bonus)

Initially, players are only able to create one of each class, but as they level up, more slots open for a maximum of three of each class. Names can be chosen for each, but don't get too excited about making the [[Fanon|Transformer you always dreamed of]]: bodies are limited to about three options per faction and look exactly like characters from single-player (for example, the Autobot Scout category lets you choose from Bumblebee, Sideswipe, or Mirage). And while you can pick your color scheme, the palettes are rather limited, especially for Decepticons. Unlocking additional characters will also make their chassis available for customizing.

;Playlists
Choosing a playlist will automatically send you into a lobby, where the service will do its best to form balanced teams (I.E., you hopefully won't see a team of level 20 Commanders fighting one level zero Scout). The service will also select a random stage, which players can veto. Finally, when the game begins, combatants select their character. If your Scout gets butchered too many times, you can pick a different character at any time during the match, and you will switch to it upon dying. Players also cannot pick a faction; the game does it automatically. Various powerups (overshield, double damage, and intercooler) are scattered around the stages. Unlike War for Cybertron, you can not pick up fallen player's weapons.

Playlists include:
*'''Team deathmatch''': Kill 40 opponents to win. Games can range from four to sixteen players.
*'''Deathmatch''': Kill 20 opponents to win. It's a free-for-all.
*'''Conquest''': Capture and defend several "power nodes" until your team gets 400 points.

Players can also set up private matches, where the game options and maps can be adjusted as you see fit, but they are invite-only. Hopefully, you've got a lot of online friends!

==Notes==
* During the battle against Stratosphere, an Autobot flier claims that he has a [[Silverbolt (G1)|fear of heights]].
* Several of the game's plot points make very little sense when taken together with the Decepticons' actual plan in the film. For instance, Megatron leaves Optimus to be killed by the awakening Shockwave, despite requiring him and his Matrix to reactivate Sentinel Prime, and in the game's epilogue Shockwave is instructed to retrieve an object from Chernobyl, despite Megatron actually intending for it to fall into the Autobots' hands. Additionally, the game depicts said object as a [[space bridge]] pillar, whilst in the film it is an engine component from the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]''.
* While the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' games had the majority of the movie cast reprise their roles, this game notably only features [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Jess Harnell]] reprising their characters, while the rest of the cast is voiced by carry-overs from ''War for Cybertron'' such as [[Fred Tatasciore]] and [[Nolan North]]. Interestingly, the carry-overs are usually voicing different versions of their characters in ''War for Cybertron''; for example, Tatasciore this time voices Ratchet and Megatron, and [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] voices Soundwave (albeit without the vocoder effect, much like [[Frank Welker]]'s on-screen portrayal). [[Steve Blum]] instead gets to voice [[Starscream (WFC)|another]] incarnation of Starscream, taking over from [[Charles Adler]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersgame.com/ Official Website]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WojGd2_wrCg&feature=player_embedded Gamespot trailer]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)}}
[[Category:Dark of the Moon video games]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)

2015-10-31T18:04:28Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Characters */

{{Nav-dotm-game}}
[[File:Transformers-Dark-of-the-Moon US ESRB PS3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|right]]
'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Game''''' was released on [[June 14|June 14,]] [[2011]] for Xbox 360 and PS3 platforms. The game is a prequel to the film ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''. Unlike ''[[Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', ''Dark of the Moon'' features a single campaign mode, rather than separate Autobot and Decepticon campaigns. The game features a multiplayer mode with gameplay very similar to ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]''. The game was developed by [[High Moon Studios]], fresh off the success of that game.

==Plot==

===Chapter One===
It is three years since the Decepticons were last seen and, humanity believes they have fled Earth. However, Optimus Prime knows better and is constantly searching for Megatron and his forces. Bumblebee is sent to South America to find and investigate a Soviet relay facility being used by the Decepticons to monitor NEST-Autobot communications. He succeeds, and plants a virus prepared by Wheeljack into the transmitter that will allow them to monitor the Decepticons. However, he is discovered by a Decepticon party who flee in an attempt to alert their leader Megatron. Bumblebee tracks the Decepticons down to a small village where he destroys all the long-range transmitters trying to contact Megatron. Waves of Decepticons land in the city hoping to destroy him, but Optimus and Sideswipe, who have been searching other villages, show up and help Bumblebee fight off the attackers.

===Chapter Two===
The virus allows the Autobots to track down and eliminate Decepticons across the globe. When the Decepticons attack the city of Detroit, Ratchet is ordered to help civilians evacuate while Ironhide goes off to wipe out the attackers in the city. Ironhide makes his way into the city's main construction zone where he receives word that Ratchet has been captured by Mixmaster. Ironhide battles his way to find Mixmaster who has knocked out and injured Ratchet. Ironhide's normal weapons are not strong enough to pierce Mixmaster's shields, so he uses his "Heavy Iron" rifle to cause a large metal platform to land on Mixmaster trapping him underground. Realizing that Mixmaster would probably try to escape them, Ratchet reveals he placed a tracker on the Decepticon when he was captured. Ironhide continues his search for Mixmaster and receives the "Heavy Iron 2.0" from Wheeljack--a new rifle that can destroy Mixmaster's shields. Mixmaster is powerless against Ironhide's new weapon, defeated, and is killed by a fatal headshot from Ironhide.

===Chapter Three===
Sideswipe is captured by Decepticon forces whilst investigating suspicious activity in Central America and Mirage is sent to find him. Along the way to a rendezvous with Bumblebee, Starscream tries to destroy Mirage with proximity mines, then grabs the Autobot and throws him through a bridge into a deep ravine down below, believing he has killed the Autobot. Mirage's internal systems have been extensively damaged disabling his weapons and transformation system. He is only able to use his Active Camoflauge to sneak past patrols of Decepticons. He discovers the entrance to an ancient Mayan temple which has Decepticon markings all over it, suggesting the Mayans built their temples on top of Decepticon technology. The NEST team sends weapons and repairs for Mirage deep within the jungle where he eventually meets up with Bumblebee. The two Autobots make their way through the ruins and battle a Decepticon Enforcer on top of a temple. After dispatching the enemy, the two discover and free Sideswipe, who informs them that the temples are built over an ancient Cybertronian spaceport. The three Autobots hold off enemy forces until NEST reinforcements are able to arrive to help ward off the attack. The Autobots then make their way deeper into the ruins where Starscream is trying to launch a Decepticon ship into space. They battle Starscream, but are unable to prevent the launch and the Decepticon second-in-command retreats.

===Chapter Four===
As the Autobots attempt to track the launched ship's heading, Megatron realises Decepticon communications have been compromised and has Soundwave detached from his satellite. He then sends the communications officer to destroy an abandoned [[Sector Seven]] data archive on a Pacific island, which stores information which could jeopardize Decepticon plans. Soundwave lands on the island and takes on an alternate form of a SUV. He soon discovers that NEST has repurposed the old base, which is located inside an active volcano, as a research facility. Soundwave fights his way through the jungle and into the volcano. He arrives at the entrance of the NEST base and is unable to enter, so sends Laserbeak to sneak inside. Laserbeak goes throughout the base scanning hard drives, and Soundwave learns the facility is being used by Wheeljack to develop MechTech weaponry. He also realises that the base can be destroyed by disabling its volcanic stabilizers. Laserbeak alters the harmonics of the three stabilizers, making them vulnerable to his master's ultrasonics, and then activates the main doors so Soundwave can enter. Despite briefly becoming trapped in a laser grid prison, the communications officer destroys all three stabilizers, and the coolant system, triggering an eruption of the volcano. Soundwave escapes the collapsing tunnels in vehicle mode, then regroups with Laserbeak on the island surface.

===Chapter Five===
The Decepticons learn that Autobots are about to transport some of the MechTech weapons that were not destroyed on the island base to human armies in the Middle East, and Starscream is dispatched by Megatron to destroy it. He heads to a mountain NEST base in Nepal, but is ambushed and crash lands. Starscream then chases Air Raid through a canyon only to discover the Aerialbots are already escaping onboard Stratosphere with the MechTech weapons. The Decepticon is able to pursue and injure Stratosphere, forcing the Aerialbots to deploy and try to destroy Starscream. However, he proves to be too strong for them and, despite Stratosphere activating his Stealth Force mode, continues to shoot out the large Autobot's engines. Starscream boards Stratosphere, steals one MechTech 'boomstick', and detonates the other to finally send the Autobot crashing down.

===Chapter Six===
Soundwave begins preparations to cryo-thaw Shockwave, who is frozen in the Siberian Soviet facility the Decepticons have taken as a base. Starscream then returns to Megatron, hoping to please his master with news that they can use the Autobots' technology against them. Megatron, however, is furious as he knows the Autobots will have placed tracking devices in all their weapons. As he prepares to drain Starscream's energon as punishment, the Autobots arrive, their attack spearheaded by Ironhide. After Soundwave brings Megatron's weaponry online, he fights off the initial attack, before being blasted into the bowels of the base by Ironhide. The Decepticon leader retrieves plutonium from an old human stockpile, which he uses to create energon to awaken the [[hatchling]]s throughout the base, but structural collapse forces him to use ventilation tunnels to progress. Meanwhile, Starscream gets to the surface and begins bombing the Autobots, but this causes further damage to the base. After acquiring more plutonium, Megatron decides to begin Shockwave's cryo-thaw, but Soundwave has lost his connection, so the process must be done manually. The leader rallies his Decepticon forces to hold off the Autobot attack while he makes his way through the tunnels to Shockwave's cryochamber, scanning a truck to get there faster. As he nears the cryochamber, he encounters Warpath who, despite his boasts, Megatron easily finishes off. The Decepticon leader destroys the intense cryo systems that have kept Shockwave frozen for so many years and waits for his assassin to awake. However, Optimus Prime arrives, using weapons and an impenetrable energon shield from his [[Armored Weapons Platform|trailer]] to battle Megatron. Soundwave informs Megatron that the freezing spray from the cryo generators can weaken the shields, and the Decepticon leader destroys the generators in the room until the shields on Prime can be destroyed. Although Optimus activates a jetpack and heavy weaponry, he is still defeated, and Megatron kicks him down into the cryochamber. The Decepticon then flees the base, sneaking past Ironhide and Ratchet using his new vehicle mode.

===Chapter Seven===
Optimus awakens at the bottom of the cryochamber, and realises that Megatron's plan was to awaken Shockwave from his imprisonment by the Soviets. Ratchet is able to activate backup cryo systems, but Shockwave's [[Driller]] has already begun thawing, and destroys the backups. Shockwave soons awakens, and engages Prime in combat. Ratchet identifies the assassin's back-mounted power core as a weak spot, and thanks to Shockwave's sluggishness, Prime is able to exploit this vulnerability. As Optimus begins to gain the edge, the Decepticon fully frees the Driller, which attacks ferociously. Prime utilises his shoulder launcher to injure the creature until it retreats, leaving Shockwave to fight alone. As the room thaws out, Autobot reinforcements begin to arrive, but each wave is swiftly dealt with by the Decepticon. Optimus continues to attack Shockwave's power core, and activates his jetpack to deal the final blow. However, the Driller re-appears at the last moment, and whisks its master away to safety. Optimus reports his victory to Ratchet, but laments that Megatron is still at large, and must be found.

===Epilogue===
In [[Namibia]], Starscream joins Megatron and Soundwave just in time to hear Shockwave greeted back into the Decepticons. The Decepticon leader immediately sets his assassin a mission, travel [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]] and retrieve an [[Pillar|object]]. Megatron then proceeds to gloat that Optimus Prime has no idea of his plans, and that the Earth and its resources will soon belong to him.

==Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Playable|c1=
'''[[Autobot]]s'''
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/games|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)/games|Bumblebee]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]])
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] ([[Dave Wittenberg]])

'''[[Decepticon]]s'''
*[[Megatron (Movie)/games|Megatron]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)/games|Starscream]] ([[Steve Blum]])
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]

|h2=Non-Playable|c2=
'''[[Autobot]]s'''
*[[Stratosphere]] ([[Travis Willingham]])
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] ([[Jamie Alcroft]])
*[[Aerialbot (ROTF)|Aerialbots]]
**[[Air Raid (Movie)|Air Raid]] ([[Rick Wasserman]])
**[[Silverbolt (ROTF)|Silverbolt]] ([[Bob Dunsworth]])
*[[Combaticon Warrior]]
*[[Aerialbot Scout 1]]
*[[Aerialbot Scout 2]]
*[[Protectobot Sniper]]
'''[[Decepticon]]s'''

*[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]] ([[Dave Boat]])
*[[Driller]]
*[[Dread (DOTM)|Dreads]]
**[[Assaulter]]s

|h3=Multiplayer|c3=

*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]]) <ref>Amazon.com preorder Multiplayer exclusive, Early character unlock</ref>
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]]) <ref>GameStop preorder Multiplayer exclusive, Downloadable content character</ref>**
[[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] ([[Christian Lanz]])
*[[Warpath (Movie)|Warpath]] ([[Dave Fennoy]])
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]
**[[Enforcer]]

|c4=
*[[Reynolds]] ([[Nolan North]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Quotes==
"Looks like they gave up telling on us and just decided to finish us off!" 
"They are welcome to ''try.''" 
:—'''Sideswipe''' and '''Optimus Prime''' discuss the Decepticons' change in tactics.

"…And Ironhide, keep collateral damage to a minimum." 
"That's not exactly playing to my strengths, Prime." 
:—'''Ironhide''' just can't have any fun.

"Well. Detroit's seen better days."
:—'''Ironhide'''

"''That'' was for Ratchet. And ''this'' is for ME!"
:—'''Ironhide''' executing Mixmaster. Hardcore.

"Hey, guys! You see these markings? Stuff is ancient! Even by our standards!" 
"Can you read it?" 
"Something about your leaking problem!" 
"Seriously?" 
"No, but you really should get that checked out!"
:—Look, work for a '''Decepticon drone''' gets boring sometimes, okay?

"One Boomstick for me, one Boomstick for you!"
:—'''Starscream''' kills '''Stratosphere'''.

"''Starscream''… You IMBECILE! The Autobots have surely planted a homing beacon in their own device! ''YOU HAVE LED THEM STRAIGHT TO ME!!!'' 
"But… I… Megatron…" 
"At least your life won't have been a total waste. I shall enjoy draining your Energon to replenish my own!" 
"Megatron! No! No! Please!"
:—'''Starscream''' finds out how much his life sucks with a boss like '''Megatron'''.

"Megatron, catch!" 
(''Ironhide fires a missile at Megatron, who is sent hurtling down a long pit and is buried under rubble'') 
"He will pay ''dearly'' for that…"
:—'''Megatron''' responds to '''Ironhide's''' attack with some [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|foreshadowing]].

==Multiplayer==
This broad option is where you will be spending most of your hours after you beat Shockwave. Here, players can create their own Cybertronian combatant and pit them against the multitude of online [[Fandom|transfans]] and [[Coby Hansen|12-year-olds]] that will more than likely slaughter you. Custom characters can be leveled up by killing dudes in matches, with specific bonuses being given for specific actions. As they level up, more abilities become available.

;Characters
Characters are created from four different bases, each of which feature different weapons, abilities and alternate forms. They are:
*[[Scout (DOTM)|Scout]] - Cars. Fast, usually cloakers.
**Bumblebee Chassis (Autobot)
**Mirage Chassis (Autobot)
**Sideswipe Chassis (Autobot, Gamestop pre-order bonus and DLC #1)
**Enforcer Chassis (Decepticon)
*[[Hunter (DOTM)|Hunter]] - Jets. Also fast, specializing at long range.
**Breakaway Chassis (Autobot)
**Starscream Chassis (Decepticon)
*[[Commander (DOTM)|Commander]] - Trucks. Balanced, with emphasis on defense and ally-aid.
**Optimus Prime Chasis (Autobot)
**Ratchet Chassis (Autobot, Amazon.com pre-order bonus, campaign completion bonus)
**Ironhide Chassis (Autobot)
**Soundwave Chassis (Decepticon)
**Megatron Chassis (Decepticon)
*[[Warrior (DOTM)|Warrior]] - Tanks. Slow and powerful, with strong offensive abilities.
**Warpath Chassis (Autobot)
**Megatron Tank (Decepticon)
**Shockwave (Decepticon, campaign completion bonus)

Initially, players are only able to create one of each class, but as they level up, more slots open for a maximum of three of each class. Names can be chosen for each, but don't get too excited about making the [[Fanon|Transformer you always dreamed of]]: bodies are limited to about three options per faction and look exactly like characters from single-player (for example, the Autobot Scout category lets you choose from Bumblebee, Sideswipe, or Mirage). And while you can pick your color scheme, the palettes are rather limited, especially for Decepticons. Unlocking additional characters will also make their chassis available for customizing.

;Playlists
Choosing a playlist will automatically send you into a lobby, where the service will do its best to form balanced teams (I.E., you hopefully won't see a team of level 20 Commanders fighting one level zero Scout). The service will also select a random stage, which players can veto. Finally, when the game begins, combatants select their character. If your Scout gets butchered too many times, you can pick a different character at any time during the match, and you will switch to it upon dying. Players also cannot pick a faction; the game does it automatically. Various powerups (overshield, double damage, and intercooler) are scattered around the stages. Unlike War for Cybertron, you can not pick up fallen player's weapons.

Playlists include:
*'''Team deathmatch''': Kill 40 opponents to win. Games can range from four to sixteen players.
*'''Deathmatch''': Kill 20 opponents to win. It's a free-for-all.
*'''Conquest''': Capture and defend several "power nodes" until your team gets 400 points.

Players can also set up private matches, where the game options and maps can be adjusted as you see fit, but they are invite-only. Hopefully, you've got a lot of online friends!

==Notes==
* During the battle against Stratosphere, an Autobot flier claims that he has a [[Silverbolt (G1)|fear of heights]].
* Several of the game's plot points make very little sense when taken together with the Decepticons' actual plan in the film. For instance, Megatron leaves Optimus to be killed by the awakening Shockwave, despite requiring him and his Matrix to reactivate Sentinel Prime, and in the game's epilogue Shockwave is instructed to retrieve an object from Chernobyl, despite Megatron actually intending for it to fall into the Autobots' hands. Additionally, the game depicts said object as a [[space bridge]] pillar, whilst in the film it is an engine component from the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]''.
* While the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' games had the majority of the movie cast reprise their roles, this game notably only features [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Jess Harnell]] reprising their characters, while the rest of the cast is voiced by carry-overs from ''War for Cybertron'' such as [[Fred Tatasciore]] and [[Nolan North]]. Interestingly, the carry-overs are usually voicing different versions of their characters in ''War for Cybertron''; for example, Tatasciore this time voices Ratchet and Megatron, and [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] voices Soundwave (albeit without the vocoder effect, much like [[Frank Welker]]'s on-screen portrayal). [[Steve Blum]] instead gets to voice [[Starscream (WFC)|another]] incarnation of Starscream, taking over from [[Charles Adler]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersgame.com/ Official Website]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WojGd2_wrCg&feature=player_embedded Gamespot trailer]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)}}
[[Category:Dark of the Moon video games]]

Sentinel Prime (ROTF)

2015-10-26T23:56:23Z

OptimusPrimeRID:

Sentinel Prime (ROTF)

2015-10-26T23:55:05Z

OptimusPrimeRID:

{{disambig3|Sentinel Prime}}
{{featured}}
{{factions|autobotfilm|decepticon|{{factions/icons|custom=Cyberglyphics Prime Symbol.png|cLink=Dynasty of Primes|cPretty=Prime}}}}

:''Sentinel Prime is an [[Autobot]] from the [[live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:DOTM-Sentinel-Heatscramble.jpg|300px|thumb|What does [[Spock]] need with a [[Ark (DOTM)|starship]]?]]

'''Sentinel Prime''' hails from an older time, when [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was the galaxy's crown jewel, and the [[Transformer]] race was full of promise and potential. The only known remaining [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], he personified what a leader should be: wise, compassionate, and a more than worthy warrior. Revered by both Autobot and Decepticon, few would dare stand against his shield and [[Primax Blade]].

But when Sentinel was presumably lost forever on board the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], his hand-picked successor, was left to fill his void. The loss of Sentinel signaled the end of Cybertron's golden age, and the planet spiraled deeper into war. Some who recall Sentinel's reign bitterly remember when Transformers were masters of their fate, rather than scattered to the stars and living as exiles. Above all, Sentinel Prime is a staunch nationalist. He loves his home planet with all of his [[Spark]] and will do anything —even go to extremes— to protect it.

{{bigquote|You simply fail to understand that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.|Sentinel Prime|''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''. No, seriously.}}

==Fiction==
===Movies===
{{note|The four movies are the primary component of the live-action movie continuity family. Their events should be taken as canon for all other pieces of fiction listed below, unless otherwise specified.}}
====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====
When [[Sam Witwicky]] launched into a rambling lecture on the nature of space and time while in a trance brought on by the knowledge of the AllSpark entering his mind, he recalled Sentinel Prime's "expedition" to find Cybertron a new sun, commenting that it took "fourteen galactic convergences" to get an echo. {{Storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

====''Dark of the Moon'' film====
{{voiceactor|[[Leonard Nimoy]] (English), [[Nobuyuki Katsube]] (Japanese)|[[Arturo Casanova]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Dario Penne]] (Italian)}}

{{bigquote|So lost are you, Optimus. On Cybertron we were gods. And here... they call us "machines."}}

[[Image:DOTM-Sentinelsleeps.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Sentinel just can't get to sleep without his security [[pillar]].]]

Long ago, during the war on Cybertron, a heated battle erupted around the [[Ark (DOTM)|''Ark'']], a shuttle commandeered by Sentinel Prime and a small crew, which carried a special, secret cargo that Sentinel claimed would end the war. However, the shuttle was hit in battle, disappeared, and presumed lost forever. In [[1961]], the ''Ark'' hit [[Earth]]'s [[moon (moon)|moon]], crashing there, and its impact was detected by [[NASA]]. This event inspired the [[United States of America]]'s eventual first trip to the moon in [[1969]], which was secretly an attempt to inspect the crashed alien ship. However before Apollo 11 got there, approximately two hundred Decepticons and [[Orbital Assault Carrier]]s raided the Ark, stole the ship's cargo and concealed themselves under the Moon's surface. A Space Bridge Technology called a [[Pillar]]. However they left five Pillars along with Sentinel in the crash vault. When Apollo reached the moon, the crew cut communication with every NASA worker apart from the highest command. They searched the ship and returned to Earth. Though NASA astronauts would make a handful of trips to the moon in the next few years, none would stumble upon the ''Ark''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> crash vault, which contained Sentinel Prime's comatose body and a small fraction of his secret cargo.

In 1972 the moon program was [[Soundwave (ROTF)|mysteriously]] [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|shut down]], thereby preventing the Soviets from landing on the Moon and discovering Sentinel and the Pillars.

The United States government had classified the moon missions' real purpose, even from the Autobots, but a human associate of Col. [[William Lennox]] told him about a detected alien signature. Optimus Prime and a [[NEST]] team travelled to the ruins of [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant|Chernobyl]] where Optimus located and identified a piece of technology from the missing ''Ark''. After retrieving the ''Ark'' piece, he confronted the US government for hiding this information from him, and subsequently travelled to the moon with [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] to find and retrieve Sentinel Prime.

[[Image:DOTM-Sentinelendofyourworld.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"You look ridiculous." ''...Except for that glorious mustache...'']]

With Sentinel Prime's comatose body returned successfully to NEST's headquarters, along with five "pillars," Optimus Prime used his [[Matrix of Leadership]] to return Sentinel Prime to operational status. Disoriented, Sentinel attacked Optimus, pushing him to the ground and shoving his [[Primax Blade]] near his face, and after some worried protests from Optimus, Sentinel finally realized his surroundings and disengaged. Although he had to admit that the war for Cybertron had been lost, Optimus tried to console his predecessor with news that they had also recovered the five pillars that were in the crash vault with him, but Sentinel grew further frustrated, as there should have been ''hundreds'' of them. Sentinel explained that the pillars were the anchors of a new [[space bridge]] technology that he had intended to use to bring resources back to Cybertron to replenish it. National Security Director [[Charlotte Mearing]] did not like this idea at all, and announced her intent to take possession of these pillars, as they could be used to bring an army to Earth to destroy it. Sentinel did not like being condescended to by the human. The technology was his, and the humans had no right to it.

[[Image:DOTM-SentinelOptimusMatrix.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"Sorry Optimus, I don't want it. Because when I kill someone, I want them to ''stay'' dead."]]

Optimus gave Sentinel a tour of Earth, culminating in a view of a sunset. Sentinel marvelled at the beauty and the liveliness of the planet as it reminded him of Cybertron in its prime. Optimus took this moment to offer Sentinel back the Matrix of Leadership, believing Sentinel to deserve it more. But Sentinel refused it, stating that he was only more experienced long ago on Cybertron, while this new world of Earth was unfamiliar to him.

The Autobots' young human ally, [[Sam Witwicky]] found evidence that led him to believe that the Decepticons possessed the missing pillars and would be coming after Sentinel Prime since they needed him to activate the technology. In an attempt to shield Sentinel from the Decepticons, several Autobots escorted Sentinel Prime back to NEST headquarters. [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and the others successfully fended off a [[Dread (DOTM)|team of Decepticons]], but once Sentinel reached their destination, he unveiled a terrible truth. He had been secretly (and reluctantly) working with Megatron for centuries, and the space bridge was technology Sentinel had created so that he and the Decepticons could bring Earth's resources back to Cybertron so that they could rebuild their dead homeworld. But as both Megatron and Sentinel Prime had ended up in stasis for centuries, this secret plan had gone waylaid... until now, after the Autobots came into control of the Matrix, which could re-activate dead Transformers, and so the Decepticons and their human allies had created a plan to lead Optimus Prime to the Moon where he could retrieve and revive his predecessor for them.

Sentinel punctuated this bombshell by shooting Ironhide repeatedly in the back with his [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] weapon.

{{note|In the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation|comic book adaptation]], Sentinel kills [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] and [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] too. However this was not seen in the film as they were removed from the final cut.}}

As Ironhide crumbled away and died, Sentinel fired at Bumblebee as well, though the scout was able to dodge his blasts. Sentinel then dove into NEST headquarters, tore the place apart, and retrieved the five pillars from the compound's vault. An angered Charlotte Mearing barged in and confronted Sentinel head on and demanded an explanation for his actions. Sentinel simply stated that he was a Prime and did not take orders from the humans.

[[Image:DOTMSentinelOptimus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Give me ''your'' face!]]

As Megatron arrived in truck mode from his exile in [[Africa]], Sentinel Prime set up a small space bridge portal on the Reflecting Pool facing the [[Lincoln Memorial]]. As Decepticon troops hidden on the Moon began to burst through the portal and scan local vehicle forms, Optimus Prime interrupted Sentinel's work with an angry tackle, but Sentinel overpowered him. Optimus demanded an explanation for Sentinel's betrayal, and Sentinel responded that Optimus never had the resolve to make the tough choices, and that Earth must be sacrificed for Cybertron to be reborn. Sentinel left Optimus to stew in his anger, telling his former pupil that he was lucky Sentinel left him alive and that he would understand one day.

Speaking to the [[United Nations]], Sentinel demanded that the "Autobot rebels" be expelled from Earth and that he and the Decepticons be able to take what resources from Earth they required. The humans wasted no time in agreeing, and the [[Xantium (DOTM)|''Xantium'']] was launched with Earth's remaining eleven Autobots inside... though [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was waiting in orbit to blast the shuttle to bits.

[[Image:DOTM-SentinelandMegatron.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Sentinel and his new hobo friend.]]

Decepticons around the world began positioning the pillars precisely according to Sentinel's instructions as the first brunt of the Decepticons' assault began in [[Chicago]]. Sentinel had chosen a tall, domed building in Chicago's downtown as the focal point of the space bridge. Megatron joined him on the roof of this building, and the Decepticon leader began to gloat about the success of their partnership. Sentinel, however, felt his partner was getting too chummy, and violently reminded Megatron of his place; Sentinel worked ''with'' Megatron, not ''for'' him.

Sentinel and the Decepticons succeeded in occupying Chicago, but the Autobots, who had managed to survive their apparent destruction through subterfuge, arrived in the city to take it back and destroy the space bridge technology. Sentinel activated the space bridge, and a large portal opened in space above Earth, through which the massive planet Cybertron began to materialize. After the Autobots defeated most of the Decepticon forces, Optimus Prime caught Sentinel Prime's attention by shooting down the Control Pillar, temporarily deactivating the space bridge. Enraged, Sentinel descended from his building perch to battle his former apprentice. When Optimus began to gain the upper hand in their duel, Sentinel called upon Decepticon fighter ships to fire at his former apprentice and attempted to escape in fire engine mode. However, Optimus and the NEST soldiers defeated the ships; Optimus then intercepted Sentinel and re-engaged him. After a prolonged fight, Sentinel got the upper hand and severed one of Optimus's arms, proving that Sentinel was the more powerful of the two.

[[Image:DOTM-allIeverwanted.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Do you really want to hurt me? Do you really want to make me cry?]]

Before Sentinel could deliver the killing blow, however, he came under attack by Megatron, who had been goaded back into action by Sam's girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]]. Megatron realized how far he had fallen in power within the past few years, and had decided to once again take his rightful place at the top of the command chain. Sentinel was taken by surprise and amassed critical damage. At the same time, Ratchet and Bumblebee destroyed the reactivated control pillar, thus destroying the space bridge and presumably Cybertron with it. Though Megatron's attack on Sentinel saved Optimus's life, the Autobot leader refused Megatron's offer of a truce (knowing his true intentions) and killed his seemingly eternal foe. Seeing his plans in ruins, the crippled and mutilated Sentinel claimed all he ever wanted was the survival of the Cybertronian race and begged Optimus to see why he had to betray him. However, Optimus refused and told Sentinel that he hadn't betrayed Optimus, he'd betrayed ''himself''. Optimus Prime then unceremoniously executed Sentinel Prime with Megatron's fusion shotgun. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

{{note|In an earlier draft of the movie's script, Optimus would have turned the tables on Sentinel by killing him with his own Cosmic Rust cannon, as opposed to using Megatron's Fusion shotgun in the actual film.}}
{{note|Sentinel Prime's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]” and “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]],” the comic mini-series “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation]],” and the storybooks “[[Autobots Versus Decepticons]],” "[[Optimus Prime's Friends and Foes]]," "[[The Lost Autobot]]," "[[Dark of the Moon: Action Pop-ups!]]" and "[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Mix & Match]]."}}

====''Age of Extinction'' film====
[[Image:Sentinel head at KSI.jpg|right|thumb|300px|He didn't get to live long and prosper ''quite'' as much as Leonard, but we'll give him points for trying..]]
After the battle of Chicago, Sentinel's head was recovered by [[Joshua Joyce]]'s [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]] to be used to help manufacture their own Transformers. [[Brains]] personally worked on it along with the remains of other fallen Transformers. {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}}
{{--}}

===IDW live-action film comics===
[[Image:Foundation1-SentinelPrimeaword.jpg|left|thumb|225px|"That word is ''fart''."]]
Sentinel Prime was a direct descendant of the first Cybertronian, [[Primus]], and was believed to be the last of the [[Prime (rank)|Primes]]. He told tales to his much younger Cybertronian brethren of how the [[Dynasty of Primes]] had called upon a legendary artifact, the star-powered [[AllSpark]], to give life to their world. But the AllSpark had been lost to history, and their world had tumbled through the cosmos without a star to orbit for eons. Sentinel Prime had plans to rectify this, and he gathered followers who believed in his path to a new age of life on Cybertron. With the help of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], and their legions, they searched the planet for the legendary artifact and a way to power it. However, there were the [[Thetacon (tribe)|Thetacons]], a tribe of separatist Transformers who disbelieved in Sentinel Prime's vision, and warred against him and his followers. This conflict ended when, with the help of [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]], a sun to orbit was brought to Cybertron, and the AllSpark discovered and energized.

[[Image:Foundation1 freedom.jpg|right|225px|thumb|"Hey, a body! Buff, tanned... yeah, this is mine alright."]]

Though Sentinel Prime had finally returned the forgotten concept of "freedom" back to Cybertron, he felt he no longer had a part in its path to the future. He was old and tired, and spoke in confidence to Optimus, believing that young Autobot was also part of the Prime lineage and requesting that he take on the mantle of leadership. Though Optimus was too humble to accept, not believing Sentinel's claims about his heritage, Megatron overheard their conversation and became jealous of his "brother." {{storylink|Foundation issue 1|Foundation #1}} Sentinel formulated another plan for Cybertron's future: it would be governed by Optimus's [[Science Division]] and Megatron's [[Defense Force]]. By having Optimus investigate the remains of the Primes' civilization, it would encourage him to believe in his lineage. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

Alas, after two generations of successful shared leadership, Megatron fell under the sway of [[The Fallen]], and reshaped his Defense Force as the [[Decepticon]]s, declaring war on Cybertron. Sentinel Prime was at the archaeological dig in Simfur when the first strike took place, and was quick to opt for a technique of self-preservation, rather than attempting to save the Science Division's work. Optimus soon arrived to fend the Decepticons off, and revealed that his studies had proven the truth of Sentinel's words: he was indeed a descendant of the Primes. He did not believe that this made him a born leader, but Sentinel impressed upon Optimus the necessity that he take up command of the [[Autobot]]s, that Cybertron might be saved from Megatron's destructive ambitions.

[[Image:Foundation3 sentinels torch.jpg|left|thumb|"Jim... I am, and forever shall be, your friend."]]

As time passed, and the war rolled on with no signs of stopping, Sentinel Prime was forced to make a deal with Megatron to seek out another planet whose resources they can exploit to restore their homeworld. The chosen planet was the resting place of the Primes' Star Harvester. Sentinel recreated the Primes' lost [[space bridge]] technology, fashioning hundreds of pillars that would form a bridge large enough to teleport Cybertron itself across the cosmos {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}{{storylink|Dark of the Moon issue 3}} Sentinel then invented a mysterious "torch" that he promised would end the war. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} The torch had to be brought into contact with the AllSpark to be activated, so the Autobots launched an attack on the Simfur temple to carry out this action while Sentinel stood by with a spacecraft, the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]], to await delivery of the active torch. [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita One]] soon returned with the torch, at which point Sentinel instructed Wheeljack to take the [[Ark (Movie)|second Ark]] and collect the remaining Autobots from [[Tyger Pax]], while he himself headed to Simfur to collect Optimus's forces. Upon arrival at Simfur, however, Sentinel's Ark was attacked by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and was consumed by a huge explosion, leaving all present to believe it, Sentinel, and all aboard had been destroyed. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}}

In actuality, Sentinel's Ark had not been vaporized as believed: it had been teleported away by the [[space bridge]] technology it was outfitted with. With all hands knocked into stasis by the explosion, the ship automatically jinked through space and time on a series of random space bridge jumps, until at last, its sensors locked on to the energy of the AllSpark, which had since been ejected from Cybertron and had crash-landed on the planet [[Earth]]. On its penultimate jump, the Ark crossed paths with the Decepticon ship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', which had departed Cybertron just as the war was beginning, and was now also following the AllSpark's trail. The Ark materialized from its jump into the same physical space as the ''Nemesis'', crippling both ships beyond repair; the Ark made one final bridge jump, reappearing in the immediate vicinity of Earth in 1962, where it crashed violently onto Earth's [[moon (moon)|Moon]]. All the Autobots aboard perished save for Sentinel himself, who was in the crash vault and remained slumbering in stasis. {{storylink|Convergence chapter 1|Convergence chapter 1}}
{{-}}

===Titan Magazines ''Dark of the Moon'' prequels===

Sentinel is a direct descendant of [[Primus]], the first Cybertronian, and one of the last surviving Primes. With a firm but just hand, he ruled the Autobots before the war. During the war, he named Optimus his successor before departing on a mission into deep space, only for his ship to be shot down by enemy fire...

But his Ark merely crashed somewhere near Earth in 1962, a fragment of it landing in Fiesole, [[Italy]]. When a human discovered it in 2011, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tried to prevent the Autobots from getting that fragment and finding their way to the lost Ark. The Autobots finding Sentinel was ''not'' an option for Starscream and the concept unnerved him, while an ominous narrator told us the fragment had the power to make martyrs of the good and bad alike... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 3.1|Fight for Fiesole}}

===Mega-Mouth===
A [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron that hails from another universe]] claims that ''he'' attacked Sentinel. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.1#Mega-Mouth|Mega-Mouth #1}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Tyran 609.23-PX Kappa]], Megatron, rather than Optimus Prime, defeated [[The Fallen]]. Megatron went on to gather his army and wage a successful campaign against the Autobots and [[NEST]] on Earth. Falling for baited clues that [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] left for [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam Witwicky]], Optimus Prime took the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'' to the Moon. Backed into a desperate corner by the Decepticon offensive, Optimus revived Sentinel right on the lunar surface. With Sentinel's aid, Megatron defeated and captured Optimus. With the aid of collaborationist humans, Megatron used space bridge technology to bring Cybertron to Earth orbit, and under [[Dylan Gould]]'s leadership, humans were put to work strip-mining Earth for resources to rebuild Cybertron.

All of this changed when [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] arrived. The bounty hunter demanded that Optimus be handed over to him. Megatron and Sentinel both refused, the former out of pride and the latter out of loyalty. Lockdown then offered a protomatter [[seed]] to Sentinel in exchange for Optimus. While Sentinel was sorely tempted, Optimus used the opportunity to reignite Sentinel's sense of justice. Sentinel proceeded to pretend to hand over Optimus, ambush and defeat Lockdown, and capture Lockdown's [[Knight Ship|ship]]. Allying themselves with the legendary [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]]s, Optimus and Sentinel waged a long guerilla campaign against Megatron and the Decepticons, eventually restoring freedom to Earth and revitalizing Cybertron with the seed. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' (mobile game)===
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (mobile game)}}

===''Cyberverse Battle Builder''===
Sentinel Prime joined the rest of the Autobots in combating the Decepticons on battlefields on Earth, the Earth's Moon and on Cybertron. Sometimes there were many of him! {{storylink|Cyberverse Battle Builder}}

===''Bot Shots Battle Game!''===
[[Image:Bsbg-sentinelprime.jpg|thumb|219px]]
Sentinel Prime participated in numerous one-on-one matches against other Autobots and Decepticons, using his fists, his sword, or his gun to defeat his opponents. Sometimes, he even faced off against himself! {{storylink|Bot Shots Battle Game!}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Dark of the Moon===
====Cyberverse====
[[Image:DOTM_CyberverseCommander_SentinelPrime_toy.jpg|thumb|300px|Prime 3:16!]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2011)
**''Series'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''002'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''CV05'''
**''Accessories:'' Primax blade, shield

: Sentinel Prime was released as part of the first [[wave]] of [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|''Dark of the Moon'']] ''[[Cyberverse]]'' Commander Class toys. He transforms from a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck to robot and back. He comes with his sword and shield, both of which he can wield in either hand. The sword stores underneath his vehicle mode, whereas the shield folds in half and becomes part of the fire truck roof (including the boom arm). Because the boom arm has a grip at the middle that allows Sentinel to hold it in shield mode, the grip can be used as a [[C joint]] bar in vehicle mode.

: Because of clearance issues, bringing and folding his arms to his back for vehicle mode can be rather difficult. The shoulders are more likely to pop off the plastic swivels they're on.

: On some (early?) releases, the Rosenbauer logo on the right side of the truck is reversed.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/CommanderSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Cyberverse Commander Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]
{{-}}

{{anchor|DarkSentinel}}
[[Image:DOTM_Cyberverse_Commander_DarkSentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|300px|Welcome to Sunnyside!]]
*'''Dark Sentinel Prime''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2011)
**''Series'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''010'''
**''Japanese ID number:''
**''Accessories:'' Primax blade, shield

: Dark Sentinel Prime is a redeco of the previous ''Cyberverse'' Sentinel Prime. He's... lighter, but has some ''evil''-looking red eyes.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/DarkSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Dark Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]
{{-}}

{{anchor|TargetBonusValue}}
*'''Autobot Ark with Roller and Bonus Value Sentinel Prime''' (Cyberverse Playset, 2011)
**''Accessories'': Primax blade, shield

: This [[Target]]-[[exclusive]] release includes otherwise unchanged [[Ark (DOTM)#TargetBonusValue|Ark]] and [[Roller (DOTM)#TargetBonusValue|Roller]] toys, along with a free and equally unchanged figure of the first Cyberverse Sentinel Prime toy. Good luck getting him into the cockpit.
{{-}}

====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:DOTMtoy-SentinelPrimeVoyager.jpg|right|thumb|300px|There's no fire? There ''will'' be!]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (MechTech Voyager, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DA20'''
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Boom Lift/[[Fusion Cannon]]

:Sentinel Prime is in the third wave of ''Dark of the Moon'' ''[[MechTech]]'' Voyagers. He converts from a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck to robot and back. He features an itty-bitty flip out nozzle on his front. His rotating and extending MechTech Boom Lift (which looks like a giant cannon due to the [[5mm post|peg]] at the tip) becomes a Fusion Cannon when a large button is pushed, but only if the button (which is rotatable) has its underside tabs aligned with its respective sockets on the weapon housing. The weapon can be locked in this mode if the button is rotated while pressed. The weapon itself features a MechTech port on each side panel, with the aforementioned peg at the tip of the Boom Lift.

:While his firetruck roof [[kibble]] is intentionally used as wings/a cape, he's still a pretty significant [[shellformer]], flopping nearly his entire firetruck side panels and front (along with his roof) onto his back, with only his wheels, leg panels, and feet being integrated in any way with his vehicle mode.

:Like the Cyberverse Dark Sentinel Prime, this figure's Autobot symbols are deliberately scratched out. However, his box bio remains coy about his true nature.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/VoyagerSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Voyager Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]
{{-}}

{{anchor|Tritanium}}
*'''Tritanium Sentinel Prime''' (MechTech Voyager, 2012)
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Boom Lift/[[Fusion Cannon]]

:This gold [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] version of Voyager Class ''Dark of the Moon'' Sentinel Prime is a prize in [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''Dark of the Moon'' MechTech campaign in 2012. This toy is limited to 10 pieces.

{{-}}

====Leader Class toys====
[[Image:DOTMtoy-SentinelPrimeMechtechLeader.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Live-action hyper goldfish!]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (MechTech Leader, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DA02'''
**''Accessories:'' Primax Blade, MechTech Shield/Bladed Blaster

:''MechTech'' Leader Class Sentinel Prime converts from a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck to robot and back! In vehicle mode, he features a rotating, extending firefighting boom arm, a small flip-up nozzle on the front fender, and siren lights and sounds, activated by a small grey button on the roof of the cabin. There are two [[5mm post]] hole MechTech ports in this mode; the one on the right hand side of the vehicle has a button inside, that when pushed in (by plugging in a MechTech weapon), activates a weapon deploying sound effect. Pressing the cabin roof button in this mode activates a weapon firing sound. Removing the MechTech weapon activates the [[Transformation#The noise|transformation sound effect]].

:A [[Stealth Force]]-style attack vehicle mode can be formed by opening panels on the rearward sides of the vehicle to expose hidden weapons (that look like missiles) and two more MechTech ports, activating the MechTech Shield's Bladed Blaster mode (by pressing the large button on it marked by the [[Cyberglyphics]]) and attaching that to the vehicle MechTech ports, and clipping the Primax Blade's handle into the two tabs on top of the Shield/Bladed Blaster's turret. In a reversal of his Cyberverse toy, Sentinel's double-bladed Primax Blade folds in half and stores underneath the grey panels forming the roof of much of the vehicle, while the MechTech shield is stored under the truck.

:In robot mode, when the button on Sentinel Prime's chest is pushed, his eyes light up, his chin moves and he says "I am Sentinel Prime!" Two more phrases, "Good to see you alive, Optimus." and "What has happened to the [[AllSpark]]?" are heard when a weapon is inserted into the MechTech port with the button inside of it and the chest button pushed. Unfortunately, the [[Canada|Canadian]] release only says "Sentinel Prime" because of language laws. The siren lights and sounds can still be activated by pressing the grey button back and to the left of Sentinel Prime's head.

:In this mode, Sentinel has four more 5mm MechTech ports: one each on either shoulder and one each on either forearm. If that's still not enough, the screw holes under his wrists can accommodate 5mm weapons as well, for a total of eight weapons beyond those included with the figure. The Primax Blade and Shield can both be held via their respective handles in either of Sentinel's articulated hands; the shield can also be plugged into the MechTech port in Sentinel's forearms.

:The red detailing on the shield as seen in the stock photography is not present on the final product.

:The Japanese release comes packed with a character card and an accompanying transparent plastic card of his MechTech weapon for the MechTech Wars online game.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/SentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Leader Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]
{{-}}

{{anchor|LeaderSentinelDeluxeNitroBee}}
*'''Leader Class Sentinel Prime and Bonus Value Deluxe Class Nitro Bumblebee''' (Two-pack, 2012?)
**''Accessories:'' Primax Blade, MechTech Shield/Bladed Blaster

: As the name implies, this [[Walmart]]-exclusive [[giftset]] would have contained a ''Dark of the Moon'' Leader Class Sentinel Prime figure and a ''Dark of the Moon'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#LeaderSentinelDeluxeNitroBee|Nitro Bumblebee figure]]. They would have been unchanged from their individual releases. The existence of this unreleased set was revealed by an eBay auction after the DOTM toyline was effectively over.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Bot Shots===
[[Image:Bot Shots S1 Super Bot 001 Sentinel Prime.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''Super Bot 001'''
***''Fist strength'': '''980'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''630'''
***''Sword strength'': '''190'''

:Part of the first wave of ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'', Sentinel Prime is a teeny little fire truck with a spring-loaded automatic transformation to robot mode triggered when his front bumper is pressed. He has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. He is heavily based on the [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|live-action movie sentinel Prime]], with his head based on the Sentinel [[Sentinel Prime (Kre-O)|''Kre-O'' figure]] (which is in turn inspired by ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]]'s head).

:As this "Super Bot" of this wave, Sentinel is mostly unpainted clear-plastic, has different power ratings (Including a much higher "Fist" score) than his (later) normal release, and is [[shortpacking|shortpacked]] to boot.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BSSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Super Bot Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShot3Pack}}
[[Image:Bot Shots S1 BP002 Sentinel Prime.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Sentinel Prime / Prowl / Bumblebee''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''BP002'''
***''Fist strength'': '''360'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''485'''
***''Sword strength'': '''775'''

: A [[redeco]] of his individually-carded toy, this opaque-plastic version of Sentinel was only available in a three-pack with [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Bot Shots|Prowl]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#BotShot3Pack|Bumblebee]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BS3pkSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on three-pack Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===BeCool===
*'''Firetruck (Sentinel Prime) ''' (2012)
**''ID number'': '''B07'''

:''[[Bot Shots (toyline)#BeCool|BeCool]]'' "Firetruck" is a redeco of Sentinel Prime very similar to his ''Bot Shots'' three-pack toy, but with a completely red back/roof section. He also features metallic blue paint on his windshield and chest details as well as orange-painted lightbars, and instead of power levels his stickers display pictures of a fireman's uniform, a water hose and an eeevil ball of flame.

==Merchandise==
===Speed Stars===
====Mini Changers====
[[Image:SpeedStars_StealthForce_MiniChangers_Bumblebee&SentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|300px|"''You'' were trying eat the last cheesy puff!"]]
*'''Stealth Force Bumblebee & Sentinel Prime''' (2011)

:This non-transforming toy of Sentinel Prime is packed with a non-transforming Stealth Force Bumblebee.

{{-}}

[[Image:SpeedStars_StealthForce_MiniChangers_Sideswipe&SentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|300px|Well, that's not how I remember it.]]
*'''Stealth Force Sideswipe & Sentinel Prime''' (2011)

:This non-transforming toy of Sentinel Prime comes with a non-transforming Stealth Force Sideswipe.

{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Jim, you left me on Genesis. Why did you do that?]]

{{quote|Sentinel Prime is great. He's great...I can't tell you anything else, other than he's great.|Michael Bay<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657670/michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.jhtml Interview at MTV]</ref>}}

*In an early draft of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'', time stops as [[Sam Witwicky]] falls down the building [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] smashed, and Sentinel appears to him via the [[AllSpark]]. Sentinel would've clarified the history of the war and the relationship between Optimus and Megatron (expanding on their history as siblings) and given him a clue to defeating Megatron with the Cube.<ref>[http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/tf1-amblin.html Blog post] from [[Ken Christiansen]].</ref>
*An early working name for Sentinel Prime for ''Dark of the Moon'' was '''Ultra Magnus'''.<ref>[http://tilallaremine.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/dark-of-the-moon-call-sheets/ Dark of the Moon Call Sheets! at Til All Are Mine blog.]</ref><ref>[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm joshnizzi.com]</ref>
*In the debut trailer for the film ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'', Sentinel Prime is seen in a gold and silver color scheme. This shot was redone for the movie proper, and he consistently appears red throughout the film.
*The Rosenbauer Panther fire truck cast as Sentinel Prime was entirely repainted specifically for the film, at a cost of thousands of dollars; real-world aircraft fire-fighting vehicles are required by FAA regulations to have a much lighter color scheme.<ref>[http://www.rosenbaueramerica.com/press/2011/06/rosenbauer-panther-6x6-to-be-f/ Rosenbauer America press release, June 28, 2011]</ref>
*In ''Dark of the Moon'', Sentinel Prime says "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Leonard Nimoy said the same line in the 1982 film ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' as [[Spock]], in one of several Star Trek references in the movie.
*Sentinel Prime was physically modelled after [[Wikipedia:Sean Connery|Sean Connery]].<ref>[http://www.awn.com/articles/3d/colossal-transformers-sequel/page/2%2C1 VFXWorld article on ''Dark of the Moon''.]</ref>

*[[Walmart]] had exclusive retailer rights to use Sentinel Prime in their signage and marketing as part of their "Power of the Primes" campaign. <ref>"The Power of Partnership." Walmart World Jun. 2011: 13</ref>
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Sentinel Prime''' (センチネル・プライム ''Senchineru Puraimu'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Őrszem Fővezér''' ("Prime Leader Sentinel")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Yùtiāndí''' (御天敌)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Age of Extinction Autobots]]
[[Category:Bot Shots Autobots]]
[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Autobots]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]

Sentinel Prime (ROTF)

2015-10-26T23:54:46Z

OptimusPrimeRID:

{{disambig3|Sentinel Prime}}
{{featured}}
{{factions|autobotfilmdecepticon|{{factions/icons|custom=Cyberglyphics Prime Symbol.png|cLink=Dynasty of Primes|cPretty=Prime}}}}

:''Sentinel Prime is an [[Autobot]] from the [[live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:DOTM-Sentinel-Heatscramble.jpg|300px|thumb|What does [[Spock]] need with a [[Ark (DOTM)|starship]]?]]

'''Sentinel Prime''' hails from an older time, when [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was the galaxy's crown jewel, and the [[Transformer]] race was full of promise and potential. The only known remaining [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], he personified what a leader should be: wise, compassionate, and a more than worthy warrior. Revered by both Autobot and Decepticon, few would dare stand against his shield and [[Primax Blade]].

But when Sentinel was presumably lost forever on board the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], his hand-picked successor, was left to fill his void. The loss of Sentinel signaled the end of Cybertron's golden age, and the planet spiraled deeper into war. Some who recall Sentinel's reign bitterly remember when Transformers were masters of their fate, rather than scattered to the stars and living as exiles. Above all, Sentinel Prime is a staunch nationalist. He loves his home planet with all of his [[Spark]] and will do anything —even go to extremes— to protect it.

{{bigquote|You simply fail to understand that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.|Sentinel Prime|''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''. No, seriously.}}

==Fiction==
===Movies===
{{note|The four movies are the primary component of the live-action movie continuity family. Their events should be taken as canon for all other pieces of fiction listed below, unless otherwise specified.}}
====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====
When [[Sam Witwicky]] launched into a rambling lecture on the nature of space and time while in a trance brought on by the knowledge of the AllSpark entering his mind, he recalled Sentinel Prime's "expedition" to find Cybertron a new sun, commenting that it took "fourteen galactic convergences" to get an echo. {{Storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

====''Dark of the Moon'' film====
{{voiceactor|[[Leonard Nimoy]] (English), [[Nobuyuki Katsube]] (Japanese)|[[Arturo Casanova]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Dario Penne]] (Italian)}}

{{bigquote|So lost are you, Optimus. On Cybertron we were gods. And here... they call us "machines."}}

[[Image:DOTM-Sentinelsleeps.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Sentinel just can't get to sleep without his security [[pillar]].]]

Long ago, during the war on Cybertron, a heated battle erupted around the [[Ark (DOTM)|''Ark'']], a shuttle commandeered by Sentinel Prime and a small crew, which carried a special, secret cargo that Sentinel claimed would end the war. However, the shuttle was hit in battle, disappeared, and presumed lost forever. In [[1961]], the ''Ark'' hit [[Earth]]'s [[moon (moon)|moon]], crashing there, and its impact was detected by [[NASA]]. This event inspired the [[United States of America]]'s eventual first trip to the moon in [[1969]], which was secretly an attempt to inspect the crashed alien ship. However before Apollo 11 got there, approximately two hundred Decepticons and [[Orbital Assault Carrier]]s raided the Ark, stole the ship's cargo and concealed themselves under the Moon's surface. A Space Bridge Technology called a [[Pillar]]. However they left five Pillars along with Sentinel in the crash vault. When Apollo reached the moon, the crew cut communication with every NASA worker apart from the highest command. They searched the ship and returned to Earth. Though NASA astronauts would make a handful of trips to the moon in the next few years, none would stumble upon the ''Ark''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> crash vault, which contained Sentinel Prime's comatose body and a small fraction of his secret cargo.

In 1972 the moon program was [[Soundwave (ROTF)|mysteriously]] [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|shut down]], thereby preventing the Soviets from landing on the Moon and discovering Sentinel and the Pillars.

The United States government had classified the moon missions' real purpose, even from the Autobots, but a human associate of Col. [[William Lennox]] told him about a detected alien signature. Optimus Prime and a [[NEST]] team travelled to the ruins of [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant|Chernobyl]] where Optimus located and identified a piece of technology from the missing ''Ark''. After retrieving the ''Ark'' piece, he confronted the US government for hiding this information from him, and subsequently travelled to the moon with [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] to find and retrieve Sentinel Prime.

[[Image:DOTM-Sentinelendofyourworld.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"You look ridiculous." ''...Except for that glorious mustache...'']]

With Sentinel Prime's comatose body returned successfully to NEST's headquarters, along with five "pillars," Optimus Prime used his [[Matrix of Leadership]] to return Sentinel Prime to operational status. Disoriented, Sentinel attacked Optimus, pushing him to the ground and shoving his [[Primax Blade]] near his face, and after some worried protests from Optimus, Sentinel finally realized his surroundings and disengaged. Although he had to admit that the war for Cybertron had been lost, Optimus tried to console his predecessor with news that they had also recovered the five pillars that were in the crash vault with him, but Sentinel grew further frustrated, as there should have been ''hundreds'' of them. Sentinel explained that the pillars were the anchors of a new [[space bridge]] technology that he had intended to use to bring resources back to Cybertron to replenish it. National Security Director [[Charlotte Mearing]] did not like this idea at all, and announced her intent to take possession of these pillars, as they could be used to bring an army to Earth to destroy it. Sentinel did not like being condescended to by the human. The technology was his, and the humans had no right to it.

[[Image:DOTM-SentinelOptimusMatrix.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"Sorry Optimus, I don't want it. Because when I kill someone, I want them to ''stay'' dead."]]

Optimus gave Sentinel a tour of Earth, culminating in a view of a sunset. Sentinel marvelled at the beauty and the liveliness of the planet as it reminded him of Cybertron in its prime. Optimus took this moment to offer Sentinel back the Matrix of Leadership, believing Sentinel to deserve it more. But Sentinel refused it, stating that he was only more experienced long ago on Cybertron, while this new world of Earth was unfamiliar to him.

The Autobots' young human ally, [[Sam Witwicky]] found evidence that led him to believe that the Decepticons possessed the missing pillars and would be coming after Sentinel Prime since they needed him to activate the technology. In an attempt to shield Sentinel from the Decepticons, several Autobots escorted Sentinel Prime back to NEST headquarters. [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and the others successfully fended off a [[Dread (DOTM)|team of Decepticons]], but once Sentinel reached their destination, he unveiled a terrible truth. He had been secretly (and reluctantly) working with Megatron for centuries, and the space bridge was technology Sentinel had created so that he and the Decepticons could bring Earth's resources back to Cybertron so that they could rebuild their dead homeworld. But as both Megatron and Sentinel Prime had ended up in stasis for centuries, this secret plan had gone waylaid... until now, after the Autobots came into control of the Matrix, which could re-activate dead Transformers, and so the Decepticons and their human allies had created a plan to lead Optimus Prime to the Moon where he could retrieve and revive his predecessor for them.

Sentinel punctuated this bombshell by shooting Ironhide repeatedly in the back with his [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] weapon.

{{note|In the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation|comic book adaptation]], Sentinel kills [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] and [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] too. However this was not seen in the film as they were removed from the final cut.}}

As Ironhide crumbled away and died, Sentinel fired at Bumblebee as well, though the scout was able to dodge his blasts. Sentinel then dove into NEST headquarters, tore the place apart, and retrieved the five pillars from the compound's vault. An angered Charlotte Mearing barged in and confronted Sentinel head on and demanded an explanation for his actions. Sentinel simply stated that he was a Prime and did not take orders from the humans.

[[Image:DOTMSentinelOptimus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Give me ''your'' face!]]

As Megatron arrived in truck mode from his exile in [[Africa]], Sentinel Prime set up a small space bridge portal on the Reflecting Pool facing the [[Lincoln Memorial]]. As Decepticon troops hidden on the Moon began to burst through the portal and scan local vehicle forms, Optimus Prime interrupted Sentinel's work with an angry tackle, but Sentinel overpowered him. Optimus demanded an explanation for Sentinel's betrayal, and Sentinel responded that Optimus never had the resolve to make the tough choices, and that Earth must be sacrificed for Cybertron to be reborn. Sentinel left Optimus to stew in his anger, telling his former pupil that he was lucky Sentinel left him alive and that he would understand one day.

Speaking to the [[United Nations]], Sentinel demanded that the "Autobot rebels" be expelled from Earth and that he and the Decepticons be able to take what resources from Earth they required. The humans wasted no time in agreeing, and the [[Xantium (DOTM)|''Xantium'']] was launched with Earth's remaining eleven Autobots inside... though [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was waiting in orbit to blast the shuttle to bits.

[[Image:DOTM-SentinelandMegatron.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Sentinel and his new hobo friend.]]

Decepticons around the world began positioning the pillars precisely according to Sentinel's instructions as the first brunt of the Decepticons' assault began in [[Chicago]]. Sentinel had chosen a tall, domed building in Chicago's downtown as the focal point of the space bridge. Megatron joined him on the roof of this building, and the Decepticon leader began to gloat about the success of their partnership. Sentinel, however, felt his partner was getting too chummy, and violently reminded Megatron of his place; Sentinel worked ''with'' Megatron, not ''for'' him.

Sentinel and the Decepticons succeeded in occupying Chicago, but the Autobots, who had managed to survive their apparent destruction through subterfuge, arrived in the city to take it back and destroy the space bridge technology. Sentinel activated the space bridge, and a large portal opened in space above Earth, through which the massive planet Cybertron began to materialize. After the Autobots defeated most of the Decepticon forces, Optimus Prime caught Sentinel Prime's attention by shooting down the Control Pillar, temporarily deactivating the space bridge. Enraged, Sentinel descended from his building perch to battle his former apprentice. When Optimus began to gain the upper hand in their duel, Sentinel called upon Decepticon fighter ships to fire at his former apprentice and attempted to escape in fire engine mode. However, Optimus and the NEST soldiers defeated the ships; Optimus then intercepted Sentinel and re-engaged him. After a prolonged fight, Sentinel got the upper hand and severed one of Optimus's arms, proving that Sentinel was the more powerful of the two.

[[Image:DOTM-allIeverwanted.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Do you really want to hurt me? Do you really want to make me cry?]]

Before Sentinel could deliver the killing blow, however, he came under attack by Megatron, who had been goaded back into action by Sam's girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]]. Megatron realized how far he had fallen in power within the past few years, and had decided to once again take his rightful place at the top of the command chain. Sentinel was taken by surprise and amassed critical damage. At the same time, Ratchet and Bumblebee destroyed the reactivated control pillar, thus destroying the space bridge and presumably Cybertron with it. Though Megatron's attack on Sentinel saved Optimus's life, the Autobot leader refused Megatron's offer of a truce (knowing his true intentions) and killed his seemingly eternal foe. Seeing his plans in ruins, the crippled and mutilated Sentinel claimed all he ever wanted was the survival of the Cybertronian race and begged Optimus to see why he had to betray him. However, Optimus refused and told Sentinel that he hadn't betrayed Optimus, he'd betrayed ''himself''. Optimus Prime then unceremoniously executed Sentinel Prime with Megatron's fusion shotgun. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

{{note|In an earlier draft of the movie's script, Optimus would have turned the tables on Sentinel by killing him with his own Cosmic Rust cannon, as opposed to using Megatron's Fusion shotgun in the actual film.}}
{{note|Sentinel Prime's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]” and “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]],” the comic mini-series “[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation]],” and the storybooks “[[Autobots Versus Decepticons]],” "[[Optimus Prime's Friends and Foes]]," "[[The Lost Autobot]]," "[[Dark of the Moon: Action Pop-ups!]]" and "[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Mix & Match]]."}}

====''Age of Extinction'' film====
[[Image:Sentinel head at KSI.jpg|right|thumb|300px|He didn't get to live long and prosper ''quite'' as much as Leonard, but we'll give him points for trying..]]
After the battle of Chicago, Sentinel's head was recovered by [[Joshua Joyce]]'s [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]] to be used to help manufacture their own Transformers. [[Brains]] personally worked on it along with the remains of other fallen Transformers. {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}}
{{--}}

===IDW live-action film comics===
[[Image:Foundation1-SentinelPrimeaword.jpg|left|thumb|225px|"That word is ''fart''."]]
Sentinel Prime was a direct descendant of the first Cybertronian, [[Primus]], and was believed to be the last of the [[Prime (rank)|Primes]]. He told tales to his much younger Cybertronian brethren of how the [[Dynasty of Primes]] had called upon a legendary artifact, the star-powered [[AllSpark]], to give life to their world. But the AllSpark had been lost to history, and their world had tumbled through the cosmos without a star to orbit for eons. Sentinel Prime had plans to rectify this, and he gathered followers who believed in his path to a new age of life on Cybertron. With the help of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], and their legions, they searched the planet for the legendary artifact and a way to power it. However, there were the [[Thetacon (tribe)|Thetacons]], a tribe of separatist Transformers who disbelieved in Sentinel Prime's vision, and warred against him and his followers. This conflict ended when, with the help of [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]], a sun to orbit was brought to Cybertron, and the AllSpark discovered and energized.

[[Image:Foundation1 freedom.jpg|right|225px|thumb|"Hey, a body! Buff, tanned... yeah, this is mine alright."]]

Though Sentinel Prime had finally returned the forgotten concept of "freedom" back to Cybertron, he felt he no longer had a part in its path to the future. He was old and tired, and spoke in confidence to Optimus, believing that young Autobot was also part of the Prime lineage and requesting that he take on the mantle of leadership. Though Optimus was too humble to accept, not believing Sentinel's claims about his heritage, Megatron overheard their conversation and became jealous of his "brother." {{storylink|Foundation issue 1|Foundation #1}} Sentinel formulated another plan for Cybertron's future: it would be governed by Optimus's [[Science Division]] and Megatron's [[Defense Force]]. By having Optimus investigate the remains of the Primes' civilization, it would encourage him to believe in his lineage. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

Alas, after two generations of successful shared leadership, Megatron fell under the sway of [[The Fallen]], and reshaped his Defense Force as the [[Decepticon]]s, declaring war on Cybertron. Sentinel Prime was at the archaeological dig in Simfur when the first strike took place, and was quick to opt for a technique of self-preservation, rather than attempting to save the Science Division's work. Optimus soon arrived to fend the Decepticons off, and revealed that his studies had proven the truth of Sentinel's words: he was indeed a descendant of the Primes. He did not believe that this made him a born leader, but Sentinel impressed upon Optimus the necessity that he take up command of the [[Autobot]]s, that Cybertron might be saved from Megatron's destructive ambitions.

[[Image:Foundation3 sentinels torch.jpg|left|thumb|"Jim... I am, and forever shall be, your friend."]]

As time passed, and the war rolled on with no signs of stopping, Sentinel Prime was forced to make a deal with Megatron to seek out another planet whose resources they can exploit to restore their homeworld. The chosen planet was the resting place of the Primes' Star Harvester. Sentinel recreated the Primes' lost [[space bridge]] technology, fashioning hundreds of pillars that would form a bridge large enough to teleport Cybertron itself across the cosmos {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}{{storylink|Dark of the Moon issue 3}} Sentinel then invented a mysterious "torch" that he promised would end the war. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} The torch had to be brought into contact with the AllSpark to be activated, so the Autobots launched an attack on the Simfur temple to carry out this action while Sentinel stood by with a spacecraft, the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]], to await delivery of the active torch. [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita One]] soon returned with the torch, at which point Sentinel instructed Wheeljack to take the [[Ark (Movie)|second Ark]] and collect the remaining Autobots from [[Tyger Pax]], while he himself headed to Simfur to collect Optimus's forces. Upon arrival at Simfur, however, Sentinel's Ark was attacked by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and was consumed by a huge explosion, leaving all present to believe it, Sentinel, and all aboard had been destroyed. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}}

In actuality, Sentinel's Ark had not been vaporized as believed: it had been teleported away by the [[space bridge]] technology it was outfitted with. With all hands knocked into stasis by the explosion, the ship automatically jinked through space and time on a series of random space bridge jumps, until at last, its sensors locked on to the energy of the AllSpark, which had since been ejected from Cybertron and had crash-landed on the planet [[Earth]]. On its penultimate jump, the Ark crossed paths with the Decepticon ship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', which had departed Cybertron just as the war was beginning, and was now also following the AllSpark's trail. The Ark materialized from its jump into the same physical space as the ''Nemesis'', crippling both ships beyond repair; the Ark made one final bridge jump, reappearing in the immediate vicinity of Earth in 1962, where it crashed violently onto Earth's [[moon (moon)|Moon]]. All the Autobots aboard perished save for Sentinel himself, who was in the crash vault and remained slumbering in stasis. {{storylink|Convergence chapter 1|Convergence chapter 1}}
{{-}}

===Titan Magazines ''Dark of the Moon'' prequels===

Sentinel is a direct descendant of [[Primus]], the first Cybertronian, and one of the last surviving Primes. With a firm but just hand, he ruled the Autobots before the war. During the war, he named Optimus his successor before departing on a mission into deep space, only for his ship to be shot down by enemy fire...

But his Ark merely crashed somewhere near Earth in 1962, a fragment of it landing in Fiesole, [[Italy]]. When a human discovered it in 2011, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tried to prevent the Autobots from getting that fragment and finding their way to the lost Ark. The Autobots finding Sentinel was ''not'' an option for Starscream and the concept unnerved him, while an ominous narrator told us the fragment had the power to make martyrs of the good and bad alike... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 3.1|Fight for Fiesole}}

===Mega-Mouth===
A [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron that hails from another universe]] claims that ''he'' attacked Sentinel. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.1#Mega-Mouth|Mega-Mouth #1}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Tyran 609.23-PX Kappa]], Megatron, rather than Optimus Prime, defeated [[The Fallen]]. Megatron went on to gather his army and wage a successful campaign against the Autobots and [[NEST]] on Earth. Falling for baited clues that [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] left for [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam Witwicky]], Optimus Prime took the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'' to the Moon. Backed into a desperate corner by the Decepticon offensive, Optimus revived Sentinel right on the lunar surface. With Sentinel's aid, Megatron defeated and captured Optimus. With the aid of collaborationist humans, Megatron used space bridge technology to bring Cybertron to Earth orbit, and under [[Dylan Gould]]'s leadership, humans were put to work strip-mining Earth for resources to rebuild Cybertron.

All of this changed when [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] arrived. The bounty hunter demanded that Optimus be handed over to him. Megatron and Sentinel both refused, the former out of pride and the latter out of loyalty. Lockdown then offered a protomatter [[seed]] to Sentinel in exchange for Optimus. While Sentinel was sorely tempted, Optimus used the opportunity to reignite Sentinel's sense of justice. Sentinel proceeded to pretend to hand over Optimus, ambush and defeat Lockdown, and capture Lockdown's [[Knight Ship|ship]]. Allying themselves with the legendary [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]]s, Optimus and Sentinel waged a long guerilla campaign against Megatron and the Decepticons, eventually restoring freedom to Earth and revitalizing Cybertron with the seed. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' (mobile game)===
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (mobile game)}}

===''Cyberverse Battle Builder''===
Sentinel Prime joined the rest of the Autobots in combating the Decepticons on battlefields on Earth, the Earth's Moon and on Cybertron. Sometimes there were many of him! {{storylink|Cyberverse Battle Builder}}

===''Bot Shots Battle Game!''===
[[Image:Bsbg-sentinelprime.jpg|thumb|219px]]
Sentinel Prime participated in numerous one-on-one matches against other Autobots and Decepticons, using his fists, his sword, or his gun to defeat his opponents. Sometimes, he even faced off against himself! {{storylink|Bot Shots Battle Game!}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Dark of the Moon===
====Cyberverse====
[[Image:DOTM_CyberverseCommander_SentinelPrime_toy.jpg|thumb|300px|Prime 3:16!]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2011)
**''Series'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''002'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''CV05'''
**''Accessories:'' Primax blade, shield

: Sentinel Prime was released as part of the first [[wave]] of [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|''Dark of the Moon'']] ''[[Cyberverse]]'' Commander Class toys. He transforms from a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck to robot and back. He comes with his sword and shield, both of which he can wield in either hand. The sword stores underneath his vehicle mode, whereas the shield folds in half and becomes part of the fire truck roof (including the boom arm). Because the boom arm has a grip at the middle that allows Sentinel to hold it in shield mode, the grip can be used as a [[C joint]] bar in vehicle mode.

: Because of clearance issues, bringing and folding his arms to his back for vehicle mode can be rather difficult. The shoulders are more likely to pop off the plastic swivels they're on.

: On some (early?) releases, the Rosenbauer logo on the right side of the truck is reversed.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/CommanderSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Cyberverse Commander Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]
{{-}}

{{anchor|DarkSentinel}}
[[Image:DOTM_Cyberverse_Commander_DarkSentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|300px|Welcome to Sunnyside!]]
*'''Dark Sentinel Prime''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2011)
**''Series'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''010'''
**''Japanese ID number:''
**''Accessories:'' Primax blade, shield

: Dark Sentinel Prime is a redeco of the previous ''Cyberverse'' Sentinel Prime. He's... lighter, but has some ''evil''-looking red eyes.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/DarkSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Dark Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]
{{-}}

{{anchor|TargetBonusValue}}
*'''Autobot Ark with Roller and Bonus Value Sentinel Prime''' (Cyberverse Playset, 2011)
**''Accessories'': Primax blade, shield

: This [[Target]]-[[exclusive]] release includes otherwise unchanged [[Ark (DOTM)#TargetBonusValue|Ark]] and [[Roller (DOTM)#TargetBonusValue|Roller]] toys, along with a free and equally unchanged figure of the first Cyberverse Sentinel Prime toy. Good luck getting him into the cockpit.
{{-}}

====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:DOTMtoy-SentinelPrimeVoyager.jpg|right|thumb|300px|There's no fire? There ''will'' be!]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (MechTech Voyager, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DA20'''
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Boom Lift/[[Fusion Cannon]]

:Sentinel Prime is in the third wave of ''Dark of the Moon'' ''[[MechTech]]'' Voyagers. He converts from a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck to robot and back. He features an itty-bitty flip out nozzle on his front. His rotating and extending MechTech Boom Lift (which looks like a giant cannon due to the [[5mm post|peg]] at the tip) becomes a Fusion Cannon when a large button is pushed, but only if the button (which is rotatable) has its underside tabs aligned with its respective sockets on the weapon housing. The weapon can be locked in this mode if the button is rotated while pressed. The weapon itself features a MechTech port on each side panel, with the aforementioned peg at the tip of the Boom Lift.

:While his firetruck roof [[kibble]] is intentionally used as wings/a cape, he's still a pretty significant [[shellformer]], flopping nearly his entire firetruck side panels and front (along with his roof) onto his back, with only his wheels, leg panels, and feet being integrated in any way with his vehicle mode.

:Like the Cyberverse Dark Sentinel Prime, this figure's Autobot symbols are deliberately scratched out. However, his box bio remains coy about his true nature.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/VoyagerSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Voyager Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]
{{-}}

{{anchor|Tritanium}}
*'''Tritanium Sentinel Prime''' (MechTech Voyager, 2012)
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Boom Lift/[[Fusion Cannon]]

:This gold [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] version of Voyager Class ''Dark of the Moon'' Sentinel Prime is a prize in [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''Dark of the Moon'' MechTech campaign in 2012. This toy is limited to 10 pieces.

{{-}}

====Leader Class toys====
[[Image:DOTMtoy-SentinelPrimeMechtechLeader.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Live-action hyper goldfish!]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (MechTech Leader, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DA02'''
**''Accessories:'' Primax Blade, MechTech Shield/Bladed Blaster

:''MechTech'' Leader Class Sentinel Prime converts from a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck to robot and back! In vehicle mode, he features a rotating, extending firefighting boom arm, a small flip-up nozzle on the front fender, and siren lights and sounds, activated by a small grey button on the roof of the cabin. There are two [[5mm post]] hole MechTech ports in this mode; the one on the right hand side of the vehicle has a button inside, that when pushed in (by plugging in a MechTech weapon), activates a weapon deploying sound effect. Pressing the cabin roof button in this mode activates a weapon firing sound. Removing the MechTech weapon activates the [[Transformation#The noise|transformation sound effect]].

:A [[Stealth Force]]-style attack vehicle mode can be formed by opening panels on the rearward sides of the vehicle to expose hidden weapons (that look like missiles) and two more MechTech ports, activating the MechTech Shield's Bladed Blaster mode (by pressing the large button on it marked by the [[Cyberglyphics]]) and attaching that to the vehicle MechTech ports, and clipping the Primax Blade's handle into the two tabs on top of the Shield/Bladed Blaster's turret. In a reversal of his Cyberverse toy, Sentinel's double-bladed Primax Blade folds in half and stores underneath the grey panels forming the roof of much of the vehicle, while the MechTech shield is stored under the truck.

:In robot mode, when the button on Sentinel Prime's chest is pushed, his eyes light up, his chin moves and he says "I am Sentinel Prime!" Two more phrases, "Good to see you alive, Optimus." and "What has happened to the [[AllSpark]]?" are heard when a weapon is inserted into the MechTech port with the button inside of it and the chest button pushed. Unfortunately, the [[Canada|Canadian]] release only says "Sentinel Prime" because of language laws. The siren lights and sounds can still be activated by pressing the grey button back and to the left of Sentinel Prime's head.

:In this mode, Sentinel has four more 5mm MechTech ports: one each on either shoulder and one each on either forearm. If that's still not enough, the screw holes under his wrists can accommodate 5mm weapons as well, for a total of eight weapons beyond those included with the figure. The Primax Blade and Shield can both be held via their respective handles in either of Sentinel's articulated hands; the shield can also be plugged into the MechTech port in Sentinel's forearms.

:The red detailing on the shield as seen in the stock photography is not present on the final product.

:The Japanese release comes packed with a character card and an accompanying transparent plastic card of his MechTech weapon for the MechTech Wars online game.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/SentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Leader Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]
{{-}}

{{anchor|LeaderSentinelDeluxeNitroBee}}
*'''Leader Class Sentinel Prime and Bonus Value Deluxe Class Nitro Bumblebee''' (Two-pack, 2012?)
**''Accessories:'' Primax Blade, MechTech Shield/Bladed Blaster

: As the name implies, this [[Walmart]]-exclusive [[giftset]] would have contained a ''Dark of the Moon'' Leader Class Sentinel Prime figure and a ''Dark of the Moon'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#LeaderSentinelDeluxeNitroBee|Nitro Bumblebee figure]]. They would have been unchanged from their individual releases. The existence of this unreleased set was revealed by an eBay auction after the DOTM toyline was effectively over.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Bot Shots===
[[Image:Bot Shots S1 Super Bot 001 Sentinel Prime.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''Super Bot 001'''
***''Fist strength'': '''980'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''630'''
***''Sword strength'': '''190'''

:Part of the first wave of ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'', Sentinel Prime is a teeny little fire truck with a spring-loaded automatic transformation to robot mode triggered when his front bumper is pressed. He has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. He is heavily based on the [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|live-action movie sentinel Prime]], with his head based on the Sentinel [[Sentinel Prime (Kre-O)|''Kre-O'' figure]] (which is in turn inspired by ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]]'s head).

:As this "Super Bot" of this wave, Sentinel is mostly unpainted clear-plastic, has different power ratings (Including a much higher "Fist" score) than his (later) normal release, and is [[shortpacking|shortpacked]] to boot.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BSSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on Super Bot Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShot3Pack}}
[[Image:Bot Shots S1 BP002 Sentinel Prime.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Sentinel Prime / Prowl / Bumblebee''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''BP002'''
***''Fist strength'': '''360'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''485'''
***''Sword strength'': '''775'''

: A [[redeco]] of his individually-carded toy, this opaque-plastic version of Sentinel was only available in a three-pack with [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Bot Shots|Prowl]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#BotShot3Pack|Bumblebee]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BS3pkSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on three-pack Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===BeCool===
*'''Firetruck (Sentinel Prime) ''' (2012)
**''ID number'': '''B07'''

:''[[Bot Shots (toyline)#BeCool|BeCool]]'' "Firetruck" is a redeco of Sentinel Prime very similar to his ''Bot Shots'' three-pack toy, but with a completely red back/roof section. He also features metallic blue paint on his windshield and chest details as well as orange-painted lightbars, and instead of power levels his stickers display pictures of a fireman's uniform, a water hose and an eeevil ball of flame.

==Merchandise==
===Speed Stars===
====Mini Changers====
[[Image:SpeedStars_StealthForce_MiniChangers_Bumblebee&SentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|300px|"''You'' were trying eat the last cheesy puff!"]]
*'''Stealth Force Bumblebee & Sentinel Prime''' (2011)

:This non-transforming toy of Sentinel Prime is packed with a non-transforming Stealth Force Bumblebee.

{{-}}

[[Image:SpeedStars_StealthForce_MiniChangers_Sideswipe&SentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|300px|Well, that's not how I remember it.]]
*'''Stealth Force Sideswipe & Sentinel Prime''' (2011)

:This non-transforming toy of Sentinel Prime comes with a non-transforming Stealth Force Sideswipe.

{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Jim, you left me on Genesis. Why did you do that?]]

{{quote|Sentinel Prime is great. He's great...I can't tell you anything else, other than he's great.|Michael Bay<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657670/michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.jhtml Interview at MTV]</ref>}}

*In an early draft of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'', time stops as [[Sam Witwicky]] falls down the building [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] smashed, and Sentinel appears to him via the [[AllSpark]]. Sentinel would've clarified the history of the war and the relationship between Optimus and Megatron (expanding on their history as siblings) and given him a clue to defeating Megatron with the Cube.<ref>[http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/tf1-amblin.html Blog post] from [[Ken Christiansen]].</ref>
*An early working name for Sentinel Prime for ''Dark of the Moon'' was '''Ultra Magnus'''.<ref>[http://tilallaremine.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/dark-of-the-moon-call-sheets/ Dark of the Moon Call Sheets! at Til All Are Mine blog.]</ref><ref>[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm joshnizzi.com]</ref>
*In the debut trailer for the film ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'', Sentinel Prime is seen in a gold and silver color scheme. This shot was redone for the movie proper, and he consistently appears red throughout the film.
*The Rosenbauer Panther fire truck cast as Sentinel Prime was entirely repainted specifically for the film, at a cost of thousands of dollars; real-world aircraft fire-fighting vehicles are required by FAA regulations to have a much lighter color scheme.<ref>[http://www.rosenbaueramerica.com/press/2011/06/rosenbauer-panther-6x6-to-be-f/ Rosenbauer America press release, June 28, 2011]</ref>
*In ''Dark of the Moon'', Sentinel Prime says "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Leonard Nimoy said the same line in the 1982 film ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' as [[Spock]], in one of several Star Trek references in the movie.
*Sentinel Prime was physically modelled after [[Wikipedia:Sean Connery|Sean Connery]].<ref>[http://www.awn.com/articles/3d/colossal-transformers-sequel/page/2%2C1 VFXWorld article on ''Dark of the Moon''.]</ref>

*[[Walmart]] had exclusive retailer rights to use Sentinel Prime in their signage and marketing as part of their "Power of the Primes" campaign. <ref>"The Power of Partnership." Walmart World Jun. 2011: 13</ref>
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Sentinel Prime''' (センチネル・プライム ''Senchineru Puraimu'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Őrszem Fővezér''' ("Prime Leader Sentinel")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Yùtiāndí''' (御天敌)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Age of Extinction Autobots]]
[[Category:Bot Shots Autobots]]
[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Autobots]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2015-10-26T23:48:20Z

OptimusPrimeRID: /* Main cast */

{{Nav-dotm}}
[[File:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|my friend]], I can only say this: of all the souls I have encountered, he was the most... human."]]
'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is the third film in the [[live-action film series]]. It was released in 3D and IMAX at 9PM on [[June 28]], [[2011]]<ref name="open3D">[http://michaelbay.com/2011/06/18/see-dark-of-the-moon-one-day-earlier-on-imax-3d/ See Dark Of The Moon One Day Earlier on IMAX 3D | MichaelBay]</ref> and in wide release on [[June 29]], [[2011]]<ref name="open">[http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/paramount-moving-up-transformers-3/ Paramount Moving Up ‘T’formers 3′ Release – Deadline.com]</ref> in the United States, and between [[June 29]] and July 1 for other markets.

The film is set three years after the events of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. The Autobots continue to work for NEST, but no longer in secret, and for the goal of keeping peace between humans by taking out volatile overseas political targets. But after discovering a strange artifact during a mission in Chernobyl, it becomes apparent to Optimus Prime that the United States government has been less than forthright with them.

And SCENE!

{{bigquote|Aw, shit, I seen this one. It's the one where [[Spock]] goes nuts.|Wheelie|''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:Dotm-Arkreflection.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Wha... this is the finest engine room in the whole Starfleet!"]]

In the distant past, during the latter days of the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] civil war, [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] attempted to leave the planet with groundbreaking technology on board the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]''. However, his ship was shot down by the Decepticons and, after being sent hurling through space for a while, eventually crashed on the [[Earth|Earth's]] [[Moon (moon)|moon]] in 1961. The crash is noticed by the humans on Earth, leading to the [[Wikipedia:Space Race|Space Race]] under President [[John F. Kennedy]]. Landing on the Moon as part of the [[Apollo 11]] mission in 1969, astronauts [[Neil Armstrong]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] use several minutes of [[radio]] silence to investigate the spaceship and discover that Mankind is not alone in space.

In the present day, the Autobots are still part of [[NEST]], cooperating with the [[United States military|US Armed Forces]]. They have also begun to help humanity in its local conflicts, as [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]], and [[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] destroy an illegal [[Iran]]ian nuclear facility. On a mission to the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]], a NEST team led by [[William Lennox|Lt. Col. Lennox]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] discovers an unknown alien fuel cell which had led to the [[Wikipedia:Chernobyl disaster|Chernobyl disaster]]. While trying to secure the cell, they are attacked by the Decepticon [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and his "pet", the [[Driller]], who are eventually forced to retreat by Optimus Prime. Meanwhile, [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] kills [[Alexi Voskhod]], who had called NEST to Chernobyl and was secretly working for him. After securing the fuel cell and identifying it as part of the ''Ark'', Optimus Prime is angry at the humans for not following through with their agreement of sharing all known information relating to Cybertron and its inhabitants. Despite this, he eventually informs his allies and [[Charlotte Mearing]], the [[WIkipedia:Director of National Intelligence|Director of National Intelligence]], about the space bridge technology the ''Ark'' contains. Together with [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], Optimus travels to the Moon, where they find Sentinel Prime inside the ship. Retrieving him along with four pillars of the space bridge and the accompanying control pillar, they return to Earth, where Optimus uses the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to reactivate Sentinel Prime. In [[Africa]], Decepticon leader [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] (still recovering from wounds [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|suffered]] in [[Egypt]]) meets with his lieutenants [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. Upon learning that the Autobots have recovered Sentinel and the pillars, Megatron orders Soundwave and Laserbeak to terminate their "loose ends".

Meanwhile, [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam Witwicky]], the Autobots' human friend, is suffering from everyday problems. Even though President [[Barack Obama]] has awarded him a medal for saving the Earth twice, Sam has trouble finding a job. Together with his new girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]], whom he had met in the [[White House]] (after his former girlfriend [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] had left him), he also gives the stranded Autobots [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] and [[Brains]] a home. After a long search, he finally finds a position as a mail carrier at a telecommunication company named [[Accuretta Systems]]. From his colleague, [[Jerry Wang]], he learns about a conspiracy by humans who collaborate with the Decepticons. Before Jerry can tell Sam more, however, he is killed by Laserbeak.

[[File:DOTM-Sentinelendofyourworld.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"There's a man out there I haven't seen in fifteen years who's trying to kill me."]]

Locked out of participating in the investigation by Mearing, Sam turns to [[Seymour Simmons]] for help. Simmons, who has become a millionaire as a writer, and his aide, [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]], help Sam find out that the Soviets have taken photos of Decepticons removing hundreds of space bridge pillars out of the ''Ark'' even before Apollo 11 had landed on the Moon. Sam and Simmons conclude that the Decepticons had left Sentinel Prime behind on purpose, knowing that only he would be able to activate the space bridge, and only Optimus Prime could reactivate him. Sam is able to warn the Autobots in time so they can protect Sentinel from a Decepticon attack and escort him back to the NEST headquarters. Upon arriving there, however, Sentinel Prime betrays them, revealing that he made a deal with Megatron to ensure Cybertron's survival. After killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and most of the NEST soldiers, Sentinel claims the remaining pillars and escapes. The other Autobots track him down to [[Washington, D.C.]], but before Optimus can stop him, Sentinel activates a space bridge to the Moon. The portal allows dozens of Decepticon troops which had remained hidden under the Moon's surface to reach Earth, forcing the Autobots to retreat.

[[File:DOTM-Moonspacebridge.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.55|"We are one big, happy fleet! Ah, [[Kirk (Star Trek)|Kirk]], my old friend, do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish that is best served cold? It is ''very'' cold in space."]]

In the meantime, Sam is worried about Carly and searches for her. He finds her with her employer, [[Dylan Gould]], who reveals to Sam that he not only arranged for Sam to get a job with Acuretta, but is also a collaborator with the Decepticons. At their request, his father had used his influence to ensure that [[NASA]] would not conduct any more missions to the Moon. When Sam and Carly attempt to flee, they discover Carly's car is a disguise for Soundwave, who takes her captive. Dylan instructs Sam to ask Optimus Prime about the Autobots' strategy, otherwise Carly will die. To ensure that Sam will not try to warn the Autobots, he attaches a Decepticon disguised as a watch on Sam's wrist, and it taps into his nervous system.

Meanwhile, Sentinel Prime has given Mankind an ultimatum to exile the Autobots from Earth, since he is only trying to save Cybertron, or so he claims. The US government promptly passes a bill to this effect. Before the Autobots leave Earth aboard their spaceship, the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'', Sam asks Optimus about his plan. Optimus replies that there is no plan, and Mankind is on its own now. With all Autobots on board, the ''Xantium'' takes off, but is promptly intercepted by Starscream, who had waited in Earth's orbit. With the ''Xantium'' destroyed, the Decepticons believe the Autobots to be dead and let Sam go.

With the Autobots out of the way, the Decepticons conquer [[Chicago]], kill most of its population and set up the control pillar for the space bridge inside the city, placing the other pillars around the world. Dylan informs Carly that the Decepticons do not intend to return to Cybertron; instead, they want to transport Cybertron into Earth's orbit, because Earth not only has the necessary resources, but also six billion slaves to rebuild the Transformers' home planet.

Sam decides to go to Chicago, where Dylan has taken Carly. Former NEST soldier [[Robert Epps]], who now works for NASA, accompanies him, together with other former NEST members. Upon arrival in Chicago, they are promptly attacked by the Decepticons, but are rescued by Optimus Prime and the other Autobots. Having never intended to leave Earth, they had hidden themselves inside a modified rocket booster that was jettisoned before Starscream destroyed the ''Xantium''.

[[File:DOTM Driller vs Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|"From Hell's heart, I stab at thee!"]]

The Autobots and the humans soldiers make their way to the skyscraper where Dylan is located in order to destroy the space bridge's control pillar. Sam and Bumblebee rescue Carly, killing Laserbeak in the process, during which they find a damaged UAV and alert the military to the Decepticons plans. Due to another attack by a team of Decepticons led by Shockwave, the team is separated once more. While the Autobots battle the Decepticons, Epps and his team try to destroy the pillar from another skyscraper. However, they are attacked by Shockwave and the Driller, who brings the skyscraper crashing down. Optimus Prime comes to their aid and destroys the Driller, but is shot by Shockwave and becomes trapped in crane cables.

In the meantime, Lennox and the rest of NEST have managed to make their way into the city using [[wingsuit]]s, and with Lennox's help, Sam destroys Starscream using weapons provided to him by the Autobot scientist Que. Meanwhile, the Decepticons have captured several Autobots, but Dylan convinces them not to keep prisoners and kill them all. [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] executes Que, and Soundwave moves to kill Bumblebee next, but the Autobots Wheelie and Brains have managed to make one of the Decepticons' ships crash, thereby distracting Soundwave long enough for Bumblebee and the other Autobots to get free. Bumblebee overpowers and kills Soundwave. NEST soldiers and US Marines snipe the Decepticons. Autobots and Tanks roll in and ambush the Decepticons. Optimus Prime returns and massacres a large group of Decepticons. He then kills Shockwave and uses the Decepticon's arm cannon to topple over the space bridge's control pillar, deactivating the bridge.

[[File:DOTMCybertrontransit.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.55|"Earth was created in six days. Now, watch out! Here comes Genesis! We'll do it for you in six minutes!"]]

Optimus Prime then confronts Sentinel Prime and the two engage in a ferocious battle of Student vs Master. Carly stumbles across Megatron outside the main battle zone. Having previously witnessed a violent argument between Sentinel Prime and Megatron, she appeals to his pride and makes him realize that he will never be able to rule over Cybertron as long as Sentinel is alive. Meanwhile, after a long fight, Sentinel gains the upper hand over Optimus and severs his right arm. However, before he can execute his former pupil, an infuriated Megatron attacks Sentinel and severely damages him, declaring that Earth is his planet to rule. Megatron realized how far he had fallen in power within the past few years, and has decided to once again take his rightful place at the top of the command chain. Meanwhile, Dylan manages to reactivate the toppled pillar, but is attacked by Sam, who hurls him against the pillar, killing him. Subsequently, Bumblebee destroys the pillar for good, thus destroying the space bridge and, presumably, Cybertron with it. Seeing this, Megatron half-heartedly offers Optimus Prime a truce on the condition that he will remain in charge of the Decepticons, mockingly saying that they would be nothing without each other. Realizing that the offer is less than sincere, Optimus refuses and attacks Megatron, decapitating him with an axe. The weakened Sentinel Prime tries to excuse his actions, but Optimus, claiming Sentinel "betrayed himself," executes the treacherous Prime with Megatron's shotgun.

[[File:DOTM Autobots NEST victorious.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|"Live long... and prosper..."]]

With the battle over, Sam and Carly are reunited, and Simmons takes an opportunity to kiss Mearing, who he still has feelings for, and she has him arrested. With their home planet now forever beyond reach, and the forces of the Decepticons destroyed, the remaining Autobots finally accept Earth as their new home, as Optimus Prime states that the Autobots will always be here, to protect the Earth and all who live on it.

==Quotes==

'''Mission Control''': We are not alone after all, are we? 
'''Buzz Aldrin''': No, sir. We are not alone. 
:—Buzz Aldrin makes history, and raises the hackles of conspiracy theorists.

'''Dino''': "He's in a bad mood. He's not talking to anybody today." 
'''Mearing''': "What is this, the silent treatment?" 
'''Ironhide''': "We've seen that and this is ''not'' that." 
'''Que''': "Definitely not." 
'''Ironhide''': "This is ''worse''. Prime! Make something of yourself! (Ironhide taps Optimus's roof) He's pissed."
:—NEST discusses Optimus Prime's foul mood.

"Who wants some chicken dinner now, bitch? Huh? 'Cause somebody messed with the wrong Wang today!" 
:—'''Jerry Wang''', being crazy. But also awesome.

"The thing about Russians is, they never like to talk. Gonna take a little of the 'international language.'" <Doorman opens sliding hatch> "''Do svidaniya''." 
"That means 'goodbye!'" <closes hatch>
:—'''Simmons''' tries to reason with a '''Russian''', to no avail.

"It's a Cyrillic alphabet; it's like all the buttons you never push on a calculator!"
:—'''Dutch''' tries to translate Russian, also to no avail.

"Class dismissed."
:—'''Ironhide''', after dispatching the Dreads.

"What you must realize, my Autobot brothers, is that we were never going to win the war. For the sake of our planet's survival, a deal had to be made...with ''Megatron''."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' reveals his treachery.

[[File:DOTM-MegatronLincoln.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"I'll give him this: [[Atlantis, Arise!|he's]] [[Transformers The Game (console)|consistent]]!"]]
"Here we are. Fight us ''now''."
:—'''Megatron''', pulling the evil overlord cliche on us while sitting atop the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]]

"If you go in this building, that's if she's even still alive, there's no way you're going to reach her!" 
"What do you suggest I do?!" 
"...it's over. I'm sorry, but it's over." 
:—'''Robert Epps''' tells '''Sam Witwicky''' that they've run out of plans.

"We will kill them all."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' offers an alternative plan.

"They got my trailer. I ''need'' that flight tech!" 
:—'''Optimus Prime''', valiantly [[To sell toys|selling toys]].

"I bring you Cybertron, your home! and still you choose humanity." 
"You are the one who taught me [[Bio|freedom is everyone's right]]." 
:—'''Sentinel''' VS '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Your Decepticons are finally conquering this planet, and yet their leader won't be you." 
"IT WILL BE ME! It will ''always'' be me! 
"In any minute now, you'll be nothing but Sentinel's bitch."
:—'''Carly Spencer''' tells '''Megatron''' that if he's going to be the Starscream, he should ''act'' like it.

"Optimus. All I ever wanted...was the survival of our race. You must see why I had to betray you..." 
"You didn't betray me. You betrayed yourself..." 
:—'''Optimus Prime''''s final exchange with '''Sentinel Prime''' before effectively ''double-tapping'' him.

"Who would you be without me, Prime?" 
"Time to find out." 
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' exchange pre-fight banter one last time.

"In any war, there are calms between the storms. There will be days when we lose faith. Days when our allies turn against us... but the day will never come when we forsake this planet and its people."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s closing narration.

==Main cast==

{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]])
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Dino/Mirage]]<ref name="credits">Mirage and Wheeljack, known by those names in the toyline and essentially all supporting media, are respectively named "Dino" and "Que" in the film. While Dino is simply credited as such, Que is listed in the credits as "Que/Wheeljack".</ref> ([[Francesco Quinn]])
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que/Wheeljack]]<ref name="credits"/> ([[George Coe]])
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]<ref name=skidsandmudflap>Skids and Mudflap only appear during the convoy scene at the beginning of the film</ref>
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]<ref name=skidsandmudflap/>
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]]<ref>Roadbuster is listed as "Roadbuster/Amp" in the credits, a reference to his car mode's sponsor. His name is not used in the film, but he is called "Roadbuster" in the toyline and supporting media.</ref> ([[Ron Bottitta]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]<ref>Leadfoot is listed in the film's end credits as "Leadfoot/Target", a reference to his car mode's sponsor. His name is not spoken in the film, but he is called "Leadfoot" in the toyline and the supporting media.</ref> ([[John DiMaggio]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Brains]] ([[Reno Wilson]])

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charlie Adler]])
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
**[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] ([[Keith Szarabajka]])
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Igor]] ([[Greg Berg]])
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
*[[Crowbar]] ([[Jimmie Wood]])*
*[[Hatchet]]
*[[Driller]]
*[[Hatchling]]s
*[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] type Decepticon
*[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]] type Decepticon
*An unnamed [[Audi R8 Decepticon]]
*An unnamed [[M1 Abrams Decepticon]]
*[[Garbage truck Decepticon]]
*[[Loader]]
*[[Devcon (DOTM)|Devcon]]
*Unnamed [[Lensmeter Decepticon]]s
*Unnamed [[protoform]]s
*[[Watch-bot]]<ref>Repeatedly referred to as the "Watch-bot" (proper noun) in the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]]''</ref>
*Unnamed [[Pickup Decepticon]]
*Unnamed [[Police car Decepticon]]

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])
*[[Carly Spencer]] ([[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]])
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[Charlotte Mearing]] ([[Frances McDormand]])
*[[Dylan Gould]] ([[Patrick Dempsey]])
*[[Bruce Brazos]] ([[John Malkovich]])
*[[Hardcore Eddie]] ([[Lester Speight]])
*[[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]])
*[[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] ([[Alan Tudyk]])
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])
*[[Jerry Wang]] ([[Ken Jeong]])
*[[Neil Armstrong]] ([[Don Jeanes]])
*[[Buzz Aldrin]] ([[Cory Tucker]]/himself)
*[[Walter Cronkite]]
*[[Bill O'Reilly]] (himself)
*[[Alexi Voskhod]] ([[Ravil Isyanov]])

|h4=Other|c4=
|nonumbering=true
}}

* *During the highway battle, Jimmie Wood's Bonecrusher scream in the high way battle from the first movie can be heard coming from Crowbar.

==Errors==
===Astronomical and historical errors===
* The Moon does not rotate with respect to Earth, and Mare Tranquillitatis is near the middle of the near side. Therefore, Tranquility Base could never be described as being on the far side, and Earth is never as close to the horizon as shown in the movie.
* The Apollo 11 Command/Service Module is seen flying to the Moon without the Lunar Module. The Lunar Module is attached when the vehicle is orbiting the Moon, however.
* When the modern day site of the Apollo 11 landing is seen, the ascent module (the cabin Buzz and Neil flew back to orbit in) is still there.
* Cybertron is apparently several times the size of Earth, yet the characters talk of bringing it "into Earth's atmosphere".
* The Space Bridge starts to bring Cybertron amazingly close to Earth - less than one Earth-diameter away. Assuming Cybertron's mass is proportional to its size, Cybertron's gravitational field would [[The Ultimate Doom|tear the Earth apart]] at that distance.

===Geographic discontinuities===
* The [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]] is shown to be located ''inside'' of, or at least right next to the abandoned city of [[Wikipedia:Pripyat|Pripyat]], and the human characters access it through nearby buildings. In reality, the power plant is situated on the outskirts of the city. Even worse, [[Alexi Voskhod]] ''explicitly'' says that the entrance leads through a ''school''. Who builds a ''school'' right next to a ''nuclear power plant''?
* Furthermore, Pripyat's infamous Ferris wheel as shown in the movie is not only the wrong model (the real one's passenger cabins have canopies), but the real one is also located in an open field far away from any buildings.<ref name="ferris">[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pripyat_-_Ferris_wheel.jpg Photo of the Pripyat Ferris wheel] showing the closest nearby buildings.</ref> But hey, at least it's the right color!
* Also, why exactly is the Sputnik mission case inside the Chernobyl reactor building? Did the Soviets never bother to discard the packaging of their toy after starting to play with it?
* When Megatron transforms for the first time, he's in a grassy savannah. In the next shot, he's standing in the middle of a desert... and in the establishing shot of the Decepticon camp, it's back in the savannah.
* [[wikipedia:Mount Kilimanjaro|Mount Kilimanjaro]] is seen in the background of many of the scenes in Namibia; in reality, the mountain is located in Tanzania, more than three thousand kilometers away.
[[File:DOTM-Wreckers-Prime-Cables.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Chicago's own [[knockoff]] of a prominent Chinese building.]]
* In a [[Atlantis, Arise!|fairly common cinematic contrivance]], the film depicts multiple skyscrapers in the background of many scenes set in Washington, D.C., while the real-life city has no skyscrapers.
* Also, Washington, D.C. almost entirely lacks old industrial buildings that could be converted into lofts, and likewise doesn't have the kind of densely urban streets that Sam is shown to live on.
* NEST Headquarters, supposedly in Washington, is actually Chicago's abandoned Main Post Office.
* Likewise, Dylan's auto collection museum, also set in (land-locked) Washington, is actually the Milwaukee Art Museum. [[Lake Michigan]] is even visible through the windows!
* When Optimus Prime (using his jetpack) gets himself caught in wires below an under-construction building, that building bears a striking resemblance to the [[Wikipedia: China Central Television Headquarters|China Central Television Headquarters]] in [[Beijing]], [[China]]... a far shot from [[Chicago]]. Since construction for the CCTV building was finished in 2008, long before ''Dark of the Moon'' was even ''conceived'', this appears to be an intentional instance of a "cool building" being inserted just for the sake of it.

===Continuity errors===
* Like in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Ironhide sports his [[license plate]] from the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]], "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, but doesn't have a license plate in vehicle mode. (According to set photos, his license plate in vehicle mode is mostly black, with a NEST logo on it.)
* Speaking of inconsistencies between robot and vehicle mode: Bumblebee's updated Chevrolet Camaro alternate mode no longer has pinstripes bordering his black racing stripes, but the CG robot model still has the pinstripes.
[[Image:DOTM-SoundwaveMercedesStar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9|right|Is this the reverse of hidden faction insignias in vehicle mode?]]
*Soundwave has [[kibble]] from his [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] alternate mode while he is in Africa, but his chest has only a blank grille. The Mercedes logo is only added to his chest from the scene where he reveals himself to be Carly's car onward.
* After Megatron pulls out his shotgun for the first time, he holsters it on the right side of his back. In the next scene it is on his left side.
* In the highway battle scene with the [[Dread (DOTM)|Dreads]], Bumblebee enhances his front wheels to evade Hatchet, yet in the next scene he's fully in Stealth Force mode.
*When Hatchet is killed by Bumblebee and Dino, the last shot shows him being throwm onto a car (using footage recycled from Michael Bay's 2005 film ''[[Wikipedia:The Island (2005 film)|The Island]]'', as elaborated on below), with Dino's grappling hook cables still attached to Hatchet, which would imply that Dino is still in robot mode at this point. However, the very next shot shows Dino in the far background, driving behind Bumblebee in vehicle mode.
* During Ironhide and Sideswipe's "Mexican standoff" with Crankcase and Crowbar, all combatants drop their firearms, but when Ironhide is speared, his guns are on his back again. They disappear in subsequent shots.
* Despite being captured by Soundwave in her evening gown, Carly is somehow able to change into more convenient clothes (but still wearing high heels!) afterarriving at Dylan's place, and has yet another outfit following the attack on Chicago the following day. Not only that, she changes her earrings, too!
* When the Autobots are boarding the ''Xantium,'' Simmons mentions that nine Autobots are leaving. Former Decepticons Wheelie and Brains apparently don't count. Poor little guys!
* The Wreckers claim they had been hiding inside a rocket booster that was jettisoned from the ''Xantium'' before Starscream destroyed it. The boosters are only seen to be detached after Starscream destroys the ship, after it has barely taken off from the ground.
* Though it's a standard action movie contrivance, it sure is convenient that the glass windows inside skyscrapers are extremely fragile when needed, and glass shards are as dangerous as bread crumbs so nobody suffers a single cut from sliding across them.
* Shortly after everyone jumps through the window and starts sliding down, a downwards shot of the building shows all of the windows behind them are intact.
* As everyone tumbles through a lower floor of the building, [[Stone]] is shown to fall right through and out the other side with a collection of office furniture, but not long after is back with Epps's squad.
* Despite the Decepticons taking over Chicago and killing a whole bunch of people, there seem to be a lot of people continuing to go about their daily lives. The skyscraper Epps's team goes into to launch a rocket from still seems to have plenty of office workers in it when the Driller attacks it. When Sam's being thrown around on the end of the grapple glove rope while fighting Starscream, he crashes through a wall into a dry-cleaning business where a woman appears to be calmly hanging up a shirt. Did they all just not get the memo?
* The sequence beginning with Sam, Carly, Epps and the rest of the soldiers jumping out of the windows of the tilted skyscraper is one giant continuity headache: First they jump out of the windows, then slide down several stories, then the camera angle changes and they're sliding down several more stories, and ''then'' a wide shot shows the top of the skyscraper from an angle where the characters cannot be seen, then slowly pans around and eventually shows them all sliding down from one of the topmosts floors all over again! Eventually, they crash back into one of the lowest floors near the break. After the Driller has toppled the top portion of the skyscraper over, the group is ''again'' shown to escape from one one of the topmost floors to the neighboring building!
* Throughout the sequence of Barricade kicking and shoving Que along before executing him, he is speaking with Soundwave's voice. While possibly an editing error, it may have been a deliberate choice so as to avoid paying Frank Welker or Jess Harnell for an additional voice role.
*While fighting the Autobots at the end of the film, Sentinel Prime's cape disappears for a brief scene before reappearing on his back when the camera angle changes.
*When Sam and Carly are reunited after the final battle, Carly's hands keep changing the position on every cut, sometimes on Sam's neck, sometimes on his shoulders.
*Not intentional: Skids and Mudflap appear for a brief few seconds in the film. This leaves questions as to what happened to them. They weren't seen departing from Earth or taking part in the Chicago battle.
*It's said that four Autobots were captured by the Decepticons in Chicago, but actually five Autobots were captured. (Unless this observation was made ''before'' Bumblebee arrived after saving Sam and Lennox)
*When Que is about to be executed, the "cardboard head on a stick" prop used for [[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] during the shooting of the movie (a common method used for the movies to give the actors ''something'' to react to) can be spotted in the final edit of the film,<ref name="headprop">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/494618-movies-errors-mirage-prop-final-movie-edit.html "Movies Errors - Mirage prop in final movie edit"] at TFW2005</ref> possibly a leftover from an earlier draft of the script where Soundwave mocked Bumblebee with Dino's disembodied head.

==Transformers references==
In addition to recurring elements from the previous films, ''Dark of the Moon'' bases a number of elements on previous versions of the ''Transformers'' mythos, including plot elements based on older stories, something fairly rare in the other two movies:
* New characters [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] are heavily based upon their Generation 1 counterparts. [[Que]] is derived from G1 character [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]. [[Sentinel Prime]] is the name of Optimus's predecessor in many continuities, and in this instance, he continues his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|predecessor]]'s [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|legacy]] of being a giant jerk.

* "Carly" was the name of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]'s [[Carly|girlfriend and eventual wife]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].

* The ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' gets its name from the Autobots' crashed spaceship in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''Transformers'' comics]].

* The ''[[Xantium (G1)|Xantium]]'' is the name of the [[Wrecker]]s' spaceship in the [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''Transformers'' comics.

* [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]] and [[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]] being members of the Wreckers recalls their original G1 counterparts being likewise part of the Wreckers.

* Optimus's new trailer is based on the trailer that [[Optimus Prime (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]] hauled around, including its ability to open up into a weapons base.

* Optimus now carries the Matrix around in his chest as he has in past incarnations.

* The corrosive end met by Ironhide comes at the hands of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]], the oxidizing pathogen that first appeared in the Generation 1 cartoon episode [[Cosmic Rust (episode)|of the same name]]. Though not named in the film, its identity is made clear by production artwork by [[Josh Nizzi]] which labels Sentinel Prime's gun a "Cosmic Rust gun".

* Megatron removing [[Abraham Lincoln]] from his chair at the [[wikipedia:Lincoln Memorial|Lincoln Memorial]] and then sitting in it is a scene taken directly from the Generation 1 cartoon episode, "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]", and the Decepticon ending for ''[[Transformers The Game]]'' (sort of).

* The idea of bringing Cybertron to Earth via space bridge and enslaving humans was the plot of the Generation 1 multi-part episode "[[The Ultimate Doom]]."

* Likewise, the idea of an influential and powerful human joining forces with the Decepticons, resulting in the Autobots being exiled from Earth by the government via a spacecraft, only for that spacecraft to be destroyed, was the plot behind another Generation 1 cartoon multi-part episode, "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1|Megatron's Master Plan]]."

* Megatron's first line - a weary "[[All Hail Megatron|All hail Megatron]]" - is the title of IDW's direction-changing comic maxi-series, which had just wrapped up when production on the film was beginning.

* When the worker at Accureta Systems is trying to make the [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|photocopier]] work, it beeps the "more than meets the eye" refrain from the original cartoon's [[theme song]].

* The [[Transformation#The noise|transformation noise]] can be heard at the end of the film when Bumblebee transforms to robot mode, the final onscreen transformation, just as it was heard during [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout's]] transformation, which was also the first onscreen transformation in the first film.

==Real-world references==
* When Brains and Wheelie are watching ''[[Wikipedia: Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek: The Original Series]]'', the screen features [[Spock|Mr. Spock]], portrayed by Leonard Nimoy—who voices Sentinel Prime. Wheelie comments that it is "the one where Spock goes nuts," which foreshadows Sentinel's heel turn. The episode itself is the famous ''TOS'' episode "[[Wikipedia: Amok Time|Amok Time]]", although for some inexplicable reason, the first of the two clips shown on-screen is ''mirrored''.

* Sentinel Prime says "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." The voice actor said the same line in the 1982 film ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' as Mr. Spock. However, in that movie, Nimoy's character dies a hero.

* To finish the Spock trifecta, when Bumblebee says his goodbyes to Sam, he uses a clip of Leonard Nimoy, as Spock, saying "I will always be your friend," another line from ''Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan''.

* [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] and his fake girlfriend's name, "India", are a reference to [[Wikipedia:Dutch India|Dutch India]].

* [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]'s name is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Q (James Bond)|Q]] from ''[[Wikipedia:James Bond|James Bond]]'' novels and films. Que also gives weapons to NEST soldiers while explaining the advantages and abilities for the weapons much like Q does for James Bond.

* When Bumblebee brings forth "rings" for Sam and Carly, he "hums" the [[Wikipedia: Wedding March|Wedding March]] (or, more correctly, the [[Wikipedia: Bridal Chorus|Bridal Chorus]] from [[Wikipedia: Richard Wagner|Richard Wagner's]] 1850 opera ''[[Wikipedia: Lohengrin (opera)|Lohengrin]]'').
*Before Sentinel gets attacked by Megatron, he quotes "There can only be one" from the film Highlander. Sentinel is also modeled after one of the film's lead stars Sean Connery.

==Other editions==

==Prequel material==
*''[[Transformers: Sector 7]]''
*''[[Transformers: Foundation]]''
*''[[Transformers: Rising Storm]]''
*''[[Transformers: Convergence]]''
*''[[Transformers: Jazz]]''
*''[[Transformers: Space Case]]''
*''[[Transformers: Ratchet]]''
*''[[Transformers: Arcee]]''
*''[[Transformers: Bumblebee]]''
*''[[Transformers: Starscream]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Stealth Force Edition]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Autobots/Decepticons]]''
*''[[Transformers (Titan Magazine)#Dark of the Moon|Transformers (Titan Magazine)]]''
*''[[Transformers Classified: Switching Gears]]''

==Adaptations==
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]]''

==Soundtrack==
{{main|Dark of the Moon: The Album}}

==Score==
{{main|Dark of the Moon: The Score}}

==Home video releases==
''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' was released on DVD, Blu-Ray, and Digital Download on September 30, 2011, followed by the 2-Disc Special Edition in December.<ref>[TFW2005 - Official Transformers Movie Website Updated With Transformers 3 Home Release Info http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/official-transformers-movie-website-updated-with-transformers-3-home-release-info-173245/]</ref>
===Additional Information===
{{collist|
* Close Captions in English
* Audio Description as Audio Description in English <ref>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005G4TJUC/audiodescriin-20</ref>|collist}}

==Theatrical posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
File:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
File:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
File:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
File:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Reception==
On June 23, 2011, the world premiere of ''Dark of the Moon'' was held in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]], with band [[Linkin Park]] performing a concert that included their title song for the movie, "Iridescent".

The official release date was moved up from July 1 to June 29 to allow breathing room between its release and ''[[Wikipedia:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]''. On June 28, 2011, the film was released in 3D and IMAX at 9pm in the US. Some theaters cheated a little and showed it at 8:45.

''Dark of the Moon'' launched with nearly 10,000 copies in 4011 theaters nationwide. On its opening day, the movie earned $37.3 million, making not only for the best opening day of 2011 up to that point, but also ranking as the sixth most successful opening on a Wednesday ever, while at the same time ranking well behind ''Revenge of the Fallen'', with $60 million on its opening day (also a Wednesday).<ref name="openingday">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3197&p=.htm "'Transformers' Suboptimal on Wednesday"], Box Office Mojo, June 2011.</ref> (Of course, a lot of the print material still listed the release date as [[July 1]]st, the following Friday.)

On [[August 2]], it crossed the $1 billion mark in worldwide gross, just under 5 weeks after its release, landing it in the #9 spot for worldwide gross of all time.<ref>http://www.deadline.com/2011/08/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-crosses-1-billion-worldwide-mark-for-paramount/ Deadline Hollywood</ref> Of that, $338 million came from the US. It is currently the only Paramount picture to have made the $1 billion mark. (While ''Titanic'' also made over $1 billion worldwide, it was only a Paramount movie ''domestically'', where it made "only" $620 million.)

''Dark of the Moon'' ended its theatrical run in the #4 spot for highest worldwide gross of all time.

''Dark of the Moon'' was nominated for three Academy Awards, in the categories of Best Visual Effects, Sound Editing, and Sound Mixing, losing all to ''[[wikipedia: Hugo (film)|Hugo]]''.<ref>[http://oscar.go.com/nominees#t Official 2012 Oscar nominees page]</ref>

On February 25, 2012, it was announced that ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' was nominated for eight [[Wikipedia:Golden Raspberry Award|Golden Raspberry Award]]s. Unlike ''Revenge of the Fallen'', however, it did not receive the awards for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, & Worst Director, losing all of its nominations to ''[[wikipedia: Jack & Jill (film)|Jack & Jill]]''.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-is-safe-from-razzies-174726/]</ref>

==Production staff==
{{stub}}

===Visual effects===
{{stub}}

===Locations department===
{{quote|[The Decepticons'] decision to attack Chicago<ref>http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-471495</ref> seems inexplicable, until you take into consideration the generous tax credits offered by the Illinois Film Office.|film critic Roger Ebert|[http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2011/07/on_the_origin_of_transformers.html On the Origin of Transformers]}}

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
[[File:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'', [[DreamWorks]] announced that two sequels were already being planned.<ref name="spy">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a58430/two-transformers-sequels-in-pipeline.html Digital Spy article from May 2007, confirming that two sequels were being planned]</ref> On March 16, 2009, over three months before the premiere of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] announced the third movie for July 1, 2011.<ref name="3release">Pamela McClintock: [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001280?refCatId=13 Variety article from March 2009], confirming Transformers 3 for July 2011.</ref> Director [[Michael Bay]] promptly backpedaled, as he had intended for the third ''Transformers'' movie to be released in 2012.<ref name="baywait">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?3947-Wait-a-minute! Michael Bay's reaction to Paramount's July 2011 date for ''Transformers 3''], March 2009.</ref> He officially changed his mind in October 2009, agreeing to the release date set by Paramount.<ref name="bay3-2011">[http://michaelbay.com/2009/10/01/transformers-3-july-1st-2011/ Michael Bay officially confirms the 2011 release date], October 2009.</ref>

[[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], two of the previous two movies' screenwriters, had already announced in March 2009 that they would not return for a third part.<ref name="noorcikurtz">[http://www.slashfilm.com/orci-and-kurtzman-not-returning-for-transformers-3-will-leonard-nimoy-voice-the-fallen/ Slashfilm quoting Roberto Orci that he and Kurtzman would not return for a third movie], March 2009. (Original post on Don Murphy's message board appears to no longer exist.)</ref> In September 2009, their ''Revenge'' co-writer [[Ehren Kruger]] was confirmed as the screenwriter of ''Transformers 3''.<ref name="krugernelson">[http://michaelbay.com/2009/09/14/transformers-3-pain-gain-bad-boys-3/ Michael Bay's website admin Nelson Lauren sorta-confirms Ehren Kruger as TF3's screenwriter], September 2009.</ref> Kruger had already impressed both director Michael Bay and [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] with his knowledge of ''Transformers'' mythology prior to working on ''Revenge''.<ref name="writersr">[http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/zap-transformers2writers,0,1938976.story Zap2it story about the ROTF writers]</ref>

In an interview with ''Wonderland'' magazine in September 2009, [[Megan Fox]], the main female star of the previous two movies, discussed the harsh conditions on the sets and compared director Michael Bay to [[Wikipedia:Adolf Hitler|Adolf Hitler]].<ref name="latimesfox">[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2009/09/megan-fox-on-michael-bay-he-wants-to-be-hitler.html Los Angeles Times article about Megan Fox's fatal interview with ''Wonderland'' magazine], September 2009.</ref> Bay initially played down the affair and still welcomed Fox back for the third installment a month later.<ref name="bay3-2011"/> Even though Fox was still spotted on the ''Transformers 3'' set in May 2010,<ref name="foxonset">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/100786-megan-fox-on-set-for-transformers-3-previz Megan Fox on the DOTM set], May 2010.</ref> Paramount announced a few weeks later that she wouldn't return for a third movie after all.<ref name="nomorefox">[http://www.deadline.com/2010/05/michael-bays-revenge-no-more-megan/ Deadline article confirming that Megan Fox had been dropped off ''Transformers 3''], May 2010.</ref> Still that same month, [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] was confirmed to replace her as the lead female actress.<ref name="rosierepl">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1640047/model-rosie-huntingtonwhiteley-cast-transformers-3.jhtml MTV.com article confirming Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as the new female star of ''Transformers ''], May 2010.</ref> Her character's name was confirmed as "[[Carly Spencer|Carly]]" by Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, in July 2010.<ref name="nelsonchicagojul">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7566-Transformers-3-Chicago-Set-Photos Nelson posts about his visit to the Chicago set at shootfortheedit.com's forums], July 2010.</ref> In 2011, Michael Bay finally confirmed in an interview with ''GQ'' magazine that it had been [[Steven Spielberg]], executive producer of the ''Transformers'' movies, who had urged him to fire Fox following the Hitler comparison.<ref name="baygq">[http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201107/michael-bay-steven-spielberg-fired-megan-fox-transformers GQ interview with Michael Bay], June 2011.</ref> In a later interview, however, he claimed this statement had been taken out of context.<ref name="baych">[http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/kultur/kino/Diese-Autos-muessen-zerstoert-werden--und-da-bin-ich-der-richtige-Mann/story/23997460 Interview with Michael Bay from Switzerland] (German language), July 2011.</ref>

In March 2010, Oscar winners [[John Malkovich]] and [[Frances McDormand]] as well as Comedian [[Ken Jeong]] were confirmed having signed on for supporting roles.<ref name="malkomcdor">[http://michaelbay.com/2010/03/22/transformers-3-update-from-michael-bay/ Michael Bay confirming John Malkovich, Frances McDormand and Ken Jeong for ''Transformers 3''], March 2010.</ref>

In April 2010, [[Kevin Dunn]] and [[Julie White]] were confirmed as returning as Sam Witwicky's parents.<ref name="varietydunnwhite">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017329.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 'Dunn, White sign on for 'Transformers 3''], Variety, April 2010.</ref>

In May 2010, Paramount confirmed that [[Patrick Dempsey]] has been cast in ''Transformers 3'' to play Mikaela Banes' boss (this was before Megan Fox was fired from the production).<ref name="dempsey">[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/05/04/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-transformers-3/ "Patrick Dempsey confirmed for Transformers 3"], Hollywood Insider, May 2010.</ref>

In July 2010, Nelson Lauren confirmed that former American footballer [[Lester Speight]] would play a soldier in the movie.<ref name="nelsonchicagophotos">[http://michaelbay.com/2010/07/20/transformers-3-chicago-set-photos/ Photos of the Chicago set by michaelbay.com webmaster Nelson Lauren], July 2010.</ref>

[[Leonard Nimoy]] was confirmed as the voice actor for [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] in March 2011.<ref name="nimoysent">[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon Entertainment Weekly announces Leonard Nimoy's involvement], March 2011]</ref> Nimoy, who had previously voiced [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] in 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and was married to Michael Bay's cousin Susan, had previously been under consideration for [[The Fallen]]'s voice in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', but Bay had been hesitant for fear of offending his relative with the relatively low pay allotted to voice actors.<ref name="nimoy1">[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/04/21/michael-bay-afraid-to-offend-leonard-nimoy-with-transformers-family-reunion-offer/ ''Michael Bay Afraid To Offend Leonard Nimoy With ‘Transformers’ Family Reunion Offer''], MTV.com Movies blog, April 2009.</ref> Even though Nimoy openly asked Bay to simply give him a call,<ref name="nimoy2">[http://www.latinoreview.com/news/leonard-nimoy-to-michael-bay-call-me-6682 Leonard Nimoy To Michael Bay: "Call Me!"], Latino Review, April 2009.</ref> it ultimately never worked out, and The Fallen was voiced by [[Tony Todd]] instead. For ''Dark of the Moon'', Bay finally overcame his anxiety and hired Nimoy, who accepted the offer.<ref name="nimoy3">[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ "Leonard Nimoy joins 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' voice cast -- EXCLUSIVE"], Entertainment Weekly, March 2011.</ref> In return, screenwriter Ehren Kruger included several nods to Nimoy's well-known character as Mr. Spock from ''[[Star Trek]]'' in the movie.<ref name="nimoystartrek">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666643/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-star-trek-references.jhtml "'Transformers: Dark Of The Moon': Behind The 'Star Trek' Nods"], MTV.com, July 2011.</ref> ''Dark of the Moon'' would be Nimoy's final performance in the ''Transformers'' franchise before his death in early 2015.

===Writing and production===
After having defended the almost universally critically panned ''Revenge of the Fallen'' for a long time, Michael Bay finally acknowledged flaws of the script, but blamed the [[Wikipedia:2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike|2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]] prior to the movie for many problems. As a definite error, he singled out the "dork comedy", which he promised to avoid with ''Dark of the Moon''.<ref name="bayvisit">[http://collider.com/michael-bay-interview-transformers-dark-moon-edit-bay-visit/63824/ Collider.com article about DOTM], December 2010.</ref>

Principal shooting began in May 2010. Shooting locations included [[Chicago]] (and nearby East Chicago and Gary Indiana), Moscow,<ref name="locations">[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=63682 "Transformers 3 Headed to Chicago and Moscow"], Comingsoon.net, February 2010.</ref> the [[Kennedy Space Center]] in Florida,<ref name="kennedyspace">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/101114-the-transformers-3-shoot-at-kennedy-space-center "The Transformers 3 Shoot at Kennedy Space Center"], SuperHeroHype.com, May 2010.</ref> Milwaukee (Wisconsin),<ref name="milwaukee">[http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/movies/98266574.html "'Transformers 3' takes over Milwaukee Art Museum"], Journal Sentinel Online, July 2010.</ref> Detroit,<ref name="detroit">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/107775-photos-from-the-detroit-transformers-3-set "Photos From the Detroit Transformers 3 Set"], SuperHeroHype.com, September 2010.</ref> [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="militaryextras">[http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=473674758199&id=114648515718 US Department of Defense casting call for ''Dark of the Moon''], October 2010.</ref> and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.<ref name="angkor">[http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=1184 "'Transformers 3' To Be Shot in Cambodia"], Agence Kampuchea Presse, January 2011.</ref>

For the scene where Lennox and his soldier jump out of a V-22 Osprey using wingsuits, Michael Bay used real parachutists and thus avoided unnecessary CG effects. In fact, he had been inspired for this scene in the first place by watching the parachutists in their wingsuits on television<ref name="wingsuits">[http://blog.movies.yahoo.com/blog/1498-transformers-wingsuits-no-cgi-required Yahoo! Movies article on the wingsuit parachutists], June 2011.</ref> and wrote the scene with the intention of using the parachutists in the movie.<ref name="bayvisit"/>

For the Apollo 11 moon landing mission in the flashback sequence at the beginning of the movie, astronauts [[Neil Armstrong]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] are played by actors Don Jeanes and Cory Tucker, respectively. In the present day timeline, Aldrin himself appears briefly as his own older self.<ref name="aldrin">[http://movies.yahoo.com/news/yahoo-contributor-network/astronaut-buzz-aldrin-hangs-out-with-optimus-prime-transformers-dark-moon Yahoo! Movies article on Buzz Aldrin's appearance in DOTM], July 2011.</ref>

Over 500 cars were destroyed in the making of ''Dark of the Moon'', all of them damaged property from insurance companies intended for destruction.<ref name="baych"/>
[[Image:ROTFvsDOTMUSNavyHollenbeck.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|right|Wherever General Morshower goes, I go.]]

Two accidents happened during shooting: In September 2010, while shooting in East Chicago, Indiana, a female extra was severely injured when a stunt scene went wrong, leaving her with permanent brain damage, the left side of her body paralyzed and her left eye stitched shut. Paramount was subsequently sued for damages by the victim's family.<ref name="extrastunt">[http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-10-05/news/ct-met-transformers-lawsuit-20101005_1_gabriela-cedillo-stunt-welding Chicago tibune article on the injured extra and the subsequent lawsuit], October 2010.</ref> She was eventually granted an $18.5 million settlement in May of 2012.<ref name="settlement">[http://www.tmz.com/2012/05/23/transfomers-3-injured-extra-gets-18-million-settlement/ TMZ story about Gabriela Cedillo's settlement]</ref> As a consequence, part of the scene of the car chase battle in Washington, D.C. (which would have included the shoot that had led to the accident) was instead "[[Stock footage|borrowed]]" from Michael Bay's 2005 film ''[[Wikipedia:The Island (2005 film)|The Island]]''.<ref name="island1">[http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/04/transformers-3-re-uses-car-crash-from-the-island "Transformers 3 Re-Uses Car Crash From The Island"], IGN Movies, July 2011.</ref> While shooting in Washington, D.C., in October 2010, one of the Chevrolet Camaro prop cars that served as Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] crashed into a [[Wikipedia: Metropolitan Police|Metropolitan Police]] SUV. Nobody was seriously injured this time, though Bumblebee sustained severe front-end damage.<ref name="camarocrash">[http://jalopnik.com/5661321/bumblebee-smashes-cop-car-in-yet-another-transformers-3-accident Jalopnik article on the Camaro crash], October 2010.</ref> Hasbro would later "commemorate" this latter event with the [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] [[Cyberverse]] "Cybertronian Warriors Pack". Fans, meanwhile, joked that the SUV was Barricade getting revenge.

Another (brief) instance of recycled footage occurs during the Chicago battle: When the Navy fires several Tomahawks at the Decepticons, the mission control room scene was previously used to depict the interior of the [[USS Kidd]] in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. The most obvious similarity is the [[Hollenbeck|same operator]] saying "Target acquired" both times.<ref name="recycled">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=6tSMdR8vH0s Youtube video] featuring brief clips from ''Dark of the Moon'' and ''Revenge of the Fallen'', highlighting the recycled footage.</ref>

''Dark of the Moon'' is the first of the ''Transformers'' movies to be released in 3D. Despite early considerations to shoot the movie in 2D and convert it into 3D later, Michael Bay ultimately shot 60% of the film in native 3D, another 15% were done digitally, and the rest was shot in 2D and converted later. [[James Cameron]] assisted Michael Bay with the 3D effects. The movie's budget amounted to $195 million, which is about the same budget ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had. About $30 million went into the 3D effects.<ref name="cameron">[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bay-reveals-james-camerons-191774 "Michael Bay Reveals James Cameron's Secret Role in the Making of 'Transformers'"], The Hollywood Reporter, May 2011.</ref>

=== Sponsors and partners ===
==== Hasbro ====
Hasbro, licensor of the [[Transformers brand]], hoped that the third movie would once again boost toy sales, after profits had dropped in the first quarter of 2011.<ref name="hasbroq12011">[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Hasbro-1Q-profit-drops-71-pct-apf-664090076.html?x=0&.v=11 Yahoo! Finance article about weak Hasbro toy sales in 2011's first quarter], April 2011.</ref> For the second quarter of 2011, Hasbro reported a net revenue growth of 23 percent to $908.5 million, citing brands such as ''Transformers'' and ''Beyblade'' as the main sources of the increased income.<ref name="hasbro2nsq">[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Hasbro-Reports-Revenue-and-bw-4063497156.html?x=0&.v=1 "Hasbro Reports Revenue and Earnings Growth for the Second Quarter 2011"], Yahoo! Finance, July 2011.</ref>

==== US military and NASA ====
Like the previous two movies, ''Dark of the Moon'' featured real military personnel as extras, supported by the [[United States Department of Defense]].<ref name="militaryextras"/> Shooting locations were Hurlburt Field and [[Edwards Air Force Base]].<ref name="hurlburt">[http://www.shadowspear.com/special-operations-entertainment/105725-transformers-filmed-at-hurlburt.html "'Transformers 3 Filmed at Hurlburt, 1SOW Included as 'Extras'"], ShadowSpear Special Operations, July 2011.</ref>

In addition, ''Dark of the Moon'' was also supported by NASA, and NASA employees appear as extras in the movie as well.<ref name="nasa">[http://www.space.com/12142-transformers-film-nasa-space-program-touches.html "'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' Has Real-Life NASA Touches"], Space.com, July 2011.</ref>

==== General Motors and other car manufacturers ====
[[General Motors]] once again provided several vehicles. All recurring Autobots retain their [[alternate mode]]s from ''Revenge of the Fallen'' despite some minor tweaks, such as Sideswipe now being a convertible, and Bumblebee now sporting a rear spoiler. Once again, the cooperation was mutual, with General Motors using Bumblebee for TV commercials. The first of those, aired during the 2011 Super Bowl, also revealed some minor tweaks to Bumblebee's robot mode.<ref name="bumblebeead1">[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/02/-bumblebee-appears-in-a-chevrolet-camaro-super-bowl-ad/1 "'Bumblebee' appears in Chevrolet's Super Bowl ad"], USA Today, February 2011.</ref><ref name="bumblebeead2">[http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/06/chevy-drops-new-ad-touting-transformers-3-tie-in/ "Video: Chevy drops new ad touting Transformers 3 tie-in"], Autoblog.com, June 2011.</ref> According to Chevrolet, the ''Transformers'' movies notably affect car sales, as about ten percent of all Camaros sold in the preceding year were yellow, twice as many as with other models.<ref name="carstarscast">[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/transformers-dark-moon-how-sequels-204557 "'Transformers: Dark of the Moon': How the Sequel's Star Cars Were Cast"], The Hollywood Reporter, June 2011.</ref>

New additions for ''Dark of the Moon'' are a Ferrari 458 Italia and a Mercedes-Benz E550 as Autobots ([[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]], respectively) and a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG as a Decepticon ([[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]). In the movie, both Autobots sport names which aren't recycled from existing Hasbro toys. In the Ferrari's case, the reason for this is that Hasbro's greatest competitor, Mattel, has an exclusive license for Ferrari toys.<ref name="ferrarimattel">[http://www.ferrari.com/English/Pages/Mattel.aspx Mattel license information], Ferrari.com.</ref><ref name="nelsonnomirage">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/409844-mirage-no-longer-name-red-italia-dotm-3.html#post6103423 Michael Bay's website admin, Nelson Lauren, explaining why the Ferrari isn't named "Mirage"], TFW2005, May 2011.</ref> "Dino" is named in reference to [[Wikipedia: Alfredo Ferrari|Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari]], as per Ferrari's request. The Mercedes-Benz E550, meanwhile, was specifically customized for the movie.<ref name="e550tuning">[http://www.eurotuner.com/news/eurp_1102_mercedes_benz_e550_for_next_transformers_movie/index.html "Mercedes-Benz E550 for Next Transformers Movie - Web Exclusive"], Eurotuner.com, February 2011.</ref> "Que" is named in homage to [[Wikipedia:Q (James Bond)|Q]] from [[Wikipedia:James Bond|James Bond]]. A Maybach 62S Landaulet is also featured in the movie, albeit not as a Transformer, but merely as a regular car used by [[Seymour Simmons]] and his assistant [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]].

Unlike Optimus Prime, whose alternate mode was not licensed for any of the three movies, the Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck used for [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] was officially provided by the Rosenbauer International AG and entirely repainted specifically for the film, at a cost of thousands of dollars, as real-world aircraft fire-fighting vehicles are required by FAA regulations to have a much lighter color scheme, which didn't appeal to director [[Michael Bay]].<ref name="rosenbauer">[http://www.rosenbaueramerica.com/press/2011/06/rosenbauer-panther-6x6-to-be-f/ Rosenbauer America press release, June 28, 2011]</ref>

Since the heavily armed Chevrolet Impalas that serve as the [[Wrecker|Wreckers']] alternate modes are directly based on existing NASCAR race cars, the prop versions of [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]], and [[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]] made an appearance at [[2011]] Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on [[February 20]], four month before the movie's release, appearing both off the track as display cars, and on the track, participating in the ceremonial first lap.<ref name="daytona">[http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/photos/2011/02/18/TRANSFORMERS-cars-on-display-at-Daytona "'TRANSFORMERS' cars on display at Daytona"], Hendrick Motorsports, February 2011.</ref> Director Michael Bay, actor [[Josh Duhamel]] and actress [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] also attended the event, and during the television broadcast of the race, a new ''Dark of the Moon'' television spot was aired.

==== Other product placement ====
As always, various companies have their products and names prominently displayed throughout the movie, such as [[Wikipedia:Northrop Grumman|Northrop Grumman]], [[CNN]], [[Fox News Channel|Fox News]], [[Wikipedia:Cisco|Cisco]] and [[Wikipedia:Superfund|Superfund]].<ref name="brands1">[http://www.brandchannel.com/brandcameo_films.asp?movie_year_az=2011 "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"] at brandchannel.com.</ref> Paper manufacturer Double A also cooperated with Paramount and even had Michael Bay direct a commercial that features scenes from ''Dark of the Moon'', notably [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]].<ref name="paper">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/167497-transformers-featured-in-double-a-paper-ad "Transformers Featured in Double A Paper Ad"] at SuperHeroHype, June 2011.</ref> Of particular note is the large number of Chinese brands such as [[Wikipedia:Lenovo|Lenovo]], [[Wikipedia:Yili Group|Yili]] Shuhua Milk, [[Wikipedia:Metersbonwe Group|Metersbonwe]] Mtee shirts and [[Wikipedia:TCL Corporation|TCL]] HDTV screens.<ref name="chinesebrands">[http://advertising.chinasmack.com/2011/transformers-the-rise-of-chinese-product-placement.html "Transformers: The Rise Of Chinese Product Placement"] at Chinasmack.</ref><ref name="brands2">[http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2011/07/05/Brandcameo-070411-Transformers-3.aspx "Transformers 3 Product Placement: If Tom Hanks Gets a Pass, Michael Bay Does Not"] at brandchannel, July 2011.</ref>

For [[Nokia]], the product placement turned out to be dated by the time the movie came out, as a mobile phone featured in the movie ran on [[Wikipedia:Symbian|Symbian]], despite Nokia mostly dropping Symbian as an operating system due to their recent partnership with [[Wikipedia:Microsoft|Microsoft]].<ref name="nokiaobit">[http://www.thenoisecast.com/2011/07/nokia-x7-product-placement-in-transformers-3-feels-like-an-obituary/ "Nokia X7 Product Placement In Transformers 3 Feels Like An Obituary"], Noisecast, July 2011.</ref>

=== Changes before, during and after production ===
* In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in June 2009, Michael Bay suggested that [[Ramon Rodriguez]] would reprise his role as [[Leo Spitz]] from ''Revenge of the Fallen'' for the third movie.<ref name="bayramon">[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2009/06/30/ramon-rodriguez-will-have-bigger-role-in-third-transformers-movie-bay-hints/ "Ramon Rodriguez will have bigger role in third ‘Transformers’ movie, Bay hints"], Los Angeles Times, June 2009.</ref>

* As stated above, [[Megan Fox]] was originally intended to reprise her role as [[Mikaela Banes]] from the previous two movies. She was still spotted on the ''Dark of the Moon'' set during the previsualization stage in May 2010,<ref name="foxonset"/> but was fired from the production shortly afterwards due to a falling out with director [[Michael Bay]]. [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]]'s character of [[Carly Spencer]] was written in as a replacement, though the fact that her part was originally written for Mikaela still shows in some parts: For example, Carly is overseeing [[Dylan Gould|Dylan]]'s car collection, which could be viewed as an extension of Mikaela's history with working with cars. Furthermore, Sam and Carly not only have [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] (who had been previously "domesticated" by Mikaela) as a "pet", but also her dog [[Bonecrusher (dog)|Bonecrusher]] (played by Michael Bay's eponymous real-life dog).

[[File:DOTM Skids, Mudflap, Que and Sideswipe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Eat this, Megan Fox.]]
*In January 2010, actor James Avery claimed in an interview that he would be playing a new Autobot named "Silverbolt".<ref name="avery">[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136 James Avery interview on Unscripted], January 2010</ref> In June 2010, representatives of James Avery, responding to a bizarre rumor that he had passed away, confirmed that the actor was indeed alive and would be playing Silverbolt in ''Transformers 3''.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/entertainment-in-national/uncle-phil-james-avery-isn-t-dead-after-all James Avery isn't dead after all], The Examiner, June 2010.</ref> Despite this, neither Avery nor Silverbolt ultimately appear in ''Dark of the Moon''.

* In January of 2011, an Idaho newspaper<ref>[http://magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story "Rupert's Fagerbakke finds a voice that is truly golden"]</ref> announced voice actor [[Bill Fagerbakke]] as the voice of a "Chevy Impala stock car" that would appear in ''Dark of the Moon'' (presumably meaning one of the three [[Wrecker]]s, who share that base altmode). Why Fagerbakke did not end up voicing any of the Wreckers in the final cut of the film is unknown.

* Shockwave's original voice actor, [[Corey Burton]], expressed that he had no interest in voicing him for ''Dark of the Moon'', explaining "[I] have practically no interest in that kind of mega-budget movie enterprise involvement" and that the inspiration for his Shockwave voice, [[wikipedia:David Warner (actor)|David Warner]], was rumored to have been considered.<ref>[http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight=#2707 Corey Burton's message board post.]</ref> In the end, Shockwave's almost-entirely-wordless-snarl-based role would have been something of a waste of Warner; the role ultimately went to Frank Welker. There's a nice touch of symmetry in the casting, with Welker taking over a Burton-originated role not long after Burton took on a Welker-originated character in [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' Megatron]].

* In an earlier draft of the movie's script, Megatron is sincere when he offers Optimus Prime a truce at the end. Optimus accepts, and Megatron and the remaining Decepticons leave Earth to rebuild Cybertron. This ending is used for the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation|comic adaptation]]. According to Michael Bay's website administrator Nelson, the ending was changed because the studio didn't want the adaptations to share the same ending with the film.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/members/nelson-47919.html#vmessage284191</ref>

* Furthermore, it was originally supposed to be [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage/"Dino"]] rather than [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack/"Que"]] who would have been executed by [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] in Chicago. This version made it into the comic adaptation and the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel|junior novelization]].

[[File:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Colour me your colour, baby Colour me your car Colour me your colour, darling I know who you are]]
* Another scrapped death for Mirage is seen in the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]], in where he's decapicated by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. His severed head is subsequently used by Soundwave to mock the Autobots before they are about to get executed.

* A scrapped death for Wheeljack/"Que" involved the Autobot being run off of a Chicago street and into a river by the [[Driller]], where he would have been torn to pieces by Decepticon troopers lying in wait in the river.

* [[The Twins]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], were originally supposed to return for ''Dark of the Moon'', and to die at the hands of Sentinel Prime shortly after Ironhide. Even though [[General Motors]] provided two Chevrolet Sparks to serve as their alternate modes<ref name="chevyspark">[http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-spark-transformers-3.html Left Lane News article on two Chevrolet Sparks spotted on the DOTM set], May 2010.</ref> which were still spotted on the set as late as October 2010,<ref name="dcparking">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/10/transformers-3-dc-parking-lot-gallery.html "Transformers 3 DC Parking Lot Gallery"], Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, October 2010.</ref> the two were mostly edited out of the final movie (their vehicle modes can barely be glimpsed in a few brief shots). Michael Bay even went so far as to offer a $25,000 reward for anyone who would see the Twins "perform" in the movie.<ref name="reward">[http://collider.com/transformers-3-twins-skids-mudflap-michael-bay/91104/ Collider.com article on Michael Bay's "reward" for spotting Skids and Mudflap "perform" in DOTM], May 2011.</ref> In the novelization and the comic adaptation, Skids and Mudflap still appear.

* Another plot point that was apparently dropped was an anti-Autobot sentiment among the human populace. Graffiti with a crossed out Autobot [[insignia|logo]] with the words "go home" below it showed up in several set photos.<ref name="gohome1">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/05/transformers-3-filming-with-twins.html Photos from the set in Sherman Oaks, California] at the Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, May 2010.</ref><ref name="gohome2">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/possible-tf3-plot-point-revealed-autobots-go-home/19188/ Photos from the Chicago set] at Seibertron.com, July 2010.</ref> In the movie, Congress instantly passes a law exiling the Autobots from Earth following Sentinel Prime's ultimatum.

* Early working names included "[[Ultra Magnus (disambiguation)|Ultra Magnus]]" for [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]],<ref name="chicagocall">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2011/06/chicgo-call-sheet-for-ultra-magnus.html "Chicago Call Sheet For Ultra Magnus"], Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, June 2011.</ref> "Enzo" (after [[Wikipedia:Enzo Ferrari|Enzo Ferrari]])<ref name="callsheet2">[http://tilallaremine.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/dark-of-the-moon-call-sheets/ Dark of the Moon Call Sheets!] at Til All Are Mine blog, July 2011.</ref> and "Rush" for Mirage/"Dino", "[[Warpath (disambiguation)|Warpath]]" for both [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]] and [[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]], "Tempest" for Topspin, "[[Flash (disambiguation)|Flash]]" for [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]], "[[Dreadwind (disambiguation)|Dreadwind]]" for [[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]], "[[Hooligan (disambiguation)|Hooligan]]" for [[Crowbar]], "[[Dirtbag]]" for [[Hatchet]], "[[Blitzwing (disambiguation)|Blitzwing]]" for [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], "[[Breakdown (disambiguation)|Breakdown]]" for Soundwave's new vehicular design, "[[Clench (G1)|Colossus]]" for the [[Driller]],<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref> "Buzzard" for [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], "[[Undermine (disambiguation)|Undermine]]" for [[Igor]] and "[[Steeljaw (disambiguation)|Steeljaw]]" for Wheeljack/"Que". However, it's quite possible a few of these were code names used to keep character identities a secret during production as images of Megatron's new cloak obscured face refer to the character as "[[Cyclonus (disambiguation)|Cyclonus]]".<ref name="wburt">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt DOTM concepts.]</ref>

* Roadbuster was originally intended to have [[Wikipedia:Jeff Gordon|Jeff Gordon]]'s #24 [[Wikipedia:DuPont|DuPont]]-sponsored Chevrolet Impala as his alternate mode, rather than [[Wikipedia:Dale Earnhardt, Jr.|Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]'s #88 Impala sponsored by [[Wikipedia:AMP Energy|AMP Energy]].<ref name="nizzi"/>

[[File:DOTMSuperBowlvsTrailer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|So does this qualify as a retcon?]]
* Que/Wheeljack's head was once considered to be based on [[Wikipedia:Christopher Lloyd|Christopher Lloyd]]'s [[Wikipedia:Emmett Brown|Doc Brown]] from the [[Wikipedia:Back to the Future trilogy|''Back to the Future'' movies]], rather than [[Wikipedia:Albert Einstein|Albert Einstein]].<ref name="wburt"/>

* The Wreckers were originally intended to have a robot pet dog, whose working names also included "Warpath".<ref name="nizzi"/> Hasbro released a toy of the dog with the [[Human Alliance]] version of Leadfoot, named "[[Steeljaw (DOTM)|Steeljaw]]".

* Megatron was originally supposed to appear in his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' form.<ref>http://joshnizzi.com/images/TF3/JoshNizzi_TF3_56.jpg</ref>

* In an interview with MTV.com, actors [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[John Malkovich]] hinted at some smaller scenes that were cut from the final edit of the movie. In addition to some add-libbing by the actors, one scene would have featured Malkovich's character, [[Bruce Brazos]], attempting to get Carly's phone number.<ref name="deletedmtv">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666772/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-dvd-deleted-scenes.jhtml MTV.com on deleted scenes], July 2011.</ref>

* In the original teaser trailer for ''Dark of the Moon'' that was released in December 2010, the opening scene that featured [[Neil Armstrong]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] investigate the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' on the moon had Sentinel Prime sport a gold and silver color scheme. For the final movie, his base color was changed to red.

* Similar to the teaser trailer, the Super Bowl spot also features footage that contains unfinished CG effects. Most notably, the shot that depicts Optimus Prime, equipped with his flight pack, swooping down on the Decepticons before starting his epic rampage on the ground was changed by the time the first full trailer was released: Optimus himself and the nameless [[M1 Abrams Decepticon]] are both rescaled and moved to different positions on-screen; a Decepticon using the same [[body-type]] as [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] is removed entirely; and a Decepticon using the same body-type as Long Haul, as well as other [[generic]]s, are added. The final movie uses pretty much the same version as seen in the trailer.
{{-}}

=== Leaks and disinformation===
[[File:DOTMgameSoundwave.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|What you're about to see is totally classified.]]
The movie's title, then "Transformers: ''The'' Dark of the Moon", was first discovered on October 6, 2010 via listings for childrens' books on [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]]. The title was further confirmed by a whois check for "www.transformersdarkofthemoonmovie.com".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-3-title-revealed-170697/ Transformers 3 Title Revealed?] @ TFW2005.com</ref> On October 31, the official website for all three movies, [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ transformersmovie.com], was updated to show the ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' logo as well as international release dates.

[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] was heavily touted as the new main villain, no doubt in an attempt to conceal [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]'s unexpected betrayal halfway through the movie. A piece of information that commonly popped up in media coverage was the claim that Shockwave was the ruler of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] while the other Autobots and Decepticons were duking it out on Earth.<ref name="pushpops">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-3-plot-summary-revealed-170756/ "Transformers 3 Plot Summary Revealed"], TFW2005, October 2010.</ref> The last bit could be written off as a case of [[Wikipedia:Chinese whispers|chinese whisper]]: Shockwave got announced as the villain for ''Dark of the Moon'', mainstream media (such as USA Today<ref name="usatodayswitch">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm "Next 'Transformers' is due for a switch"], USA Today, June 2010.</ref>) who aren't versed in Transformers lore looked up the character, found out about his ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Shockwave (G1)|namesake]]'s role in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]], included it as a piece of trivia to show they did their research, and then the trivia note got picked up as gospel by other media. Nevertheless, it was included in the ''official plot summary'' by Paramount's German branch (which also claimed that ''Shockwave'' was the robot discovered inside the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' as seen in the trailer).<ref name="germansite">[http://www.transformers3-film.de/ Official German DOTM site] including faulty plot summary.</ref>

[[File:TF3HasbroSoundwaveBio.JPG|thumb|upright=1.66|left|If you breathe a word of what you see in here, you will do time for treason.]]Michael Bay and other official parties tried ''really'' hard to suppress the plot twist of the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG given to [[Carly Spencer|Carly]] by [[Dylan Gould|Dylan]] turning out to be the new [[alternate mode]] of [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. After the Mercedes had been spotted on the set, with [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] exiting it,<ref name="mercedesset">[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=67518 DOTM Set Photos], ComingSoon.net, July 2010.</ref> the first hint that it was more than meets the eye came with the trailer for the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|video game]], which showed Soundwave's robot mode with car [[kibble]] such as wheels that heavily resembled those of the Mercedes. In addition, [[Rising Storm issue 3|issue 3]] of ''[[Transformers: Rising Storm]]'' depicted Soundwave's robot mode not only with car kibble, but with a Mercedes star on his chest. Despite this, director Michael Bay insisted that the Mercedes was simply Carly's car, claiming that "Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's {{sic}} really frown on that. I can't say what the game company and comics do that's their own thing. They don't have the same constraints movies do. It's Carly's car."<ref name="baynomerc">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8724-Update-Is-Soundwave-the-silver-Mercedes-on-set-of-DOTM&p=169598&viewfull=1#post169598 Michael Bay's response to the fan theory that Soundwave is the Silver Mercedes.], April 2011.</ref> On April 19, 2011, an event for promoting the ''Spider-Man: Edge of Time'' and ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' video games was held in London. As part of this, [[High Moon Studios]] released promotional stills from the ''Dark of the Moon'' game, one of which depicted Soundwave's new robot mode, again with Mercedes parts. However, a news embargo was enforced on the attending press, which was broken by South African video game site [http://egamer.co.za egamer].<ref name="egamera">[http://egamer.co.za/2011/05/exclusive-hands-on-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ egamer's preview of the ''Dark of the Moon'' video game]</ref> The site was soon asked to take down the article and images, as were various ''Transformers'' fan sites that had reported on the article and mirrored the images. On May 2, 2011, Hasbro's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/ official Transformers website] was given a massive overhaul, including the addition of the new [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma database]. The entry for Soundwave initially identified his alternate mode as a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, but was soon changed to "satellite". On May 3, 2011, the embargo for the video game article and promotional stills was finally lifted, allowing sites to freely show the image of Soundwave's new robot mode.

On May 5, 2011, several weeks before the trade paperback collection's official release, preview pages from [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation|''Dark of the Moon'' comic adaptation]] were discovered at Amazon. Through some bizarre system error, ''several dozen pages'' were made available, which included the major plot twist of Sentinel Prime showing his true colors and killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. Unsurprisingly, this discovery was quickly posted on several major Transformers [[fandom|fan sites]], often without a spoiler warning.

==Notes==
* A 126-page script for the movie was leaked in December 2009,<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6435/20/ The Allspark: Transformers News Movie Comics Animated - Script Treatment for Transformers 3? Bogus or Not, Here You Go!]</ref> causing much discussion among the fandom. It was later confirmed as fake.<ref>[http://shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6532 Script]</ref>
* When word hit that [[Megan Fox]] was off the picture, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VTs5ESycpY Heidi Montag] put an "audition" for her part on YouTube. [http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/114ce28ddd/sir-ben-kingsley-shows-up-heidi-montag Sir Ben Kingsley] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4FZeucBO0c Ashton Kutcher] made fun of her, because life is rad.
* Several concepts that had been established by the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]] were (more or less) dropped with ''Dark of the Moon'' in favor or a more traditional, ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]''-esque approach:
** In the 2007 movie, the Autobots arrive on Earth in "[[Protoform]]" entry modes (which was subsequently used as the basis for the Decepticons' arrival in [[Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall]]). Prior to the release of the movie, screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]] defended this choice over the use of a spaceship such as the ''Ark'' by asking why "aliens who moonlight as vehicles need other vehicles to travel".<ref name="orcitravel">[http://tformers.com/Ark-Not-Making-An-Appearance-In-the-Movie/6513/news.html TFormers quoting Roberto Orci], because Don Murphy's board can only be read by registered members.</ref> He somewhat changed his mind after the movie had been released, however.<ref name="orciship">[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=388596&postcount=271 Roberto Orci on the Transformers Live Action Movie Boards], July 2007.</ref> After the Decepticons' ship, the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', had made an appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', ''Dark of the Moon'' not only introduces the movieverse version of the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'', but also reveals that all the new Autobots who have been on Earth since before ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had arrived in their own spaceship, the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'', making the notion of individual Transformers traveling through space as "comets" an exception rather than the rule. ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' would also later depict the Autobots as stranded on Earth after the destruction of the ''Xantium'' in this film, further pointing towards the "comet" transportation as an abandoned concept.
** Furthermore, ''Dark of the Moon'' largely abandons the idea of Transformers having all their weapons integrated into their bodies in favor of more traditional, separate weapons. For example, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who had blades and hooks emerging from his forearms in the previous two movies now stores all his weapons (including an axe) as accessories inside his trailer (though he still carries some on his person). Also, Ironhide, whose cannons were previously affixed to his arms, now sports handheld firearms instead. Even Megatron, whose [[fusion cannon]] previously grew out of his arms, now has a hand-held shotgun. Though it can be argued that Optimus still has his swords in his arms during the Chicago battle, and both Ironhide and Megatron lost their integrated weapons in the previous film, the general change is still noticeable. The only ones who still seem to have the same converting arm cannons as in the previous movies are Bumblebee, Ratchet, and Starscream.
* Another change from the previous movies (though not rooted in ''Generation 1'') is that Transformers that take damage in battle now spill a red liquid that is very obviously meant to resemble human blood.
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] finally achieves a certain consistency between his two primary modes: Ever since his upgrade to a modern Camaro in ''Transformers'' (2007), his [[license plate]] had alternated between "900 STRA" in vehicle mode and "4NZZ 454" in robot mode. ''Dark of the Moon'' finally uses "900 STRA" for the robot mode as well. Hasbro's toys, which had previously favored the CG robot model's "4NZZ 454" (barring the occasional "4NZZ'''Z''' 454" flub), follow suit.
*Speaking of license plates: [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]]'s Maybach 62S Landaulet sports a German license plate, "'''S MM 6201'''", registered in the city of Stuttgart. In reality, that plate is registered to the manufacturer and used for promotional photos.<ref name="maybach">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/update--transformers-3-rumor--who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-170533/ Set photos and promo photos of the Maybach 62S Landaulet] at TFW2005.</ref>
*Michael Bay's private Gulfstream Aerospace G-1159A jet (registration number N4500X) has a cameo in the movie as [[Charlotte Mearing]]'s plane.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Darkside Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dākusaido Mūn'')
*''Cantonese:'' (變形金剛: 黑月降臨, "Transformers: The Arrival of the Black Moon")
*''Finnish:'' '''''Transformers: Kuun pimeä puoli''''' ("Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers 3: La Face cachée de la Lune''''' ("Transformers 3: The Hidden Side of the Moon")
*''German:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Italian:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biàn-xíng Jīn-gāng Sān''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛３, "Transformers 3"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Yuè Hēi zhī Shí''''' (China, 变形金刚：月黑之时, "Transformers: When the Moon Becomes Black")
*''Polish:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Lado Oculto da Lua''''' ("Transformers: The Hidden Side of the Moon")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery 3: Tjomnaja storona Luny''''' (Трансформеры 3: Тёмная сторона Луны, "Transformers 3: The Dark Side of the Moon")
*''Serbian:'' '''''Transformers 3: Tama Meseca''''' ("Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Lado Oscuro de la Luna''''' (America, "Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon")
*''Swedish:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersmovie.com/ Official ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' website]
*[http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ Trailers.Apple.com ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' page]
* Designer portfolios: [http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi], [http://www.warrenmanser.com/WarrenManser.com/PORTFOLIO_M/Pages/TRANSFORMERS_3.html Warren Manser], [http://www.joelchang.com/index.php?/projects/transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ Joel Chang], [http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8293 The Aaron Sims Company] (at Concept Art World), [http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt] (at Concept Art World), [http://massiveblack.com/MBwebolution/blog/?p=301 Massive Black], [http://www.ghull.com/#/125195 George Hull]

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[[Category:Dark of the Moon| Dark of the Moon (film)]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon media| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]